Editorial: tidings from the parliamentary sandbox

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Photo: Elmo Riig

In less than a month, the «seriousness» of some in parliament has been revealed regarding the working environment and Estonia’s interests.

By opposition votes, Centre and the Free included, the influential EU affairs committee is hereby vice-headed by Jaak Madison (EKRE). The gymnasium-educated youth with meagre experience for a key position at Riigikogu may be in charge of decisions regarding EU legislation – including our stand towards financial crises in other member states. 

In this EU budget period, Estonia is recipient of billions of euros of our partners taxpayer money. At that, the issues at parliament will be decided by a person explaining «his thievery» in parliamentary web. Would the colleagues in donating parliaments be perhaps somewhat hesitant to shake the lad’s hand?

That we have come to this in choosing the staff at Toompea reveals what ruled this time at least – trying to get even, opposition attempting to belittle the government. The message? We are able to take decisions you don’t like – who cares about broader Estonian interests.

To this backdrop, no wonder the cohabitation act is getting a similar treatment. Again, EKRE as led by Martin Helme is making waves, the latter’s talk about «the purple brigade» is rather reminiscent of village drunks bragging behind the liquor store. On the other hand, activists on the opposite end are no better in wording applied towards differing opinions.

In a word – a kindergarten with teachers taking an afternoon off and the toddlers thus engaged in pillow fight. What an embarrassment – entertainment perhaps, but of doubtful value. Just possibly, folks will be a bit wiser at next elections. Even so: realising the show might go on till 2019 is not too encouraging – seeing the real issues ahead for the nation.

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