Estonia: IRL leader rejects idea of bringing on govt crisis

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Photo: Mihkel Maripuu / Postimees

The chairman of the Pro Patria Res Publica Union (IRL), Urmas Reinsalu, has in his answer to a letter by the party's former long-time leader Mart Laar rejected as not sensible the idea of sparking a government crisis by exiting the ruling coalition but also said that IRL needs to give serious thought to its behavior in the situation that has emerged.

As Reinsalu said, the solution to the problems now lies not in a government crisis but in thinking how to prevent political scandals impacting the government's ability to work. «Political parties must be able to sort out their mess themselves,» he said.

Reinsalu described being part of the government as both an opportunity as well as responsibility for the party. «An opportunity to bring on change based on our world view and a possibility to prevent choices that are bad for Estonia from our point of view. The world view base of this government is conservative and nationalist,» the party leader said. «Being in power must never be a goal in itself. The people are justified to expect that instead of dealing with themselves politicians would deal with matters that are essential for the state and the nation,» he said.

Reinsalu said it would be appropriate for the extended board of IRL to gather at the beginning of next week to discuss the political situation and the actions of IRL in the government. «But I do not consider it appropriate to put the political choice before IRL in such manner that the discussion would be over leaving the government. Also Mart [Laar] emphasized this in his letter. While bringing momentary popularity, slamming the door of the government would not be responsible,» said Reinsalu, minister of defense in the government led by chairman of the Reform Party Andrus Ansip.

He added that bringing on a left turn in Estonian politics on one's own initiative would call into question many of the achievements which IRL sees as important.

Mart Laar, former long-time leader of the nationalist conservative IRL and former twice prime minister of Estonia, has sent a political manifesto to fellow party members in which he suggests that IRL ponder quitting the government because of the «soap opera» being performed by the coalition partner Reform Party.

In the farewell letter on the occasion of his leaving parliament to take up the position of chairman of the supervisory board of the Bank of Estonia, Laar stressed however that any discussion on that matter should be held on the level of the party's extended board or a special meeting convened for that purpose and warned that «no one knows» whether a new government coalition will be better than the present one.

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