European Parliament to face fresh Estonian faces

Photo: SCANPIX

Of the six Estonian MEPs elected in 2009, only one – Siiri Oviir – has clearly stated she will not run for another Strasbourg round, next May.

Indrek Tarand is still sitting on the fence, as they say: «I cannot tell you right now which way it will be,» he admits. «Also: with myself, I have no need for general assemblies, board meetings and internal elections. Thus I can take my time before I decide.»

All other MEPs of ours have, in one way or another, confirmed their desire to continue in Strasbourg. It will be tough, however …

The case appears to be the clearest with Ivari Padar, elected from among the social democrats: he wants to continue and, in his party, not much competition is expected.

As also confirmed by the soc dems’ secretary general Indrek Saar: with Mr Padar’s work, they are satisfied. Mr Saar adds, however, that this time around they would like to get another candidate in, thus taking two posts.

Running – a profession

It is somewhat more confusing with Tunne Kelam of IRL, a MEP from 2004 and his party’s No 1 at the last elections. He also wanting to continue, but IRL showing several others, evidently, hungry for the seat. Let it be interjected, hereby, that nothing would hinder multiple candidates getting into the European Parliament from any party, but with IRL (as confirmed by some well-known party cadres – M. S.) we are talking about two seats max, anything above that being unrealistic. And, in reality, it is rather about preserving that one seat.

In addition to Mr Kelam, in this context Riigikogu members Marko Mihkelson, Andres Herkel and Ene Ergma, as well as defence minister Urmas Reinsalu have also been mentioned.

Concerning that, Mr Mihkelson says the following: «I suppose I’m running.» Mr Herkel, however, hints he is not eager to get to Europe, still stopping short of ruling it out altogether.

Things will be the muddiest and most interesting with Centre Party and Reform Party. Both having lost their current MEPs. As said, Ms Oviir is no longer running; the other «centrist», Vilja Savisaar-Toomast having recently hopped over to Reform Party.

Two names mentioned in Centre Party regarding the European parliament are Riigikogu members Jüri Ratas and Mihhail Stalnuhhin. Mr Ratas did run the last time; should anybody remember, back then Centre Party narrowly missed getting three candidates (by eight votes lacking – edit). So he missed the Strasbourg ride.

This time, Mr Ratas will give it another shot, adding some diplomatic hue: «Running is what politicians do, a part of the profession,» says he. «Still, MEP-candidates will be determined in internal elections; and there, I will run for sure.»

Mr Stalnuhhin comes across as somewhat more straightforward. «Yes, I want [to get] into European Parliament. Yes, I will run should the party trust me,» he says.

To the list of possible candidates, Mr Ratas adds the Mayor of Tallinn Edgar Savisaar, as well as Riigikogu members Kadri Simson and Mailis Reps.

Ms Simson says she does not want to get into European Parliament (yet), and should she run she would do that to support other candidates, rather.

Kallas a votes magnet

The issue of Mr Savisaar is interesting, of course. It is doubtful the Mayor would like to go to Strasbourg in person; however, he might run to haul in votes for the party. The Centre Party minimum goal is two seats, three could be feasible.

For Reform Party, the picture is Centre-like. As late as in the end of May, Kristiina Ojuland was talking of continuing as MEP; meanwhile, however, her options have understandably been wiped out – at least amongst the «reformers».

From there on, for Reform Party, a lot depends on the decisions of two persons. Namely: shall foreign minister Urmas Paet and European commissioner Siim Kallas run – or shall they not.

Mr Paet also being a candidate for a commissioner, it is still quite probable he prefers a seat in the parliament.

With Mr Kallas, the decision may be up to whether he has hopes to head some important another important committee. Anyway, should these two run, the squirrels party would be secured at least two seats – both being considered heavyweights.

Obviously, now from the Reform-ranks, Vilja Savisaar-Toomast would want to remain a MEP – provided, of course, she will not end up as Mayor of Tallinn by some miracle.

Major parties aside, a string of alternatives, single candidates, and small parties comes into view. About that bunch, a well-know Reform Party person spitefully said that «these are the people whose elections programme states that all is bad in Estonia and Andrus Ansip is a very bad person». There is such a rush to get into that niche that it is getting squeezed.

To begin with, the bunch includes the national conservatives Mart Helme and Martin Helme. The latter has openly said that Conservative People’s Party of Estonia (EKRE) enters the elections fray with its own list, he being one of the candidates.

Hard to repeat the feat

Surely, the current MEP Kristiina Ojuland would like to continue being so. The issue now stands: how and with whom? There are the rumours that Ms Ojuland is seeking contacts with former Eesti Pank chairman Jaan Männik. The Centre Party’s Kadri Simson, for instance, replies to the question of Ms Ojuland’s possible options with Centre Party as follows: «I personally would advise Ojuland to start a new right wing party with Männik.»

Mr Männik sharply refutes such talk. «We do say hello with Ojuland, but these past years we have not really had a longer talk,» he says. «As for me, neither do I want to go to European Parliament.»

Still, Mr Männik takes the chance to confirm that he is indeed preparing the launch of a new party, with those of kindred spirit.

Quite possibly, Indrek Tarand will reappear as some kind of an alternative. From answers gleaned from him, it can be concluded that his single-candidate-feat of 2009 of 102,460 votes would be hard to repeat; but maybe he would give it a try together with somebody else.

A possibility could be Mr Tarand securing the support of the ASBL Free Patriotic Citizen (VIK). At the same time, the VIK board member Toomas Kalmus admits they are currently giving their all in the name of the local elections, not thinking about the European Parliament as yet.

In addition to the aforementioned, a place in the alternative niche may be sought by Silver Meikar. Mr Meikar confesses he has indeed been thinking of the MEP thing, with nothing decided, however. «It is actually hard for single candidates, a party support would come in handy, here. Regrettably, no liberal parties are left in Estonia,» states Mr Meikar.