Marju Lauristin mulls running for Brussels

Photo: Postimees.ee

Should Siim Kallas, Edgar Savisaar, Tunne Kelam and – as expected among soc dems – Marju Lauristin all shoot for European Parliament, we may be in for a political battle of the ages.

«Let’s put it like this: I haven’t said no,» said the social scientist yesterday, asked how she has reacted to soc dems’ expectations regarding her running for MEP, this May, in their list.

Ms Lauristin acknowledged that for her, running would be a matter of inner obligation, rather. «There have been many things said that make me think, deeply. On the one hand, this really is an important time period for Estonia, as we prepare for EU presidency (in 2018 – T. K.); what will be our weight in European politics, our ideas, our political experience, our values – all this adds up as quite a challenge, over that period,» admitted Ms Lauristin.

«Secondly, with the current domestic political situation in Estonia, these EU elections serve as dress rehearsal for the next Riigikogu elections. As there really are hopes for a change in the Estonian policy, as also promised by our party, shaping visions for Estonia’s future both here and in Europe, during the EU elections debate, is vital also domestically,» reasoned Mr Lauristin.

Ms Lauristin has not yet given her final word; even so, it is hard for her to counter her party’s arguments. «That is for the reason that these ideas and aims really supersede the personal, even the party level,» thinks she.

The very fact of being a cross-party choice for lots of people provides a measure of fun and gamble for Ms Lauristin. For soc dems, meanwhile, at least one seat at European Parliament would probably be guaranteed. As No 1 for Centre Party, Edgar Savisaar enters the fray. Reform Party bets on Siim Kallas, IRL plays on the good old Tunne Kelam.

«I couldn’t argue against this and the challenge would be interesting,» admitted Ms Lauristin, calling it the last battle of the political mammoths. «And, should I really be able to add something to Estonia’s future, that would rather be an obligation.»

According to Ms Lauristin, the EU elections campaign would give her a chance to speak out on what’s really important. «For, should the mammoths really come out, this will be no beauty pageant; no swim suit competition – brains competition in its place. From that standpoint, it would also be if interest for me,» said Ms Lauristin, adding – with a smile – that in matters of the mind, limits have not yet turned too strict for a 75 years old.

In near future, sod dems’ districts will be setting up their European Parliament candidates. The names and the sequence thereof, in the list, will be settled by elections assembly, held in Tallinn on March 29^th.