Editorial: the comeback of Kallas

Photo: Urmas Nemvalts

Joint affirmation by Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and EU commissioner Siim Kallas regarding the latter becoming the new prime minister settles the issue and equals an attempt to end the standstill of current coalition.

The placing of Siim Kallas as prime minister instead of Mr Ansip and, by March 2015 latest, as Reform Party chairman, reveals two important things regarding the party. Firstly, Mr Kallas needs to be seen as a conciliatory leader, expected to again unite the party torn by scandals. The image of Mr Kallas as EU commissioner has been excellent – that’s how he has managed to portray his work in Brussels, to Estonians at home. Also, as the new-old leader of the party, Mr Kallas shows that the new generation of politicians hasn’t (yet) produced any leaders.

Secondly, the Kallas comeback reveals a desire by party to return to its beginnings. Reform Party has been accused of becoming a fossil, nothing to do with «reform» any longer. Thus, Mr Kallas is supposed to serve as reminder of the values why Reform Party was founded anyway, getting the party back into the former flow.

When exactly Estonia gets its new prime minister isn’t known yet. No doubt, Reform Party will try to reap political benefits of the shift. For coalition partner IRL, the Reform move means nervous times.

When it comes to majority of votes at Riigikogu, Reform Party could invite anyone into coalition. In run-up to 2015 elections, a place in coalition would be preferred by anyone in opposition. Still, to enter the game, other parties should give up a lot. As an example of that, a MEP job stands as roadblock on the current coalition path. The partners’ relations aren’t rosy; even so, at its Saturday general assembly, IRL with obvious diligence pledged its allegiance to Reform Party as coalition partner.

With Centre Party, Reform Party has been in coalition before. Relations of Mr Ansip and the Reform Party chairman Edgar Savisaar did turn too sour to form a government; even so, the new situation would serve new options. Still, the union begs comprehensive calculations – deciding by popularity of parties, the winner would be IRL, pocketing a mighty trump card to attract right-wing voters.

Soc dems, though opposite by world view, would be a comfy partner for Reform Party. Involved in the government, it would be easier for the soc dems to stay in the picture, while feeling stronger heading towards the EU elections. Probably, the soc dems are now busy counting up the strengths and minuses of submissive partnership in Mr Kallas’ government.

The short-term power structure in Estonia is still for Prime Ministerial party to decide. By change of leader, Reform Party shows its intent to keep it that way.