Editorial: hired by Tallinn

Photo: Urmas Nemvalts

So now we know: as his legal advisor, Mayor of Tallinn has hired former Harju County Court judge Valeri Lõõnik – once in public limelight as the man who at first instance pronounced «not guilty» those accused in the infamous land exchange saga.  

Included among the latter stood former agriculture minister Ester Tuiksoo, a lady recently turned Centre Party. Finally, Ms Tuiksoo was found to be guilty in accepting of gratuities and sentenced to jail – conditionally.  

As a convicted criminal, Ms Tuiksoo had to leave both parliament and party. Now, she’s found engagement at municipal power of Estonia’s capital, working for a foundation to establish a cooperative credit bank for Tallinn. The very Mr Lõõnik who once sat as judge over her, however, is in Centre Party ranks since this Monday.

So what are we to think? In the case of Mr Lõõnik, one is reminded of how Edgar Savisaar seems to win over some certain foes. 

Like the one-time public prosecutor Indrek Meelak preceding over Mr Savisaar’s recording case and withdrawing the criminal case citing lack of perspective due to holes in the law. Mr Meelak went on to join Centre Party and become Riigikogu constitutional committee chairman. Later, he quarrelled with the party and performed an exit.

Not too surprising then, the hiring and «centre-partying» of Mr Lõõnik. A pensioner, a free man. And, true to tradition, Mr Savisaar’s advisers seem to be tailored to make the public gasp.

Even so: a judge ruling favourably for a party, later joining it and promptly embraced in inner circle... for some, this sets the corruption bells a-ringing.

With Ester Tuiksoo, it’s the Centre Party no-one-left-behind pattern. Even though forced out by law, Ms Tuiksoo has stayed true to the Centrist spirit and was thus kindly rewarded. And the convicted do deserve a job somewhere. Still, the cooperative credit bank designed by Tallinn might not be an idea too bright.