Editorial: the four go tug-of-war

Photo: Urmas Nemvalts

As of today, coalition talks «are stuck» (said Sven Mikser) and the struggling agreement in danger of becoming «a round ball» (said Andres Herkel).

Before flying off for Brussels, prime minister Taavi Rõivas underlined the parties needed to be «responsibly yielding». True – EU summits of 28 parties speaking various languages do reach agreements. In Tallinn, we have four and all speak Estonian... Alas, the dragging talks have come to a screeching halt.

First and foremost, the ball is in the court of the election winning Reform. Up to them to lay on the table the bare bones of an agreement and suggest stuff to others – to be bounced back. Hence the expected yieldedness. In real life, none around the table wants to merely show up for a photo of a new government – all need to show some trophy, to avoid reform-puppet status from the start. Entering a coalition takes an in-party green light and at least some understanding among electorate.

The Free Party who grabbed the lead yesterday and demanded real solutions before any new meetings have the greatest readiness to bang the door behind them. For that, they have the best political capital – among winners in the elections, as a newcomer they have more space to play than Soc Dems or IRL.

Reform, however, would need the Free in government, to make them sniff the grim governing realities at once. Also, that would test the very Free – a motley crew by world view, could they unite to govern at all? In their hearts, competitors must be hoping that they cannot – as one star falls, another will rise. There’s still some little time left for the tug-of-war – till the deadlines set by constitution come knocking on the door.