Estonian parties reach agreement re administrative reform at coalition talks

The three Estonian parties engaged in coalition-building talks on Friday reached a principled agreement regarding the administrative and state reforms.

Chairman of the Reform Party, Prime Minister Taavi Roivas, told the reporters on Friday evening that during the day the parties reached principled agreements in regard to carrying out the administrative and state reforms.

In addition, thematic work groups which have found common ground regarding many issues continued work on Friday, Roivas said.

Chairman of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL), Urmas Reinsalu, said that «a lot of work has been done and a lot is still ahead». He added that the government is to draw up criteria of the administrative reform law by July 1, 2016. Until the next local elections voluntary merging of local governments is favored. After the 2017 elections local governments will merge in accordance with government's orders.

Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDE), Sven Mikser, said that criteria of merging has to be agreed upon in the course of work.

The parties have agreed that the prime minister will have a leading coordinating role concerning the administrative reform.

Roivas stressed that the final number of local governments is not a goal on its own when carrying out the reform.

The parties also reached a principled agreement concerning the state reform. Reinsalu said that all three parties have set a goal of reducing the volumes of general administration and governing.

Party leaders will continue discussing the issues concerning sources for covering expenditure as well as taxes.