Editorial: the new Riigikogu – longing for a coalition

Photo: Liis Treimann / Postimees

Today, work began for the new and 13^th membership of the Riigikogu as elected by Estonian citizens four weeks ago. As Board of the Riigikogu gets elected, we get hints if coalition talks are nearing the finishing line or are we in for more days filled with negotiations.

Days that wind up by the public told «the main thing is Estonia to have a strong government» while adding that «till all is not agreed, nothing is agreed». Repeating the elementary usually means that there is nothing substantial to say – as served to the people throughout the month.

Compared to the former, this membership has two parties added. All told, the Estonian electorate is better represented this time around as less than two percent of votes went to parties failing to cross the 5 percent threshold (and independent candidates). Last year, nearly ten percent of votes were left unrepresented in the parliament.  

On the other hand, calculations-wise the number of possible coalitions is much higher. Long term: the more parties in the parliament, the shorter the lifespan of the government. This is the theory. Already, based on theory and sources alike, it is safe to predict that this Riigikogu will see more political manoeuvring than the former one. Don’t be too surprised if, in the four years to come, the coalition will chance – and several times, perhaps.

Over a third of this Riigikogu have never been in the parliament before. Meanwhile, a large number of these can in no way be labelled outright newcomers in politics and/or governing. Ministers, mayors, party secretary-generals, former chiefs of large state agencies, two former commanders of defence forces, a former security police director-general – not the kind of people who would take ages to get used to being in big politics. Even the rest – the bona fide newcomers in politics – are mostly people well-known and outspoken in society. This is good material. 

Let’s hope that in addition to a strong government, Estonia will also get a watchful, thoughtful and passionate opposition – then, those interested in politics will face four fun years. What about the coalition, however? Hopefully, we’ll have some added light come tomorrow.