Opposition against Parts as ECA representative

Karin Kangro
, Reporter
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Photo: Liis Treimann / Postimees

The government decided during a sitting held over the phone to appoint Pro Patria Res Publica Union (IRL) MP Juhan Parts as candidate for Estonia's representative to the European Court of Auditors yesterday. The position was held by Kersti Kaljulaid for the past 12 years.

Reform Party chairman, Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas said the decision was unanimous. “The fact that Parts used to be prime minister is enough, while service as economy minister and auditor general add more weight to his suitability,” Rõivas said via the government's communication service.

IRL chairman, Minister of Social Protection Margus Tsahkna said it is important the government managed to agree. He said that because recent ECA member Kaljulaid was elected president with great political consensus in the Riigikogu and Estonia's seat was left vacant, the government had to make a decision quickly.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will now forward Parts' candidacy documents to the directorate general of the Council of the European Union that will in turn forward them to the European Parliament. The EP budgetary control committee will then put together a questionnaire and conduct a hearing based on which it will shape its position.

Parts told ERR he plans to seriously prepare for hearings in European Parliament. “The decision was not the fastest in the making; however, you never know what such delays could be good for,” he said. “Perhaps there is something positive in all this.”

Riigikogu opposition condemned the government's decision and is threatening to initiate a vote of no confidence in Taavi Rõivas.

Center Party faction head Kadri Simson said that the party promised to bring proceedings of no confidence against Rõivas should Parts, who as minister struggled to follow European Union rules, be nominated as ECA candidate a year ago.

“Past experience makes it clear Juhan Parts is not fit to represent Estonia in the European Court of Auditors. The government has returned to a well-trodden path the Center Party will not accept,” Simson was quoted as having said by the faction's press representative.

Simson said that expressing loss of confidence in Rõivas has other reasons beside Parts' nomination. For example ferry transactions that could very well turn out to be the greatest single corruption case in Estonia's recent history. She said that she plans to consult with heads of the Conservative People’s Party (EKRE) and the Free Party in the Riigikogu in the coming days to launch procedure for expression of no confidence.

Free Party chairman Andres Herkel said via a press representative that the party condemns the government's decision and regards it as disrespectful towards the new president and the public.

“It is incredible how a matter that was the target of heated disputes for months – sending Parts to the ECA – was decided with a flash decision made over the phone by the social democrats, IRL, and reformists,” Herkel said. He added that government parties are ignoring the fact this will mark a shameful end for the presidential election saga.

Herkel believes it would be most ethical and respectful towards the Estonian people to nominate a new, capable, and apolitical candidate. “It is a shame the government did not have enough statesmanlike character and common courtesy not to ruin the day of the president's inauguration with news such as this,” Herkel added.

Appointing a new representative to the European Court of Auditors became an outstanding matter of tension in the coalition already last year as Kaljulaid's term in office ended in May.

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