Government blames low popularity on poor communication

Photo: Erik Prozes

Chairman of the Pro Patria Res Publica Union (IRL) Helir-Valdor Seeder said that it is often the case in politics that whoever yells first and loudest is the winner.

“The opposition’s vocal and primitive criticism is more popular and easier to grasp than the government’s explanations. The government’s communication was late and weak,” he said.

Seeder said that shortage of information regarding the introduction of the income tax reform and misunderstandings that were successfully amplified by the opposition, as well as price hikes caused by economic growth and inflation, that are often associated with excise duty policy alone, have

created the current displeasure. “That has caused the rating of government parties to fall and that of the opposition to grow,” he said.

Chairman of the Center Party, PM Jüri Ratas agreed, saying that the government’s rating shows lack of success in explaining major reforms to people, and that serious efforts need to be made in that area in the future.

Support for the social democrats took a four-point dive in January. Hannes Hanso, who was the only member of the party to vote in favor of expressing no confidence against Minister of Justice Urmas Reinsalu (IRL) said he doesn’t know whether going against party ideology could be the reason behind the slump. “But yes, the reason I decided to vote against the coalition was that we should defend our worldview and values more,” he said.