Narcotics plan baffles deputy mayor

Raimond Kaljulaid and Aivar Riisalu. Photo: Eero Vabamägi

Tallinn’s Social Democrats are making preparations for local elections in 2021 and working on a nightlife strategy for the capital that should help entertainment and culture establishments find their feet again quickly once Covid measures end.

Head of the Tallinn region of the Social Democratic Party (SDE) Raimond Kaljulaid shed light on the new strategy on the “Otse Postimehest” webcast on Wednesday, including drawing a parallel with London where a partygoer who plans to use ecstasy can have their pill checked out by an expert to make sure it’s not laundry detergent. Tallinn Deputy Mayor Aivar Riisalu (Center) in turn concluded that SDE’s election platform seems to be focused on allowing people to abuse drugs and cause mischief.

Is the Social Democrats’ plan for livening up nightlife and culture in Tallinn a part of its local government council elections campaign for 2021?

RAIMOND KALJULAID: We have not yet completed our nightlife plan and are just starting work on it.

It is an important area. Especially now that we have the coronavirus and corresponding restrictions. The latter have hit the tourism sector, accommodation providers are creative professionals hard. Everything that requires people to be in the same place at the same time during a time when the entire world is trying to make sure they are not.

That is why the current situation is very difficult for these entrepreneurs and we want to have a very thorough plan.

Isn’t it unethical to be concentrating on livening up nightlife at a time like this?

AIVAR RIISALU: There is nothing unethical about it. If the Social Democrats have only recently opened their eyes to the situation, we [in the city government] have been tackling this matter day in and day out. We only have one slight problem: while nightlife is very nice, we have already done everything that can be done to save the sector.

The city government’s initial aid package was €6 million, while we are talking about a second round today – the volume will be smaller this time. This mainly concerns rent concessions, which is an aspect of business that depends on the city. We have also contributed to marketing and people are visiting the Old Town.

KALJULAID: It is important to mention that we see nightlife as more than just partying. For example, we have a lot of people who work until the early hours of the morning. Emergency hotline operators, rescuers, doctors and paramedics. Some jobs can only be done at night.

What I mean to say is that there are people who need to go to work very early and are currently having problems that have nothing to do with night clubs or sale of alcohol. They are interested in nighttime public transport or childcare. A single parent who works nights needs a quality childcare service close to home.

The Social Democrats have said that efforts to enliven Tallinn nightlife and culture could follow the example of major cities, such as Berlin, Amsterdam and New York. Can Tallinn emulate cities that sport an entirely different scope?

RIISALU: I believe that every dignified city needs to walk its own path, while what others have learned is also important. I absolutely agree that we should look at what others are doing.

While I am desperately fond of my conversation partner here today, Estonia has lost yet another political party in that the Social Democrats have become hardened liberals. You are basically encouraging people to drink, thrash the place and enjoy life. Basically, it’s just a matter of time before you merge with the Reform Party. That said, I like that the political landscape is consolidating in Estonia. The fewer parties there will be, the clearer their stances.

There is a problem with what Raimond is suggesting. Next to nightlife, we have 435,000 Tallinn citizens who live here. Raimond, who spent years ruling this city as a member of the Center Party, should clearly remember the Noblessner problem. Where you have hugely expensive apartments on the one hand and constant entertainment on the other. People who spent hundreds of thousands of euros on a home but virtually cannot live there because someone decided to do business on the pier.

That is why the city has alcohol sale restrictions. They are a compromise of compromises between entrepreneurs, borough associations and citizens.

Allow me to point out that the city’s obligation is not to consider how many Hindus it could accommodate but making sure its 435,000 existing citizens feel safe at night and can get some sleep. The latter is also a human right.

How could Tallinn emulate major cities in organizing nightlife?

KALJULAID: London has decided to help people who have opted to take drugs make sure they are safe first. Because what a dealer sells you in a London night club might not be safe.

Does SDE feel that people who live the nightlife in Estonia should be able to take drugs?

KALJULAID: A small percentage of people will take drugs no matter what. Perhaps there should be a way for them to make sure they are not hurting themselves. What is cheaper and more sensible in the end? Allowing people to take something that lands them in the hospital or worse or preventing it and helping them determine what it is they’re taking.

RIISALU: So that is the platform of the Social Democratic Party for 2021 local elections that completely overlooks your liver in favor of how to maximize chances of taking drugs, drinking and tearing up the place. And the fact we have schools, kindergartens, social problems etc. or that 90 percent of Tallinners are happy with the way things are done in the city does not matter one fig to the Social Democrats? I really do not know what else to add.