Taavi Rõivas: People peak young in Estonia

Former PM Taavi Rõivas left politics and joined Väino Kaldoja’s self-driving cars project. Photo: Erik Prozes

Former PM Taavi Rõivas left politics and joined Väino Kaldoja’s self-driving cars project toward the end of last year. Whether Rõivas was given a stake in the venture remains unclear nor is he forthcoming about his investments.

Was it easy for you to leave politics?

It was and it wasn’t after more than 20 years. I poured my heart into the work and will be leaving behind beautiful emotions and colleagues. However, when I started my new job the next day, I felt that I did not miss it. I feel that I still have the energy, will and ambition to do new things, test myself in an entirely new field.

How difficult was the decision?

It started taking shape immediately after I left office as prime minister. I make no secret of the fact I was very seriously planning to run for the European Parliament and go work there. However, they kept telling me I would not be going during the election campaign, that I need to be part of the next government. The European Parliament elections campaign coincided with the formation of the government that now resigned and that many people I was staying in touch with found very disagreeable and saw as high time for me to make a comeback. However, such expectations need to be put to bed quickly. I made it clear that politics was a closed chapter in my life.

We have seen several people in their thirties and forties leave politics in recent years, thinking about Remo Holsmer, Martin Kukk et al. Has it been an example for you?

Rather it has not. I keep in touch with people and many of my friends have left politics, while there are also examples to the contrary. Movement both ways needs to be seen as normal as we want change and new blood in Estonian politics and life. How could that happen if everyone stayed in politics permanently?

What sets Estonia apart is that young people have left politics.

While that is true, people tend to start very young in business and politics in Estonia, meaning that those who make it to the top also do so young. I was 37 and had been prime minister twice when I closed the door to Stenbock House behind me. It makes it very difficult to set new goals in politics as there is no higher office to aim for in my opinion. That is why it makes perfect sense that future challenges await me in the private sector.

What were your feelings looking at the government’s collapse?

I believe Jüri Ratas did the right thing by assuming political responsibility. I do not know – and thank God for that – where the criminal case might end up, but my gut feeling tells me it will not disappear any time soon and that there will be new unpleasant developments and questions. It would be very difficult to continue as PM in a situation where there are very serious allegations against your party.

Do you feel tempted to give it a shot?

No, God forbid! I have received a lot of messages today (Wednesday – ed.) and I have not yet had the chance to assure everyone that my days in politics are behind me.

What does your gut feeling tell you in terms of what will happen in Estonian politics?

My gut feeling tells me that the Center Party will not be coming out of that room without a plan. What it could be, I honestly do not know. I hope Estonia will get a strong and stable government soon. I also hope it will prioritize the coronavirus crisis, steering Estonia through it. We do not have the luxury of dragging out the government crisis!

You joined the supervisory board of Auve Tech. What does the company do?

Auve Tech manufactures autonomous vehicles but not the kind that people own and drive to Tartu, for example, but the kind that serve as the last mile solution. They have been put to use in business campuses, including in Tallinn’s Ülemiste City, and have functioned as public transport extensions – if a bus or train brings people to the edge of a village, these autonomous vehicles can help them cover the distance between the stop and their doorstep. There are many ways these vehicles can be used. What matters is that Estonian engineers and scientists have done something like this. The vehicles have been registered in three EU countries, been designated street legal in other words.

What are your tasks as a member of the supervisory board?

The management board is in charge of running the company. The supervisory board’s task is to help and set sights.

Manufacturing vehicles in Estonia sounds very expensive. Where will you get your funding?

The company is based fully on Estonian capital today. The majority stake is owned by Väino Kaldoja who has priceless experience in the sector. A subsidiary of Silberauto used to design and build police cars and ambulances. Starting from scratch in the car business is quite a challenge nor will any concessions be made for these vehicles. Of course, autonomous vehicles do not move fast, with older models limited to 25 kilometers per hour.

The post of supervisory board chairman cannot be your only position. What are your other plans?

I will concentrate on this one thing for the time being. Time will tell. The technology sector is developing very quickly in Estonia, whereas [Taavi] Tamkivi has said that the trend is toward hardware manufacturing, including the car industry. That is how I see the sector. I have kept myself up to speed on the success of Estonian startups, which is also something I have been criticized for as tech companies do not carry much weight in the GDP. However, looking at how quickly they have grown, their contribution to the Estonian economy has been great indeed. I like it when people who sold Pipedrive or some other larger company say that the money will go toward developing new stars.