Center feels confident despite falling rating

Even though Center is losing ground in the polls, chairman Jüri Ratas said he believes Center has the most stable voter base and that competitors’ success is temporary. Photo: Eero Vabamägi

The Center Party will meet the fall local government council elections with the slogan “The Right Move!” (Õige Käik!) and promises additional benefits for the elderly and abolition of kindergarten place fees. The party council met on Saturday.

Even though Center is losing ground in the polls, chairman Jüri Ratas said he believes Center has the most stable voter base and that competitors’ success is temporary.

Ratas betting on continued success

Despite promises and grand plans, recent Norstat and Turu-uuringute polls suggest Center is losing ground and has been overtaken for second place by the Conservative People’s Party (EKRE), while the Reform Party remains the most popular. “I believe that just as Center won local government elections all over Estonia in 2017, we are on that same path today,” Ratas explained, adding that speaking in favor of Center are its loud and clear messages. He described Center as having the most stable voter base this year.

The Center chair said that support for Reform and EKRE will not last. “The Reform Party are in decline, and I believe they have returned with their principles of spreadsheet-based administration that we find unsuitable,” he explained.

Regarding EKRE, Ratas said that the party’s high support rating is temporary.

“This kind of hypocrisy, verbal abuse. I cannot see it supporting their rating for long,” he said.

Ratas added that while ideology is always debatable, dignified behavior must be a part of parliamentary debate.

Still looking for presidential candidate

While the presidential election is mere months away, EKRE remains the only political force to have a candidate in party member Henn Põlluaas.

The coalition has not agreed on its candidate, even though Ratas claims consultations are ongoing. Why stall? “Because the [presidential election] system is poor. The people should be able to elect the president,” Ratas said, adding that this is Center’s position.

“Names are being discussed every day,” Ratas added. “We need to look beyond the coalition’s ranks.”

The Center leader said that it is too soon to reveal those names. Media speculation has mentioned President of the Estonian Academy of Sciences Tarmo Soomere and incumbent President Kersti Kaljulaid.

Promises, promises…

Abolition of kindergarten place fees and culture and hobby activity benefits for the elderly were among the clearer messages sent by Center on Saturday. The party also promises to prioritize public transport and give Russian parents the choice between Estonian and Russian schools.

Minister of Health and Labor Tanel Kiik’s (Center) idea for a care insurance tax should also be seriously considered, according to Ratas.

Ratas also voiced his distaste for what is happening in Estonian forests. “Let us put major problems in forestry to bed. Let us agree not to fell in heightened public interest areas,” he said.

He added that local government red tape also needs to be dialed back. “Residents’ concerns need to be addressed in half the time – 15 days instead of the current 30,” Ratas said.

Whether Center candidates will be elected to make good on those promises will become clear in October. Current results in the polls do not discourage Centrists. “Winners and losers are decided by election results, not weekly public opinion polls,” Ratas said.