Trilateral Coalition Formed in Tartu
The Reform Party, Center Party and Social Democratic Party have reached a three-way agreement for a coalition in Tartu.
Reform's former coalition partner, IRL, was left in the opposition after talks between the two broke down, reported uudised.err.ee. The new coalition agreement will leave the mayor's seat to the Reform Party, which has been in power in the city for over 15 years, while the city council chair was dealt out to Center.
On the heels of the October 20 local government elections, the three parties launched talks on Thursday and came to an agreement on Sunday. The deal will formally be put in writing next Thursday.
"Based on the agreement today we can face the next four years with a feeling of confidence," said Mayor Urmas Kruuse.
"We were able to reach a great deal of common ground with the Center Party and the Social Democrats and I am confident that all Tartu citizens will gain from the broad-based coalition - from children to the elderly. Our vision of Tartu as the city with the best living environment presumes long-term, stable cooperation," he said.
In another notable power reshuffle in the recent local elections, two citizens' election coalitions managed to elbow their way into the 49-seat city council, taking a total of six seats from conventional political parties.
Reform, Center and the Social Dems collected 15, 9 and 8 seats. IRL took 11.