Reform Party Predicted to Continue with the Current Coalition
The Reform Party will probably stick with its coalition with IRL until the 2015 election, said both its coalition partner as well as the head of the largest opposition force.
On Monday, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip announced the government will step down on March 4. Siim Kallas, the current European Commissioner for Transport, is slated to become his successor, although Foreign Minister Urmas Paet has also entered the race for the position of party leader.
Edgar Savisaar, head of the Center Party, told Postimees on Monday that at most, Kallas could include the Social Democrats but history has demonstrated a three-party coalition is not a successful one. He added that neither government party will be in power after the 2015 elections.
“Kallas can change some minor ministers, but I don’t believe he would change [Finance Minister] Jürgen Ligi, [Education Minister] Jaak Aaviksoo or [Economic Affairs Minister] Juhan Parts. IRL stands firmly with their ministers and Eerik-Niiles Kross. These ministers are useful to Kallas,” Savisaar said and added that Kallas could also enter the presidential race.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister and head of IRL Urmas Reinsalu told Eesti Päevaleht that his party plans to stick to the coalition agreement that was made to last until 2015.
He did not rule out the possibility that IRL will have to move to the opposition but expressed confidence his party has proven itself as a coalition partner.