Rõivas Optimistic on Talks with Social Democrats
Reform Party’s Taavi Rõivas, tapped by President Toomas Hendrik Ilves as the next prime minister, said that IRL excluded themselves from coalition talks and negotiations with the Social Democrats focus on finding common ground.
The Reform Party never ruled out renewing their coalition with IRL and talks with the Social Democrats were aimed at determining the extent of their common ground, Rõivas said in an interview to the daily Eesti Päevaleht today.
It was IRL that took on the attitude of the opposition, making puzzling statements and submitting bills that had no financial cover, Rõivas said, adding that “this was not the kind of IRL I know”.
Rõivas admitted that the positions of the Reform Party and the Social Democrats diverge significantly in economic issues and his party would not agree to introduce a progressive tax system or a big tax hike. The negotiations focus on finding common ground and not differences, he added.
A great portion of the talks have focused on improving the services provided by local governments, especially when it comes to kindergartens, Rõivas said.
Rõivas said he would like to form the next government after the 2015 elections and added he would rule out a coalition with the Center Party, pointing out the party's track record governing Tallinn and the statements on Ukraine made by its leader, Edgar Savisaar.