Center Party Needs a Change in Direction, Says Simson
Head of the Center Party's faction in Parliament, Kadri Simson, said the party, and other political parties in Estonia, are unable to bring a sparkle to voters' eyes.
Simson, who was nominated to lead the party during the March 1 parliamentary elections by a number of high-ranking party members last week, told ETV's “Terevisioon” today that party chairman Edgar Savisaar has always supported her, and vice versa.
“I think if it continues, and we continue, on the same path, people will not light up. Estonia has great problems and if people are not happy, they will seek challenges elsewhere,” she said, adding that she personally knows many people who have left Estonia, but she still retains hope.
She said the challenge for the Center Party is to attract those people back to Estonia.
Last week Center Party MP Jüri Ratas, mayor of Tallinn from 2005-07, said Simson should be given the opportunity to lead the party at the parliamentary elections. A number of other MPs backed the idea, while party secretary general Priit Toobal said the matter will be decided at a party congress in January.
Center Party MEP Yana Toom said Savisaar should lead the party, due to his vast experience and political capabilities.