Reform Party proposes broad based coalition, talks likely to open this week
The Reform Party board decided on Wednesday to begin coalition talks with the Social Democrats, IRL and the Free Party.
“We have met with the Social Democrats, IRL and the Free Party over the last few days and we have the necessary common ground with all of them to begin talks on a coalition,” Reform Party Chairman Taavi Rõivas said.
He added that the current security situation demands a government which can react quickly and has a strong mandate.
“We will give a little time to allow our partners to talk amongst themselves and prepare, but I hope to begin negotiations at the end of the week,” Rõivas said, adding that the format will be all parties behind one table.
As for the timetable, Rõivas said talks are likely to last weeks, not days.
The coalition would have 30 MPs from the Reform Party, 15 from the Social Democrats, 14 from IRL and 8 from the Free Party. The combined figure is 67, one short of pushing through its own presidential candidate in 2016, when Toomas Hendrik Ilves's term ends.
A previous version of the story said 67 MPs is enough to elect a new president in Parliament. That figure is actually 68.
Editor: J.M. Laats