Ossinovski: the current government will not survive four years
MP Jevgeni Ossinovski has provided further comments on his candidacy for head of the Social Democrats and the current "government with little ambition" that continues to ignite debate within his party.
According to Ossinovski, the current government still serves as a subject for debate within the party, with doubts on whether or not the coalition agreement is good enough. "Not only for the Social Democrats, but for Estonia as a whole," he stressed in an interview to ERR. His agenda as candidate for head of the party will be revealed in the coming days.
Ossinovski said the signs of discontent are presently most evident amongst the party's common members, many of whom find that the current government is not working to solve the most essential problems in Estonia.
"It's a government with little ambition," he said of the party's inner criticisms towards the current leadership.
Ossinovski found that the main question currently lies within how the Social Democrats might make their positions and principles better heard.
He emphasized that although public discussion has focused on whether or not the Social Democrats would continue in the current coalition government under his leadership, his candidacy comes as a result of internal elections, with the organization and development of the Social Democrats as the main concerns.
Whilst recognizing that the party as a whole had seen many developments under Sven Mikser's leadership in the past few years, Ossinovski regardless noted that the party failed to achieve its main goal - to win the elections.
"We need to set new goals now and figure out what is the best way to continue to bring our ideas to life, taking into account the inner workings of the parliament," he said, confirming that questions regarding the government's efficacy are currently of secondary importance.
In Ossinovski's view, the current government should continue as long as it is capable of cooperation. "As long as we are able to bring social democratic ideas to life and there is trust between the coalition partners, there is reason to continue," he said, but added that in his personal opinion the current government would not see the four-year term through.
Ossinovski underlined that his candidacy for head of the party comes alongside, rather than against, Mikser, additionally noting that his running for party leader is a result of debate, rather than revolutionary turns within the party.
Having led the Social Democrats since 2010, current chairman Sven Mikser presently remains undecided on his candidacy for leader of the party. Speaking to Postimees, Mikser noted that he will make his decision based on Ossinovski's agenda.
Editor: A. Kaer