Rõivas: grand changes to coalition agreement not sensible
Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas said that amendments to the coalition agreement are welcome from the three parties, but overhauling the treaty signed by the Reform Party, the Social Democrats and IRL only in April, would not be sensible.
The Social Democrats changed leaders over the weekend with new Chairman Jevgeni Ossinovski saying the coalition agreement will be opened up for debate by his party. IRL will also elect a new head at the end of the current week.
Ossinovski, who was vocal and outspoken over the need to change the agreement before his party's internal elections, said after being confirmed as party leader that the Social Democrats will first debate the issue internally and wait for IRL's internal elections.
“I do not believe dramatic changes are possible or logical. If there are ideas on improving the treaty then debate can be opened,” Rõivas said.
IRL chairman candidate Margus Tsahkna said that if one of the three parties wishes to reopen talks, then there is no choice but to consult together. He said IRL is not opposed to talks, but a number of points proposed by Ossinovski during the initial negotiations, such as on Estonian and Russian language studies, are completely off the table.
The Center Party's acting head Kadri Simson said the coalition's tax changes would be rejected by Parliament with the help of the Social Democrats. The party, which narrowly lost to the Reform Party at the March 1 national elections, is also pondering a no-confidence vote on tax issues against Rõivas.
Editor: J.M. Laats