Center Party Opposes Kallas as PM Nominee, Backs Early Elections
At today's Center Party board meeting, the opposition party declared that Reform Party prime ministerial candidate Siim Kallas does not have a mandate to form the next government.
The Center Party called for early elections to be held on the same time as the European Parliament elections, in late May.
"We are made vigilant by the fact that only spending questions are on the table at coalition negotiations, with the only revenue sources mentioned being privatizati of state enterprises," said Edgar Savisaar, chairman of the party. "They are prepared to sell off state assets in the name of a better election result."
Savisaar said that Estonia needed to resolve three core questions - tax reform, emigration and regional development.
"Estonia clearly needs a change in tax policy that would increase the state revenue and would not be aimed at making gifts to just the wealthiest people. Stanching emigration must become a priority for the government." Savisaar added that ensuring local governments have balanced funding capability is related to the first two areas.
The Center Party, sans Savisaar, is due to meet President Toomas Hendrik Ilves today in consultations that will result in the selection of the prime minister nominee.