Ilves: Government Must Stop Operating Solely as Corporation
During the economic crisis and in its aftermath the government adopted leadership principles more fitting for a business than a country, said President Ilves, speaking at the annual conference of the Employers Confederation on Friday.
"We have heard the government use terms such as incorporated accounts and liquidity. Meanwhile, the teachers have gone on strike," said Ilves.
"Cost optimality and efficiency cannot be the sole objectives. Each and every one of you knows how important it is for bookkeeping to be in order. But accounting does not constitute the idea and meaning of existence," he said.
"During the crisis, Estonia adopted various measures for cost management and raising efficiency that are more appropriate for running a business," said Ilves.
"I truly wish that all dialogue in the Estonian society would not begin or end on the note of solvency. Much more important is our viability."
Ott Tammik