Reform Consults Party Bosses, Leaves Out Centre
After winning the elections, the Reform Party consults with the heads of IRL and the Social Democratic Party today, March 8, hoping to begin coalition talks tomorrow.
The Centre Party has clearly been left out of the consultations, after coming in second in the elections and breaking a historical record for the most votes won by a single candidate - Chairman Edgar Savisaar.
Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, chairman of the Reform, said in a TV debate before the elections that he would consider a coalition agreement with the Social Democrats - whose ideas align closest with the Centre's - but that then there would be almost nothing left of the minority party's own initiatives. Sven Mikser, chairman of the Social Democrats, snapped back saying that Ansip will be more flexible.
"The new government's action plan must support the Reform Party's long-term vision [...] We certainly will not accept tax raises, automobile tax and progressive income tax," said Secretary General Kristen Michal of Reform.
The reelected ruling party stressed that the division of power over of the ministries among the parties will not be negotiated until the final part of the coalition talks. Michal added that the Reform is by far not ready to publicize the names of the political figures it favors to lead the ministries.
"We intend to be thorough in our consultations, and use our election program as the foundation, and then go by the following principle: first substantive discussions, and only thereafter is it possible or purposeful to consider questions about political posts," said Michal.
Ott Tammik