Kaja Kallas: We are trying to convince Isamaa we are a better alternative

Opposition Reform Party leader Kaja Kallas said she is trying to convince coalition party Isamaa that a government with Reform would be a better alternative to the current coalition government.
Long-time politician and Social Democrat Eiki Nestor told ERR on July 14 that voters do not believe opposition could bring down the current government.
Kallas thinks the current party ratings show the contrary. She said that Reform is talking to members of Isamaa to convince them that a government with Reform could solve 'actually important questions'.
Kallas said: "If we look at it from the outside - how the government is throwing accusations at each other, then the personal wounds that hit deep are created by themselves and they will damage the government's cooperation.
"What can we do? We can offer up an alternative. But until leaders of coalition parties think it is time to make changes, until Isamaa leaders see that EKRE is clearly saying they are trying to swallow Isamaa, nothing will unfortunately happen. We can stand prepared, but if they don't leave, they don't leave."
The Reform leader continued: "Of course we are bringing discussions to the table that cause conflict in government. Secondly, we are trying to continually convince Isamaa that a government with us would advance Estonia - the Estonia that has been built for 30 years and the Estonia EKRE has said they want to break up and unfortunately the government is slowly doing so."
Kallas emphasized Reform is trying to show Isamaa what their options are.
She explained: "We are in support of many of Isamaa's members. And if you look at support and ratings, voters are not enjoying this government - Isamaa's support dropped heavily after this government was established."
Kallas acknowledged that the decision is ultimately Isamaa's to make. "The question can only be answered by them, when will they understand that there is no future in a government with EKRE. Being in government with EKRE creates a question of why Isamaa is even necessary. Especially considering that the new leader of EKRE Martin Helme has said they will go after voters of Isamaa and Center because they want to change their party image. In that sense, we are constantly working, of course I won't announce everything on radio, but it is all a matter of building trust. Unfortunately I have to deal with the wounds that my predecessors may have caused in the spirits of other parties' members."
The latest party ratings showed that Reform Party continues to be the most popular with 31.6 percent support. Center Party follows them at 24.7 and EKRE, who saw a 1.3 percent dip, stands at 15.6 percent.
The top three are followed by the Social Democratic Party (SDE) with 9.1 percent, non-parliamentary party Estonia 200 with 8.5 percent and Isamaa with 5.6 percent.
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Editor: Kristjan Kallaste