Estonian general election: March 5, 2023

[𝕭𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖆 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖑𝖆]

Is Kallas going to try to form a government with just Reform and E200? That would be the barest possible majority (51-50) but if party discipline is strong maybe it's worth a try.

I think a government with SDE is much more likely especially because from what I've heard such a bare majority would mean the opposition controls some of the parliamentary committees.

[DavidB.]

Kallas announced she wants to start coalition talks with E200 and SDE.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Reasonable. SDE aren't overtly pro-Russia or anything like that, I assume.

[Ethelberth]

SDE is strongest in peripheric rural Estonian speaking areas.  It has had some prominent pro-NATO leaders (although it has some Russo-Estonian politicians).

[Diouf]

Kaja Kallas has announced a new government with Reform, E200 and SDE.

The coalition agreement includes a tax hike on income and VAT tax from 20 to 22% as well as the introduction of a new car tax, it wants to pass a climate law with ambitious goals, particularly in terms of energy efficiency, it won't open new oil shale mines and prefers fully utilizing existing ones, Free county public transport will be abolished with free rides available only to children, the elderly and people with disabilities, people coming out of the parental leave period will have their sick and care leave days compensated based on their salary before parental leave as opposed to the minimum rate and the coalition plans to switch to exclusively teaching in Estonian in preschool education from 2027 and in basic education from 2030. It also wants to introduce same-sex marriage, and discuss the possibility of euthanasia.

Kaja Kallas continues as PM. E200 leader Lauri Hussar opted to become Speaker of parliament with Margus Tsahkna, the former Defence Minister, instead taking the party's most prominent cabinet position as Foreign Minister. SDE leader Lauri Läänemets will become Minister of the Interior. The Reform Party will get to appoint the new EU commissioner in 2024.

https://news.err.ee/1608941543/sides-to-incoming-government-unveil-coalition-agreement
https://news.err.ee/1608941456/gallery-new-reform-eesti-200-sde-coalition-ministers-announced

[DavidB.]

Looks like this may end prematurely. At least for PM Kaja Kallas, heroine of Estonia's unwavering support for Ukraine and future NATO SG prospect - who may now be forced to resign as it turns out her husband's transportation company has continued to do business with Russia after the invasion, making 1.5 million euros in the process. Kallas herself provided this company a loan of 350,000 euros privately. She now claims she knew nothing as she never asked what the money was intended for (very logical when you provide such a big loan), but the Estonian public have seen enough: 57% want her to resign. Debate to follow next week.