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President Ilves met with the Estonian Prime Minister

03.06.2009

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with Prime Minister Andrus Ansip in Kadriorg today, in order to discuss the domestic political situation and the capability of the government. President Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with Prime Minister Andrus Ansip in Kadriorg today, in order to discuss the domestic political situation and the capability of the government.

“I repeat what I have already been saying for a year: in an economic crisis, the government and parliament must abandon the election promises that were made in a totally different situation and guarantee Estonia’s financial and economic ability to cope under conditions of drastically reduced income and increased unemployment,” President Ilves said.

“The only yardstick for appraising cost-cutting measures can be the fulfilment of the budgetary deficit criterion necessary for transition to the euro,” the Head of State said. “In the near future, the government must ensure that Estonia’s policies this year and next will be determined by the Estonian parliament and government, and not by the IMF.”

Speaking about the minority government that has developed in Estonia, President Ilves recalled that for a minority government to survive, it must find broad support for its decisions in the Riigikogu and search for support outside the parliament – from scientists, interest groups and trade unions.

“Naturally, it would be better for Estonia if we had a stable majority government in the current complicated situation, which could methodically bring Estonia out of the crisis,” the Head of State said. “It is also certain that the responsibility for the developed situation currently rests with political parties that form the minority government – with the Reform Party and the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union. Moreover, the Prime Minister is responsible for the capability of the government.”

President Ilves called on the Prime Minister to act judiciously in regard to abolishing the position of Minister of Population and Ethnic Affairs.

“I truly hope that the abolition of the position of Minister of Population and Ethnic Affairs – if the government really decides on this – does not mean that the government coalition believes that everything in this field is in order. Work with integration and family policies must be done by someone, and I am awaiting the government’s next steps for coping with these assignments,” said the Head of State.

Prime Minister Ansip submitted a proposal to President Ilves to appoint Jürgen Ligi as Minister of Finance and Marko Pomerants as Minister of the Interior.