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The President of the Republic to the new Government: democratic and mature society is based on dialogue

The President of the Republic to the new Government: democratic and mature society is based on dialogue © Toomas Volmer
Vabariigi Presidendi kohtumine uue valitsuse liikmetega

05.04.2011

Mr. Andrus Ansip, who was given the authority to form a new Government today from the Riigikogu, introduced the candidates for the positions of various ministries to the President, Mr. Toomas Hendrik Ilves, today in Kadriorg, and the Head of State appointed the new Government to office.

The following members belong to the new Government:

Prime Minister – Mr. Andrus Ansip,
Minister of Education and Research – Mr. Jaak Aaviksoo,
Minister of Justice – Mr. Kristen Michal,
Minister of Defence – Mr. Mart Laar,
Minister of Environment – Ms. Keit Pentus,
Minister of Cultural Affairs – Mr. Rein Lang,
Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications – Mr. Juhan Parts,
Minister of Agriculture – Mr. Helir-Valdor Seeder,
Minister of Finance – Mr. Jürgen Ligi,
Minister of Regional Affairs – Mr. Siim Valmar Kiisler,
Minister of the Interior – Mr. Ken-Marti Vaher,
Minister of the Social Affairs – Mr. Hanno Pevkur,
Minister of the Foreign Affairs – Mr. Urmas Paet.

President Ilves wished the new Government a good working atmosphere and the strength to solve the problems that Estonia is facing, and he said:

“I want to hope that Estonia will move towards European political culture, in its pure sense. This will firmly depend on you and the members of the Riigikogu who support you.

The strong majority that you won during the elections will give you the authority and opportunity to adopt decisions in the Parliament using your majority. However, good political culture means that different opinions are also regarded and taken into consideration.

As you implement the government coalition agreement, I suggest that you remember the other portion of the electorate, who on election day chose different targets and means to accomplish these.

A democratic and mature society is based upon dialogue, which in parliament should manifest itself through substantial dialogue between the coalition and the opposition.

You have developed and disclosed your position, and now it is the turn of the opposition. A strong and constructive opposition serves the interests of Estonia, democracy and the government itself. It will not permit the coalition in power to sit back and relax.

The social exchange of ideas on matters of national importance should not be restricted to the parliament hall and committees.

I invite you to give more consideration to the opinions of non-governmental organisations, professional associations and experts outside the realm of politics.

Make involvement the key-word of your government, and give this word real substance. Involvement does not merely mean listening and asking approval for draft bills.

Involvement stands for adopting decisions together, the active participation of equal parties in political processes, which we would like to describe as considering democracy.

Yesterday, I told the new Riigikogu that they can turn a new page and do things in a new and different way, if the old ways fail to deliver the best possible outcome.

This also goes for you. You represent a government that is experienced and many of you have worked together in previous years. You already know what works well and what doesn’t.

Find the will and courage to be innovative and direct Estonia towards its new objectives.”

 

Office of the President
Public Relations Department
Phone +372 631 6229