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President Ilves: a majority government should mean majority support from society
14.03.2014
The President, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, today appointed Taavi Rõivas as candidate for the office of Prime Minister. The Head of State then said the following to journalists:
"Since the government led by Andrus Ansip stepped down, I have repeatedly consulted with the representatives of all parliamentary parties, both at their and my own initiative. My goal was to find an answer to the question of which political parties would be able to form a government supported by the majority of the Riigikogu, as Estonia needs an effective majority government.
I also wanted to know what solutions the parliamentary parties see to the problems faced by Estonia. For me, security, health and education are the three central elements for Estonia's future. Everything – from family size to economic growth and inevitably, in terms of security, Estonia's safety, especially in light of the current situation in Europe – will depend on our wisdom in these very spheres.
By now, the Reform Party and the Estonia's Social Democratic Party have announced that they are poised to form a new majority coalition, as they have the minimum support of 55 members of the Riigikogu. At the recently concluded meeting between the leaders of the Estonian Reform Party and the Social Democrats, Taavi Rõivas and Sven Mikser, both confirmed that the new coalition supports Taavi Rõivas as candidate for the office of Prime Minister.
Abiding by the provision and vision of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, I have signed a resolution to appoint Taavi Rõivas as candidate for the office of Prime Minister, giving him the task of forming the new government.
In anticipating the next question – what are my expectations for the new government – I will immediately tell you: above all, an attitude that is more socially orientated than before. The willingness and skills required to listen to the voice of different stakeholders, to negotiate and find compromises. The ability to see oneself as someone who can err, too. I expect the new government to see our people and their ability to cope instead of officials as the priority, for the purposes of all and any reorganisations efforts.
The majority should not solely stand for the support of the majority of the Riigikogu; they should also stand for the majority of our society. I hope that the political parties that will form the new government can understand the responsibility that they are undertaking.
The Estonian Reform Party and the Estonia's Social Democratic Party now have 14 days for the candidate for the office of Prime Minister, Taavi Rõivas, to give the Riigikogu a presentation of the principles observed for the purposes of forming the new government, and obtaining the required support from the parliament."
Office of the President
Public Relations Department
Phone +372 631 6229
