Estonia in Political Turmoil After Newcomer Matches Ruling Party
Published:
4 March 2003 y., Tuesday
With six months to a referendum on European Union membership Estonia was plunged into political turmoil on Monday when a newcomer matched the ruling party at a weekend general election.
The new party, Res Publica, which entered the election as an unknown political force, won as many seats - 28 - as the ruling center-party which, nevertheless, held a slight lead in percentage terms at 25.4 percent to Res Publica's 24.6 percent.
Both parties immediately laid claim to the Baltic country's leadership, signaling tough coalition talks ahead as the former Soviet republic prepares for membership of the European Union and NATO.
"We have to fulfil our obligation to lead the formation of the new government," Res Publica leader Juhan Parts told AFP early on Monday. Asked whether he expected to be Estonia's next prime minister, he said: "That's not my decision, but the party has that position."
Meanwhile center party leader Edgar Savisaar, currently the mayor of Tallinn, told Estonian television that President Arnold Ruutel should nominate the leading party in the poll: His own.
Daily newspaper **Sl Ohtuleht** said in an editorial that Res Publica's good result showed the elections' protest spirit. "Those disappointed in the old guard were ready to make a blind bargain," it said. "Res Publica now has to sit down and ponder what to do with the prize it won overnight."
The daily **Eesti Paevaleht** on the other hand said that Res Publica benefited from the young vote.
Šaltinis:
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
On 27 August at the meeting of foreign ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Iceland (NB8) in Riga, head of Lithuania’s diplomacy called on the Nordic and Baltic States for greater integration.
more »
President Dalia Grybauskaitė offered her congratulations to Mihai Ghimpu, Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament and Acting President of Moldova, on Independence Day.
more »
Minister of Foreign Affairs A. Ažubalis encouraged the ambassadors to take the initiative in searching for potential investors from the countries of their representation, and in inviting Lithuanian businesses to look for export opportunities and partners.
more »
At the annual convention of Lithuanian ambassadors, President Dalia Grybauskaitė gave an overview of this year's main foreign policy issues, discussed top priorities and defined foreign policy guidelines for the next year.
more »
On 24 August at Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lithuania’s and Germany’s Governments will conclude an agreement on mutual representation by diplomatic and consular missions in visa application procedures.
more »
President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with Polish President Bronisław Komorowski who is currently on vacation in Lithuania.
more »
Lithuania delegates Deputy Director of Lithuania’s National Police School professor Alvydas Šakočius to the Police Advisory Group of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to Kyrgyzstan.
more »
President Dalia Grybauskaitė expressed, on behalf of the people of Lithuania and herself, condolences to President Giorgio Napolitano of the Italian Republic on the death of President Francesco Cossiga.
more »
President Dalia Grybauskaitė received letters of credence from Ambassador Igor Klipii of the Republic of Moldova.
more »
President Dalia Grybauskaitė extended condolences to President Hu Jintao over the tragic disaster in China's Gansu province - claiming more than one thousand innocent lives.
more »