Estonia's ruling coalition shrinks after two MPs quit their parties

Estonia's ruling coalition in the Riigikogu has lost its majority after two members of parliament quit their parties within the past week — Kalev Stoicescu from Eesti 200 and Meelis Kiili from the Reform Party. The coalition now holds 50 seats, further weakening the prime minister's party ahead of upcoming elections.

Analysts expect the coalition's position in parliament to weaken further, and further departures from the Reform Party are not ruled out. Journalist Urmas Jaagant of Eesti Ekspress told Aktuaalne Kaamera that the issue may not be about whether the party's policies are right or wrong, but whether members see a future for their political careers within the party. He noted the Reform Party has many members, and since it is now expected to win fewer seats in the Riigikogu, there may not be room for everyone. Jaagant added it is hard to imagine anyone within the party currently willing to take on its leadership just seven months before the elections.

Question of responsibility

Reform Party politicians accuse the opposition of being unwilling to take on responsibility ahead of the elections. Reform Party faction chairwoman Ynne Pillak said the opposition's inability to unite, or its reluctance to take responsibility — as reflected in statements by its leaders — shows how ready these people actually are to bear responsibility. She stressed that Reform Party members themselves are not afraid of it.

Prime Minister and Reform Party leader Kristen Michal said he expects the coalition to face certain difficulties passing the state budget in parliament this autumn, but hopes for constructive dialogue, if not with entire parties, then with individual opposition MPs. Michal called on the opposition, if it now holds a majority, to unite, take responsibility, and form a majority government.

According to recent polls, the Reform Party's support stands at around 12%, compared with the 31% it won in the last Riigikogu elections.