Isamaa, EKRE and Centre Party sign coalition deal in Pärnu

Estonia’s Isamaa, EKRE and Centre Party signed a coalition agreement on Tuesday to govern the city of Pärnu until 2029, ERR reported. Isamaa will hold the mayor’s office, with Siim Suursild set to become the new mayor.

Centre Party representative Andrei Korobeinik will continue as chairman of the Pärnu City Council.

“After the elections, it was clear that it would not be possible to form a coalition in Pärnu with fewer than three partners,” Suursild said. He added that Isamaa had spent nine months seeking a workable three-party coalition and hoped the agreement would give Pärnu a more forward-looking direction than the previous coalition deal.

Suursild said the parties had held several rounds of detailed negotiations. The final round ended at Ammende Villa, and the agreement was then sent to party members. He said the parties were ready to sign the new coalition agreement based on the mandates received from their members.

The Centre Party will also receive the deputy mayor’s post responsible for finance. Isamaa will take responsibility for education, culture and social affairs, while EKRE will receive the deputy mayor’s posts responsible for the economy and planning.

Isamaa will hold the deputy chairman’s post on the city council. EKRE will appoint the head of the Paikuse district, Isamaa the head of Audru, and the Centre Party the head of Tõstamaa.

An extraordinary meeting of the Pärnu City Council to appoint the new city leadership is scheduled for August 17.

The coalition agreement focuses on professional and transparent city management, developing Pärnu’s economy and living environment, and improving opportunities for children and young people.

Among other measures, the agreement calls for Riga Road to be redesigned as a modern main street with quality facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. It also promises every child in Pärnu the opportunity to take part in at least one organised hobby group.

Pärnu is preparing to become the European City of Sport in 2027 and has set a longer-term goal of becoming European Capital of Culture in 2036. The agreement also includes plans to build a contemporary art centre and assess the possibility of bringing the city government and its services back to the city centre.