Opposition files no-confidence motion against Estonia’s government

Estonia’s opposition has filed a no-confidence motion against the government, but it is unlikely to pass, ERR reported. The motion has 34 signatures and is expected to be debated in the Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament, on Monday.

The motion’s sponsors say repeated scandals have surrounded the Reform Party and Estonia 200 coalition government, and argue that Prime Minister Kristen Michal has failed in office. The Social Democrats did not sign, despite repeated calls to join.

Centre Party parliamentary group leader Lauri Laats accused the Social Democrats of preferring to wait for elections and suggested they were content with the current government. EKRE leader Martin Helme said the motion should have been filed earlier and that it might have passed if the Social Democrats had supported it.

Social Democratic Party leader Lauri Läänemets said his party would back a no-confidence motion if its sponsors explained what government would replace the current one and what its plans would be. He said that neither Martin Helme, Isamaa leader Urmas Reinsalu nor Centre Party leader Mihhail Kõlvart had presented such a plan.

Three unaffiliated MPs, Kersti Sarapuu, Enn Eesmaa and Tõnis Mölder, also withheld their signatures. Mölder said a motion that is certain to fail could be seen as an election campaign move, adding that more MPs might have taken it seriously if there had been a realistic chance of securing the 51 votes needed.

Reinsalu said a failed motion would still show which political forces support the government. Reform Party parliamentary group leader Õnne Pillak said there were no agreements between her party and the Social Democrats, and that a vote on the motion would become a confidence vote in the government.