Vseviov says Estonia deserves better than Tsahkna

Estonian Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Jonatan Vseviov said the country was capable of more and “deserves better” when asked about Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. ERR reported the comments after Vseviov was presented on Thursday as the Social Democratic Party’s prime ministerial candidate.

Vseviov said the party offered the most comprehensive approach to Estonia’s challenges and that he could bring security-policy expertise to its team. He described freedom and hope as central to his worldview, calling them the best response to fear in Estonia and across Europe.

He said no party could offer someone the prime minister’s position, as voters decide who becomes prime minister in elections. The Social Democrats are due to decide on their candidate on November 1.

Asked whether he had discussed the candidacy with party leader Lauri Läänemets before agreeing to join, Vseviov said they had talked about Estonia’s future and its challenges, not political tactics. He said it was normal to discuss the country’s future with politicians.

Vseviov also rejected the suggestion that he had criticised Estonia’s foreign policy or Prime Minister Kristen Michal’s foreign policy. “Estonia has a foreign policy,” he said, adding that the country was capable of more and had previously been able to set goals that resonated across Europe.

Asked whether he was dissatisfied with Tsahkna, Vseviov replied that Estonia could do more and “honestly, deserves better.”