Estonian parliament rejects no-confidence motion against government

Estonia’s parliament, the Riigikogu, rejected a no-confidence motion against the government on Monday, with 34 members voting in favour and none voting against or abstaining, ERR reported.

The motion was initiated by 34 opposition MPs. The Social Democratic Party and some so-called “window-seat” MPs, including Tõnis Mölder, did not join the motion and did not vote.

Isamaa leader Urmas Reinsalu, speaking for the motion’s supporters, said Prime Minister Kristen Michal’s government had failed, arguing that it had lost credibility, its sense of reality and broad public support. He said the motion set out the government’s actions and inactions, and predicted that Social Democratic support would keep Michal in office.

Michal rejected the criticism. He said Estonia’s economy was growing twice as fast as the European Union average and that average deposits in people’s accounts had risen by about 10% this year. He also cited growing consumer confidence and retail sales, lower unemployment and inflation, and said tax cuts were supporting businesses, production and exports.

Michal accused the opposition of spreading a false picture of the country and called the no-confidence motion another irresponsible political manoeuvre.