Aaviksoo: Prudent parties should support Karis's continuation

Academician Jaak Aaviksoo says President Alar Karis has been drawn into party political intrigue for unfathomable reasons, yet heads of state who have successfully united society should be supported in continuing their tenure. Aaviksoo noted that the Reform Party's contradictory messages regarding support for Karis are damaging the party's credibility. He also emphasised that public expectations for change are now greater than ever before.

Academician Jaak Aaviksoo said on ERR's web programme "Direct from the Newsroom" that President Alar Karis has been drawn into party political intrigue for entirely unfathomable reasons, and those parties wishing to act prudently should support the continuation of the sitting president in office.

Reform Party's mixed messages

A few months before the presidential election, the coalition partners Reform Party and Estonia 200 have sent contradictory signals regarding support for Karis. Reform Party leader and Prime Minister Kristen Michal has previously stated that Karis's re-election will have his party's backing, but members of parliament have been far more reluctant in giving their support. In May, Michal also floated the idea that former President Kersti Kaljulaid could be a presidential candidate.

"I must admit that it is simply hard to understand the Reform Party's position. If on Monday we support the sitting president and on Wednesday we're already supporting the former president, then clearly it is very hard to understand," said Aaviksoo.

He added that the resulting confusion does not enhance anyone's credibility and many people have the impression that this involves murky backroom deals. According to Aaviksoo, the parties' behaviour may be linked to a desire to gain political capital from the president's "removal", but society actually expects something different. "Those parties that would like to act prudently should today support the sitting president. In my view, he has handled this role as society's stabiliser very well," he said.

Aaviksoo confirmed that although he has had informal conversations in the past about running for president, this is no longer a topical issue for him. "I probably am not the man who could hold this office. I give good advice and think as a free citizen about Estonia's affairs," he explained.

Three areas of concern before parliamentary elections

Alongside the presidential election, Aaviksoo highlighted that the period before parliament's elections scheduled for March next year differs from previous ones: there is a growing understanding in society that things cannot continue as they are. "Expectations for change are clearly greater than ever before. Many people sense that things cannot go on as they have in recent years and the twelve-year stagnation that has lasted must find resolution in one way or another," he said.

Aaviksoo divided the necessary changes into three categories. First, Estonia's economy is stalled; labour productivity has not grown above the European Union average in over a decade, and every government is responsible for economic development. Second, the state's finances are in poor shape, yet no party has so far presented solutions. Third, the package of state reform proposals that has been discussed for a decade remains unimplemented.

"Clearly we must trim back from somewhere, improve efficiency and quality of governance both in a technical sense and at the level of government composition. So that our government members are substantially more accountable for their decisions, I think that is a justified expectation," Aaviksoo added.