Pakosta: Narva power crisis will be resolved by end of July

Justice and Digital Affairs Minister Liisa Pakosta (Eesti 200) believes that the Narva power crisis will be resolved by the end of July, as from 1 July, councillors will have the right to convene independently without a summons from the chair of the council. According to the currently valid law, the state still considers Katri Raik to be the acting mayor of Narva. The Narva opposition is not satisfied with the minister's position.

Justice and Digital Affairs Minister Liisa Pakosta (Eesti 200) confirmed that the Narva power crisis should be resolved by late July. Narva is experiencing a governance crisis, with the central question being who actually leads the city.

The state's position is clear

According to Pakosta, Katri Raik currently holds the office of mayor, and the self-initiated city council session held on 1 June, at which new city leaders were elected, was not legitimate. "Currently, Katri Raik is the mayor of Narva. Since the chair of the council and the mayor can only be elected at a city council session, the question is whether a city council session took place or whether it was merely a gathering. In fact, this is the legal question at hand. And according to the law currently in force, no city council session took place," the minister explained.

On 1 June, 16 Narva city councillors gathered for a self-initiated session, at which new city leaders were elected. However, the power transition stalled because both the city council office and the city's election commission questioned the legitimacy of the gathering and awaited an official position from the state authorities.

A legal gap will be filled

The minister acknowledged, however, that the current law is incomplete and does not regulate situations where the chair of the council may obstruct the holding of sessions. An imminent legal amendment should resolve this problem; from 1 July, councillors will be able to convene without a summons from the chair.

"I believe that by the end of July, the majority of the Narva city council, in whatever composition it may be at that time, will be able to express its will at a properly legitimate city council session," said Pakosta.

The opposition disagrees with the minister

The Narva opposition is not satisfied with the minister's interpretation. In their assessment, council chair Mihhail Stalnuhhin has been breaking the law for several months, and they expected a legal ruling from the state primarily on his actions, not a reference to the forthcoming legal amendment.

"To hide behind the fact that a new law comes into effect from 1 July, when Mr Stalnuhhin has been breaking the law for several months, to hide behind that, saying a new law is coming and we'll start over, that's not right. In a state governed by the rule of law, things should work properly," said Narva city councillor Urbo Vaarmann (Plan B).

The next city council session summoned by Stalnuhhin will take place on the morning of 26 June. Whether the opposition will participate or wait until 1 July will become clear in the coming week.