Tarmo Pikner: Only an unexpected trick could save Michal

In an opinion piece, Tarmo Pikner argues that the coalition government led by the Reform Party has seen its support rating fall to a record low of 12 percent. By way of comparison, the author notes that even Tsar Nicholas II needed greater support to govern. Pikner assesses that Prime Minister Michal's government could only be saved by some unexpected political trick.

Something is happening on Estonia's political landscape that deserves a place in the Guinness Book of Records, writes opinion leader Tarmo Pikner—the support rating for the coalition government led by Kristen Michal and the Reform Party has plummeted to 12 percent.

Pikner recalls that just some time ago, a 14-percent support rating seemed embarrassingly low to the beleaguered Reform Party rulers. Now the situation has become even bleaker. "Even Nicholas II needed more support to govern," Pikner remarks with sharp sarcasm.

The main message of the opinion piece is clear: such a low rating is not simply unfortunate statistics, but a signal that the party and its coalition lack substantive contact with voters. The Reform Party has become accustomed over the years to being the core of Estonian politics, but the current situation shows that something has gone fundamentally wrong.

Pikner believes that Prime Minister Michal's government could only be saved by some entirely unexpected and bold political move, something that could shock voters in a positive way and restore confidence. So far, no such moves have been made.