In the Estonian Riigikogu, a vote of confidence is due on the government headed by the liberal Reform Party. It has been announced by the ruling coalition as it seeks to avoid obstruction against the passing of its proposed supplementary budget, Estonian public broadcaster ERR reports.
On Monday, May 16, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform Party) met with its partners in coalition, the Centre Party MPs, and it was decided to tie Estonia’s supplementary budget to a vote of confidence.
The right-wing populist Estonia Conservative People’s Party (EKRE), which serves in the opposition had submitted over 600 motions to amend the supplementary budget and associated bills. In the Esonian legislative process, the government can tie any bill it brings to the parliament to a confidence vote. This makes it possible to avoid stalling or obstruction tactics in the Riigikogu in the form of the opposition requesting breaks between voting over motions to amend.
EKRE’s leader Martin Helme commented to ERR that the party still would not support the supplementary budget. «It is our task to test the government. We do not like the budget in its current form. It is presented to the public using cynical lies. We do not support the budget,» Helme noted as quoted by the ERR.
Estonian government triggers confidence vote
