In Estonia, a new era has begun in Tallinn, where on Tuesday, November 9, the Centre Party and the Social Democratic Party agreed to form a joint coalition, ending a long period of the centrists ruling alone, Estonian public broadcaster ERR reports.
Following the October 17 local government elections, the Centre Party, which ruled in the Estonian capital alone for four terms in office, had to look for a partner. The coalition agreement signed on November 9 means that in the 79-member city council 38 centrists will govern together with six social-democrats.
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Centrist leader Mihhail Kõlvart will continue to serve as the capital’s mayor. He was cautious about the upcoming experience of sharing the power: «Political agreements in city management are really a new approach now. Time will tell how it succeeds.»
Minority partners received a sleeve of senior positions. The chairman of the city council will be social-democrat Raimond Kaljulaid. «I think the expectation of the Estonian people is that nowadays politicians are able to overcome party contradictions and really work together towards the goals that the whole country faces. I would definitely like to see an effective city management team forming up in Tallinn,» Kaljulaid sounded upbeat about the new coalition, as quoted by ERR.
In Tallinn, new coalition formed by centrists and social-democrats
