Editorial: Ansip and Laar, learn from Savisaar!
20.10.2009, 13:09
Although Estonian PM Andrus Ansip remains optimistic, it is clear that local elections were a huge blow for right-wing parties.
Äripäev writes in its today's editorial that Reform Party, IRL and Social Democrats were single-handedly knocked out by Edgar Savisaar's Centre Party.
One thing is clear - at present Centre Party's hegemony in Tallinn City Council is almost absolute and the hopes put on Social Democrats as a potential competitor have failed. Or, as writer Mihkel Mutt said: if right-wing parties wish to overcome the Centre Party, the only way they can do it is from the inside.
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This is democracy, whether we like it or not. Two thirds of Tallinn residents cast their vote and the results reflect that more than half of them support the Centre Party. Tallinn has become the stronghold for Edgar Savisaar and unfortunately right-wing parties themselves have paved the way for him.
If Reform Party and IRL wish to ever rise to power in Tallinn, they must learn from Savisaar himself how to win elections. Moreover, it is widely said that local elections are the lithmus test for general elections in two year's time.
The only consolation for right-wing parties is that, unlike in local elections, residents without citizenship would not be voting for the Riigikogu. But they would make a huge mistake if they were to put their hopes only on that issue.
Unlike some claim, Savisaar did not win because of the Bronze Soldier. Election results show that Russian voters turned down options offered to them by Russian extremists in Estonia.
Just like Estonians, Russians living in Estonia wish nothing more than to live and raise their children in a stable country. Savisaar has succeeded convincing them that this is what his party can offer them. And, indeed, it has created social jobs, opened new kindergartens and built subsidised housing.
Right-wing parties simply have nothing similar to show for in Tallinn since while they have been making promises, Centre Party has acted, although often by breaking rules and wasting taxpayer money. And Savisaar has done an excellent job in marketing his achievements.
This is a huge difference since while Reform Party has been focusing on the elite and IRL on the national-minded Estonians and ignored Russian-speakers, Savisaar has reached out to common people. And this the lesson that right-wing parties need to learn.