During the freedom movement with Hando Runnel in Tartu
On May 3, 2011, the daily Päevaleht had an article about the identical features in the rhetoric of Estonian Prime Minister Ansip and his counterpart Putin in Russia. Having read it, I remembered my reaction couple weeks ago when I happened to see on Kanal 2 a rerun of the April 2007 riots in Tallinn. I wondered why it was being served to us, because it does not fit into the anniversary mode, but then remembered that the channel is owned by Eesti Meedia, CEO’d by Reform propagandists circle member Mart Kadastik, and the company also owns Postimees. The broadcast included snippets of an interview with Ansip and watching his face, especially his eyes, it struck me that in manner and content he resembles Putin. Not a muscle on his face moved and his eyes pierced the air with cold indifference as he commented on the activities in town in classic Soviet terms. Analyzing the picture objectively and considering Ansip’s background and age, I had to conclude that the two were cut from the same cloth and that the Jesuit maxim “give me a boy for the first seven years……” applies in this case also.
Ansip’s most recent pronouncements continue in the Soviet style. As Jaan Männik, Eesti Pank’s Chairman of the Board, tries to clean house by removing vice-presidents Ross and Minka who have occupied their posts for more than 10 years each with Reform’s blessings, Ansip did not like the decision and berated the Board „nii ei käituta“! For a long time I’ve been of the opinion that the bank’s president, Andres Lipstok – a fellow Reform Party member – is overpaid (monthly salary of 98 000 EEK; 6263.34 EUR) and should be replaced. Hopefully, Männik and colleagues can complete the house cleaning.
Then, a few days ago in an interview, Ansip said in his characteristic fashion that the government need not always listen to public opinion, as if he had been anointed by the Almighty to rule over us.
But to get back to the salaries issue, about a week ago we learned that Social Affairs Minister Pevkur, also of Reform, is going to give a bonus to the Unemployment Office director Meelis Paavel for work well done last year. This decision challenges one’s understanding of what constitutes good work, because last year Paavel was penalized for granting a large state contract to his relative. Paavel’s salary last year was 44 800 EEK (2863.24 EUR) per month, which is about four times the average.
Such large salaries to favorites in public office contrasts drastically with salaries paid to teachers. Estonian teachers’ average wage is less than 1,000 EUR per month while a cleaning woman’s average wage in the European Union is about 2,000 EUR per month. The teachers have asked for wage increase next year, but Finance Minister Ligi, again of Reform, has said „not possible“. A closer scrutiny of salaries – and bonuses - paid to favorites in high office and a reduction to bring them in line with salaries paid out of the state budget to professionals in education and health care would do if nothing else than at least engender a sense of fairness in our society.
And Reform’s coalition partner in government, IRL, also made news recently. The party headquarters building that was purchased when the organization was named Isamaaliit (Pro Patria) was bought by a Russian businessman. Aside from my concern that Russian interests are buying real estate and establishing businesses in Estonia, this transaction would have no more significance. However, Isamaaliit as a political party was synonymous with nationalism, conservatism and fierce anti-Russianism. Hence this event is heavy with symbolism, I regret to say. But in addition to that, it also speaks of the political party’s capacity to manage finances; the building had to be sold in order to pay debts.
Given the above mentioned attitudes and financial decisions by those in power, it is with considerable concern that I look forward to four years of this government. The concern is even greater when it’s apparent that political opposition in the country has been decimated, that people are tired - as pollster Andrus Saar recently told me - and that general apprehension about the future and job security are palpable.
