I am not sure if this was given much attention by the Estonian media, but Rahvastikuminister Urve Palo's plan to make the section of the Estonian citizenship exams that deal with the constitution available in Russian was scrapped after consultation with SDE's coalition partners, Isamaa-Res Publica Liit and Reformierakond.The story was placed prominently in the Russian version of Postimees, but was overshadowed by articles about storms, railroads, and other important things in the Estonian version.
Sometimes I feel that the citizenship issue is the third rail of Estonian politics. There are policies that have been set in place and nobody wants to tinker with them. Presumably, a Center Party with nothing to lose could promise non-citizens easier exams or just go ahead any give everyone from Nordkapp to Johannesburg the right to vote in Estonian parliamentary elections and win big at the polls. But that would make them look like cynical opportunists beholden to Moscow's interests. And besides, they already have those districts locked up electorally.
On the other hand, Isamaa and Reform have built their electoral base on right-leaning voters, many of whom vote, perhaps, in opposition to Center Party voters. They don't want to see their country turn into "Savisaarestan". And it is possible that once naturalized, those former non-citizens might not find a home in IRL and would feel more comfortable voting for other parties, like Edgar Savisaar's. So there's no political incentive for them to liberalize citizenship law either.
That leaves the Social Democrats who have three very interesting ministries under their control. Jüri Pihl has the Ministry of the Interior. Ivari Padar is the Minister of Finance. And Urve Palo is the Population Affairs Minister. For all other parties in Estonia, liberalizing the citizenship exams would be bad politics. But for SDE it could be beneficial. They would look good in the eyes of supranational organizations like the Council of Europe, they would look 'more European' to to a St. Petersburg-dominated Russia, and they would look like they did the Russian minority a favor at home.
That too would be opportunistic, but it might also be good politics. The current coalition government has said 'ei', but a future one could say 'jah'.
6 kommentaari:
I believe that Urve Palo owes the Estonian people just one Playboy photoshoot :I
for the record.
I have to admit, I put up the cartoon image because the real photographs were too flattering. But Playboy and politics do not mix. And politicians always look better with their clothes on.
A little OT question to Giustino.
Do you have the right to vote on the next local elections in Tartu?
Or is this a privilege only for local russians?
Do you have the right to vote on the next local elections in Tartu?
Or is this a privilege only for local russians?
I have the right to vote, I guess, as a permanent resident who has achieved 18 years of age.
Why do you ask? Are you scrounging for votes? :)
No. I was just wondering if you are also one of those whom human rights has been violated :P and maybe Van Der Linden is fighting for you.
No. I was just wondering if you are also one of those whom human rights has been violated :P and maybe Van Der Linden is fighting for you.
No, I don't feel my human rights have been violated. If anything, Estonians are far more welcoming to Americans than Western Europeans.
In Denmark I was told to my face several times in public that people hate my country and my president. I was ridiculed at parties as 'Chuck Norris' by drunk jerkoff Eurotrash.
I don't like Bush either, but no one has been so rude to me in Estonia. People here generally mind their own business and are ok. They are a bit tactless and proud. But so are the French. and I like the French because they'll always let me know when my clothes don't match. :)
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