The Government resigned

24.03.2005

Tallinn, Stenbock House - During yesterdays session of the Government, the Prime Minister Juhan Parts announced his decision to resign on his own initiative according to paragraph 3 of section 9 of the Government of the Republic Act. Therefore, according to paragraph 2 of section 8 of the Government of the Republic Act, the Prime Minister announced the resignation of the government led by him.

The Prime Minister’s explanations concerning the resignation given to the members of the Government were the same as those stated at Parliament after the expression of no confidence in the Minister of Justice Ken-Marti Vaher on Monday. He said that the joining of the parties of coalition in the expression of no confidence in a minister shows that the cooperation capacity is gone for good.

The Prime Minister is going to notify the President of his decision immediately. He drove to Kadriorg Presidential Palace to hand in his resignation right after the session of the government.

The Government will continue its activities until a new government assumes office. During today’s session of the Government, the State Secretary denoted that there are certain limitations to the authority of the resigned government – the government should avoid making any decisions of principle or decisions that increase the expenditure of the state budget. Therefore, until a new government resumes office, there will be no cabinet meetings.

According to section 89 of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, the President of the Republic designates, within fourteen days after the resignation of the Government, a candidate for the Prime Minister, to whom the President of the Republic assigns the task of forming a new government.
Within fourteen days after receiving the task of forming a new government, the candidate for Prime Minister presents the bases for the formation of the forthcoming government to the Parliament, after which the Parliament decides, without debate and by an open vote, whether to authorize the candidate for Prime Minister to form a government.

If the candidate for Prime Minister designated by the President does not receive a majority of votes in favour from the Parliament, or is unable or declines to form a government, the President has the right to present a second candidate for Prime Minister within seven days. If the President does not present a second candidate for Prime Minister within seven days or declines to do so, or if the second candidate is unable to obtain authority from the Parliament, or is unable or declines to form a government, then the right to nominate a candidate for Prime Minister transfers to the Parliament.

The Parliament nominates a candidate for Prime Minister who will present the membership of a government to the President. If the membership of a government is not presented to the President within fourteen days, the President of the Republic declares extraordinary elections to the Parliament.

Yours truly,

Government Communication Office
Tel +372 693 5792, +372 693 5719