In order to appoint the candidate for Prime Minister, President of the Republic consulted all the political forces represented in the Riigikogu yesterday and today.

On these meetings, all parties except one confirmed that Estonia needs an efficient majority government. The Reform Party, the Pro Patria Union and the Moderates unanimously saw Mart Laar as the Prime Minister. The position of the Coalition Party, the Estonian Country People“s Party and the Estonian United People“s Party factions was that at the present moment, they see the coalition based on the union of three parties as the force capable of forming a majority government.

Therefore, considering the positions expressed on the consultations, Mart Laar, the Prime Minister candidate of the union of three parties, would get the firm support of the majority of the Riigikogu. The union was formed by the Pro Patria Union, the Reform Party and the Moderates on December 31, 1998.

Therefore, President of the Republic had a meeting with Mart Laar on Friday evening. On the meeting, the domestic and foreign policy issues facing Estonia were discussed. Proceeding from the results of the consultations, the President of the Republic assigned the task of forming the new Government to Mart Laar in accordance with the Constitution.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, March 19, 1999

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