Jüri Ratas, Prime Minister of Estonia, commented on the proposal of deputies of the Riigikogu (Parliament) from the Reform Party, Ants Laaneots, Urmas Kruuse and Jüri Jaanson to hold a referendum on the accession of the Republic to Russia
“All this we have to see on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the restoration of independence of our dear Estonia. It is wrong, unthinkable and unfortunate… I share the Foreign Minister’s view that the Riigikogu cannot consider such a proposal. In my opinion all Estonian political forces should unequivocally condemn this proposal. I am sure the President will do the same”, – Ratas wrote on his Facebook page.
The reformists’ bill is designed as an amendment to the draft law on the referendum on marriage as the union of a man and a woman. They propose that voters should answer the question, “Would the Republic of Estonia have a better life if the country were part of Russia?” The Prime Minister noted that in the text of the reformists’ amendment, the Republic of Estonia is misspelled.
The second reading of the marriage referendum bill is scheduled for 13 January. MPs have proposed about 10,000 amendments to it in order to block the adoption of the bill initiated by the conservatives. Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid is scheduled to meet with political party leaders next week to discuss the political crisis in the Riigikogu.