Mayor of Tallinn in critical condition in hospital

The Mayor of Tallinn, Edgar Savisaar was hospitalised on Wednesday with suspected pneumonia and is now in a critical condition at the Tartu University Clinic intensive care unit, Postimees Online reports.

Postimees claims Savisaar, who is also the leader of Estonia's largest opposition party, the Centre Party, is in an artificial coma and underwent surgery yesterday.

Centre Party spokesman Taavi Pukk said that Savisaar is suffering from a serious infectious disease, but did not give any further specifics. While his state has remained critical overnight, the doctors have identified the cause of the disease, allowing them to direct treatment much more effectively, Pukk said.

While Savisaar is in hospital, the duties of the mayor of Tallinn are being performed by deputy mayor Kalle Klandorf and the Centre Party is managed and represented by vice chairpersons Enn Eesmaa and Kadri Simson.

The last time the 64-year old Savisaar, who recently returned from a business trip to Thailand, was seen in public was on Tuesday, at the funeral ceremony of the legendary Estonian theatre director and comedian Eino Baskin.