Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said a coalition agreement could be signed by March 26. Early indications point to a coalition between Reform, the Union of Pro Patria and Respublica (IRL), the Social Democrats and the Estonian Greens.
It is widely expected that the Center Party will be exiled to the opposition benches of parliament.
Talks are underway between the four parties, with key agreement points under heavy discussion. Ansip said there was "no signs of anyone intending to drop out" of the negotiations.
Ansip said that the partners had very frankly discussed the dangers that could face a four-party coalition. He said that as long as everyone admitted the importance of passing decisions by consensus and constructive cooperation, the existence of four parties wouldn't necessarily create any particular tension.
"We theoretically know that the most stable coalitions are those formed with the lowest possible majority of votes. If some party turns out to be downright superfluous, it usually doesn't extend the life of a coalition."
Family policy was discussed at a meeting on March 10. Ansip said there was great agreement concerning the partners' aims, but the ways leading to them as well as the costs varied from party to party. "There is little certainty that our present budget permits coverage of all the wishes," Ansip said.
But Ansip added that the Reform Party would have no concessions in its main promise - lowering income tax.
