Speaking not so easy in Baltics

Mar 27, 2008
Mike Collier in cooperation with BNS

VILNIUS – As if members of Lithuania’s ruling coalition didn’t have enough on their plates at the moment, they now face the task of appointing a new parliamentary speaker after the sudden resignation of Viktoras Muntianas on March 26.

There is no specific candidate at this point, but all parliamentary groups in the ruling coalition will have the opportunity to nominate their candidates, Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas said in a radio interview soon after Muntianas quit.

"The ruling coalition will discuss this issue. All parliamentary groups will lay claims, all have deputy parliamentary speakers in the Seimas, who could assume office as parliamentary speakers," Kirkilas said.

The prime minister gave his word that the new parliamentary speaker will be elected "in the nearest future".

The incumbent parliamentary speaker Viktoras Muntianas stepped down after his name became linked with a conflict-of-interest scandal, though he has denied any wrongdoing and said he is being subjected to "political crucifiction." Reports linked him to alleged bribery of an official in Kaunas County. Muntianas says the payment was not a bribe but a legitimate payment for legal services.

Parliamentary speakers in the Baltic enjoy a colorful existence. Last year, Latvian parliamentary speaker Indulis Emsis of the Greens and Farmers' Union resigned after becoming embroiled in a bizarre series of events involving a bagful of cash, a false police statement and a new tractor.

However, in Estonia, the incumbent speaker, Ene Ergma, has been enjoying a much more pleasant few days.

The Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) member, was reelected as speaker of the Estonianparliament on March 27.

Being the sole candidate, Ergma was given 83 votes for and two against in the 101-seat chamber. Two ballots were declared invalid.

Under the coalition agreement, the speaker’s chair belongs to IRL.

The 64-year-old former astrophysicist has been a member of the parliament's board since 2003. She served as speaker from 2003-2006 and as second vice speaker from 2006-2007. Ergma was chosen as speaker again by the new parliament elected in the general elections of spring 2007.

Deputies are also to vote on the two deputy speakers of the Riigikogu in the annual election Thursday.

The office of first deputy speaker belongs to the Reform Party, senior member of the ruling three-party coalition, whose parliamentary group decided on Tuesday to nominate Kristiina Ojuland for reelection to the job she currently holds.