Leading the way for change in Tallinn

Keit Pentus became the face of the Reform Party during the first weeks of October in the recent shift of power at Tallinn City Council. The 28-year-old head is one of the few female politicians at the top and a leading member of the Reform Party. Pentus' outspoken statements to the press even caused former Mayor Edgar Savisaar, a veteran of Estonian politics, to mumble about being stabbed in the back. And with a new municipal coalition beginning its work, we can expect to hear plenty more from this energetic and charismatic woman.


Why is the new Tallinn coalition different from the old one?

The essential plans of a coalition are spelled out in the coalition agreement, signed during its formation. If we look at the current agreement, the important thing is that it's focused on solving major problems such as road repairs. Roads are indeed in a very bad condition. Another issue is the lack of extra-curricular opportunities for youth. The problem is that children who want to join a hobby group cannot afford to because the prices are too high. From next year on the city will financially support children willing to join a privately owned hobby club, making parents' lives much easier.

What about the loan strategy? Will it be any different?

The coalition has agreed that the city budget must be balanced and that the loan burden will not exceed what is approved this spring.

What has changed or will change in central Tallinn?

The previous coalition planned to cut the central Tallinn district budget. We were supposed to cut maintenance costs, which would worsen, for example, the parks and garbage removal situation. Those are things that are particularly noticable to people. I am glad that the new coalition will not cut the district budget so we can keep maintenance costs at the previous level.

Central Tallinn may have higher maintenance costs than some other districts due to its number of parks. Places such as Kadriorg Park and Old Town are not just for central Tallinn residents, but for many capital guests.

During Tallinn's change of power in early October, the Reform Party aired several points of view that were quite controversial to one another. Why did this happen?

When we started the [2005 city] budget negotiations with the Center Party, we had a sincere will to reach a compromise despite the fact that over the last six months the Center Party had failed to keep several promises. This lack of trust became fatal for the old coalition. It is very difficult to run the city in a way favorable to residents when there is no trust between coalition partners - when we must question the sincerity of our partners before every meeting and make sure they understand us. At the last meeting [during the budget talks] at the Center Party's office we saw them committing to reach a compromise in whatever way possible, yet at the same time [the Center Party] approached Res Publica with an offer to start coalition talks.

After the confidence vote, Edgar Savissar said that the Center Party had gained the moral right to use the same political tricks as Res Publica and the People's Union, such as winning over deputies from other parties. Do you think anything will change politically after this in Tallinn and elsewhere in Estonia?

Perhaps this question, in regards to our party, is not quite legitimate as the Reform Party faction in the City Council has had 11 members since the last municipal elections, and nobody has been 'recruited'. If I were in the Center Party, I would look into what is going on within, why people are leaving, and what the problems are. People are not only leaving the Center Party in the Tallinn City Council - it all started in the Riigikogu [national parliament]. I think that the Center Party must come to some very serious conclusions.

The media attention you received earlier this October has apparently been the highest you have seen during your political career. What have you learned from it?

I would love to see the same media attention focused on those things we do during so called "ordinary days" in central Tallinn. Things that are much more significant to people living in Tallinn happen every day.



What are your plans and expectations for the next municipal elections? Would you like to carry on as the city district head?

It is very difficult at the moment to predict the results of next year's municipal elections. I consider the district's development as very important for myself. I now work in the name of this development and would like to carry on with it. I live in central Tallinn myself.

Estonia has a valid Gender Equality Act yet there are few women among the country's decision-makers. Why do you think this is so? What features should a successful Estonian female politician have?

I think that all of the politicians, regardless of their gender, must have the ability and will to remain faithful to their principles, to work on their goals and be prepared to overcome difficulties. As to the lack of women in Estonian politics, I think this is going to change soon. Entering politics is a very personal decision which few women in Estonia have made. After all, politics is not a simple and lenient field. Some women in Estonia have made it to the top and I think this is great. I think there will be more women in Parliament, too. I myself had the opportunity to become a substitute MP twice, for example, when Siim Kallas went to Europe. I refused because today I see that working as head of the central Tallinn district, I have more opportunities to do what I want to, namely improving the district's living conditions.