Social Affairs Minister to step down

2009-01-22
TBT Staff in cooperation with BNS

Maripuu survived the vote but said she would step down anyway. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Social Affairs).

TALLINN 'sEmbattled Social Affairs Minister Maret Maripuu has survived a vote ofno-confidence, only to say that she will step down in one month.

Maripuu told lawmakers she intends to resign on Feb. 23 after becomingassured that reforms she spearheaded are effectively working and that everyonewho is entitled to a benefit gets their money at the established time.

"I will resign so the government can go on with important socialreforms," the minister was quoted by the Baltic News Service as saying.

Some 40 deputies from Center, People's Union andGreen parties 's all three opposition parties in Riigikogu [Estonian parliament]'s signed a motion calling for a vote of no confidence in the minister onThursday. The motion was handed in by Center Party leader Vilja Savisaar.

It accused Maripuu of administrative incapacity and incompetence indirecting the work at the ministry, criticizes the minister for too long delaysin informing the public about the problems, lying to the public, andcarelessness toward people who are directly affected by the minister'sdecisions.

The criticism is related to the withholding of disabled benefit payments forseveral months as a result of the introduction of an underdeveloped new ITsystem in the ministry's area of government and a poorly developed new pensionpayment and home delivery system.

Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said at the government press conference that hehad approved the announcement of Maripuu's impending resignation.

Maripuu has initiated several important reforms that have been carried outpoorly, said Ansip, chairman of the Reform Party that holds the social affairsportfolio in the Cabinet.

Maripuu said that central to her work as minister was the goal to turn theblanket-style and wasteful welfare system, which at times was reminiscent ofthe Soviet era, into a system capable of making sure that help reaches thosewho truly in need.

"I knew when I accepted the ministerial job that this task will not bean easy one, yet I believe that without changing the ungainly social system ourstate will find itself in trouble soon," she said.