The mayor of Tartu, who also acts as the chairman of the Association of Estonian Cities, said Kiisler was the biggest obstacle to reform. (Photo courtesy of the city of Tartu).
"A person who does not understand the essence of local
self-government and compares it with a subordinate
institution of a ministry is not fit to serve as minister of
regional affairs and capable of implementing administrative
reform. That's why he himself has become the biggest
obstacle to reform," Kruuse said.
Presently the part of the income tax transferred into the budgets of self-governments stands at 11.93 percent of a person's gross pay. Under the planned budget cuts this will be reduced to 11.1 percent, which is less than in the 1990s.
Slashing the main source of self-governments' income, the personal income tax, is a clear sign that Kiisler has failed to realize during his time in office what regional policy is and how important a role local self-governments play, Kruuse said.
"Even though it is understandable that in the present
economic conditions cuts affect all areas and levels of
governance, an axe job on self-governments' income is
inconceivable," Kruuse said.
"The minister has the
responsibility to explain to the government the importance
of the personal income tax to local governments. If he fails
in this, the question arises whether we need this position
at all," he said.
The mayor suggested the minister read again the European charter of local self-government, which establishes the principles of both local autonomy and subsidiarity according to which all decisions should be made as closely to citizens as possible.
"It is therefore essential for us to retain a source of income free from political wrangling," Kruuse said.
"Local self-government must not be at the mercy of a minister without portfolio."
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