Prime Minister and Centre Party chairman Jüri Ratas. Source: Siim Lõvi/ERR
Late Thursday night, Mr Ratas wrote on social media that the role and duty of all state leaders is to move life in Estonia forward as well as build up a cohesive, strong and united society.
"A society where there is more understanding and listening to one another, and less hatred," he wrote. "A state where nobody feels as though they are treated unfairly for no reason. Our society is always significantly easier to break up than it is to patch up again later." Which is why, he added, every politician has to understand the weight their words and actions hold.
"Unfortunately, the debate over such a personal and sensitive topic as abortion has groundlessly hurt a great many people," the prime minister continued. "I apologise to all women, gynaecologists but also men whom this unexpectedly arisen debate has hurt."
Continuing din surrounding EKRE not bringing any real change
Mr Ratas wrote that he is asking EKRE politicians to seriously reflect and understand that the possibility of bearing the responsibility of government does not mean simply standing for their own stances and convictions, but also serving and caring for the entire state and its people.
"Blaming gynaecologists and women for incredibly difficult but deeply personal decisions is unacceptable," he wrote. "This has to end."
Martin, Mart Helme make controversial comments
During an appearance on ETV's Esimene stuudio on Tuesday night, EKRE deputy chairman Martin Helme accused gynaecologists who have performed abortions of violating their Hippocratic Oath, also stating that every year, 4,500 or more children are "killed" before they are born in Estonia.
https://news.err.ee/922695/rat...
