This is a very important viewpoint to adhere to when focusing on the political scandal resulting from the revelations that Prime Minister Kaja Kallas’ husband Arvo Hallik has a large share in a company that has been continuing doing business with Russia during the aggressive war against Ukraine. This, even though Kallas has been a most vocal supporter of economic sanctions as means to weakening Russia’s strength. Kaja Kallas, as of writing has refused to resign. Lotman emphasizes, even though he ran for Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament in this year’s election (he failed to gain the necessary votes, but had been elected to the previous assembly) that he is awfully glad that he is no longer an elected politician, for what is taking place in the Riigikogu is very often in conflict with his moral compass.
That is a very good term. We use a compass for directions, to get to our goal, or perhaps to find civilization when lost in the wilderness. Yet humanity, especially in politics has lost the ability to effectively harness this metaphorical technology. Not only in Estonia. Canadians can certainly attest to the fact that Justin Trudeau and his Liberals have lost, long ago, connection with the people. One also shudders at the goings-on in the U.S., the United Kingdom; there are many other countries that are being failed by their elected representatives.
One fundamental problem in party politics is toeing the line, as dictated by the leaders of your faction. Hence we have coalitions, especially in Estonia but here in Canada unfortunately as well with the minority Liberal party relying on the support of the socialist NDP, merely so as to remain in power. Lotman admits having done so twice, against his principles.
Another truism is that politics makes for strange bedfellows. For centre-right Reform, Kallas’ party to be in a ruling coalition they had to form an odious agreement with Eesti 200, a party who demanded in their electoral platform change in Estonia’s family law. Resulting in a very divided country, conservative Estonians are certainly not happy about the new law defining what makes a family. Tolerance is one thing – and it is present almost everywhere in Western democracies. But to impose from above against the wishes of the majority is hardly a democratic solution.
Before the Riigikogu went on summer vacation – politicians, just like educators are spared contact with those that they are responsible to and for during the most pleasant months of the year – the discourse was hardly civil. The opposition to emphasize their dismay with the direction of the government used obstructive action. Tactics such as filibustering, speaking at inordinate length to delay, stall the passage of usually an inevitable bill were developed and honed first in the USA and have been picked up by Estonian politicians.
But this is no simple matter that Kaja Kallas is facing. Fully 66% of the population no longer supports her as PM. Calls for her resignation have been numerous. But she will not own up to anything, claiming no knowledge of her husband’s dealings. Yet she was able to lend him a large sum of money, one that honest politicians should not easily have access to. Here, Kallas’ opponents have gleefully trotted out the example of her father Siim Kallas, a former Estonian PM, then an EU commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs. At present he is a member of the Riigikogu again, in the ranks of Reform, led by his daughter. A posting that was very questionable for Siim Kallas was president of the Bank of Estonia before entering politics. He was embroiled in the so-called $10 million dollar affair. That was the sum lent to an Italian company, which has never been recovered during the elder Kallas’ tenure as a banker, nor even after.
Lotman covers many points in this vital interview. Including the fact that though of Russian heritage he no longer can deal with that country’s cultural baggage. But the issue that rings clearest for Lotman is that Estonia, as a member of both NATO and the EU has been their moral compass for years. And now no longer is. The present scandal has undermined this historic achievement, many feel that Estonia can no longer be that, if not trusted, or even taken at face value. Just due to the vanity, stubborn pride, and lack of a moral standard of a politician. Who, granted, internationally has made a name for herself but has failed her country domestically.
Morality, for a writer/politician/semiotician like Lotman who studies the meaning and use of symbols is no empty phrase. Politicians everywhere, not only in Estonia have lost that solid footing and it is shameful. There is much to recommend in this interview that cannot be fully conveyed in an inadequately short and selective synopsis.
TÕNU NAELAPEA
