Dispute in Rapla Parish Coalition Pits Parish Mayor Against His Deputy

A dispute has broken out within the ruling coalition in Rapla Parish. Parish mayor Rain Terras of the electoral alliance Rapla Parish Citizens' Union is demanding that his deputy, Egle Heinsar, step down. Heinsar, for her part, says an apology from Terras is a condition for continued cooperation.

The coalition

The coalition consists of the Rapla Parish Citizens' Union, which won 13 seats on the parish council, the Reform Party with four, and Isamaa with one. Together the three groups control 17 of the 27 seats.

Heinsar was nominated as deputy by Isamaa, but she left the party in September this year.

How the dispute unfolded

At a meeting of the coalition parties on 23 September, Terras said the only way for Isamaa to remain in the coalition was to replace Heinsar. After the meeting, Heinsar said she was not prepared to stay in the same coalition as Terras.

She wrote that the coalition's ability to function has been suffering for a long time. According to her, the Citizens' Union repeatedly used a "steamroller" approach, leaving significant problems unaddressed and necessary goals unset. She also claimed that several principles written into the coalition agreement are not followed in practice. She added that she had apparently been "uncomfortably honest and direct."

In his blog, Terras accuses Heinsar of lacking trust and initiative and of failing to honor agreements. He wrote that his experience of working with her does not support her self-assessment.

Possible way out

Answering ERR's question, Heinsar said the mayor had never expressed dissatisfaction with her work before demanding her replacement. She did not rule out reconciliation: cooperation could continue if the other side took a step back, admitted mistakes and apologized. If no apology comes and her resignation remains the sole demand, she said, there will be little room for maneuver.

Asked about the prospect of the coalition collapsing, Terras said consultations with partners are continuing and it is too early to answer. In his assessment, continuing to work with Heinsar in the previous format is difficult, so he has proposed changes to the composition of the parish government.