More days of the week, on rainy summer days, news about the state of the economy and public finances is offered for discussion. Now we have already reached a situation where accounts are settled publicly even with the president himself. The downhill ride has lasted for a year and a half in a row, but the government can only offer cuts and tax increases. Unfortunately, blunt policy does not bring sharp results.
Harsh reality
On the one hand, the signal that the economic decline will continue at a slower pace should be considered positive, but on the other hand, the demand is created by an increasingly widespread attitude, as if a slow decline is already a good achievement. Despite the fact that we try to find joy in this simple thing, economic indicators still reflect a harsh reality to us.
The contraction of the economy, which has lasted for 18 months in a row, has gone hand in hand with inflation that has lasted practically forever (at least it seems so to everyone already!). Simply put, there is less money circulating in the economy, and everything can be bought at a much higher price than before. In fact, it also comes with great news: already in June, the price increase was not more than 10 percent, but it could be expressed with a single-digit number. This was ironic, of course, because the price increase has been insane.
It is food and essential goods that people – and absolutely everyone – have to take a hit with. Of course, you can make calls for frugality, shopping at discount sales and whatever else, but you can’t get cheaper beyond a certain limit. God forbid if the family should have growing children who need varied and high-quality food – it’s not possible! What if the variety and quality of food directly affects health and daily quality of life.
In fact, it is not entirely clear who exactly raised the prices. Whether they are disgusting farmers bathed in wealth, food producers from manor owners, or merchants from crofts. This was, of course, irony, because the price increase is reflected in our entire economic environment, not only in the leadership of one or another sector. However, in the corridors of the Super Ministry, there is a resounding silence on these issues, because not a single idea has been proposed to control or alleviate the price increase.
A blunt solution does not bring a sharp result
We have got ourselves a government that knows how to explain to every camera with a convincing face HOW bad the state of the state’s finances is and how everyone has to save and contribute. However, when it comes to the country’s own savings, it is not immediately possible to name the places where the cuts will be made. It is stated that the reduction of family allowances did result in some savings. It’s true, despite the trouble and great criticism, 275,000 euros for creating a youth participation portal now remain unspent.
But the troubles have not ended there, because the planned car tax has at least the same unfortunate image, and after criticizing it, President Karis also got the thumbs up from the respected finance minister. Unfortunately, the already low reputation of Estonian politics has been further damaged when one has to read how the president, who has criticized the quality of the government’s work, cannot find additional funding to represent the country abroad, or Kadrioru is offered a deal where more money means less criticism.
One can hope that neither is true, but the already dirty sixes got more stains again. The people could hardly forget the last night sessions. However, this mistake will soon be corrected, because at the current rate, endless disagreements and nocturnal lifestyles await the Riigikogu in the fall. Although – apparently there is not enough money to hold night sessions either.
Ideas, not projections
But maybe somewhere there is some kind of magic trick, such a trick that would subtly loosen current politics and bring new bold ideas. Maybe even make the economy grow again. Inevitably, the parliamentary parties are stuck in their dogmas (yes, even Estonia 200 already), and instead of trying to look to the future, they start to bash each other at every opportunity. The more personal, the better, because then you get headlines with bigger letters.
Fortunately, the quarrels between the politicians have been verbal so far, but apparently there is only one and a half steps missing from it, so that they also join hands. What makes it especially ironic is that the fights are converging into fights in themselves, like the ancient legend of two tribes, neither of whom could remember what they were fighting about.
When it comes to political decisions, it is not good to be so quick that you pat yourself on the back. Although speed can be a virtue, in the case of a multi-stakeholder and high-impact initiative, it is still wise to measure nine times and cut once. Today’s political decisions affect the future and must be made with the calculation that they will improve life in the future, not the other way around. I refuse to believe that Estonia has now reached a time where nothing can be done anymore, because there is no money and no will, not to mention consensus.
In order to get from thoughts to ideas, it is worth much bolder to ask for advice from those who have knowledge, experience and opinion. World-class universities with world-class researchers operate in Estonia, our entrepreneurs are not only conquering Europe, but the whole world. Not to mention the representatives of all other fields who are very good at what they do.
