Editorial: a fairer country - Lääne Elu

If the plan of regional minister Madis Kallas (SDE) goes through, the poorer municipalities will get more money. According to the plan, they should receive more income tax from next year, but at the expense of the richest. Estonia, which is a reformist party, has not been ruled by such a principle too often. Just a month ago, the regional minister was in despair, because the change in the revenue base of local governments was progressing with difficulty. After all, the minister even promised to resign if an agreement is not reached in the government and the socialists’ plan fails.

The municipal leaders of Läänemaa are also cautious when talking about the plan and are searching for words. This is a step in the right direction, something must be done with the revenue base of local governments, but… It is understandable that the rich Harjumaa is not satisfied. Most of Estonia is suffering, local government leaders are calculating where else it is possible to save money or ask for support, so that the roads are not dusty, the garbage can be sorted and transported, and life can improve a little. However, getting something from the rich doesn’t seem quite right. And of course it doesn’t seem right to the rich themselves.