The Center Party wants to break up the current coalition and form a new government with EKRE, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform) said at a press conference on Thursday, suggesting this is the motive behind a new bill for €300 million increase in family benefits. She said a vote of no-confidence should be held but her preference is that the coalition continues.
The Center Party wanting to sharply and significantly increase the size of family benefits due to high inflation has given rise to speculation that its true intention is to break up the current ruling Reform-Center coalition. Center whip Jaanus Karilaid, however, said that the party's interest is genuine and that it's not worth seeking political intrigue in the effort.
The Center Party says it wants to bring its coalition partner, Reform, over to the idea of reducing VAT on energy, even though a bill aiming to do that passed its initial Riigikogu reading without Reform's MPs voting in favor.
Earlier this week, the Estonian government greenlit in principle the supplementary budget bill totaling €730 million. According to the Center Party, there were painful compromises for both sides involved, but the government is prepared to reach new deals this fall, including regarding a potential reform of the child benefit system.
Information available to ERR suggests the Center Party is considering whether to replace Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Taavi Aas (Center).