The split in Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip's government emerged into the open Today, with President Toomas Hendrik Ilves giving Andrus permission to re-form his coalition government, according to dpa. The government has been on the verge of collapse for more than a week after the Social Democratic party signalled it would not back its coalition partners, the Reform Party and Pro Patria/Res Publica Union on amendments to employment laws. The situation climaxed Thursday morning when Ansip and his Social Democrat Finance Minister, Ivari Padar, had a public falling-out during a press conference. Padar was among the three Social Democrat ministers Ansip ousted, leaving him in charge of a minority government with other ministers covering the responsibilities of the departed Social Democrats. In recent weeks Ansip has made no secret of his desire to bring the opposition People's Union party into government in place of the Social Democrats. On Thursday, he extended a formal invitation to them. Ilves quickly gave his assent to Andrus' request Thursday but was scathing in comments about political bickering taking precedence over the national interest. "Like a large part of the Estonian people, I am becoming increasingly worried about the situation ... The Estonian government now needs to make crucial and unpopular decisions," Ilves said, warning that ordinary Estonians were not interested in political in-fighting. The Social Democrats have opposed amendments to employment laws, arguing that workers' rights would be restricted.
