Estonian government collapses and a new coalition is formed

Estonia's coalition government collapsed on 8 November 2016 following the announcement of its two junior parties that their collaboration with prime minister Taavi Rõivas' Reform Party had come an end.

Following an initial decision not to resign, Mr Rõivas lost a confidence vote in the parliament.

A new coalition was later announced, as the social democrats and the conservatives - the junior parties of the previous coalition - reached an agreement with the Centre Party, the largest opposition group in the parliament. Its leader Juri Ratas was therefore tipped to become the next prime minister.

Juri Ratas was formally named by the Estonian President President Kersti Kaljulaid as new prime minster on the 20 November 2016 and was tasked to form a government.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Estonian parliamentary election, 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/estonian-parliamentary-election-2015/

ESO: Background information: Estonia's governing party wins parliamentary election http://www.europeansources.info/record/estonias-governing-party-wins-parliamentary-election/

Postimees, 07.11.16: Ansip: how is it not a crisis!? http://news.postimees.ee/3901469/ansip-how-is-it-not-a-crisis

The Guardian, 08.11.16: Estonian government in the balance with demand for PM to resign https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/08/estonian-government-in-the-balance-with-demand-for-pm-to-resign

Deutsche Welle, 08.11.16: Estonia's pro-West coalition threatened with collapse amid infighting http://dw.com/p/2SJQX

EurActiv, 08.11.16: Estonian government could collapse, faces no confidence vote http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/estonian-government-could-collapse-faces-no-confidence-vote/

Euronews, 09.11.16: Estonian government collapses as PM loses confidence vote http://www.euronews.com/2016/11/09/estonian-government-collapses-as-pm-loses-confidence-vote

EurActiv, 10.11.16: Estonia parties seal coalition deal supporting NATO, EU ties http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/estonia-parties-seal-coalition-deal-supporting-nato-eu-ties/

The Wall Street Journal, 09.11.16: Estonia’s Prime Minister Taavi Roivas Resigns http://www.wsj.com/articles/estonias-prime-minister-taavi-roivas-resigns-1478713772

The Guardian, 09.11.16: Estonia's government collapses as PM loses confidence vote https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/09/estonias-prime-minister-loses-confidence-vote

Postimees, 09.11.16: Center, IRL, SDE: Estonia needs fresh ideas http://news.postimees.ee/3904695/center-irl-sde-estonia-needs-fresh-ideas

Postimees, 10.11.16: Estonia affirms continued support to Georgia's EU, NATO course http://news.postimees.ee/3905241/estonia-affirms-continued-support-to-georgia-s-eu-nato-course

Postimees, 10.11.16: Ratas: Estonian Center Party's agreement with United Russia is non-active http://news.postimees.ee/3905231/ratas-estonian-center-party-s-agreement-with-united-russia-is-non-active

Politico, 21.11.16: Estonian Center Party leader tasked to form government http://www.politico.eu/article/estonian-center-party-leader-juri-ratas-tasked-to-form-government/

European Council: Press Release, 22.11.16: Letter of congratulations from President Donald Tusk to Jüri Ratas upon assuming the duties of Prime Minister of Estonia http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/11/22-tusk-congratulation-prime-minister-estonia-ratas/

Deutsche Welle, 23.11.16: Estonia swears in new government http://dw.com/p/2T8yK

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