The chairman of the Isamaa party, Urmas Reinsalu, receives 200 euros from Postimees Group for each appearance in the opinion show "Varivalitsus". Taxes are deducted from this amount.
The payment started from May 9. It was agreed after pilot episodes when it was decided to continue the show. The show was successful and had a lot of viewers.
The Political Parties Financing Surveillance Committee (ERJK) is investigating Reinsalu's show. ERJK believes that the show does not comply with the principles of classical journalism. If no payment is made for the show, it may be considered a prohibited donation.
Reinsalu has said that he does the show voluntarily. According to Postimees' editor-in-chief Priit Hõbemägi, the show is free. Reinsalu's representative Karmen Turk says it is not free political advertising or a prohibited donation.
ERJK estimated the potential prohibited donation at 31,110 euros. This was based on Postimees' content marketing show price list.
Reinsalu told ERR that he made 10 pilot episodes for free. After that, Postimees offered him to continue making the shows for a fee. He made seven more episodes.
According to Reinsalu, there are currently no plans to make more episodes. He said that his activities are under editorial control. Reinsalu does not consider the shows as campaigning.
Reinsalu said that ERJK's claim is not relevant. He added that ERJK has not applied its practice uniformly in similar cases. Reinsalu is ready to defend his positions in court.