Lavly Perling is the chairman of Parempoolsed. She sent a letter to the Prime Minister. In the letter, she states that the state has a lot of debt. The Ministry of Finance says that next year's budget deficit will be 4.9% of GDP. This is more than the 3% allowed by the European Union.
Perling offers ideas on how to save money. She says the state should stop transferring money from one year to another. Unused money should return to the budget. This would save about 390 million euros.
She suggests eliminating some subsidies. For example, regional subsidies and agricultural subsidies. This would save about 80 million euros. Also, business subsidies that provide little benefit should be abolished. This would save 30 million euros. Social benefits should become more needs-based. This would save 50 million euros.
Perling says some government agencies have set a good example. They have reduced labor costs by 20% and work continues. She suggests the entire state should do the same. For example, the Health Insurance Fund and other large institutions could reduce the number of employees.
Perling believes Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi should resign. He is not doing enough to solve the money problem. Perling says the new minister should be someone who understands business. The Reform Party has previously replaced ministers. Now this needs to be done quickly.
Isamaa leader Urmas Reinsalu also said Ligi should go. The government predicts that another billion euros of deficit will come in the next three years. With such a situation, the minister should leave.