Savisaar: Was he a 'towering figure' in Estonian politics or a stain on the nation's honour?

The Centre Party's attempt to rehabilitate Edgar Savisaar, who was convicted of corruption, has sparked sharp debate. Opinion leader Ekvard Joakit argues that Savisaar is not a respected political giant worthy of commemoration, but rather a stain on Estonian history. Surprising, too, is the support from the Isamaa party for this undertaking.

The Centre Party leadership's desire to honour the memory of former party chairman Edgar Savisaar has drawn sharp criticism. Opinion leader Ekvard Joakit holds the view that the Centre Party should not attempt to erase Savisaar's corrupt legacy, which is part of Estonian political history.

For many Estonians, Savisaar's name is associated both with the country's restoration of independence and with decades-long corruption scandals that culminated in a court trial. According to Joakit, these two things are inseparable, and Savisaar's achievements in certain periods cannot be used as a shield for his later criminal conduct.

Isamaa's role in the dispute

Joakit finds Isamaa's willingness to support the Centre Party's undertaking particularly surprising. The party, traditionally known as nationalist-conservative and historically at odds with Savisaar, has taken a step that Joakit deems incomprehensible. He asks: why should a party committed to upholding nationalist values help rehabilitate a figure whose actions cast doubt on Estonia's interests?

Savisaar's court proceedings, which began in 2016, concluded in 2022 with a guilty verdict for accepting bribes. For Joakit, this is a clear boundary: no previous political achievement can erase criminal responsibility.

Memory and accountability

The debate over Savisaar's legacy reflects a broader Estonian struggle with its complex recent history. Critics argue that the shaping of political memory must be honest and must not distort reality in favour of any individual. According to Joakit, Estonia's history should remember Savisaar as he was—not as a towering figure, which in the end he was not.