Education and Science, Estonia, Financial Services, Legislation

"I have decided, after consideration, to resign from the post of the Finance Minister. I do this because the Estonian state is more important for me than my position," said Jürgen Ligi. "I love the truth more than a ministerial portfolio. I believe that outside of government it is easier for me now to protect the truth and the reputation of Estonia. I step down so that it would be more peaceful for the government to continue to work," he added.

Ligi said that he has apologised for his use of words that could have been interpreted in several ways but he cannot accept that a fragment from a discussion over the perception of history and the effects of the Soviet power, about migration is turned into inciting conflict between nations. He said that he hopes Minister Ossinovski apologises for that since if he had wanted to, the case could have been concluded with a peaceful message.

Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas said that Ligi's decision to resign was statesmanly and humanly understandable. "However, I have a heavy heart because Jürgen Ligi has been for more than five years a very strong finance minister," he said. "He has always stood for Estonia's interests. He also had necessary tough hand at times of economic crisis," the Prime Minister said.

"He has done his job with full dedication and passion, keeping Estonia at heart. Yes, he has a sharp tongue, but a strong backbone and heart at the right place. I accept Jürgen's statesmanlike decision and wish him continued wisdom for work in the parliament," said Rõivas.

The Prime Minister has one month to deliver the resignation application to the President.

Reform Party Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi made Thursday morning on Facebook a posting insulting Education Minister Jevgeni Ossinovski (Social Democratic Party), for which he apologised a few hours later. Ligi wrote on Facebook, among other things, that Ossinovski is "the son of an immigrant from a pink party."

The use of words was condemned by several politicians, including Riigkogu Centre Party faction leader Kadri Simson, chairman of Pro Patria and Res Publica Party Urmas Reinsalu and Reform Party European Parliament member Kaja Kallas. Also, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves made a critical statement on the case.

Jevgeni Ossinovski spoke in public television later that issue is not about his person, but the remark of Ligi insulted a large number of people in Estonia.

"In this particular case the thing is so much worse because the Minister of Finance's arsenal now includes nation-based, ethnic labelling techniques, which should not be in the choice of words of an European state leader in the 21st century. So in my opinion, the issue is not even about my person, but clearly, in our multi-cultural society, this type of national labelling is unacceptable, certainly offensive, not only to me, but a large number of people in Estonia," he said.

Ligi became Finance Minister in June 2008.