"Lowering the value-added tax on food products requires a political decision, which can only happen if a strong team fights for it. Only with the help of a serious political party is there hope of changing the law. The Center Party has long advocated for more affordable food prices and has repeatedly submitted corresponding bills to the Riigikogu. It seems logical that we join forces in this effort," said Jana Guzanova, whose citizens' initiative to reduce VAT on food products collected nearly 100,000 signatures — the most for any citizens' initiative in Estonia.

"A recent survey shows that 84 percent of Estonians and 97 percent of Center Party voters support lowering the VAT on food. To prevent food from becoming a luxury item, most European Union countries have reduced VAT, and Estonia could follow the same path," Guzanova added.

According to Center Party chairman Mihhail Kõlvart, Jana Guzanova has proven that even one person with a strong sense of civic responsibility and a sincere desire to bring about change can achieve a great deal. "Her courage is certainly an example for many others in Estonia. Such overwhelming support shows that high food prices are increasingly affecting families' ability to get by and are adding to economic insecurity," Kõlvart noted.

"There seems to be no end in sight to rising food prices — in July, food became more than 9 percent more expensive," the Center Party leader continued. "The Reform Party-led government does not seem to understand that food is one of people's basic needs and must be accessible. Instead of scrapping the car tax and lowering VAT on food products — steps that would especially improve the situation for low-income earners — the government is planning an income tax reform favoring the wealthy, which will cost €500 million. The Center Party will continue working with Jana Guzanova at every level to ensure better access to essential food and to reduce economic inequality."

Kaljulaid: A considerable win for Center

Raimond Kaljulaid, a member of the Social Democratic Party, said that Jana Guzanova's decision to run in the October local government elections on the Center Party's list is a significant gain for the Center Party.

"Guzanova's joining helps the Center Party turn these elections even more into a protest vote, which has helped them succeed in past local elections," he wrote on social media.

According to Kaljulaid, Guzanova's move increases the likelihood that the Center Party and EKRE could together win a majority in the Tallinn City Council and form a joint city government, leaving the other parties in opposition — likely for the next four years.

"Current polls predict a total of 38 mandates for the Center Party and EKRE combined. The question essentially comes down to just two or three mandates to reach 40 seats in the council. As things stand, the Center Party and Isamaa could also form a majority together, and unless [Isamaa leader Urmas] Reinsalu genuinely wants to become mayor, this would certainly be the most beneficial option for Isamaa, as the positions would be split evenly," he said.

Kaljulaid is more or less certain that the Center Party will return to leading the city, whether liberal party voters like it or not.

"And if Tallinn gets a conservative city government in the form of the Center Party and EKRE, or the Center Party and Isamaa, this will naturally improve those parties' prospects in the Riigikogu elections a year and a half from now. The conservative turn we have seen in several other places is arriving in Estonia — with a slight delay."

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