In Estonia, former head of the president’s office calls for preserving institutional memory
In Estonia, former head of the president’s office Siim Raie stressed the importance of preserving institutional memory and experienced staff during a change of head of state. His comments came after 13 people were dismissed from the president’s office following a change in leadership, ERR News reports.
Friday was the last working day for two protocol advisers. One of them had worked at the office for 26 years, while the other had worked there for nearly 19 years. Director of the president’s office Kristi Sibo explained the personnel changes by the need to save money and organize the institution’s work more efficiently.
The president’s team
Raie noted that the office is the president’s team, rather than the team of the institution’s director. The director carries out administrative management, but key decisions regarding the team are made by the head of state.
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According to him, advisers usually change along with the president, as each head of state determines their circle of closest aides, the issues they want to focus on, and the format of communication. At the same time, permanent civil servants do not necessarily have to leave their posts after a change of president. Raie pointed out that the office has experienced specialists who have seen the work of all Estonian presidents since 1991.
Experience in protocol work
The former head is most concerned about the timing of the cuts — just days before the change of president. In his view, the new head of state may travel on a foreign visit on the very first day and soon begin receiving foreign guests, so the office must be ready to support this work.
Raie stressed that many of the office’s duties cannot be mastered at educational institutions — experience is gained directly on the job. This applies in particular to protocol, preparations for presidential meetings, and work related to awarding state decorations. According to Kristi Sibo, four people worked in the protocol department, two of whom were dismissed, and no new employees will be hired as replacements.
