Urmi Reinde: Edgar Savisaar's true friends revealed only in difficult times

Long-time colleague Urmi Reinde recalls Edgar Savisaar and the people who surrounded him, many seeking the politician's help with jobs and financial matters. According to Reinde, ordinary people proved to be loyal friends during tough times more than those Savisaar had considered close throughout his life. Reinde believes this emotional pain may have been even worse than physical suffering.

Over the years, hundreds of people circled Edgar Savisaar, whose main aim was to exploit his political influence for their own benefit — to secure jobs, money and wealth. This is how long-time colleague and fellow traveller Urmi Reinde describes the inner circle around one of Estonia's most influential politicians.

"Those simpler people, whom he had never even known before, turned out to be loyal friends in difficult times compared to those he had considered his friends all his life. That could have been very painful. I think that could have been more painful than physical pain," Reinde recalls.

Difficult times revealed the truth

According to Reinde, Savisaar's true supporters only became clear when the politician faced harder times. Many so-called friends, whom Savisaar had long considered close to him, turned their backs in times of trouble. In contrast, people with whom there had been no closer ties before showed surprising loyalty.

This experience was, in Reinde's view, emotionally very difficult for Savisaar. The change in behaviour of people whom he had enjoyed trust from throughout decades of a political career had a profound effect — both personally and at the level of human trust.

Influential politician and his network

Edgar Savisaar was the founder and long-time chairman of the Estonian Centre Party, who shaped Estonian politics for decades. Around him gathered an extensive network of people from various segments of society who hoped to achieve their goals by relying on his support and connections. Urmi Reinde's account sheds light on the shadow side of political power — how an influential position attracts those whose loyalty is conditional.