Tallinn City Council bans public drinking – except near Presidential Palace and Parliament
Recent changes to law brought more freedom to Estonians. Public drinking that used to be banned is now allowed. At least as long as drinkers do not become a nuisance.
But many local authorities as well as opinion leaders find this relaxed attitude to drinking offending and have moved to reinstall limits.
The Tallinn City Council yesterday passed a new regulation according to which the public consumption of alcohol is a nuisance to the city’s citizens, and will therefore be banned.
However, the new regulation came with a twist: the city council also ruled that there will be two designated areas where the new ban will not be implemented – around Toompea, the seat of Estonian Parliament and Prime Minister, and the Presidential Palace in Kadriorg.
Limiting 'drinking territory' to the immediate vicinity of the windows of national authorities was meant to send a political signal to them.
However, the exception will also mean that Estonians who might gather to greet President Obama near these venues have a chance to enjoy a drink or two to celebrate the visit.
