In the parliamentary election in Estonia, has become the opposition reform party was the strongest force and the current government coalition has been voted out of office. At the same time the right-wing populists obtained after counting all the votes on Sunday evening, a significant increase in votes.
The right-wing populists sit in the future as the third-largest party in the people’s representation in the Riigikogu. Thus, the EU – and Nato-member country follows a Trend that was previously observed in other European countries.
The liberal reform party of top candidate Kaja Kallas, according to the election Commission in Tallinn on 34 out of 101 Seats. Behind the left-leaning centre party of head of government Jüri Ratas (26 mandates). With 19 Seats, the right-wing populist Estonian Conservative people’s party (EKRE) pushed his way past Ratas’ Alliance partners: After the loss of votes to the conservative party Isamaa (12 seats) and the social Democrats (10 seats), the previous government is no longer a majority.
coalition still open
Which coalition is formed is still open. A government with the participation of the EKRE is allowed to Sit, despite a Gain of 12 compared to 2015, however, hardly hope the reform party and the centre party had already before the election, a collaboration with the Europe – and immigration-critical party. This could. with their rhetoric, especially for people in rural areas of the points, the feel in spite of the positive economic development suspended Also your criticism of the EU refugee distribution with many voters – although in Estonia there are virtually no refugees.
The reform party front-woman Kallas reiterated after the election, their no to an Alliance with the right wing. Otherwise, it was open: “We keep all the coalition options on the table and need to talk things through. The negotiations are just beginning,” she said in the Estonian television. Kallas noted, however, differences with the centre party on the issues of taxes, citizenship, law, and education.
Ratas announced to its utmost so that the centre party will also be part of the next government. He signaled that the foremost of the strong Russian-speaking minority in Estonia elected the party would also be willing, as a Junior partner to join a coalition.
First country in Europe with E-Voting-election
economic and social policy issues had stood in the forefront of the election campaign in the Baltic state came in last due to the huge money laundering scandal with the Estonian branch of Danske Bank in the headlines.
A special feature of the election, the voting in the Internet, which has introduced Estonia as the first country in Europe. More than a quarter of the electorate opted for the so-called E-Voting – a record. The turnout was 63.1 percent. (chk/sda)
Created: 04.03.2019, 04:09 PM
