TALLINN, March 5 (Portal) – Estonians headed to the polls on Sunday in an election that pitted one of Europe’s most staunchly pro-Kiev governments against a far-right party trying to capitalize on anger over rising costs of living , and which would stop accepting new Ukrainian refugees.
If Prime Minister Kaja Kallas’ liberal Reform Party wins the national elections and successfully forges a coalition, as opinion polls predict, it would cement the Baltic state’s pro-European stance. Estonia would also stay on course to adopt more green energy and continue to take in refugees from Ukraine.
Polling stations close at 8pm (6pm GMT), with most constituencies expected to report their results by midnight.
The reform won an election in 2019 but was then sidelined from power when three smaller parties formed a government. It collapsed in 2021, allowing Kallas to form a coalition and take command.
The far-right EKRE party could end up second in opinion polls, as its promises to cut energy costs by opposing the green energy transition are popular in some parts of the country, as is its promise not to buy new ones accept Ukrainian refugees.
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Kallas and EKRE leader Martin Helme both told Portal this week that they hope to lead the next coalition government.
“I hope to remain prime minister, but the decision is up to the voters,” Kallas said, adding that voters would have to choose between what she called “two completely different paths for Estonia”.
“We support the open, friendly, European-minded, smart country, I would say, and EKRE looks more to itself that we should stick to our own interest, not to help Ukraine,” she said.
An EKRE-led coalition, which Kallas has ruled out working with, is possible but not very likely, said Aivar Voog, pollster at Kantar Emor.
“We hope to reach a position where we can form a government,” said Helme, who vowed to continue supporting Ukraine but not to take in any more Ukrainian refugees.
“People are really afraid of the future and the big parties, especially the governing parties, don’t have any real answers,” he added.
A third of eligible voters cast their ballots online in the days leading up to Sunday, including Kallas. Another 15% of voters voted in advance by ballot.
“I want the Russian war in Ukraine to end with a Ukrainian victory. And this government would stand up for the pensioners,” said Maret Veske, 88, after casting his vote in Tallinn.
Reporting by Andrius Sytas and Janis Laizan’s editing by Alexandra Hudson and Emelia Sithole-Matarise
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