Kaja Kallas’ government could fall to everyday, populist problems in Sunday’s parliamentary elections.
Kristian and Stiine are an unlikely couple. The tall working student with the Palestinian sash and the petite pensioner with the thin jacket are campaigning for the Ekre party in front of the Kristiine shopping centre. “All schools must teach in Estonian immediately, the Estonian forest cannot be turned into export paper”, says Stiine. Kristian protests against globalization and the dictates of Brussels, both in the EU and NATO. Interest from passers-by is low, but Kristian forges ahead. A badge of leather runes hangs around his neck.
Both are campaigning for candidate number 536: Urmas Espenberg, who, as a member of the far-right Estonian Conservative People’s Party (Ekre), wants to “save Estonia” in Sunday’s general election. According to polls, this, along with the Center Party (Kesk), which is usually close to him, could topple the social-liberal government of European Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reformist Party).