Elections in Estonia

Elections In Estonia

Estonia elects a legislature on the national level. The Riigikogu has 101 members, elected for a four year term by proportional representation. A head of state - the president - is elected for a five-year term by parliament (1st-3rd round) or an electoral college (4th and subsequent rounds). Locally, Estonia elects local government councils, which vary in size. Election law states the minimum size of a council depending on the size of municipality. Local government councils are elected by proportional representation too.

• The minimum number of council members is prescribed to be at least 7 seats
• Over 2,000 inhabitants: at least 13 seats
• Over 5,000 inhabitants: at least 17 seats
• Over 10,000 inhabitants: at least 21 seats
• Over 50,000 inhabitants: at least 31 seats
• Over 300,000 inhabitants: at least 63 seats

Estonia has a multi-party system with numerous parties. Often no one party has the chance to gain power alone and parties must work with each other to form coalition governments.

Elections have taken place in the following years: Past elections:

• Riigikogu (parliament): 1992, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011
• Local/municipal: 1993, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2009
• Europarliament: 2004, 2009
• Referendums: 2003 (EU)
• President: 1992 (Lennart Meri), 1996 (Lennart Meri), 2001 (Arnold Rüütel), 2006 (Toomas Ilves), 2011 (Toomas Ilves)