Polling stations are open in Estonia for general elections
TALLINN, Estonia — Polling stations are open in Estonia for a general election that the center-right Reform Party of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. one of the most sincere supporters of Europe Ukraineis a favorite to win.
She faces a challenge from the populist opposition party EKRE which seeks to limit the Baltic nation’s exposure to the Ukrainian crisis and blames the government for the economic misery of citizens.
More than 900,000 people are eligible to vote on Sunday to choose representatives to Estonia’s 101-seat Parliament, or Riigikogu, from a range of nine political parties. National security after neighboring Russia’s assault on Ukraine and social-economic problems, especially the rising cost of living, were the main topics of the election.
Kallas, 45, emerged in the last year of the war as one of the most outspoken supporters of Ukraine in Europe. Holding the country’s top post until 2021, he is seeking a second term, with his position strengthened by his international appeals to impose sanctions on Moscow.
A Baltic nation of 1.3 million people bordering Russia to the east, Estonia broke away from the Soviet Union in 1991 and took a clear western course, joining NATO and the European Union European.
Polls indicate that Kallas’ centre-right Liberal Reform Party is likely to win more votes than any other party. His main challenger is Martin Helme, leader of the far-right nationalist party EKRE, who blames Kallas for the country’s 18.6% inflation rate – one of the highest in the EU – and accuses him of to undermine Estonia’s defenses by giving arms to Ukraine.
