Pro-NATO coalition faces pro-Kremlin opposition in Estonian vote
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 1 March 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pro-NATO coalition faces pro-Kremlin opposition in Estonian vote, 1 March 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5509415e15.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 01, 2015
Voters in Estonia are voting in parliamentary elections that highlight differences between the center-left coalition now in power and a pro-Kremlin opposition party backed mainly by ethnic Russians.
Prime Minister Taavi Roivas is expected to hold on to power on March 1, with opinion polls released on February 28 forecasting his centrist Reform Party with 26 percent compared to 22 percent for the pro-Kremlin Estonian Center Party.
Earlier polls suggested the Center Party had a narrow lead, with support from 97 percent of Estonia's Russian-speaking minority, which makes up a quarter of the population.
But Center lacks potential coalition partners after its leader, Tallinn Mayor Edgar Savisaar, last year pledged his support for Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
The latest opinion polls suggested the Social Democrats would win about 19 percent of the vote and the conservative IRL taking about 16 percent.
Six smaller parties are trying to cross the 5 percent threshold to secure party representation in the 101-seat parliament.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
