Estonian Parliamentary Election, 2015

[Liberty and Linguistics]

Estonian Parliamentary Election

On March 1st 2015, the Estonian people will elect 101 people to their unicameral parliament, known as the Riigikogu, via the D'Hondt method. Though I'm not Estonian, I do have a large interest in Estonian culture and politics, and figured "why not start an election thread, NSG loves their election threads." So, without further ado, I present to you the political parties running in the Next Estonian Parliamentary elections. And, of course I've provided a objective opinion, and my biased opinion.

Estonian Reform Party

History: Founded in 1994, their influence on Estonian politics is massive. They've participated in most governments since it's founding, and the current PM is a member of this party. They're also the senior coalition partner in the government coalition.

Ideology: Centre-Right, Classical Liberalism, Liberalism.

International Affiliation: Liberal International

My Biased Opinion on the Party: Vote for this party plz, Estonia.

Estonian Centre Party

History: Founded in 1991, they're currently the second largest party in Estonia. They have a large influence on Estonian politics. The party is heavily supported by Estonia's Russian minority. Because of this, amongst other things, they've received criticism for being Pro-Russia.

Ideology: Agrarianism, Centrism, Populism.

International Affiliation: Nein.

My Biased Opinion on the Party: Populist and Agrarian Pro-Putin politicians who will fuck up Estonia.

Pro Patria and Res Publica Union

History: Founded in 2006, they've grown quite fast, and are the third largest party in Estonia. That's about it.

Ideology: National Conservatism, Christian Democracy, Social Conservatism, Centre-Right to Right-Wing.

International Affiliation: Centrist Democrat International

My Biased Opinion on the Party: National conservatism and social conservatism are silly, but the party isn't god awful...

Social Democratic Party

History: Originally a labour movement during the perestroika era, it later evolved into a modern Social Democratic Party.

Ideology: Centre Left, Social Democracy, Third Way.

International Affiliation: Socialist International

My Biased Opinion: Just a medicore, run of the mill labour party.

Conservative People's Party of Estonia

History: Formed in 2012 as a nationalistic, eurosceptic party. They admire the Swiss People's Party, and wish for direct democracy, and other policies the Swiss People's Party advocates.

Ideology: Right-Wing to Far-Right, Estonian Nationalism, Direct Democracy, Euroscepticism, Populism, Anti Immigration.

International Affiliation: Nyet

My Biased Opinion: A bunch of racists and xenophobic populists.

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Of course, there are other minor parties, but they likely won't make it into Parliament. Anyways, NSG, who do you support for the upcoming elections? Personally, I admire the Reform Party. And, while I don't agree with them on everything, I do think they've been able to get Estonia through the recession, and they've been integral in transforming Estonia into a modern, developed country over the last few decades. Four more years!

[Liberty and Linguistics]

Also, while Wikipedia is far from perfect, if provides objective, well written information on the elections,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonian_p ... tion,_2015

[The Conez Imperium]

Estonia relevant!

Well I know nothing about Estonian politics but which parties are anti-Russian?

[Liberty and Linguistics]

Estonia relevant!

Well I know nothing about Estonian politics but which parties are anti-Russian?

The Reform Party is certainly Anti-Russia, and I'm fairly certain that the Social Democrats, Pro Patria Union, and Conservative People's Party are all Anti-Russia. The only explicitly Pro-Russia party is the Centre Party. *shudders*

[The Conez Imperium]

What are the polls saying? Are the parties tight, dividing the public on key matters?

[Liberty and Linguistics]

What are the polls saying? Are the parties tight, dividing the public on key matters?

The most recent poll puts the Centre Party at 27%, and the Reform Party at 26%. So, this election could be quite close. However, many recent polls indicate a small Reform Party win. I hope the poll indicating a Centre Party victory was a outlier.

[Teemant]

I will vote for Estonian Reform Party. As I have done previously (European Elections last year).

[Teemant]

What are the polls saying? Are the parties tight, dividing the public on key matters?

The most recent poll puts the Centre Party at 27%, and the Reform Party at 26%. So, this election could be quite close. However, many recent polls indicate a small Reform Party win. I hope the poll indicating a Centre Party victory was a outlier.

Well in last poll I saw that Reform has 32%.

[Liberty and Linguistics]

I will vote for Estonian Reform Party. As I have done previously (European Elections last year).

I figured you'd support the Pro Patria Union, given the fact that you're relatively socially conservative.

[Baltenstein]

Is there any sort of relevant leftist-liberal grassroot democracy party á la the Spanish Podemos in Estonia?

If not, then Social Democratic Party.

Conservative people's party and centre party look like they are pretty similar, only anti-Russian and pro-Russian respectively.

[Liberty and Linguistics]

The most recent poll puts the Centre Party at 27%, and the Reform Party at 26%. So, this election could be quite close. However, many recent polls indicate a small Reform Party win. I hope the poll indicating a Centre Party victory was a outlier.

Well in last poll I saw that Reform has 32%.

I'll take your word for it, as you're Estonian. As you can imagine, access to Estonian polls is quite limited here in the States. But, I'm hoping for a Reform win.

[Liberty and Linguistics]

Is there any sort of relevant leftist-liberal grassroot democracy party á la the Spanish Podemos in Estonia?

If not, then Social Democratic Party.

Nope. Likely because Estonia has weathered the recession quite well. Ergo, far left and far right ideologies have little influence on Estonian politics.

[United Provinces of Atlantica]

I don't really agree with any of the Estonian political parties, but the Social Democrats seem the best out of the lot.

[Teemant]

Well in last poll I saw that Reform has 32%.

I'll take your word for it, as you're Estonian. As you can imagine, access to Estonian polls is quite limited here in the States. But, I'm hoping for a Reform win.

I hope for Reform victory as well. As long as I've been interested in politics (I'm 19) I have alway supported Reform party. It's the first time I can now participate in parliamentary elections.

[Liberty and Linguistics]

I don't really agree with any of the Estonian political parties, but the Social Democrats seem the best out of the lot.

I would like to point out that if I recall, communist parties are banned in Estonia. But, I could be completely wrong, and I may have read a factually incorrect article. Teemant may need to provide verification.

[Teemant]

I don't really agree with any of the Estonian political parties, but the Social Democrats seem the best out of the lot.

I would like to point out that if I recall, communist parties are banned in Estonia. But, I could be completely wrong, and I may have read a factually incorrect article. Teemant may need to provide verification.

I'm very certain that communist parties are not allowed. I haven't investigated it. But considering history of Estonia in 20th century this party wouldn't gain any support at all I belive.

[Baltenstein]

Estonia also has a Green party which scored app. 4 % at the elections of 2011, and 7 % at the elections of 2007.

[Liberty and Linguistics]

Estonia also has a Green party which scored app. 4 % at the elections of 2011, and 7 % at the elections of 2007.

Very true. But, their poll numbers indicate that they won't make it into parliament.

[Teemant]

Estonia also has a Green party which scored app. 4 % at the elections of 2011, and 7 % at the elections of 2007.

They seem to be irrelevant. Some key people have also left since 2011.

[Teemant]

I will vote for Estonian Reform Party. As I have done previously (European Elections last year).

I figured you'd support the Pro Patria Union, given the fact that you're relatively socially conservative.

I support Reforms party economic policies and I belive that I'm a liberal person. I might appear more conservative than I really am.

[Dejanic]

The Social Democrats are the only reasonably sane party of the lot.

[Teemant]

I have no idea what coalition might come after these elections (but I belive that Reform party wins). Estonian political campaign is pretty much everyone vs everyone like usually. Even coalition partners tend to be critical of each other.

[Liberty and Linguistics]

The Social Democrats are the only reasonably sane party of the lot.

Not even the Reform Party?

[Shofercia]

Ahhh yes, the Estonian Reform Party - their slogan should be "we'll fuck you up with austerity!" Reform my ass. But if Estonians want further depopulation, that should be their choice. I'll just short the country when their labor force ages, saying "told you so!" Demographic collapse is Estonia's biggest economic worry, a worry that these "reformers" are ill equipped to address. It's ok though, in a few decades, reality will reform them into oblivion.

Being a centrist, I prefer the Center Party.

The Social Democrats are the only reasonably sane party of the lot.

Not even the Reform Party?

IMHO, ALDE parties really shouldn't be taken seriously.

[The Huskar Social Union]

I know next to nothing on Estonian Political Parties, but judging from the OP i guess i would support the Social Democrat party, but then again i have to do more research on them, other smaller parties, and the issues Estonia faces at the moment.