Elections were held in Estonia and Lithuania last weekend. Connection with Moscow has become a stigma even for the Russian-speaking voter. Pro-Russian and populist parties suffered heavy losses.
Parliamentary elections in Estonia brought victory to the ruling Reformist Party (Eesti Reformierakond). The Kai Kallas party has increased the number of seats from 34 to 37. There are 101 seats in the Riigikoge.
At the same time, the elections were a heavy blow to the Center Party (Eesti Keskerakond), which traditionally relied heavily on the Russian-speaking electorate. She lost 10 mandates and will only have 16.
Two mandates less than the Conservative People’s Party (EKRE) received earlier. It is a right-wing populist party.
Russia has traditionally staked on populist parties such as the Centrist and Conservative People’s Parties in all European countries over the past decades.
At the same time, the elections were a great success for the liberal party Estonia 200 (Erakond Eesti 200). She received 14 mandates, while she was not represented in the former parliament.
The Social Democrats and the national conservative party For the Fatherland (Isamaa), which formed the previous government coalition together with the reformists, also marched in the Riigikok.
In these elections in Estonia, for the first time, more people voted electronically than in person – predominantly young voters voted electronically. Estonia is one of the world leaders in the development of digital technologies.
Following the results of the elections, the reformists themselves will be able to choose with whom to join the coalition. Both liberals and former coalitions can become their partners in the government.
On Sunday, elections were held in Lithuania – local.
Two mainstream parties received the most votes: the Social Democrats with 17% and the Conservatives (Christian Democrats – Union of the Fatherland) with 16% of the vote.
12% collected regional and local lists that traditionally enjoy support in local elections.
The Union of Greens and Peasants (9%), the Movement of Liberals (7%), which is part of the government coalition, and again the Union of Democrats “For the Sake of Lithuania” of former Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis showed high results with 6%.
At the same time, populist parties, which rely heavily on the Russian-speaking population, have come out with losses. Thus, the Electoral Action of the Poles of Lithuania – the Union of Christian Families of Waldemar Tomaszewski gained 5% of the votes. The same amount was received by the Freedom and Justice party, which was once launched by President Rolandas Paksas, who was ousted from power by impeachment, while the Labor Party, launched by businessman Viktor Uspassky, gained 4%.
Valdas Benkunskas, a conservative, and Arturas Zuokas, a candidate from Freedom and Justice, will compete for the position of Vilnius mayor in the second round.
The results of the elections in Lithuania and Estonia were affected by the war in Ukraine. It seems that the connection with Moscow has become a stigma even to the Russian-speaking voter.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.