The Estonian Justice Minister, Kaale Laanet, is preparing to introduce amendments to the country’s election law that would prohibit Russian citizens from voting in municipal elections, according to state broadcaster ERR. The proposal has faced criticism from some members of the coalition government, who argue that it may be unconstitutional.
The proposed measure, outlined in a draft shown by Laanet, would implement a “temporary restrictive” measure that prevents citizens of foreign countries designated as “aggressor states” by the EU or the Estonian legislature from voting. This restriction would specifically target Russian and Belarusian nationals.
Laanet has justified the proposal by citing the Russian constitution, which imposes a duty on its citizens to defend the motherland. The concern is that Russians living in Estonia could be mobilized for the conflict in Ukraine, posing a potential security risk.
Estonia has a sizeable population of ethnic Russians, accounting for about one-fifth of its 1.3 million residents. Out of these, an estimated 67,000 are Russian citizens who currently have the right to vote in local elections. The next round of local elections is scheduled for October 2025.
Interestingly, the proposal originated from the Reform Party, led by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, rather than the Justice Ministry. This has prompted criticism from Interior Minister Lauri Laanemets, who heads the Social Democrats, a junior partner in the governing cabinet. Laanemets expressed his preference for bills to originate from the ministry rather than a political party. He also argued that the proposed measure would require a constitutional amendment through a referendum to be enforced.
One of the major concerns around the proposal is the potential disenfranchisement of a significant number of people and their ability to express their opinion on local governance. Laanemets posed the question of whether there are alternative ways for individuals to voice their opinions and reflect on society if elections are no longer a viable platform for doing so.
Laanet acknowledged that there are contentious issues surrounding the proposal, which may need to be resolved by Estonia’s supreme court. The amendments may conflict with both the country’s constitution and the rules of the EU, which Estonia joined in 2004. However, Laanet referred to a state court ruling that suggests basic civil rights can be limited in exceptional circumstances to protect other fundamental rights or constitutional values.
Critics argue that the proposal is part of a larger pattern of cracking down on the Baltic state’s Russian residents. The Estonian authorities have previously threatened to arrest and fine individuals displaying “aggressor” symbols or listening to Soviet or Russian patriotic music. They have also banned websites used to access Russian media and restricted entry for Russian nationals without valid EU residence permits or family members in Estonia.
As the debate around the proposed amendments continues, it remains to be seen how the Estonian government will balance concerns about security with the potential infringement on citizens’ rights and the impact on the country’s diverse population.
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