Estonia's Coalition Proposes Dual Citizenship for Citizens by Birth
The governing coalition groups in Estonia's parliament have introduced a bill allowing Estonian citizens by birth to hold another country's citizenship as well. The opposition questions what problem the change would solve.
The two governing coalition groups in Estonia's parliament, the Riigikogu, the Reform Party and Eesti 200, jointly introduced a bill on Wednesday that would let Estonian citizens by birth hold dual citizenship. The issue is contested, and opposition parties question the need for the change.
What the bill proposes
The bill would allow Estonian citizens by birth to apply to have their citizenship restored, even if they lost it or renounced it after acquiring another country's citizenship.
The Constitution currently bars the state from stripping citizens by birth of their citizenship. The Citizenship Act, however, requires people who hold both Estonian and foreign citizenship to choose one when they turn 18.
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta (Eesti 200) told a government press conference that this approach is wrong and has no reasonable justification. She said an 18-year-old who receives a letter demanding a choice between, for example, U.S. and Estonian citizenship is fully entitled to keep both.
Dual citizenship would be allowed only with certain countries: European Economic Area member states, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland. Pakosta said large Estonian communities live in these countries.
Opposition objections
Vadim Belobrovtsev, deputy chairman of the Center Party's parliamentary group, suggested the coalition is pushing through a proposal ahead of elections that needs broader debate. He said that because the bill covers only citizens by birth, it would give some people an advantage over others.
Evelin Poolamets of the EKRE party said the bill would create confusion, especially over compulsory military service, such as whether a young person should serve in Estonia or another country and which country's reserve they would join. She suggested the aim may be to give dual citizens more opportunities, but said there is no guarantee a person would contribute equally to both countries.
Valdo Randpere of the Reform Party said times have changed and many young people live abroad, with citizenship being one way to keep ties to Estonia. He hopes the bill will gain the necessary 51 votes this time. Randpere said he has spoken with unaffiliated MPs and opposition representatives and has not received a firm no. He has not discussed it with EKRE, who he said would definitely refuse. He hopes at least one opposition party will let its MPs vote freely.
