Estonian opposition parties call for snap parliamentary elections
Estonia's opposition parties Isamaa, the Centre Party and EKRE are demanding the resignation of Kristen Michal's minority government and early Riigikogu elections.
Three opposition parties in Estonia — Isamaa, the Centre Party and EKRE — are jointly demanding that the minority government formed by the Reform Party and Eesti 200 step down and that early parliamentary elections be held.
Isamaa has called on all parties represented in the Riigikogu and independent MPs to begin consultations on holding new elections as soon as possible and in line with the Constitution, suggesting a no-confidence vote against Kristen Michal's government as the appropriate mechanism. The party said new elections would restore public trust and give citizens a chance to honestly express their views on the country's future.
Centre Party warns of security risk
On Saturday the Centre Party also called for snap elections, arguing that the government's inability to run the state amounts to a security threat. Party chairman Mihhail Kõlvart pointed to a recent audit by the State Audit Office on the defence sector, calling it evidence of the government's complete failure.
According to Kõlvart, the government had justified unexpected tax hikes, a growing budget deficit and worsening living standards by citing defence spending, yet the audit revealed shortcomings no country can afford given the current security situation. He said it is no longer enough for a single official or minister to resign — the entire government must go.
Kõlvart added that the defence crisis is not the government's only problem, pointing to a lack of a credible plan to revive the economy and control public debt, alongside worsening issues in education, energy and social policy. He said the government is not solving crises but merely trying to present a more favourable picture of reality, and that Estonia cannot afford to wait until the next scheduled elections as valuable time is being lost.
EKRE cites collapsing support
Earlier this week, EKRE's leadership also urged all members of parliament to remove Michal's minority government from office as soon as possible. EKRE chairman Martin Helme stated that the Michal government lost majority public support long ago and has now also lost its majority in the Riigikogu. He noted that support for the coalition parties has stood at around 12% for a long time, calling it an unprecedented figure in Estonian history and abnormal for a democratic system.
