Estonian Parliamentary Elections Approach: Parties Launch Campaigns at Different Paces

With the Estonian parliamentary elections set for March 7 next year, political parties are already gearing up for the campaign. The first to put up posters is the Right Party (Parempoolsed), which has displayed them in Tallinn and plans to expand to other cities next week.

Indrek Luberg, a board member of the Right Party, cited reasons for the early start: the active phase of the political campaign has not yet begun, so they can attract more attention while the information space is less crowded, and advertising costs are currently more affordable. The party plans to expand the campaign in August. In previous municipal elections, they used unconventional advertising, such as overturned vans.

The Reform Party (Eesti Reformierakond) is already advertising in newspapers and actively presenting its members on social media, including a humorous video about an "unknown minister." Secretary General Kristo Enn Vaga emphasized that parties must be visible on social media around the clock. Smaller campaigns are planned for autumn, while the major campaign with posters and TV ads will start in January.

In contrast, Isamaa, the Social Democratic Party (SDE), and the Centre Party (Keskerakond) plan to commence their active campaign in autumn. Currently, they focus on direct communication with voters at summer events, setting up tents at fairs and festivals. Centre Party board member Vadim Belobrovtsev believes that putting up posters now is not the best idea, as people would become accustomed to them before the real campaign. Isamaa Vice-Chair Riina Solman noted that the party works year-round but will launch a larger campaign early next year. SDE Vice-Chair Tanel Kiik added that the most active period for outdoor advertising and social media will be autumn and winter, while summer is better for meeting people and gathering ideas.