Estonian Parliament Approves Bill to Restrict Local Voting Rights

Estonia’s parliament has passed a new bill that eliminates voting rights for non-EU residents in local elections, directly impacting thousands of Russian nationals and stateless individuals.

The legislation, supported by 93 out of 101 lawmakers, is part of a broader effort to strengthen national security amid tensions with Russia. Estonia has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine and has cited concerns over potential foreign influence in its political processes.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Russian citizens and other non-EU residents will no longer be eligible to vote in local elections.
• Stateless individuals will have one final opportunity to vote in the upcoming October elections before restrictions take full effect.
• The bill will now be sent to the Estonian president for final approval.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal defended the decision, stating that only Estonian citizens should have a say in local governance. He emphasized that the move is intended to protect Estonia’s democratic process from external influence.

The law directly affects around 80,000 Russian nationals and nearly 60,000 stateless individuals, many of whom have lived in Estonia since the Soviet Union’s collapse. The government encourages affected residents to apply for Estonian citizenship, which requires passing a language proficiency test.

This decision follows a series of actions taken by Estonia and other Baltic nations to distance themselves from Russia, including removing Soviet-era monuments and increasing defense spending. Estonia’s government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national security and maintaining political stability.

If approved by the president, the new voting restrictions will mark a significant shift in Estonia’s electoral policies and foreign relations stance.