Estonia

The Estonian Parliament

Political system Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
Parliamentary system
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Structure of parliament Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
Unicameral
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IPU membership Current membership status
Yes
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Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections

Background

Election date(s) The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
05.03.2023
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
31.03.2023
Timing of election Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
07.03.2027
Number of seats at stake Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
101
Scope of elections Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal

Candidates

Total number of candidates Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
968
Number of male candidates Number of male candidates
652
Number of female candidates Number of female candidates
316
Percentage of women candidates The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
32.64%
Number of parties contesting the election This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
9

Voter turnout

Registration Number of people registered to vote
966,129
Votes Number of people who actually voted
615,009
Voter turnout The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
63.66%

Results

About the election Short description of the context and results of the election.
The Reform Party led by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (see note) remained the largest force in the 101-member parliament, winning 37 seats, up from 34 in the previous elections held in 2019. The Conservative People's Party (EKRE), a Eurosceptic far-right party, led by Mr. Martin Helme, became the second largest force, pushing former Prime Minister Jüri Ratas’s Centre Party to the third position. For the first time since the introduction of e-voting in 2005, more electronic votes (51%) were cast than paper votes (49%). 

On 10 April, Ms. Kallas announced a new coalition government comprising her Reform Party, Estonia 200 (Eesti 200) and Social Democratic Party, which jointly hold 60 seats. President Alar Karis then nominated her as prime minister-designate. On 12 April, Parliament voted in favour of giving Prime Minister-designate Kaja Kallas (Reform Party) a mandate to form a new government. Prime Minister Kallas stated Estonia’s defense spending must increase, citing war in Ukraine. She added that Estonia’s independence and state finances were her government’s priority.

Note:
The Reform Party came in first in the 2019 elections but Ms. Kallas failed to form a government. Outgoing Prime Minister Jüri Ratas formed a coalition government involving his Centre Party, the Conservative People's Party (EKRE) and the Pro Patria (Isamaa Erakond). Following Mr. Ratas’ resignation in January 2021, Ms. Kallas formed a new coalition government with the Centre Party, thereby becoming the first woman Prime Minister in Estonia. However, the new coalition government collapsed over educational reform. In July 2022, Ms. Kallas then formed a new coalition government comprising her Reform Party, Social Democratic Party and Pro Patria (Isamaa).
Number of parties winning seats The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
6
Percentage of parties winning seats The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
66.67%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
36.63%
Alternation of power after elections The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
Not applicable
Note on the alternation of power
The composition of the coalition government changed several times between the 2019 and 2023 elections.
Number of parties in government The government may be formed by one or more political parties
3
Names of parties in government The government may be formed by one or more political parties
Reform Party, Estonia 200 (Eesti 200) and Social Democratic Party
Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political groups winning seats breakdown
Political group Total
Reform Party 37
Conservative People's Party (EKRE) 17
Centre Party 16
Estonia 200 (Eesti 200) 14
Social Democratic Party 9
Pro Patria (Isamaa) 8
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
71
Number of women elected
30
Percentage of women elected The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
29.7%
Other notes
Note on the expected date of next elections: Parliamentary elections are held on the first Sunday in March every four years.
Sources
The Estonian Parliament (22.03.2023, 18.04.2023)
Head of the State Electoral Office (13.04.2023)
https://www.valimised.ee/en
https://rk2023.valimised.ee/en/election-result/index.html
BBC Monitoring
www.riigikogu.ee
https://e-estonia.com/
https://www.reuters.com
https://news.err.ee/
https://www.dw.com/en
Women Directly Elected
30

New legislature

Total number of men after the election The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
71
Total number of women after the election The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
30
First-term parliamentarians The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
39
Date of the first session The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
10.04.2023
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Lauri Hussar (Male)
Political party
Estonia 200 (Eesti 200)
Date of election
10.04.2023