On 5 March, Estonians went to the polls in record numbers to elect the country’s new Parliament. Eesti Reformierakond, the party of Incumbent Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and one of ALDE Party’s members in Estonia, won by a landslide with 31.2% of the vote, 2.3% more than in 2019 and 15% more than the second-largest party. This result grants the party 37 members of Parliament.
Kallas broke another record by receiving 31,821 personal votes, more than any other Estonian politician in history.
"I want to thank all voters. I thank you for your trust, I thank you for the opportunity to head the government for nearly two years now, and indeed for your votes. We are very grateful for your assessment of our work. All our candidates who have done a brilliant job, brought home all these votes... It is teamwork, no one can do it alone," she said.
ALDE Party Co-Presidents Senator Timmy Dooley and Ilhan Kyuchyuk MEP congratulated Kallas and Eesti Reformierakond on their fantastic election result.
“Congratulations to my friend Kaja Kallas on a fantastic election result. The people of Estonia have done well in trusting you will guide them during these challenging times. Tonight, is a good night for liberals in Europe,” declared Dooley.
Congratulations to my friend @kajakallas on a fantastic election result. The people of Estonia have done well in trusting you will guide them during these challenging times.
— Timmy Dooley (@timmydooley) March 5, 2023
Tonight is a good night for liberals in Europe. pic.twitter.com/hlQJ3ce7gh
“Congratulations to Kaja Kallas and Eesti Reformierakond on their victory today. Your leadership is an inspiration to liberals in Europe and across the world. Estonia is in good hands!” added Kyuchyuk.
Congratulations to @KajaKallas and @reformikad on their victory today.
— Ilhan Kyuchyuk (@ilhankyuchyuk) March 6, 2023
Your leadership is an inspiration to liberals in Europe and across the world.
Estonia is in good hands! 🇪🇪
Eesti Keskerakond, another ALDE Party member in Estonia, came out of the election as the third largest party with 15.3% of the vote, resulting in16 seats in Parliament.
Now that the results are in, Estonian President Alar Karis will give the biggest party a mandate to try and form a governing coalition. Negotiations can take weeks and, to be successful, the nominated party needs to sign an agreement with at least two other parties that would result in a coalition with at least 51 members of Parliament.
Photo credit: European Union 2023