Elections in Estonia

Estonia elects a legislature on the national level. The Riigikogu has 101 members, elected for a four-year term by proportional representation with a 5% electoral threshold. A head of state – the president – is elected for a five-year term by parliament (1st–3rd round) or an electoral college (4th and subsequent rounds). Locally, Estonia elects local government councils, which vary in size. Election law states the minimum size of a council depending on the size of municipality. Local government councils are elected by proportional representation too.

The minimum number of council members is prescribed to be at least 7 seats
Over 2,000 inhabitants: at least 13 seats
Over 5,000 inhabitants: at least 17 seats
Over 10,000 inhabitants: at least 21 seats
Over 50,000 inhabitants: at least 31 seats
Over 300,000 inhabitants: at least 79 seats

Estonia has a multi-party system with numerous parties. Often no one party has the chance to gain power alone and parties must work with each other to form coalition governments.

Public elections have taken place in the following years: Past elections:

Riigikogu (parliament): 1920, 1923, 1926, 1929, 1932, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1992, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Local/municipal: 1993, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017
European parliament: 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019
Referendums: 2003 (EU)
President: 1992 (Presidential elections since 1996 have taken place in Riigikogu or Electoral College)