Voters in Estonia elected a new parliament Sunday with initial results suggesting the center-right Reform Party of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, one of Europe’s most outspoken supporters of Ukraine, had won overwhelmingly with nearly all votes counted.
Kallas faced a challenge from the far-right populist EKRE party, which seeks to limit the Baltic nation's exposure to the Ukraine crisis and blames the current government for Estonia's high inflation rate.
“This result, which is not final yet, will give us a strong mandate to put together a good government,” Kallas told her party colleagues and jubilant supporters at a hotel in the capital, Tallinn. The initial results mean the Reform Party is in a remarkably strong position to take a leading role in forming Estonia's next government; its support translates into 37 seats in the legislature. But it will need junior partners to form a coalition with a comfortable majority to govern.
A Baltic nation of 1.3 million people that borders Russia to the east, Estonia broke away from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has taken a clear Western course, joining NATO and the European Union. “We’ve never questioned support for Ukraine. We’ve never questioned Estonia's membership in NATO," Helme said in an interview with The Associated Press. “That’s just crazy talk. But we have been very critical of the government because they have not assessed the risk to Estonia and to Estonian security and defense.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine, economy top the agenda in Estonian electionCentre-right party of Estonian PM faces challenge from far-right populist opponent over country’s exposure to Ukraine, high inflation
Read more »
Estonian general election: Ukraine, economy top the agendaVoters in Estonia cast ballots Sunday in a parliamentary election that the center-right Reform Party of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. one of Europe’s most outspoken supporters of Ukraine, was considered a favorite to win.
Read more »
Ontario Liberals to select new party exec, decide on rules and timing for leadership race SundayOntario Liberal Party members are set to pick a new party executive today at the party's annual general meeting.
Read more »
Ontario Liberals to pick new party executive today at AGMOntario Liberal Party members are set to pick a new party executive today at the party's annual general meeting.
Read more »
Mayoral byelection gives Toronto voters another chance to speak upRoughly one\u002Dthird of eligible Toronto voters cast a ballot for mayor in the 2022 lection. This time around, it\u0027s a wide open race.
Read more »
Trudeau MPs eye Ontario Liberal leadership as party gathers this weekendWhether Erskine\u002DSmith and Naqvi choose to run will depend on the shape of the coming leadership race, which will be decided this weekend.
Read more »