Estonia’s parliament has passed a constitutional amendment revoking local election voting rights for non-EU residents, mainly Russian and Belarusian citizens.
The Baltic country’s decision stems from security concerns and the need to curb Russian influence, given that over 83,000 Russian citizens reside there, according to Estonian public broadcaster ERR News.
The amendment passed with overwhelming support. Ninety-three out of 101 lawmakers voted in favor, and only seven opposed it.
The measure also applies to stateless individuals, commonly known as “grey passport” holders, who have lived in Estonia for decades without acquiring citizenship. Many holders of grey passports are former Soviet citizens who remained in Estonia after independence but did not acquire Estonian or any other nationality.
Under the new law, the upcoming municipal elections in October will be the last in which affected individuals can participate.
The decision only affects local elections, as voting in national parliamentary elections has always been restricted to Estonian citizens.
Estonia, a country of 1.36 million people, has a significant Russian-speaking minority. Ethnic Russians, including those with Russian citizenship or grey passports, comprise around 20% of the population. The Belarusian minority is much smaller, estimated at 1% of the population.
The amendment passed with overwhelming support. Ninety-three out of 101 lawmakers voted in favor, and only seven opposed it.
The measure also applies to stateless individuals, commonly known as “grey passport” holders, who have lived in Estonia for decades without acquiring citizenship. Many holders of grey passports are former Soviet citizens who remained in Estonia after independence but did not acquire Estonian or any other nationality.
Under the new law, the upcoming municipal elections in October will be the last in which affected individuals can participate.
The decision only affects local elections, as voting in national parliamentary elections has always been restricted to Estonian citizens.
Estonia, a country of 1.36 million people, has a significant Russian-speaking minority. Ethnic Russians, including those with Russian citizenship or grey passports, comprise around 20% of the population. The Belarusian minority is much smaller, estimated at 1% of the population.
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