Estonia bars foreign citizens from local elections, eyeing Russia

Estonia bars foreign citizens from local elections, eyeing Russia

March 26, 2025 / Cosmopolitan Canada /


Estonia has moved to bar non-EU citizens from voting in local elections, in a move that targets the country’s Russian and Belarusian population.

The Estonian parliament voted in favour of a corresponding constitutional amendment on Wednesday, which was proposed in view of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

The regulation must now be formally approved by President Alar Karis.

According to data from the Interior Ministry, almost 80,000 Russian and around 2,700 Belarusian citizens have residency permits in Estonia.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal described the decision as a “joint victory” and a “very fundamental decision.”

“In our local life, decisions are not made by the citizens of aggressor states, but in our own country we are the decision-makers, he wrote on X.

Estonia shares a border with Russia and the Russian-speaking minority in the Baltic state make up around a quarter of its 1.2 million inhabitants.

The next local elections in Estonia are scheduled to take place on October 19.



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I'm a contributing writer at Cosmopolitan Canada, where I dive into the stories that matter most to modern women — from beauty and wellness to relationships, identity, and personal growth. I’m passionate about exploring the nuances of culture, self-expression, and what it means to live boldly in today’s world. Whether I’m interviewing inspiring voices, breaking down the latest trends, or writing from personal experience, my goal is always the same: to spark real conversation and empower readers to embrace who they are unapologetically.

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