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VOA News
March 2,
2003
Summary: Article written on
the day of the March 2003 elections to Estonia���s Parliament. The
result was that a coalition government was formed between Res
Publica, Reform, and Rahvaliit.
VOA News
Estonia
Holds Parliamentary Elections
March 2, 2003. Estonia is holding parliamentary elections, in
which no party is expected to win a majority of seats. Sunday's
vote is Estonia's fourth general election since it emerged from
Soviet rule more than a decade ago. The polls are seen as
reflecting the struggle between those prospering in the new,
independent Estonia and those who are being left behind. Estonian
voters are choosing from more than 900 candidates for 101 seats in
the country's single-house legislature. Central Election Commission
officials say that, by noon, the voter turnout was 29 percent. All
six parties fielding candidates have pledged to continue economic
reforms in Estonia and make progress toward NATO and European Union
membership, expected next year. The Center Party of former Prime
Minister Edgar Savisaar has campaigned as the voice of those
struggling to make ends meet in a free-market economy. This
strategy has propelled his party to the top of the polls. The
fiscally-conservative Reform Party of Prime Minister Siim Kallas is
running a close second. The party is currently part of a coalition
government with the Center Party. Res Publica, a right-wing
newcomer that scored spectacular gains during recent local elections
with promises to root out corruption, has added to the uncertainty.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe decided not
to send observers to monitor the poll, saying it was convinced the
election would be free and fair. Polls close at 8:00 p.m. local
time (1800 UTC). The election commission is due to release
preliminary results shortly after. |
