Campaigning lifts support for Estonia’s Centre Party and Social Democrats

Support for Estonia’s Centre Party and Social Democratic Party has risen as they step up election campaigning, while Isamaa has fallen from first to third, according to an Emor poll commissioned by ERR’s news desk.

Isamaa’s support dropped from 24% to 19%, its lowest level in three years. The Centre Party now leads the poll, with the Social Democrats in second place; support for both has increased significantly. The Reform Party and EKRE are tied at 14%. Parempoolsed would also clear the threshold at current levels, while Eesti 200 trails even the Koos party.

Emor research manager Aivar Voog said the Centre Party and Social Democrats had gained support after starting their campaigns actively. Both parties have added well-known people to their election lists, and the Centre Party has begun advertising despite limited resources, he said.

Voog said the Social Democrats may be becoming a focal point for new arrivals, with each newcomer attracting attention. Their support is at its highest in 12 years and last exceeded 20% in 2014. The party has recorded a steady rise this year, though Voog said it would become clear in November whether the latest increase included a chance element.

Isamaa deputy chair Riina Solman said the party was not worried and was saving its messages for a later stage. She said Isamaa planned to begin its campaign more forcefully next year, adding that spending money on posters now would be wasteful and that other parties risked tiring before the finish.

Despite differences in campaign timing, opposition parties have higher support than the governing parties. Reform Party board member Erkki Keldo said the party needed to explain its positions better and would also present new pledges. He said four parties could be competing for victory before the election.

Tags: Estonia, elections, opinion polls