Estonian parties still settling election list leaders
Friday 6th November 2026 on 17:45 in
Estonia
Estonian parties are still finalising their lead candidates for the parliamentary election, ERR reports. Some are still looking for candidates, while others have a few places left to fill. Candidate registration begins in January, and the final lists are expected by mid-month.
The Centre Party has not yet decided who will lead its lists in each electoral district. Party chairman Mihhail Kõlvart ran in the previous election in a district covering Tallinn’s Central, Lasnamäe and Pirita districts.
“The party chairman would be a major vote-getter in any district. But which district he will lead is still open,” said Centre Party secretary-general Anneli Ott. The party’s Members of the European Parliament Jana Toom and Jaak Madison will run as lead candidates.
The Social Democrats have made more decisions. Party chairman Lauri Läänemets will run in Järva and Viljandi counties, while the party’s prime ministerial candidate, Jonatan Vseviov, will run in Harju and Rapla counties. However, electoral districts have not settled the final rankings or confirmed all candidates, secretary-general Piret Hartmann said.
Half of the Conservative People’s Party of Estonia (EKRE) lead candidates have been chosen. Party chairman Martin Helme will run in Tallinn’s Mustamäe and Nõmme districts. He said the party finds it difficult to win votes in larger cities, but is paying particular attention to Tallinn, which elects a third of the members of the Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament.
Isamaa chairman Urmas Reinsalu will run in Harju and Rapla counties. Members of the European Parliament Jüri Ratas and Riho Terras will also stand for parliament. Isamaa secretary-general Andres Metsoja said the party values proposals from local districts and what they believe will work in their electoral areas.
Right-wing party Parempoolsed chairman Lavly Perling is prepared to run in Harju and Rapla counties, but the party has yet to settle all its lead candidates. It has turned down some people who wanted to run. Deputy chairman Siim Kiisler said the party prioritises candidates’ ideological convictions over their fame.
The Reform Party expects to announce its lead candidates by the end of November. Eesti 200 is working on a full list of candidates.