October becomes peak time for party switches before Estonia’s election
Wednesday 7th October 2026 on 21:15 in
Estonia
Estonian parties are drawing up candidate lists for next spring’s parliamentary election, making October a key time for politicians to choose which party they will represent, ERR reports.
Social Democrat Piret Hartman said more people would join her party in the coming weeks. The party has not yet settled its leading candidates or their order. Its leader, Lauri Läänemets, will run in the Viljandi and Järva electoral district.
Hartman said decisions would take into account candidates’ past contributions to the party and their support locally, along with research and analysis. Electoral districts would ultimately decide who runs and in what order. Asked whether politicians from other parties were expected to join, she said the coming weeks would show.
The Eesti 200 party has not confirmed its leading candidates. Many decisions are expected after its council considers joining the Greens. Party executive director Anneli Kannus said the move might not appeal to everyone, and some members could leave for personal reasons. She said the party remained optimistic and people were considering different ways to contest the election.
The leading candidates of the Parempoolsed party will appear on its pre-campaign posters, deputy leader Siim Kiisler said. He said it was uncertain whether any members of parliament would join the party, and that no final agreements had been reached. Kiisler said newcomers would need to accept the party’s clear ideological position, which it would not dilute.
Tarmo Jüristo, head of the Liberal Citizen Foundation, said parties were now deciding where candidates would run and in what order. Delaying those decisions could create tensions, he said. Jüristo added that some people considering entering politics were due to hold discussions this week or next. He said parties usually save announcements about well-known singers, actors and artists joining them for the active campaign period.
The next parliamentary election is scheduled for March 7 next year.