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Estonia to restrict voting rights to combat 'Russian influence'
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has secured the support of the ruling coalition on this issue, the agency notes. “I recommend that our legislators quickly amend the constitution so that citizens of violating countries can no longer make decisions in local elections,” he said on ERR on November 4.
According to the publication, with a population of 1.3 million people, about 80 thousand Russian citizens and more than 3 thousand Belarusian citizens live in Estonia.
Russians are not singled out as a separate category in the bill. The bill will restrict the right to vote in local elections for all foreigners, including guests from the European Union and NATO, Bloomberg writes.
According to the Constitution, citizens have the right to vote in all elections and referendums. Citizens of other European Union countries may vote in local government elections and elections to the European Parliament. Citizens of non-European Union countries and stateless persons residing in Estonia on the basis of a long-term or permanent residence permit may vote in local elections, but may not stand as candidates.