Estonia's Kallas in first place in parliamentary election
Baku, March 6, AZERTAC
The Reform party of Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas secured first place in Sunday's parliamentary election, a result that should ensure Tallinn remains one of Europe's most staunchly pro-Kyiv governments, according to Reuters.
Results with 98% ballots counted showed the far-right EKRE party in second place, with 16.1% versus 31.5% for Kallas' liberal group.
If Kallas, 45, succeeds in crafting a functioning coalition, it would cement the Baltic nation's pro-European direction.
Estonia, a western neighbour of Russia with a population of 1.3 million, would also stay on course to adopt more green energy and continue to accept refugees from Ukraine.
Reform won an election in 2019 but was then kept from power as three smaller parties formed a government. It collapsed in 2021, allowing Kallas to create a coalition and take charge.
Throughout the campaign, EKRE have promised to slash energy bills by opposing the transition to green energy and to stop accepting new Ukrainian war refugees.
Turnout was 63.7%, in line with the previous election, and with 51% of votes cast by internet, including Kallas.
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