President Alar Karis on Wednesday signed a constitutional amendment revoking the right to vote in local elections from all third-country nationals residing in Estonia. He noted the implications of the change should have been analyzed more in advance, and that the Riigikogu must ensure no negative repercussions follow from the decision.
The amendment passed almost unanimously in a Riigikogu vote on March 27 and was sparked by the changed security situation and concerns about the security threat Russian and Belarusian citizens residing in Estonia could pose at this October’s local elections.
The amendment gives an exemption to stateless persons, also known as gray passport holders, who can vote in the autumn local elections, but not in future municipal elections.
The head of state attached a statement to his assent, stating that the Riigikogu made a decision with serious consequences that should have been analyzed more thoroughly beforehand.
The president expressed hope the Riigikogu will ensure Estonia’s internal peace is not harmed by the decision.
More read: ERR.EE