The Republic of Estonia gained its independence from the Russian Empire on 24 February 1918 and established diplomatic relations with many countries via membership of the League of Nations. The forcible incorporation of Estonia into the Soviet Union in 1940 was not generally recognised by the international community and the Estonian diplomatic service continued to operate in some countries. Following the restoration of independence from the Soviet Union, Russia was one of the first nations to re-recognize Estonia's independence. Estonia's immediate priority after regaining its independence was the withdrawal of Russian forces from Estonian territory. In August 1994, this was completed. However, relations with Moscow have remained strained primarily because Russia decided not to ratify the border treaty it had signed with Estonia in 1999.
The Estonian Centre Party is a populist political party in Estonia. It was founded in 1991 as a direct successor of the Popular Front of Estonia, and it is currently led by Mihhail Kõlvart.
The Social Democratic Party is a centre-left political party in Estonia. It is currently led by Lauri Läänemets. The party was formerly known as the Moderate People's Party. The SDE has been a member of the Party of European Socialists since 16 May 2003 and was a member of the Socialist International from November 1990 to 2017. It is orientated towards the principles of social-democracy, and it supports Estonia's membership in the European Union. From April 2023, the party has been a junior coalition partner in the third Kallas government.
Parliamentary elections were held in Estonia on 7 March 1999. The newly elected 101 members of the 9th Riigikogu assembled at Toompea Castle in Tallinn within ten days of the election. The elections proved disastrous for the ruling Estonian Coalition Party, which won only seven seats together with two of its smaller allies. Following the elections, a coalition government was formed by Mart Laar of the Pro Patria Union, including the Reform Party and the Moderates. It remained in office until Laar resigned in December 2001, after the Reform Party had left the same governing coalition in Tallinn municipality, making opposition leader Edgar Savisaar new Mayor of Tallinn. The Reform Party and the Estonian Centre Party then formed a coalition government that lasted until the 2003 elections.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Estonia since 1 January 2024. The government elected in the March 2023 election, led by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and consisting of the Reform Party, the Social Democrats and Estonia 200, vowed to legalize same-sex marriage. Legislation to open marriage to same-sex couples was introduced to the Riigikogu in May 2023, and was approved in a final reading by 55 votes to 34 on 20 June. It was signed into law by President Alar Karis on 27 June, and took effect on 1 January 2024. Estonia was the first Baltic state, the twentieth country in Europe, and the 35th in the world to legalise same-sex marriage.
Kristen Michal is an Estonian politician who has served as Prime Minister of Estonia since 23 July 2024. A member of the Reform Party, he succeeded Kaja Kallas, who is to be appointed EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Michal previously served as minister of justice from 2011 to 2012, minister of economic affairs and infrastructure from 2015 to 2016, as well as minister of climate from 2023 to 2024.
Margus Tsahkna is an Estonian politician, leader of new liberal Estonia 200 party since 19 November 2023, former leader of the conservative Isamaa party, former Minister of Defence in Jüri Ratas' cabinet and Minister of Social Protection in Taavi Rõivas' second cabinet. He was sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the third cabinet of Kaja Kallas on 17 April 2023.
Kaja Kallas is an Estonian politician and diplomat. She was the first female prime minister of Estonia, a role she held from 2021 until 2024, when she resigned in advance of her appointment as High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The leader of the Estonian Reform Party since 2018, she was a member of parliament (Riigikogu) in 2011–2014, and 2019–2021. Kallas was a member of the European Parliament in 2014–2018, representing the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. Before her election to Riigikogu, she was a lawyer specialising in European competition law.
Riina Sikkut is an Estonian politician. She serves as Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure in the second cabinet of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. She also served as Minister of Health and Labour in Jüri Ratas' first cabinet. She was sworn in on 2 May 2018, after the former minister Jevgeni Ossinovski had vacated the seat, and left the office on 29 April 2019.
Liina Kersna is an Estonian journalist, civil servant and politician. From 2021 to 2022 Kersna was the Minister of Education and Research.
Estonia 200 is a liberal political party in Estonia. Since April 2023, the party has been a junior partner in the third Kallas government.
Parliamentary elections were held in Estonia on 5 March 2023 to elect all 101 members of the Riigikogu. The officially published election data indicate the victory of the Reform Party, which won 37 seats in total, while the Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE) placed second with 17 seats. The Centre Party won 16 seats, a loss of 10, while Estonia 200 won 14 seats, gaining representation in the Riigikogu.
Kristina Kallas is an Estonian politician who was the leader of the Eesti 200 party. She is not related to Kaja Kallas, the former Prime Minister of Estonia.
An indirect election took place in Estonia on 30 and 31 August 2021 to elect the president of Estonia, who is the country's head of state. The Riigikogu — the Parliament of Estonia — elected Alar Karis to serve in the office and he was sworn in as the 6th president on 11 October 2021. The incumbent, Kersti Kaljulaid, was eligible to seek reelection to a second, and final, term but failed to gain the endorsement of at least 21 MPs, which is required in order for a candidate to register, as she was outspoken against some of the policies of the government, who thus denied her support.
Andres Sutt is an Estonian politician. He served as Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology in the cabinet of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. He served as acting Minister of Foreign Affairs from June to July 2022.
Events in the year 2022 in Estonia.
Events in the year 2023 in Estonia.
Parliamentary elections will be held in Estonia by 7 March 2027 to elect all 101 members of the Riigikogu. Electoral district reform has been discussed for the next election.
The third cabinet of Kaja Kallas was the cabinet of Estonia from 17 April 2023 to 22 July 2024. The cabinet was formed following the 2023 parliamentary election. On 15 July 2024 Kaja Kallas, who had been chosen as nominee for High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in the European Commission, submitted her resignation as Prime Minister, triggering the immediate resignation of her entire cabinet. The cabinet remained in place until the formation of Kristen Michal's cabinet on 22 July.
The cabinet of Kristen Michal is the current cabinet of Estonia. The cabinet was sworn into office on 23 July 2024 following the resignation of Kaja Kallas as prime minister following her appointment as the European Union's High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
