Foreign Citizens in Estonia React to Loss of Voting Rights in Local Elections

Overview of Recent Changes

Last week, the Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament, voted to revoke the voting rights of nearly all foreign citizens residing in Estonia for local elections. This decision affects individuals from non-EU countries, limiting voting rights solely to citizens of the 27 EU member states. The change was initiated following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with the aim of excluding Russians and Belarusians from influencing local politics. However, the amendment ultimately expanded to include all foreign nationals.

Prior to this amendment, any permanent resident of Estonia had the option to vote in municipal elections. In the 2021 local elections, over 61,000 individuals without Estonian citizenship, which accounted for about 10.5% of total ballots cast, participated in the voting process. The largest groups of these voters included Russians, stateless persons, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and British citizens.

Responses from Foreign Residents

ERR News surveyed several foreign residents from various countries—including Ukraine, Ecuador, Switzerland, Mexico, Belarus, and the United States—to gauge their reactions to the recent decision.

Concerns About Democratic Values

Elena Nedozhogina, a Ukrainian resident in Estonia for 11 years, expressed deep concern over the decision, calling it "very unfortunate and deeply undemocratic." She highlighted the broader implications for foreign citizens living in Estonia, including Ukrainians unable to vote in their own country. "This affects not only citizens of Russia and Belarus but also all non-EU nationals who contribute to society," she said.

Gerson Noboa from Ecuador criticized the decision based solely on nationality, stating, "It negatively impacts integration efforts and creates a counterproductive effect." Despite his concerns, he acknowledged that the immediate impact on political outcomes may be limited, as a significant number of votes had already gone to pro-Russian parties.

The Value of Participation

Heidi Erbsen, an American who has lived in Estonia for a decade, emphasized the importance of allowing foreign citizens to participate in societal discussions through voting. "Depriving us of this right is like taking away our responsibility to contribute to societal improvement," she stated. She found the decision "lazy" and "short-sighted," arguing for equal rights in community involvement regardless of passport nationality.

Acknowledgment of National Sovereignty

Other residents had more nuanced perspectives. Writer Stephanie Rendón, who has lived in Estonia for 11 years, recognized the rationale behind the decision while noting that it contradicted efforts toward better integration. She expressed personal discomfort with the action but understood its context from her experience in Mexico, where foreigners also cannot vote.

Dario Kaven, a former editor for ERR News and a long-time resident, was less concerned about the changes, suggesting it would lead to a more organized local political process. He noted that in Switzerland, foreign residents do not have voting rights, indicating a cultural difference in citizenship policy.

Belarusian Community Response

Some members of the Belarusian community have supported the decision, viewing it as a measure for national security. Irina Suursild from the NGO Valgevene maja, which supports the Belarusian diaspora, pointed out the potential influence of residents with pro-Russian sentiments, suggesting that this could pose risks to Estonia.

Changing Perceptions of Estonia

The decision has reportedly shifted the views of some foreign residents regarding life in Estonia. Noboa described it as "worrying," reinforcing concerns about democracy in a country he once viewed as free and open. He hoped Estonia would not set a precedent for government overreach regarding citizens' rights.

Nedozhogina indicated that her perspective has fundamentally changed, emphasizing the impact on integration efforts and the message sent to foreign residents about their value in Estonian society. Similarly, Erbsen expressed feelings of exclusion and a desire to be part of the decision-making process as a long-term resident.

Conclusion

As the debate continues, it is evident that the recent change in voting rights for foreign citizens in Estonia has sparked significant discourse about democracy, integration, and community involvement. With local elections set for October 2025, the implications of this decision will undoubtedly remain a point of contention among residents and lawmakers alike.