June 2004 Estonia Today THE RESULTS OF THE ESTONIAN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN 2004
On 13 June 2004, Estonians elected their six representatives to the European Parliament. Having become a full member of the European Union on 1 May 2004, it was the first time Estonian voters could participate in forming the European Parliament. The Social Democratic Party won the elections with 37% of votes and three seats in the European Parliament. All over Europe, over 348 million voters could participate in forming the 732-member Parliament for the next five years.
The elections were free, democratic and based on the principle of direct universal suffrage. Ten political parties had presented their candidates for the elections. Including four individual candidates, the total number of candidates was 95.
The total voter participation was 233 450. The voter turnout was 26.7%.
According to the preliminary results, the six members elected to the European Parliament were Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Marianne Mikko and Ivari Padar from the Social Democratic Party, Siiri Oviir from the Centre Party, Toomas Savi from the Reform Party and Tunne Kelam from the Pro Patria Union. Five of the new European Parliament representatives are currently members of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) and within the next ten days they must notify the National Electoral Committee as to whether they will participate in the work of the European Parliament or decline the mandate. After 24 June 2004, the newly elected members will replace the current six Estonian representatives in the European Parliament.
Estonia will have representatives in the three political groups that are currently the largest in the European Parliament – three seats in the Group of the Party of European Socialists (1 at the moment), two seats in the Group of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (2) and one seat in the Group of the European People’s Party – Christian Democrats (2).
Results of the parties in the Riigikogu
1. Estonian Social Democratic Party (Chairman Mr Ivari Padar)– 36.8% of votes; 3 seats; elected members will belong to the Group of the Party of European Socialists.
2. Estonian Centre Party (Chairman Mr Edgar Savisaar) – 17.5% of votes; 1 seat; left centrist party that will send its representative to the Group of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party.
3. Estonian Reform Party (Chairman Mr Siim Kallas) – 12.2% of votes; 1 seat; with liberal, right leaning orientation and their representative will belong to the Group of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party.
4. Pro Patria Union (Chairman Mr Tunne Kelam) – 10.5% of votes; 1 seat; a national, Christian democratic party, a member of the European People’s Party.
5. Estonian People’s Union (Chairman Mr Villu Reiljan) – 8.1 % of votes; a national conservative party fighting traditionally for the interests of farmers.
6. Res Publica (Chairman Mr Juhan Parts) – 6.7% of votes; a right centrist and the youngest of Estonia’s political parties; an associated member of the European People’s Party.
MORE INFORMATION:
Estonian Electoral Committee http://www.vvk.ee/ep04/index_eng.html
European Parliament Elections Act http://www.legaltext.ee/text/en/X60009K2.htm
Council Directive 93/109/EC of 6 December 1993 laying down detailed arrangements for the Exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals http://www.legaltext.ee/et/andmebaas/tekst.asp?loc=text&dok=T40990&pg=1&tyyp=T&query=20&ptyyp=A&keel=en
European Parliament http://www.europarl.eu.int/home/default_en.htm
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