Fact Sheet 2007

Estonia Today STATE SYSTEM OF THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA

Parliamentary democracy

SUPREME COURT THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC The highest court in the state The head of state and the supreme commander of the national and the court of constitutional defence of Estonia. The President is elected by the Riigikogu review. The Riigikogu on or by an electoral body comprised of members of the Riigikogu nomination by the President of and representatives of the local government councils for a the Republic appoints the Chief term of 5 years. Justice of the Supreme Court. Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Riigikogu on nomination by the Chief GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC Justice of the Supreme Court.

Judges are appointed for life. The Government exercises RURAL MUNICIPALITY AND executive power. The candidate for CITY GOVERNMENTS

Prime Minister is authorised to office by the Riigikogu on the LEGAL CHANCELLOR The executive bodies formed by proposal of the President. The the council. An independent official who President on the proposal of the reviews the legislation of general Prime Minister nominates members application of the legislative and of the government. executive powers and of local governments for conformity with the Constitution and the law. The Legal Chancellor is nominated by the Riigikogu on the proposal of

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS the President for a term of 7 years. RIIGIKOGU (The Parliament) The representative and legislative The Riigikogu is a legislative body. bodies of local governments, elected It has 101 members and is elected by the residents of the rural on the basis of a general, direct and STATE AUDIT OFFICE municipality or city for the period of 3 uniform right to vote by the citizens years. All permanent residents at An independent state body at least 18 years of age for the least 18 years of age, regardless of exercising economic supervision period of 4 years. citizenship are eligible to vote. over state institutions and the use of state assets. The Auditor General is nominated by the Riigikogu on the proposal of the President for the period of 5 years. THE ELECTORATE

General, local and presidential elections in 1992-2007

Elections to the Parliament, Riigikogu 20.09.1992 Local Government Council Elections 17.10.1999 Presidential Elections 20.09.1992 Election of the President August-September 2001 Elections to Local Government Councils 17.10.1993 Local Government Council Elections 20.10.2002 Elections to the Parliament, Riigikogu 05.03.1995 Elections to the Parliament, Riigikogu 02.03.2003 Election of the President August-September 1996 Local Government Council Elections 16.10.2005 Local Government Council Elections 20.10.1996 Election of the President August-September 2006 Elections to the Parliament, Riigikogu 07.03.1999 Elections to the Parliament 04.03.2007

For more information about elections and political system at www.vm.ee and www.vvk.ee.

Press and Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islandi väljak 1, Tallinn 15049, Estonia Tel. +372 637 7600, Fax +372 637 7617, E-mail: [email protected] www.vm.ee