Coalition party Eesti 200 has opted to bring forward its leadership elections to the end of this month, Postimees reported.

The party's board made the decision to bring forward elections to the leadership position, currently held by Education Minister Kristina Kallas, from August. Elections to the board will take place at the same time, and the general meeting to be held on March 29 will also discuss and approve strategy, including the pre-election manifesto.

The last general assembly was held in August 2024, when Kallas was elected chair with 172 votes, over Hendrik Johannes Terras, now regional affairs minister, who received 57 votes.

In January this year, several Eesti 200 politicians had already told ERR that discussions were underway within the party about moving the general assembly forward, to be better prepared for the parliamentary election campaign, though it was unclear at that time whether electing the party chair would also be on the agenda at the same meeting.

Kallas had remained evasive on this issue at the time, saying that the initial discussion concerned electing the board, which she described as a completely separate matter from electing the chair.

Kallas was the party's first leader, and she was later replaced by current Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, then Lauri Hussar, the Riigikogu speaker, before returning to office in 2024.

As well as Terras, another figure mentioned in the context of the leadership elections is former Tallinn deputy mayor Aleksei Jašin.

Party chair vote likely uncontested

On Friday afternoon, Kallas said that while she has spoken with others about potential runs for the party board, she is still the only candidate for party chair at this stage, making it likely she will run unopposed.

Terras confirmed he will not be running again this time, and also won't be seeking a seat on the party board, opting to focus instead on his work as minister.

"Kristina Kallas has a mandate and support as party chair," he added.

Jašin said he is aiming for a seat on the board, but despite media speculation is not considering challenging Kallas for party chair.

Given the difficulties Eesti 200 is currently facing, he said, members agreed that a "power struggle doesn't seem like the best option" right now.

Several other members, including Irja Lutsar and Kristina Masen, will not be continuing as members of the board, which itself is set to expand by two members.

Lutsar acknowledged she is dissatisfied with Eesti 200's latest party ratings, adding that "the party could use some fresh energy." She nonetheless confirmed she has no intention of leaving the party.

Grappling with ratings

Acknowledging the challenges presented by rising conservative populism, the March 29 meeting is also set to approve Eesti 200's short-term platform outlining the party's liberal vision.

Eesti 200 has according to most polls long polled below the electoral threshold of 5 percent – the proportion needed to win seats in a given electoral district – and in January, according to a Kantar Emor poll commissioned by ERR, the party's rating dropped to a record low of 1 percent. This is below the 2-percent threshold required to qualify for state support.

Eesti 200 has 13 Riigikogu seats, down from 14 won at the 2023 Riigikogu election. Soon after entering office that year, the party was blighted by an embezzlement scandal concerning donations to Ukraine and involving a former MP. Eesti 200 is in office with the Reform Party.

The next Riigikogu elections are in March 2027.

--

Follow ERR News on Facebook and X and never miss an update!