Estonian president promulgates constitutional amendment

TALLINN - President Alar Karis has promulgated the constitutional amendment that revokes the right to vote in local elections for third-country nationals residing in Estonia, and starting from the elections after the next, also for stateless persons.

“Members of the Riigikogu surely understand that by amending the constitution, they made a decision with very serious consequences. I have repeatedly emphasized that, in my view, the potential far-reaching effects should have been thoroughly analyzed and considered beforehand, because the constitution must continue to serve as a safeguard for both internal and external peace in the future. I have also stressed that the Riigikogu has the authority to amend the constitution, as provided by the rules. Now that this step has been taken and members of the Riigikogu acknowledge their responsibility, I trust they have also considered how to safeguard the unity of Estonian society going forward," Karis said.

"The solution whereby only citizens of Estonia and European Union countries may vote in local elections is undoubtedly legitimate. Equally important is that people who have lost their voting rights do not feel that the state has sought to exclude them from public life or sees each of them as a security threat. This cannot be achieved by words alone. Only the Riigikogu can ensure that people who have lived in Estonia for a long time and are loyal to the country still have a clear path to Estonian citizenship, even in cases where other countries have hindered their ability to freely choose their citizenship," he went on.

"Safeguarding internal peace must not remain a mere slogan. We are in a situation today where it would be irresponsible not to consider how even seemingly sound decisions affect society as a whole," the president added.