According to Jüri Ratas, chairman of the Center Party, the draft law that takes away the right to vote in local elections from Russian citizens contradicts both the Estonian constitution and European values.
Under the leadership of Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet, a draft law has been prepared, according to which Russian citizens will be deprived of the right to vote in local elections. “The Center Party is definitely against this initiative, and in my opinion, this way of thinking is wrong, as it contradicts the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia. It also contradicts European values,” Ratas wrote on his Facebook page.
“Russian citizens who live in Estonia on the basis of a long-term residence permit or permanent right of residence and work in Estonia, pay taxes, raise their families, are permanent residents of our country. However, such a decision will definitely push them away from Estonian society,” added the chairman of the Center Party.
