Estonian Parliament Revokes Voting Rights for Russian, Belarusian Nationals

The Estonian Parliament, the Riigikogu, has passed constitutional amendments that revoke the right to vote in municipal elections for citizens of Russia and Belarus. The amendments, which received overwhelming support with 93 votes in favor and only 7 against, aim to prevent these third-country nationals from influencing local politics and indirectly the presidential election. While 'grey passport' holders will still be able to vote in the upcoming local elections scheduled for October 2025, they will lose this right in subsequent elections. The changes also exclude stateless individuals from voting in future local elections, although they can participate in the upcoming ones. This decision reflects Estonia's heightened security concerns amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The parliament stressed the urgency of the amendments to ensure timely implementation before the next election cycle.