Estonia’s Sudden Illiberal Turn

When the notionally left-liberal Centre Party invited the far right EKRE to coalition talks after the Estonian elections in March, politicians and some pundits were quick to reassure that the country was not about to realign itself with Hungary and Poland.

These European proponents of “illiberal democracy“ are known for squeezing civil society, the free press, universities, and courts, demonising European institutions while supplying its own patrons with EU money. None of this would come to pass in Estonia, the public was assured.

According to what was said by Estonian politicians several months ago, the government was supposed to follow its coalition agreement, which reiterated a commitment to the rule of law, EU membership, free speech, human rights etc. “No deviation from this consensus would be tolerated”. Furthermore, many commentators predicted that EKRE’s incendiary language, which included racist, antisemitic, and sexist attacks, would “be moderated” when burdened with the responsibility of government.

Well, EKRE’s MP-s celebrated their swearing-in by making “white power” signs, widely reported in newspapers around the world. And last week, Estonia was one of four countries to oppose an EU declaration of achieving net carbon neutrality by 2050. The other three – Hungary, Poland and Czechia.