Estonia is a parliamentary republic. The Constitution of 1992 is in force. Administrative division is 15 counties (maakonds), 207 volosts, 47 cities. The largest cities (thousand people): Tallinn, Tartu (115), Narva (68.5), Kohtla-Järve (55), Pärnu (45). Check computerminus for political system of Estonia.
State power in accordance with the Constitution is exercised by the Riigikogu, the President and the Government.
The highest legislative body is the Riigikogu (unicameral parliament), consisting of 101 deputies elected by universal, direct, secret suffrage for 4 years on the basis of proportional representation (over 20 parties and political organizations are registered in Estonia). The Riigikogu elects the president, discusses legislative acts, approves or rejects the candidature of the prime minister appointed by the president, and forms the government of the country.
The elections for the next (10th) Riigikogu, held on March 2, 2003, demonstrated the previous trend towards the predominance of right-wing conservative, nationally oriented forces. In total, approx. 58% of the Estonian electorate, or 40% of the country’s inhabitants. Almost 25% of the population, mostly Russian-speaking residents who do not have the status of citizens, were not allowed to participate in the elections. Of the 11 registered parties, only 6 made it to parliament. The Russian-speaking parties – the United People’s Party of Estonia and the Russian Party of Estonia did not get the required minimum of votes. The centre-right Res Publica party won (28 seats), the second place was taken by the Social Democratic Center Party, led by the mayor of Tallinn, E. Savisaar (28), the Reform Party, led by S. Kallas, was third (19), the only party from “ triple alliance” (reformists,
The head of state is the president, who is elected by the Riigikogu for 5 years, but not more than two consecutive terms, approves laws, appoints a candidate for the post of prime minister, and performs representative functions. On September 21, 2001, Arnold Ruutel won the presidential election, replacing Lennart Mary.
The highest body of executive power, the Cabinet of Ministers, is formed by the Riigikogu. The composition of the new coalition government of the country was approved on April 7, 2003. The ruling coalition included representatives of the Res Publica party, the Reform Party and the People’s Union. Juhan Parts, leader of the Res Publica party, has become the new prime minister of Estonia, replacing Siim Kallas, leader of the reformist party.
The primary tasks of the new government were: the continuation of an active campaign against corruption (refusal of personal and expensive cars of ministers and other officials), reducing the cost of maintaining the state apparatus; the fight for a balanced budget, the reduction of income tax to 20% and the establishment of a tax-free level of personal income up to 2000 thousand kroons per month from January 1, 2004; tougher penalties for drug-related crimes. In the field of foreign policy – the accession of Estonia to the EU (at the referendum held on September 14, 2003, 66.9% of the voters who took part (63.4%) voted in favor of joining the EU) and NATO, the further development of Estonian-Russian relations, cross-border cooperation between Estonia and Leningrad, Pskov and other regions of the Russian Federation,
NATO membership is one of the main objectives of Estonia’s foreign and defense policy. In 2002, 2% of GDP was spent on defense. The preparation and reform of the national defense system is carried out in accordance with NATO standards. The regular armed forces number approx. 4500 people The whole of Estonia is divided into 4 military districts and 14 defense regions. The ground forces consist of 8 battalions: reconnaissance, security, peacekeeping and 5 infantry, as well as an artillery unit. They are armed with 32 armored personnel carriers, up to 60 mortars of various calibers, approx. 20 towed artillery pieces and St. 400 recoilless, 100 anti-aircraft guns and approx. 15 anti-tank guided missile launchers. Air Force has 110 people. and consist of 2 An-2 aircraft and 3 Mi-2 helicopters. The country’s Navy – 300 people, one frigate, 2 patrol boats, 4 mine-sweeping ships, 2 auxiliary ships. There is also a border guard, numbering approx. 300 people on 30 patrol boats.
Estonia has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established on October 9, 1991).