The Republic of Estonia, a former Soviet republic, has developed a functional representative democracy, with executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Political System

The Republic of Estonia is considered a parliamentary representative democratic republic, with the seat of government centered in the capital city, Tallinn. The country declared its independence from Soviet Russia on February 24, 1918. On August 20, 1991, Estonia declared its independence from the Soviet Union. The republic officially celebrates its independence on February 24.

Estonia’s current constitution was originally adopted on June 28, 1992. The document allows for universal suffrage for Estonian citizens at 18 years of age.

Administrative Regions

The Republic of Estonia consists of 15 counties (maakonnad):

• Harjumaa
• Hiiumaa
• Ida-Virumaa
• Jarvamaa
• Jogevamaa
• Laanemaa
• Laane-Virumaa
• Parnumaa
• Polvamaa
• Raplamaa
• Saaremaa
• Tartumaa
• Valgamaa
• Viljandimaa
• Vorumaa

Executive Branch

The President is Estonia’s chief of state. This person is elected by Parliament to a five year term and is eligible for a second term. To be elected, a candidate must receive at least two-thirds of the parliamentary votes after three rounds of balloting. If no candidate secures two-thirds of the votes, an electoral assembly, consisting of Parliament and members of local governments, will then elect a President. Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the current President, was elected to the position by a 345-member electoral assembly, and assumed office on October 9, 2006.

The head of government is the Prime Minister, nominated by the President and appointed by Parliament. Andrus Ansip, the current Prime Minister, began his official duties on April 12, 2005.

Current Estonian ministers are:

• Agriculture - Helir-Valdor Seeder
• Culture - Laine Janes
• Defense - Jaak Aaviksoo
• Economic Affairs and Communications - Juhan Parts
• Education and Research - Tonis Lukas
• Environment - Jaanus Tamkivi
• Finance - Ivari Padar
• Foreign Affairs - Urmas Paet
• Internal Affairs - Juri Pihl
• Justice - Rein Lang
• Minister - Urve Palo
• Regional Affairs - Vallo Reimaa
• Social Affairs - Maret Maripuu

Legislative Branch

The Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) is a unicameral body consisting of 101 officials. Members are elected by popular vote to serve four year terms.

The current structure of the Parliament, by political party is (number of seats)*:

• Reform Party - 31
• Center Party - 29
• Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica - 19
• Social Democrats - 10
• Estonian Greens - 6
• People's Union - 6

Judicial Branch

The Estonian Constitution does not provide for a definition of judicial power. However, it does provide a structure for the country’s judicial branch of government, including a Supreme Court, as well as four County, two Administrative, and three Circuit courts. Rules of court procedure are provided by different laws: Code of Civil Procedure, Code of Criminal Procedure, Code of Misdemeanor Procedure, and Code of Administrative Court Procedure.

Legal System

The Estonian legal system is based on civil law. The country has accepted compulsory International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction, with reservations.

References

Barrientos, Miguel. Index Mundi. 2007.

Estonia - Official State Web Center.