| Popis: |
The article analyzes the evolution of Estonia’s party system in the context of the struggle for power in the second decade of the 21st century (the starting point here is Estonia’s entry into the eurozone). Until 2016, the political scene in the Republic of Estonia was dominated by the Estonian Reform Party. At that time, this liberal, pro-market and pro-Western party was forming successive government coalitions. The main opposition force was the Estonian Center Party, a populist party that was particularly popular with the country’s large Russian minority. In the fall of 2016, significant changes took place on the political scene of the Republic. The liberals lost the support of the coalition partners who had reached an agreement with the previously opposition Estonian Center Party. Although the Estonian Reform Party remained the strongest party in the country, it found itself in opposition. Another characteristic trend was the rise in popularity of the eurosceptic Conservative People’s Party of Estonia in the second half of the decade. The 2019 elections were won by the opposition liberal Estonian Reform Party, but failed to build a majority coalition. The Estonian Center Party remained in power, signing a surprising and by many criticized agreement with the Conservative People’s Party of Estonia. However, this coalition turned out to be short-lived. The return of the liberals to power in January 2021 confirmed their unchangingly strong political position for years. Importantly, it took place during the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. |
