Riigivalimised

Riigivalimised refers to the general elections held in Estonia to elect members of the Riigikogu, the country's parliament. These elections are a cornerstone of Estonia's parliamentary democracy and determine the composition of the legislative body responsible for making laws and forming the government.

The Riigikogu is a unicameral parliament consisting of 101 members. They are elected for a term of four years. Riigivalimised are conducted using a system of proportional representation, which aims to allocate seats in the parliament based on the proportion of votes each political party receives. This means that parties that gain a significant share of the national vote are likely to secure a corresponding number of seats.

Estonian citizens who are at least 18 years old on election day are eligible to vote in riigivalimised. The voting process has evolved to include modern methods, with e-voting having been introduced as an option alongside traditional paper ballots. This allows voters to cast their ballots online, enhancing accessibility and participation.

The election campaign period is a crucial time when political parties present their platforms, policies, and candidates to the electorate. Debates and public discussions are common as parties seek to persuade voters of their suitability to govern. Following the election, the results are certified, and the parties that have secured enough seats negotiate to form a coalition government, which then assumes executive power. The president of the Riigikogu is elected by the parliament, and the government is formed by the Prime Minister appointed by the President of Estonia based on the parliamentary majority.