Vabariik

Vabariik is the Estonian term for a republic, derived from words meaning free state. In Estonian political usage, vabariik denotes a form of government in which the supreme power is held by elected representatives and a head of state, rather than a monarch. The phrase Eesti Vabariik, or the Republic of Estonia, is the formal name of the Estonian state.

Historically, the term has been used to describe the interwar Republic of Estonia (1918–1940) and, after regaining independence in 1991, the modern state. During the Soviet era the country was known as the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Eesti NSV), but the name Eesti Vabariik reappeared with restored independence. In legal texts and official discourse, vabariik is associated with the constitutional framework that defines Estonia as a democratic republic.

Estonia operates as a constitutional, parliamentary republic. The government is headed by the prime minister, who forms the administration and holds executive power, while the president serves as the largely ceremonial head of state and represents the country in formal capacities. The Riigikogu, a unicameral parliament with 101 members, passes laws and oversees the government. The President is elected for a five-year term and can be reelected once. The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia establishes the basic rights of citizens, the separation of powers, and the procedures for elections and government formation.

The term vabariik is widely used in official names, legal texts, and political discourse to refer to the Estonian state. Eesti Vabariik thus functions as both a historical concept and the current constitutional framework of Estonia.