viitevähemikku

Viitevähemikku is a term used in Estonian politics to describe a situation where a political party or coalition does not have enough votes in the Riigikogu (the Estonian Parliament) to form a government. This can occur when no single party or coalition can secure a majority of the 101 seats in the Riigikogu. In such cases, the President of Estonia has the authority to appoint a caretaker government, which is responsible for organizing new elections.

The term "viitevähemikku" is derived from the Estonian words "viite" meaning "fifth" and "vähemikku" meaning "shortage." This reflects the historical context of the Estonian parliamentary system, where a majority of at least one-fifth of the total seats was required to form a government. This threshold was established in the 1938 Constitution of Estonia.

When a viitevähemikku situation arises, the President typically appoints a caretaker government that includes representatives from various political parties. The primary role of this government is to manage the country's affairs until new elections can be held. The caretaker government is usually tasked with preparing the ground for new elections, including addressing urgent issues and ensuring the smooth functioning of public services.

The last occurrence of a viitevähemikku situation in Estonia was in 2019, when no single party or coalition could secure a majority in the Riigikogu. The President, Kersti Kaljulaid, appointed a caretaker government led by Jüri Ratas, which organized new elections in 2023. The caretaker government played a crucial role in managing the country's affairs during the interim period, ensuring stability and continuity in governance.