The Head of State proclaimed the Constitution Amendment Act

President Alar Karis proclaimed the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia Amendment Act, which repeals the right to vote in local elections for citizens of third countries residing in Estonia and, from the next elections onwards, for stateless persons.

The Head of State proclaimed the Constitution Amendment Act and made a statement. 

“The members of the Riigikogu certainly understand that by amending the Constitution they made a decision with very serious consequences. I have repeatedly emphasised that, in my view, the possible far-reaching consequences should have been analysed and thought through as a whole, as the Constitution must be a safeguard for peace here and elsewhere also in the future. I have also emphasised that the Riigikogu has the power to amend the Constitution as the rules provide. Now that this step has been taken and the members of the Riigikogu feel their responsibility, they have probably thought about how to protect the unity of Estonian society in the future.

The solution according to which only citizens of Estonia and the European Union can vote in local elections is undoubtedly legitimate. It is equally important that the people who lost their right to vote do not feel that the state wants to exclude them from social life, or that it sees each and every one of them as a threat to security. This cannot be achieved with words alone. Only the Riigikogu can guarantee that people who have lived here for a long time and who are loyal to Estonia will still have an open path to Estonian citizenship, even if other countries have prevented them from freely choosing their citizenship.

Defending peace at home must be more than just a slogan. Today, we are in a situation where it is irresponsible not to take an interest in how decisions that seem right affect society as a whole.”