Page 10 - CE Outlook Regions 2022

reach the 5% threshold to enter the parliament) to be their voice in
the parliament.

He is expected to lead in the first round of the presidential vote;
however, according to some commentators, he might lose against a
candidate backed by the government coalition in the second round
run-off. Some commentators also said that Babis at the Prague
Castle would be a major test of ANO´s long-term viability as his
party was founded as a movement or a service apparatus of one
person with a clear reason. Thus, the possible departure of Andrej
Babis would therefore be a very difficult test.

1.2 Politics - Estonia

Estonia will hold no major elections in 2022. The ruling Reform party is
like to continue losing support and far-right EKRE party likely gaining in
2022 due to fear of migrant crises, like those in Lithuania and Latvia in
2021. In Reform vs Centre (the other ruling party), the latter seems to
have better chances in 2022 due to the popularity of the party
chairman, Jurij Ratas, and bigger support of Centre in major cities.

In October 2021, local government council elections were held in
Estonia. Total voter turnout in the 2021 local elections came to 54.7%.
The Center Party was once again most popular nationwide (24.4%)
also winning the capital Tallinn (45.4%). However, the party did not
manage to secure enough mandates to continue ruling alone in Tallinn.
Tallinn Mayor Mihhail Kõlvart was the most popular candidate in the
capital and nationwide, taking 27,737 votes in the Lasnamäe electoral
district. Nevertheless, Kõlvart described Center’s result as a loss and
said he awaits a grand coalition that would send his party to the
opposition.

The Conservative People's Party (EKRE) gained the most ground
nationwide compared to four years ago, winning the city of Pärnu, as
well as Järva, Põlva and Räpina municipalities. The party came in
fourth nationwide, taking a total of 77,330 votes. EKRE won Pärnu with
24.1% of the vote, ahead of the Reform Party (20.6%) and election
coalition Pärnu Unites (19.9%. The conservatives beat the Center Party
by a hair in Järva Municipality (24% vs 23.9%) and were similarly
marginally ahead of Reform in Põlva Municipality and election coalition
United Parish in Räpina Municipality.

Political newcomers Eesti 200 also put in a solid showing, securing
council seats in Tallinn and Tartu and taking third place with 15.9% of
the vote in the latter. Eesti 200 and EKRE both took 9.5% of the vote in
the capital, with the latter taking eight and the former seven mandates.

10 CE Outlook 2022 www.intellinews.com