Deadline for Registering Elections Candidates Passes, Tallinn Sets Record Number
The deadline for putting names forward for the October 20 local elections passed last night, with municipalities now in the process of reviewing all applications.
Political scientist Tõnis Saarts told uudised.err.ee today that major parties have made great efforts to prepare for the elections, submitting more candidates than four years ago.
A record 1,500 people will run for the 79 seats in Tallinn City Council. Besides the four parliamentary parties, the Conservative People's Party is also running, with Chairman Mart Helme its candidate for mayor.
The Greens and three other groups have registered to run in the capital as citizen's election coalitions - groups of people that aren't necessarily political parties, but are allowed by law to run for and lead local governments.
The election coalition Vaba Tallinna Kodanik, translated as Free Citizen of Tallinn, has drawn such candidates to its ranks as journalist Andrei Hvostov, cyber activist Elver Loho and Reform Party whistleblower Silver Meikar.
A number of government ministers are also listed for the Reform Party and IRL, without promising to swap their jobs for a seat in Tallinn City Council, while the Center Party has the most candidates in the capital with 457.
Finalized lists of candidates are expected to be published next week.