In Estonian local elections, Centre Party wins, losing majority

In Estonia, the local government election has been held. Voters have brought change in Tallinn, where the Centre Party has lost its long-time absolute majority and will need partners to rule, Estonian public broadcaster ERR reports.
The elections were held last week with the key election day on Sunday, October 17. In the Estonian capital, the Centre Party won 45.2% (down from 44.4% in 2017) and 38 seats, yet it but needed 40 to rule alone in the 79-seat city council.
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Estonia’s ruling liberal Reform Party won 15 city council seats and 18% (down from 20.5%). The liberal Eesti 200 party received eight seats with 9.6% of the vote. The right-wind populists EKRE received seven seats, the Social Democrats – six and the national-conservative Isamaa – five.
Mayor of Tallinn Mihhail Kõlvart (Centre Party) received the largest mandate with 27,070 votes. This was by far the highest support for a mayoral candidate in the Estonian local elections of October 17, ERR reports.