5 things to know about Estonia’s parliamentary election

CAPTION CORRECTION, CORRECTS CITY IN CAPTION AND IPTC FIELD - Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves greets people in Narva, Estonia, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2014. Troops and vehicles from U.S. and NATO regiments took part in the military parade to mark Estonia’s Independence Day near the Russian border, in the first known official appearance of the forces so close to the former Cold War enemy. (AP Photo/Liis Treimann) CAPTION CORRECTION, CORRECTS CITY IN CAPTION AND IPTC FIELD - Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves greets people in Narva, Estonia, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2014. Troops and vehicles from U.S. and NATO regiments took part in the military parade to mark Estonia’s Independence Day near the Russian border, in the first known official appearance of the forces so close to the former Cold War enemy. (AP Photo/Liis Treimann)

By Associated Press February 28, 2015 3 min read

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) – Estonia’s center-right government is being challenged by a party that draws its support from the Baltic country’s Russian minority. Here are five things to know about Estonia’s parliamentary vote on Sunday:

UKRAINE FACTOR

Security is a key concern for Estonian voters following Russia’s intervention in Ukraine. Even though Estonia is a NATO member, many are worried that Moscow may try to boost its influence in the country, a former Soviet republic where about one-fourth of the 1.3 million residents are ethnic Russians.

Security policy is a rare issue on which the main political parties mostly agree. All favor robust defense spending and a strong presence of NATO forces in Estonia. However, the opposition Center Party – the party of choice for most ethnic Russians – favors a friendlier approach to Moscow to balance ties with the West.

FLAT TAX