Party comparison
EKRE vs Keskerakond: how alike are they?
We compare the documented positions of Eesti Konservatiivne Rahvaerakond and Eesti Keskerakond on the 38 questions in the test, issue by issue.
In brief
How do EKRE and Keskerakond differ?
EKRE and Keskerakond share several positions: both fully support cutting VAT on food, abolishing the car tax, producing electricity from oil shale in the long term, keeping small village schools open and electing the president directly, and both fully oppose a climate law with binding targets. They differ most on citizenship and language: Keskerakond fully supports making citizenship easier to obtain for people who have lived in Estonia since before 1991, which EKRE fully opposes, and EKRE supports requiring people who work with customers to speak Estonian, with higher fines, which Keskerakond opposes. EKRE also supports defining marriage in the Constitution, while Keskerakond supports a higher income tax rate for people who earn more and a tax on expensive property, which EKRE rejects.
This summary is based on the parties’ documented positions on the test statements; the source of each position is on the party’s page. Updated 17/10/2026.
Differences
Where they clash most
Language and integration
It should be easier for people who have lived in Estonia since before 1991 to obtain Estonian citizenship.
Economy and taxes
People who earn more should pay a higher rate of income tax.
Economy and taxes
A tax on expensive property should be introduced so that taxes on work can be lowered.
Language and integration
People who work with customers should be required to speak Estonian, with higher fines if they do not.
Values and society
The Constitution should define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
Values and society
Access to abortion in Estonia should be restricted.
Common ground
Where they agree
Economy and taxes
VAT on food should be cut, even if the state collects less money.
Both: Strongly in favour
Economy and taxes
The annual car tax should be abolished.
Both: Strongly in favour
Economy and taxes
The standard VAT rate should be brought back down from 24%, even if public spending has to be cut.
Both: In favour
Defence and security
Estonia should keep defence spending at 5% of GDP or more, even if that means cuts in other areas.
Both: Against
Defence and security
Women should also do compulsory military service.
Both: Against
Defence and security
Frozen Russian assets should be used to fund Ukraine.
Both: Against
By issue
Agreement by issue
Detail
Question by question
Economy and taxes 67 %
| Question | EKRE | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| People who earn more should pay a higher rate of income tax. | Against | Strongly in favour |
| VAT on food should be cut, even if the state collects less money. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| The annual car tax should be abolished. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| A tax on expensive property should be introduced so that taxes on work can be lowered. | Strongly against | In favour |
| The standard VAT rate should be brought back down from 24%, even if public spending has to be cut. | In favour | In favour |
| To reduce the budget deficit, public spending should be cut rather than taxes raised. | In favour | Against |
Pensions, family and welfare 75 %
| Question | EKRE | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| Pensions should rise faster, even if taxes have to go up to pay for it. | In between | In favour |
| Families with three or more children should receive much larger benefits than families with one or two children. | In between | In favour |
| Healthcare should rely more on people's own responsibility, for example through higher patient co-payments. | Against | Strongly against |
| University education should be free for all students. | In between | In favour |
Defence and security 88 %
| Question | EKRE | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| Estonia should keep defence spending at 5% of GDP or more, even if that means cuts in other areas. | Against | Against |
| Estonia should keep giving Ukraine military aid worth at least 0.25% of GDP every year. | Against | In favour |
| Women should also do compulsory military service. | Against | Against |
| Frozen Russian assets should be used to fund Ukraine. | Against | Against |
Europe and foreign affairs 63 %
| Question | EKRE | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| The EU should hand powers back to member states rather than take on new ones. | Strongly in favour | In between |
| The EU should be able to take foreign policy decisions by majority vote, without needing unanimity. | Strongly against | Against |
Migration 75 %
| Question | EKRE | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| Estonia should make it easier to hire workers from outside the EU when companies cannot find staff. | Strongly against | Against |
| The annual immigration quota should not be increased. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
Language and integration 45 %
| Question | EKRE | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| All schooling should switch to Estonian by 2030, including in schools where most pupils speak Russian. | Strongly in favour | In between |
| It should be easier for people who have lived in Estonia since before 1991 to obtain Estonian citizenship. | Strongly against | Strongly in favour |
| People who work with customers should be required to speak Estonian, with higher fines if they do not. | Strongly in favour | Against |
| Churches in Estonia should be required to cut their ties with the Moscow Patriarchate. | Strongly against | Strongly against |
| Estonian citizens should be allowed to also hold the citizenship of another EU or NATO country. | Against | In favour |
Energy and environment 85 %
| Question | EKRE | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| Estonia should build a nuclear power plant. | In favour | In between |
| Estonia should keep producing electricity from oil shale in the long term. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| Estonia should pass a climate law with binding targets for cutting emissions. | Strongly against | Strongly against |
| More wind farms should be built on land, even if local residents oppose them. | Strongly against | Against |
| The amount of forest felled in Estonia each year should be reduced. | In between | In favour |
Values and society 55 %
| Question | EKRE | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| The Constitution should define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. | Strongly in favour | Against |
| Access to abortion in Estonia should be restricted. | Strongly in favour | Against |
| Tougher punishments reduce crime more than prevention and rehabilitation do. | In favour | In between |
| Euthanasia should be allowed for terminally ill people who ask for it. | Against | In between |
| Inciting hatred against a group of people should be punished more severely. | Strongly against | Against |
Government and democracy 75 %
| Question | EKRE | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| Internet voting should be kept in elections. | Strongly against | In between |
| The President of the Republic should be elected directly by the citizens. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| Citizens should be able to trigger a binding referendum by collecting signatures. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
Regions and rural life 75 %
| Question | EKRE | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| The state should keep small village schools open even if they have few pupils. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| Public transport should be free throughout Estonia. | In between | Strongly in favour |
What about you? Which of the two do you agree with more?
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