Party comparison
Isamaa vs Keskerakond: how alike are they?
We compare the documented positions of Isamaa Erakond and Eesti Keskerakond on the 38 questions in the test, issue by issue.
In brief
How do Isamaa and Keskerakond differ?
Isamaa and Keskerakond are furthest apart on language and citizenship. Keskerakond fully supports making citizenship easier to obtain for people who have lived in Estonia since before 1991 and supports dual citizenship with EU and NATO countries; Isamaa fully opposes both. Isamaa fully supports requiring churches to cut their ties with the Moscow Patriarchate and requiring people who work with customers to speak Estonian, with higher fines, which Keskerakond opposes. On the economy, Keskerakond supports a higher income tax rate for people who earn more and a tax on expensive property, while Isamaa firmly holds that the budget deficit should be reduced by cutting spending rather than raising taxes; Isamaa also supports defence spending of at least 5% of GDP and using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, where Keskerakond disagrees. Both fully support abolishing the car tax and fully oppose a climate law with binding targets.
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.
Language and integration
Churches in Estonia should be required to cut their ties with the Moscow Patriarchate.
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.
Economy and taxes
To reduce the budget deficit, public spending should be cut rather than taxes raised.
Defence and security
Estonia should keep defence spending at 5% of GDP or more, even if that means cuts in other areas.
Common ground
Where they agree
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
Pensions, family and welfare
University education should be free for all students.
Both: In favour
Defence and security
Women should also do compulsory military service.
Both: Against
Energy and environment
Estonia should build a nuclear power plant.
Both: In between
Energy and environment
Estonia should pass a climate law with binding targets for cutting emissions.
Both: Strongly against
By issue
Agreement by issue
Detail
Question by question
Economy and taxes 58 %
| Question | Isamaa | 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. | 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. | Strongly in favour | Against |
Pensions, family and welfare 69 %
| Question | Isamaa | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| Pensions should rise faster, even if taxes have to go up to pay for it. | Against | In favour |
| Families with three or more children should receive much larger benefits than families with one or two children. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
| Healthcare should rely more on people's own responsibility, for example through higher patient co-payments. | In between | Strongly against |
| University education should be free for all students. | In favour | In favour |
Defence and security 56 %
| Question | Isamaa | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| Estonia should keep defence spending at 5% of GDP or more, even if that means cuts in other areas. | Strongly in favour | Against |
| Estonia should keep giving Ukraine military aid worth at least 0.25% of GDP every year. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
| Women should also do compulsory military service. | Against | Against |
| Frozen Russian assets should be used to fund Ukraine. | Strongly in favour | Against |
Europe and foreign affairs 75 %
| Question | Isamaa | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| The EU should hand powers back to member states rather than take on new ones. | 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 | Isamaa | 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 20 %
| Question | Isamaa | 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 in favour | Strongly against |
| Estonian citizens should be allowed to also hold the citizenship of another EU or NATO country. | Strongly against | In favour |
Energy and environment 80 %
| Question | Isamaa | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| Estonia should build a nuclear power plant. | In between | In between |
| Estonia should keep producing electricity from oil shale in the long term. | 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. | Against | In favour |
Values and society 70 %
| Question | Isamaa | 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. | In between | Against |
| Tougher punishments reduce crime more than prevention and rehabilitation do. | In between | 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 58 %
| Question | Isamaa | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| Internet voting should be kept in elections. | In favour | In between |
| The President of the Republic should be elected directly by the citizens. | Against | Strongly in favour |
| Citizens should be able to trigger a binding referendum by collecting signatures. | In between | In favour |
Regions and rural life 50 %
| Question | Isamaa | Keskerakond |
|---|---|---|
| The state should keep small village schools open even if they have few pupils. | In favour | Strongly in favour |
| Public transport should be free throughout Estonia. | Against | Strongly in favour |
What about you? Which of the two do you agree with more?
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