On 7 June 2009, Estonians elected their six representatives to the European Parliament. Having become a full member of the European Union on 1 May 2004, it was the second time Estonian voters could participate in forming the European Parliament. The Estonian Centre Party won the elections with 26% of votes and two seats in the European Parliament. All over Europe, over 375 million voters could participate in forming the 736-member Parliament for the next five years.

This time it was also possible for Estonian voters to vote via internet from their home or office computers. The voters had the possibility to use internet voting during one week in the advance voting period. The number of citizens who used this new opportunity was 58 669, which is 14.9% of all voters.

The elections were free, democratic and based on the principle of direct universal suffrage. Eleven political parties had presented their candidates for the elections. Including six individual candidates, the total number of candidates was 101.

The total voter participation was 392 494. The voter turnout was 43.2% which was a notable growth compared to 2004 EP elections, when the participation was only 26.8%.

According to the final results, the six members elected to the European Parliament were:

1. Vilja Savisaar from the Centre Party
2. Siiri Oviir from the Centre Party
3. Kristiina Ojuland from the Reform Party
4. Tunne Kelam from the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union
5. Ivari Padar from the Social Democratic Party
6. Indrek Tarand as an individual candidate.

Estonia will have representatives in the four political groups that are currently the largest in the European Parliament – three seats in the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (Vilja Savisaar, Siiri Oviir, Kristiina Ojuland), one seat in the Group of Socialists and Democrats (Ivari Padar), one seat in the Group of the European People's Party (Tunne Kelam), and one seat in the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Indrek Tarand).

1. Estonian Centre Party (Chairman Mr Edgar Savisaar) – 26.1% of votes; 2 seats; left centrist party that will send its representative to the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE).

2. Estonian Reform Party (Chairman Mr Andrus Ansip) – 15.3% of votes; 1 seat; with liberal, right leaning orientation and their representative will belong to the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE).

3. Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (Chairman Mr Mart Laar) – 12.2% of votes; 1 seat; a national, Christian democratic party, a member of the European People's Party (EPP).

4. Estonian Social Democratic Party (Chairman Mr Jüri Pihl) – 8.7% of votes; 1 seat; elected member will belong to the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D).

5. Estonian Greens (Chairman Mr Marek Strandberg) – 2.7% of votes; no seat.

6. Estonian People's Union (Chairman Mr Karel Rüütli) – 2.2% of votes; no seat.

More information:

Estonian Electoral Committee 

European Parliament Elections Act

European Parliament 2009 Elections Results