Estonian European Union membership referendum, 2003
Encyclopedia
The 2003 Estonian European Union membership referendum took place on 14 September 2003 to decide whether Estonia
should join the European Union
(EU). Just over two-thirds of voters voted Yes and Estonia joined the EU on 1 May 2004.
since independence in 1991. Estonia was invited to begin negotiations to join the EU in 1997 and was formally invited to join at a summit in Copenhagen
in December 2002. The Parliament of Estonia
then announced that a referendum on membership of the EU would be held in mid September 2003.
Are you in favour of the accession to the European Union and passage of the Act on Amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia?.
Arnold Rüütel
, Prime Minister
Juhan Parts
and the Speaker
of Parliament Ene Ergma
to start campaigning hard for a Yes vote.
The economy was one of the main issues used by both sides in the referendum campaign. Supporters of joining the EU said that it would fuel growth and create more jobs, while opponents said that EU entry would slow the growth of the Estonian economy
. Opponents also argued that Estonia should not go straight from one union, the Soviet Union
, into the EU.
The Yes campaign had strong media, political and financial backing with the Estonian Centre Party
being the only leading party against entry into the EU. Posters for the Yes campaign predominated, with one poster handed out by the Res Publica Party
calling for Estonians to vote Yes 'for access to millions of sexier men'. As the vote neared, polls showed increasing support for the Yes camp with one poll showing 70% support for EU entry.
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
should join the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
(EU). Just over two-thirds of voters voted Yes and Estonia joined the EU on 1 May 2004.
Background
Membership of the European Union was one of the main objectives of Estonian foreign policyForeign relations of Estonia
Following restoration of independence from the Soviet Union, Russia was one of the first nations to recognise Estonia's independence . Estonia's immediate priority after regaining its independence was the withdrawal of Russian forces from Estonian territory. In August 1994, this was completed...
since independence in 1991. Estonia was invited to begin negotiations to join the EU in 1997 and was formally invited to join at a summit in Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
in December 2002. The Parliament of Estonia
Riigikogu
The Riigikogu is the unicameral parliament of Estonia. All important state-related questions pass through the Riigikogu...
then announced that a referendum on membership of the EU would be held in mid September 2003.
Referendum question
The question to be voted on in the referendum was agreed by the Government of Estonia in December 2002. It was:Are you in favour of the accession to the European Union and passage of the Act on Amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia?.
Campaign
Opinion polls in the first half of 2003 showed only lukewarm support for membership. This persuaded leading politicians including PresidentPresident of Estonia
The President of the Republic is the head of state of the Republic of Estonia.Estonia is a parliamentary republic, therefore President is mainly a symbolic figure and holds no executive power. The President has to suspend his membership in any political party for his term in office...
Arnold Rüütel
Arnold Rüütel
Arnold Rüütel OIH was the third President of the Republic of Estonia from October 8, 2001 to October 9, 2006. He was the second President since Estonia regained its independence in 1991....
, Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Estonia
The Prime Minister of Estonia is the head of government of the Republic of Estonia. The prime minister is nominated by the President after appropriate consultations with the parliamentary factions and confirmed by the Parliament. In case of disagreement, the Parliament can reject the President's...
Juhan Parts
Juhan Parts
Juhan Parts is an Estonian politician who was Prime Minister of Estonia from 2003 to 2005. He was chairman of the Res Publica Party for a time. Since 5 April 2007 he is the Minister of Economy and Communication in Andrus Ansip's second government...
and the Speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
of Parliament Ene Ergma
Ene Ergma
Ene Ergma is an Estonian politician, a member of the Riigikogu , and scientist. She is a member of the political party Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica...
to start campaigning hard for a Yes vote.
The economy was one of the main issues used by both sides in the referendum campaign. Supporters of joining the EU said that it would fuel growth and create more jobs, while opponents said that EU entry would slow the growth of the Estonian economy
Economy of Estonia
Estonia is a member of the European Union and the eurozone and is an advanced economy, according to the IMF.Before the Second World War Estonia's economy was based on agriculture, but there was a significant knowledge sector and a growing industrial sector, similar to Finland...
. Opponents also argued that Estonia should not go straight from one union, the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, into the EU.
The Yes campaign had strong media, political and financial backing with the Estonian Centre Party
Estonian Centre Party
The Estonian Centre Party is a centrist, social liberal party in Estonia. Keskerakond is a member of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party. It has the largest membership of an Estonian party, with over 12 000 members....
being the only leading party against entry into the EU. Posters for the Yes campaign predominated, with one poster handed out by the Res Publica Party
Res Publica Party
Res Publica Party was a political party in Estonia that self-identified as conservative and therefore member of IDU, but considering its vague platform for 2003 election, the genuineness of this ideology is disputed...
calling for Estonians to vote Yes 'for access to millions of sexier men'. As the vote neared, polls showed increasing support for the Yes camp with one poll showing 70% support for EU entry.
Result
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 369,657 | 66.8 |
| Against | 183,454 | 33.2 |
| Total valid votes | 553,111 | 100 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 2,724 | 0.5 |
| Total votes/turnout | 555,835 | 64.1 |
| Registered voters | 867,714 | – |
| Source: EU Referendum 2003 | ||
| Against : 183,454 (33.2%) |
For : 369,657 (66.83%) |
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