Expert: Estonians have nothing to learn from Russian politicians

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Foreign Estonians should start thinking about the parliamentary elections 2007 in Estonia already today, political scientist Viido Polikarpus says in Canada-based Eesti Elu daily. Polikarpus is concerned over the sharp growth in the number of Estonian citizens due to naturalized Russian-speaking residents. He urges the Estonians living abroad and having no Estonian citizenship to get one as soon as possible to be able to run in the parliamentary elections and to prevent Russian dominance in the Riigikogu.

“Now it is crucial for Estonians, wherever they live, to unite and to do something good for Estonia,” says Polikarpus, noting that those who have fought for Estonia's freedom abroad feel the enemy better than those who live in Estonia. “A piercing wind is blowing from the east — Russia is showing its muscles again. And those neglecting this are very naive,” says Polikarpus, noting that a pro-Russian government would be fatal for Estonia.

Polikarpus reminds that 1/3 of the Estonian population are Russians and that during the last municipal elections 2005 even Estonians voted for the Centrists, a party cooperating with the United Russia.

“Estonians have nothing to learn from Russian politicians,” says Polikarpus, opining that Estonians must vote for leaders supporting Europe and the US.

To remind, no less than 5,000 people may be naturalized in Estonia in 2006.