Editorial: the people have spoken …

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This very day, the parties freshly in parliament will be searching for common ground and combining towards next coalition. The people have spoken, but the content of what was said will be intensely debated by politicians. 

 

The old saying vox populi, vox dei («the voice of the people is the voice of God») will, in our proportional elections system, develop an essence once an agreement is reached about governing and promises entered/omitted regarding the programme.

Stronger than this time, participation has only been in the elections of 1992 and 1995. Though the difference with the previous Riigikogu polls in 2011 was small, we may rejoice that we have increased in activity – in most countries, the last decades reveal a tendency towards the opposite.

As earlier, the activity was predicted to be higher that it came to be. Also, as assumed by the record participation in e-elections and advance polls, the people would have voted in numbers rather large. In real life, folks have developed a liking to vote the comfortable e-way, and not to take the Elections Day walk. Concluding: good to make it easy on the people.

With voting activity, factors are various. Typically, in critical times more show up. Also, it depends on how combative the campaign and how sharply the parties contrast.

This time, those disliking current parliamentary patties had new ones to choose from. From the beginning of the year, Free Party and EKRE showed signs of crossing the vive percent Riigikogu threshold, thus potential supporters were encouraged to cast their votes instead of abstaining in protest.

More importantly still, voting activity may be read as an indicator of cohesiveness of society and trust towards the political system as such. True, we have ways to grow being some down percent behind the typical Nordic activity.

For those interested in politics, fun weeks lie ahead. To the politicians, Postimees wishes well for the talks so that Estonia gets a good, forward-looking and effective government.

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