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At the next European Parliament elections, votes will be counted in a manner different than before: open lists; only one pan-Estonian district; each party allowed up to 12 candidates.
New elections system shuffles deck of cards
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Parties, however, have an advantage to single candidates as seats will be allotted proportionally between lists (the d’Hondt method). In essence, a single candidate will run against the entire party list. It is remarkable, however, that within party lists people with most votes will now be elected; votes cannot be «transferred»; the placement within the list thus no longer important, in this sense.
According to Ken-Marti Vaher of the IRL party council, it is only the No 1 placement in the lists that now matters. This will grant no formal advantage, but may still provide a boost by enhanced visibility.
Should a candidate with more votes be unwilling to become a MEP, he/she may waive the mandate. In that case, the second best in that list gets the seat.