Vabaerakond rebrands as Estonian National Liberals but uncertain about Riigikogu run

Estonia's Vabaerakond, now renamed Eesti Rahvusliberaalid, Vabaerakond, faces financial uncertainty ahead of the next Riigikogu elections. Party leader Märt Meesak says the decision on whether to participate will depend largely on fundraising, as fielding a full 125-candidate list requires around €100,000 in deposits alone. The party has also outlined its preferred presidential candidates, naming Allar Jõks, Jonatan Vseviov, Kadri Simson, and Paavo Nõgene.

Estonia's Vabaerakond, which recently rebranded for the second time in two years as Eesti Rahvusliberaalid, Vabaerakond (Estonian National Liberals, Free Party), has not yet decided whether it will contest the next Riigikogu elections. Party leader Märt Meesak told ERR that the decision will be made as circumstances develop, with funding being the decisive factor.

The cost of running

«We are looking at it day by day,» Meesak said. «Riigikogu elections require a very big wallet by today's standards under Estonian law. Just in deposit fees alone, putting forward a full list of 125 candidates costs around €100,000, purely without any campaign spending, and you don't get that money back.» He pointed out what he sees as an inherent unfairness in Estonia's electoral system: parties already in parliament can recover their deposit fees, while smaller outside parties cannot.

Despite the uncertainty, Meesak insisted the name change was a strategic long-term move rather than a sign of imminent electoral ambitions. «Politics is a long process and a long effort. Overnight miracles don't happen in politics,» he said.

Why the new name

The party previously operated under the name Vabaerakond, Aru Pähe, which Meesak acknowledged confused voters and made the party seem like a protest movement. The new name, he argued, more clearly communicates the party's ideology.

«Vabaerakond has always been national-liberal. Freedom. When Vabaerakond was founded 11 years ago, the media criticized us for having no worldview. Even back then we could have boldly said that we are national-liberals,» Meesak said. He described the combination as valuing the Estonian language, culture, and national continuity on one hand, and civil rights, personal freedoms, and free enterprise on the other. He cited Donald Tusk in Poland and Japan's female prime minister candidate as international examples of national-liberal politicians who have won elections.

Presidential preferences

On the upcoming presidential election, Meesak said the party's board has proposed four names: former Chancellor of Justice Allar Jõks, diplomat Jonatan Vseviov, former EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, and businessman Paavo Nõgene.

«Given today's political skirmishing, we would need a 'police officer' in the best sense, someone who would watch over Estonian politicians and call them to order,» Meesak said, explaining the case for Jõks in particular.

He expressed concern that the major parties are more focused on scoring political points from the presidential election than finding the best candidate. «If all parties are only thinking about how to pick up political points from the presidential election, and not about finding Estonia a worthy president, then the result will be what it is, the person who disturbs the fewest people becomes president, not the one who is best. That is Estonian politics today.»

Targeting disillusioned voters

Meesak said the party's potential electorate includes voters disappointed with the mainstream parties, particularly disillusioned Isamaa supporters and former EKRE voters. He was sharply critical of EKRE, saying the party excels at rhetoric but deliberately avoids responsibility: «The Helme family likes to talk and pound their fists on the table, but they understand very well that they don't really want to do anything, because then you immediately start being held responsible. And when you're held responsible, you start making mistakes.»

The party is also exploring cooperation possibilities with other political groupings, though Meesak noted that electoral alliances are not permitted under Estonian law, something he called unfair. For now, the party plans to work through the summer to assess the political landscape and potentially attract members from parties where internal dissatisfaction is growing.