Reforming the concept of equality and diversity in the Baltics

Liberals advancing with Reformierakond

by Sten Laanso

The Baltic States have always struggled with diversity ever since regaining independence in the early nineties. Even though the fight for equal rights has not been easy, Estonia had the first sexual minority organisation in the Baltics in 1990, was the first out of the three states to host a pride parade in 2004, and was the first to legalize civil partnership in 2014. Now The Estonian Reform party, Eesti200, and the Social Democrats - the new coalition of Estonia - have agreed to make marriage equality happen making Estonia the first Baltic country yet again to reach this important milestone should it become reality.

The issue is still controversial even though according to this year‘s latest studies, more people are in favour of marriage equality than against it for the first time. Back in 2014, the Civil Partnership law raised many heated discussions both in society and inside political parties. Moreover, the topic was not raised during the last elections in March of this year, so it might be surprising that marriage equality ended up making it into the coalition agreement.

During the coalition talks the Reform Party strongly supported civil partnership. The media even made a bit of fun at the party’s expense for its reluctance to discuss marriage equality just so the Party could keep fighting for it during the next elections and continue using it as an issue to contrast itself from the opposition. The formation of the new government made everybody realize that now is the opportunity to be decisive. In the past, one or more coalition partners in the government always impeded finalizing the civil partnership. But now three parties are in agreement as this is the most liberal coalition Estonia has ever had with all parties wanting to lead the country with a progressive vision. Several compromises had to be made for all parties and luckily, marriage equality was one of them.

Without a doubt, the opposition led by the far-right EKRE party will do everything they can to obstruct the legislation passing the Parliament. Since nobody shouts louder than the far right, this is their opportunity to mobilize their supporters. In that sense, it’s rather practical to finalize both marriage equality and civil partnership now at the same time. Postponing marriage equality down the line would have meant the Party would have to face a fight with EKRE again in the future. On the contrary, the Reform party is taking a bullet away from EKRE’s chamber, robbing them of the ability to use this topic to their advantage.

The Reform party has always been a strong supporter of diversity. That being said, diversity among their list of candidates has been a key element to them during the most recent and past elections. By agreeing to marriage equality as part of the program for the new government, the party is keeping the liberal voters strongly behind them without letting the other coalition parties show Reform as less progressive than them. Thus, step by step the Reform party is paving the way for the next elections while also making sure they are building a better liberal society!