Graham Watson congratulates Estonian colleagues on election victory

6.07.13pm GMT Mon 5th Mar 2007

In a message of congratulations today to Estonian Liberal Prime Minister, Andrus Ansip, on the outcome of yesterday's parliamentary election, Graham Watson MEP (Liberal and Democrat Group leader) said:

"The strong support by the Estonian electorate, increasing the number of parliamentary seats by 12 for the Reform Party and one more for the Centre Party indicates a firm endorsement of the government's performance over the past four years which has developed Estonia into a thriving economy. I congratulate Andrus Ansip, in particular, and wish him success in forming a new majority to build on his success."

Editors Note:

Estonian election results gave the Reform Party 27.8%, Centre Party 26.1%, IRL (Christian Democrats) 17.8%, SDE (Social Democrats) 10.6% and Greens and Estonian People's Union both 7.1 %.

The Reform Party is currently in negotiations to form a new governing coalition.