Early results from Estonia’s general election show the country’s two-party center-right coalition taking an early lead, receiving 58 percent of votes counted.
The Electoral Commission results, from early and online voting, show the Reform Party of Prime Minister Andrus Ansip winning 34 percent and its coalition partner, the Pro Patria and Res Republica Union, with 24 percent.
The coalition is aiming for a majority in Estonia’s 101-seat parliament. Right now they govern in a minority with 50 seats.
Several opinion polls show Mr. Ansip’s coalition being elected to a second term. However, some say he may need to negotiate with a third party to secure a majority.
The opposition Social Democrats so far have received 18 percent of the votes while the opposition Center Party has won 14 percent.
A full preliminary vote count is expected late Sunday.
In January, the Baltic country of 1.3 million people became the 17th European nation to adopt the euro.
Mr. Ansip has been credited with steering the country’s economy out of a deep recession back to growth after it shrank by more than 14 percent during the 2009 recession. Estonia remains one of the poorest countries in the EU with jobless rates at one point reaching 20 percent.
