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Estonia governing coalition takes early election lead Estonia's ruling Reform Party claims election victory
(35 minutes later)
Polling has ended and counting is under way in Estonia, in an election overshadowed by security concerns sparked by Russia's role in Ukraine. Estonia's governing Reform Party has claimed victory in an election overshadowed by security concerns sparked by Russia's role in Ukraine.
Early indications suggested the ruling coalition were leading the field. Prime Minister Taavi Roivas, whose party has 30 seats, is set to form a coalition in the 101-member parliament.
But the Centre Party, which has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and is seen as a pariah by other parties, was expected to do well. The results are a blow to the Centre Party, which has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who were expected to do well in the poll.
Estonia was once part of the former Soviet Union but is now a Nato member.Estonia was once part of the former Soviet Union but is now a Nato member.
Voting for the 101-seat parliament ended at 18:00 GMT and a result is expected later on Sunday. "The Reform Party is the 2015 winner of the parliamentary elections," Mr Roivas declared on the ETV public television station.
Election officials said preliminary voter turnout was 63.7%, marginally up from 63.5% in 2011. Initial results showed Mr Roivas' party leading with 27.7% of the vote, with the Centre Party on 24.8%.
Initial results showed Prime Minister Taavi Roivas' Reform Party leading with 29% of the votes, followed by the Centre Party on 21%.
Reform's coalition partner, the Social Democrats, was on 16% with 478 voting districts out of 547 counted.Reform's coalition partner, the Social Democrats, was on 16% with 478 voting districts out of 547 counted.
Election officials said preliminary voter turnout was 63.7%, marginally up from 63.5% in 2011.
'Estonian-minded''Estonian-minded'
Mr Roivas has called for an "Estonian-minded government". At 35, he is the youngest prime minister in Europe. In the run up to the election, Mr Roivas had called for an "Estonian-minded government". At 35, he is the youngest prime minister in Europe.
One voter in the capital, Tallinn, told the AFP news agency: "If [the Russians] come in here, Estonia can't do anything... I'm not sure Nato will help us out, Let's hope that it will not go that far." The country's political debate has been dominated by economic issues and fears over defence due to Russia's actions in Ukraine.
One voter in the capital, Tallinn, told the AFP news agency: "If [the Russians] come in here, Estonia can't do anything."
"I'm not sure Nato will help us out, Let's hope that it will not go that far," he added.
Estonia has seen a number of airspace violations by Russia, and last year a security official was detained by Russia and accused of spying.Estonia has seen a number of airspace violations by Russia, and last year a security official was detained by Russia and accused of spying.
Prime Minister Roivas has voiced concerns that Russia could seek to destabilise other former Soviet states following the conflict in Ukraine - a view echoed last month by UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon. Mr Roivas has voiced concerns that Russia could seek to destabilise other former Soviet states following the conflict in Ukraine - a view echoed last month by UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon.
The Centre Party leader, Edgar Saavisar, favours a friendlier approach to Moscow, and has suggested that Russia's annexation of Crimea could be legitimate. The Centre Party leader, Edgar Saavisar, favours a friendlier approach to Moscow, and has previously suggested that Russia's annexation of Crimea could be legitimate.
About a quarter of Estonia's 1.3m population are ethnic Russians, many of whom are Centre Party supporters.About a quarter of Estonia's 1.3m population are ethnic Russians, many of whom are Centre Party supporters.
The country is a pioneer of electronic voting, with a reported one in five casting their vote online.The country is a pioneer of electronic voting, with a reported one in five casting their vote online.