Rise of Right-Wing Extremists Unlikely, Say Experts

[Äike]

Rise of Right-Wing Extremists Unlikely, Say Experts

Tartu-based political science experts say there is no reason to expect a rise of right-wing extremists in Estonia similar to the one seen in other European countries.

The main reasons cited by the scientits are that Estonian parties already hold right-wing views as it is and the country has not seen any new immigration in the last 20 years.

University of Tartu political science professor Andres Kasekamp said on ETV that Estonia's Social Democrats are more right-wing than affiliated parties in other European Union countires.

One possible cause of a right-wing ascendancy could be if a large number of people of different skin color, language and religion moved to the country and began competing for jobs, said Kasekamp.

University of Tartu political science professor Eiki Berg called Estonia a relatively homogenous society that has not had very many immigrants in recent decades. Kasekamp noted that the nation has one of the strictest immigration policies in the European Union.

"For some kind of rightist populist amti-immigrant force to rise, there has to a different kind of minority, such as one of Asian or African origin," said Berg.

Political scholars say Estonians tend to be more jaded by politics and tend to be apathetic rather than against a particular party's platform.

[The Ripper]

Estonians have common sense, a rare commodity in Europe these days. Hang on to it, if you can.