View source for Estonian Centre Party

{{Short description|Political party in Estonia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox political party
| country          = Estonia
| name             = Estonian Centre Party
| native_name      = Eesti Keskerakond
| logo             = Logo of the Estonian Centre Party (2023).svg
| logo_upright     = 0.6
| colorcode        = {{party color|Estonian Centre Party}}
| leader           = [[Mihhail Kõlvart]]
| founder          = [[Edgar Savisaar]]
| split            = [[Popular Front of Estonia]]
| foundation       = {{start date and age|1991|10|12|df=y}}
| newspaper        = ''Kesknädal''
| youth_wing       = Estonian Centre Party Youth
| ideology         = {{ubl||[[Populism]]
 |[[Social-liberalism]]{{efn|Pundits and experts previously noted that the party had a conservative wing and a liberal wing, heavily highlighted amidst the 2023 leadership election between [[Mihhail Kõlvart]] and [[Tanel Kiik]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> However, after Kõlvart's victory and the exodus of many liberal members from the party, Kõlvart stated "Originally, the Centre Party is more of a centre-conservative party. Political scientists have also observed this. Our messages have become more specific and conservative."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keskerakonna rüppe? Madison käis Kõlvartiga poliitmaastikul toimuvat arutamas |url=https://www.delfi.ee/artikkel/120312715/keskerakonna-ruppe-madison-kais-kolvartiga-poliitmaastikul-toimuvat-arutamas |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Delfi |language=et}}</ref>}}
}}
| position         = [[Centrism|Centre]] to [[Centre-left]]
| membership_year  = 2024
| membership       = {{decrease}} 12,308<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ariregister.rik.ee/erakonnad.py?sess=8434470247237815080275293891494033878773306843918386660330399600&lang=eng |title=The list of the members: Eesti Keskerakond |publisher=e-business register |access-date=13 July 2024 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034108/https://ariregister.rik.ee/erakonnad.py?sess=8434470247237815080275293891494033878773306843918386660330399600&lang=eng }}</ref>
| europarl         = [[Renew Europe]] and [[European Conservatives and Reformists Group|European Conservatives and Reformists]]{{refn|group=lower-alpha|[[Jana Toom]] sits with [[Renew Europe]], and [[Jaak Madison]] sits with the [[European Conservatives and Reformists Group|ECR Group]]}}
| colours          = {{color box|{{party color|Estonian Centre Party}}|border=silver}} Green
| headquarters     = Narva mnt. 31-M1, [[Tallinn]] 10120
| website          = {{Political party data|website}}
<!-- Values obtained from Wikidata; to edit, see https://www.wikidata.org/ -->| seats1_title     = [[Riigikogu]]
| seats1           = {{Political party data|seat composition bar|ms-lower-house}}
| seats2_title     = [[European Parliament]]
| seats2           = {{Political party data|seat composition bar|EP}}
| seats3_title     = [[Municipalities of Estonia|Municipalities]]
| seats3           = {{Composition bar|197|1688|{{party color|Estonian Centre Party}}}}
| flag             = Flag of the Estonian Centre Party.svg{{!}}border
| flag_alt         = Flag of the Estonian Centre Party
| footnotes        = 
}}

The '''Estonian Centre Party''' ({{langx|et|Eesti Keskerakond}}, '''EK''') is a [[populist]] political party in [[Estonia]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Santana |first1=Andrés |last2=Zagórski |first2=Piotr |last3=Rama |first3=José |date=2 April 2020 |title=At odds with Europe: explaining populist radical right voting in Central and Eastern Europe |journal=East European Politics |language=en |volume=36 |issue=2 |pages=288–309 |doi=10.1080/21599165.2020.1737523 |s2cid=216476001 |issn=2159-9165|doi-access=free }}</ref> It was founded in 1991 as a direct successor of the [[Popular Front of Estonia]], and it is currently led by [[Mihhail Kõlvart]].<ref>[http://uudised.err.ee/v/eesti/dc2a9297-226d-4789-aa24-7acc192bd33d/keskerakond-valis-esimeheks-juri-ratase], Postimees, 5 November 2016</ref>
[[File:Estonian Centre Party HQ Tallinn.jpg|thumb|Headquarters of the Estonian Centre Party in Tallinn.]]
The party was founded on 12 October 1991 from the basis of the [[Popular Front of Estonia]] after several parties split from it. At that time, the party was called the People's Centre Party (''Rahvakeskerakond'') to differentiate from the smaller centre-right Rural Centre Party (''Maa-Keskerakond''). The party was a member of the [[Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party|Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe]] until 14 September 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Eesti Keskerakonna volikogu otsus: lahkume ALDE-st - Keskerakond |url=https://keskerakond.ee/et/meedia/3450-eesti-keskerakonna-volikogu-otsus-lahkume-alde-st.html |website=keskerakond.ee |access-date=14 September 2024}}</ref>

==History==
In the [[1995 Estonian parliamentary election|parliamentary elections of March 1995]], the Centre Party was placed third with 14.2% of votes and 16 seats. It entered the coalition, [[Edgar Savisaar]] taking the position of the Minister of Internal Affairs, and four other ministerial positions (Social Affairs, Economy, Education and Transportation & Communications). After the "[[tape scandal]]" (secret taping of talks with other politicians) in which Savisaar was involved, the party was forced to go to opposition. A new party was formed by those who were disappointed by their leader's behaviour. Savisaar became the Chairman of the City Council of the capital city Tallinn. In 1996, [[Siiri Oviir]] ran for the [[1996 Estonian presidential election|presidency of Estonia]]. In the [[1999 Estonian parliamentary election|parliamentary elections of March 1999]], the Centre Party, whose main slogan was [[progressive tax|progressive]] [[income tax]], gained 23.4% of votes (the first result) and 28 seats in the [[Riigikogu]]. Party members are active in its 26 branches – eight of them are active in [[Tallinn]], 18 in towns and counties. The Centre Party became a member of the [[Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party]] (then known as the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party) at the organisation's July 2003 London Congress.  The party also applied for the membership of the [[Liberal International]] (LI) in 2001, but the LI decided to reject the party's application in August 2001, as Savisaar's conduct was adjudged to "not always conform to liberal principles".<ref>{{cite book |title=Political parties of the world |last=Day |first=Alan John |year=2002 |publisher=John Harper |location=London |isbn=978-0-9536278-7-5 |page=165 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pmwYAAAAIAAJ }}</ref>

In 2001, Kreitzberg unsuccessfully ran for the presidency of Estonia. Savisaar was the Mayor of [[Tallinn]], the capital of Estonia, from 2001 to fall 2004, when he was forced to step down after a vote of [[no confidence]]. He was replaced by [[Tõnis Palts]] of [[Res Publica Party|Res Publica]]. In January 2002, the Centre Party and the [[Estonian Reform Party]] formed a new governmental coalition where Centre Party got 8 ministerial seats (Minister of Defense, Education, Social Affairs, Finances, Economy & Communications, Interior, Agriculture and Minister of integration and national minorities). The coalition stayed until the [[2003 Estonian parliamentary election|new elections in 2003]], in which the party won 28 seats. Though the Centre Party won the greatest per cent of votes, it was in opposition until March 2005 when Juhan Parts' government collapsed. In 2003, the majority of the party's assembly did not support Estonia's joining the [[European Union]] (EU). Savisaar did not express clearly his position. A number of Centre Party members exited the party in autumn 2004, mostly due to objections with Savisaar's autocratic tendencies and the party's EU-sceptic stance, forming the Social Liberal group. Some of them joined the [[Social Democratic Party (Estonia)|Social Democratic Party]], others the Reform Party and others the People's Party. One of these MPs later rejoined the Centre Party. Since Estonia's accession to the EU, the party has largely revised its formerly EU-sceptic positions.<ref name="Sikk">{{Citation |author=Allan Sikk |title=The Case of Estonia |work=Party Politics in Central and Eastern Europe: Does EU membership matter? |publisher=Routledge |year=2011 |page=60}}</ref>

In 2004, the Centre Party gained one member in the [[European Parliament]] – [[Siiri Oviir]]. The Centre Party gathered 17.5% share of votes on the elections to the European Parliament. Oviir joined the [[Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group|Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe]] (ALDE) Group. The Centre Party participated in government with the [[Estonian Reform Party]] and the [[People's Union of Estonia]] from 12 April 2005 until a new government took office after the [[2007 Estonian parliamentary election|March 2007 elections]]. The Centre Party had five minister portfolios (Edgar Savisaar as Minister of Economy, also Minister of Social Affairs, Education, Culture and Interior). Local elections on 16 October 2005 were very successful to the Centre Party. It managed to win 32 seats out of 63 in [[Tallinn]] City Council, having now an absolute majority in that municipality. One of the factors behind this success in Tallinn was probably the immense popularity of Centre Party among Russian speaking voters. The controversial contract of co-operation between the Estonian Centre Party and the Russia's dominant political party of power [[United Russia]] has probably contributed to the success in ethnic Russian electorate as well.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ERR |date=2016-11-08 |title=Overview: Center Party's cooperation protocol with Putin's United Russia |url=https://news.err.ee/119629/overview-center-party-s-cooperation-protocol-with-putin-s-united-russia |access-date=2024-04-26 |website=ERR |language=en}}</ref>

The Centre Party formed a one-party administration in the City of Tallinn led by [[Jüri Ratas]], a 27-year-old politician elected the Mayor of Tallinn in November 2005. He was replaced by Savisaar in April 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/17623/|title = New Estonian Parliament takes a seat | website = [[baltictimes.com]] |date= 2007-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410190942/http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/17623/ |archive-date=2008-04-10 }}</ref> The Centre Party is also a member of coalitions in 15 other major towns of Estonia like [[Pärnu]], Narva, Haapsalu and [[Tartu]]. In the [[2007 Estonian parliamentary election]], the party received 143,528 votes (26.1% of the total), an improvement of +0.7%. They took 29 seats, a gain of one seat compared to the 2003 elections, though due to the 2004 defections which had decreased their strength, they actually gained 10 seats. They are now the second largest party in Parliament and the largest opposition party. In 2008, the party criticised [[Andrus Ansip]]'s policies, that in Centre Party's opinion have contributed to Estonia's economic problems of recent times. On 16 June 2007, [[Edgar Savisaar]] and Jaan Õmblus published a proposal of how to improve what they regard as Estonia's economic crisis.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://kesk.eurorscg4d.ee/news.php?nsID=3dd48ab31d016ffcbf3314df2b3cb9ce&lang=est|title= Keskerakond<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080619211602/http://kesk.eurorscg4d.ee/news.php?nsID=3dd48ab31d016ffcbf3314df2b3cb9ce&lang=est|archive-date= 19 June 2008}}</ref>

In the [[2009 European Parliament election in Estonia|European Parliament elections of 2009]], the Centre Party gained the most votes and 2 out of 6 Estonian seats, which were filled by [[Siiri Oviir]] and [[Vilja Savisaar]]. In local elections of 2009, the party strengthened its absolute majority in the Tallinn city council. Despite their absolute majority, they formed a coalition with the Social Democratic Party. Recent polls suggest the party is especially popular amongst Estonia's [[Russophone]] minority.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.postimees.ee/?id=305551 |title=Keskerakond on jätkuvalt muulaste seas populaarseim erakond - Eesti uudised |newspaper=Postimees |access-date=11 September 2012}}</ref> On 9 April 2012, eight prominent Centre Party members decided to leave the party citing frustration of their attempts to bring openness and transparency into party leadership. Previously MP [[Kalle Laanet]] was expelled on 21 March for his criticism of the party leadership. The leaving politicians included MEPs [[Siiri Oviir]] and [[Vilja Savisaar-Toomast]], MPs [[Inara Luigas]], [[Lembit Kaljuvee]], [[Deniss Boroditš]] and [[Rainer Vakra]], and also [[Ain Seppik]], [[Toomas Varek]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Sivonen|first=Erkki|title=Eight Top-Ranking Members to Leave Centre Party|url=http://news.err.ee/politics/754c2bcd-4b0c-470b-831c-845e2c2dabdf|access-date=9 April 2012|newspaper=[[Eesti Rahvusringhääling]]|date=9 April 2012}}</ref> In the local elections of 20 October 2013, the Center Party and its leader [[Edgar Savisaar]] were successful, obtaining the absolute majority in the city of Tallinn with 53% of votes, winning 46 seats out of 79 (2 more than the 2009 results), considerably more than the second party, the [[Pro Patria and Res Publica Union]], which received 19% of votes and 16 seats.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://eestielu.delfi.ee/valimistulemused/|title=Valimistulemused|access-date=21 October 2013|newspaper=[[Delfi.ee]]|date=21 October 2013}}</ref>

The Estonian Centre Party obtained a good result in the [[2015 Estonian parliamentary election|2015 election]], obtaining 24.8% of votes and electing 27 MPs. The party remained in opposition to the [[Taavi Rõivas' second cabinet|new government of Taavi Rõivas]], which was supported by the Estonian Reform Party, the Social Democratic Party and the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union. In Autumn 2016, Savisaar stepped down as party leader and [[Jüri Ratas]] was elected in his place. In November 2016, the Social Democratic Party and the Pro Patria Union withdrew from the government coalition and entered a no-confidence motion against the government, together with the Estonian Centre Party. On 9 November 2016, the [[Riigikogu]] approved the motion with a 63–28 vote and Rõivas was forced to resign; in a following coalition talk, the Centre Party, SDE and IRL formed a new [[Jüri Ratas' cabinet|coalition]] led by Center Party's chairman [[Jüri Ratas]]. The [[Jüri Ratas' cabinet|new government]] was sworn in on 23 November.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.err.ee/119642/prime-minister-loses-no-confidence-vote-forced-to-resign|title=Prime Minister loses no confidence vote, forced to resign|last=ERR|date=9 November 2016|work=ERR|access-date=15 October 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.err.ee/119804/president-appoints-juri-ratas-government|title=President appoints Jüri Ratas' government|last=ERR|date=23 November 2016|work=ERR|access-date=15 October 2018|language=en}}</ref>

===Parliamentary elections of 2019===

In the [[2019 Estonian parliamentary election|2019 parliamentary election]], the Centre Party lost support while the opposition [[Estonian Reform Party]] gained support and won a plurality in election. After the election, the head of the Centre Party, [[Jüri Ratas]] turned down an offer by the Reform Party for coalition talks and entered into talks with [[Isamaa]] and [[Conservative People's Party of Estonia]] (EKRE), the latter widely considered a far-right party. Ratas had previously ruled out forming a coalition with EKRE during the election campaign because of its hostile views.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.err.ee/879109/ratas-peab-koalitsiooni-ekre-ga-voimatuks|title=Ratas peab koalitsiooni EKRE-ga võimatuks|last=ERR|date=22 November 2018|website=ERR}}</ref> The inclusion of EKRE in coalition talks after the elections was met with local and international criticism. In a poll conducted after the start of the coalition talks, the party of Jüri Ratas further lost support.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://poliitika.postimees.ee/6544626/kolvart-erakonna-pusimine-on-tahtsam-kui-olemine-opositsioonis|title=Kõlvart: erakonna püsimine on tähtsam kui olemine opositsioonis|date=13 March 2019|website=Poliitika}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://poliitika.postimees.ee/6544638/uuring-valijad-eelistavad-koike-muud-kui-keskerakonna-ekre-isamaa-liitu|title=Uuring: valijad eelistavad kõike muud kui Keskerakonna-EKRE-Isamaa liitu|date=14 March 2019|website=Poliitika}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-estonia-election-nationalists-idUSKBN1QS287|title=Estonian PM invites far-right to join cabinet|newspaper=Reuters|date=12 March 2019|via=www.reuters.com|last1=Virki|first1=Tarmo}}</ref>

The critics of the decision have claimed that Ratas is willing to sacrifice his party's values, the confidence of his voters and the stability and reputation of the country to keep his position as prime minister. Ratas has countered that his first duty is to look for ways to get his party included in the government to be able to work in the benefit of his voters and that the coalition would continue to firmly support the EU, NATO and would be sending out messages of tolerance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.ee/a/85584477|title=Jüri Ratase ränk solvumine: Keskerakonna esimees on võimu nimel kõigeks valmis|date=12 March 2019|website=Eesti Ekspress}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://keskerakond.ee/et/meedia/uudised/2697-keskerakond-ei-n%C3%B5ustu-reformierakonna-%C3%BChiskondlikku-ebav%C3%B5rdsust-suurendava-ettepanekuga.html|title=Keskerakond ei nõustu Reformierakonna ühiskondlikku ebavõrdsust suurendava ettepanekuga - Keskerakond|website=keskerakond.ee}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://poliitika.postimees.ee/6545151/juri-ratas-see-kusimus-on-juba-eos-vale|title=Jüri Ratas: "See küsimus on juba eos vale"|date=14 March 2019|website=Poliitika}}</ref>

Some key members and popular candidates of the party have been critical of the decision, with Raimond Kaljulaid leaving the board of the party in protest. [[Yana Toom]], a member of the Centre Party and its representative in the European Parliament expressed criticism of the decision. [[Mihhail Kõlvart]], popular among the Russian-speaking voters, has said the Centre Party cannot govern with EKRE's approach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.err.ee/918957/kaljulaid-err-ile-enne-lohenegu-keskerakond-kui-ekre-voimule-aidatakse|title=Kaljulaid ERR-ile: enne lõhenegu Keskerakond, kui EKRE võimule aidatakse|first=Mait Ots |last=ERR|date=12 March 2019|website=ERR}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.err.ee/918723/toom-ma-ei-nae-ekre-s-vaarilist-partnerit|title=Toom: ma ei näe EKRE-s väärilist partnerit|last=ERR|date=11 March 2019|website=ERR}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.err.ee/918960/kolvart-on-ekre-s-views-we-cannot-govern-with-their-approach|title=Kõlvart on EKRE's views: We cannot govern with their approach|date=12 March 2019|website=ERR}}</ref> On 5 April 2019, Raimond Kaljulaid announced his decision to quit the party, deciding to sit as an independent member of the Parliament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Raimond Kaljulaid quits Centre Party |url=https://news.err.ee/927193/raimond-kaljulaid-quits-centre-party |website=ERR |date=5 April 2019 |access-date=5 April 2019}}</ref>

====Coalition government (2021–2022)====
In January 2021, after the resignation of [[Jüri Ratas]] as Prime Minister, [[Kaja Kallas]] formed a [[Estonian Reform Party|Reform Party]]-led [[grand coalition]] government with the Estonian Centre Party.<ref>{{Cite news|date=24 January 2021|title=Kaja Kallas to become Estonia's first female prime minister|language=en-GB|work=euronews|url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/01/24/estonia-politics-kaja-kallas-to-become-baltic-nation-s-first-female-prime-minister|access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> However, on 3 June 2022, Kallas dismissed the seven ministers affiliated with the Centre Party,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.err.ee/1608618850/estonian-prime-minister-dismisses-junior-coalition-partner-from-government | title=Estonian prime minister dismisses junior coalition partner from government | date=3 June 2022 }}</ref> governing as a minority government until a [[Kaja Kallas' second cabinet|new coalition]] without the Centre Party was formed on 8 July.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.err.ee/1608652660/reform-sde-isamaa-strike-coalition-agreement | title=Reform, SDE, Isamaa strike coalition agreement | date=8 July 2022 }}</ref>

=== In opposition (2022–present) ===
In the [[2023 Estonian parliamentary election|2023 parliamentary election]], the Centre Party received 15.3% of the vote and 16 seats in the Riigikogu.<ref>{{cite web |title=Success for liberal parties, and populists lose in Estonian parliamentary elections |url=https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/eem/2034-success-for-liberal-parties-and-populists-lose-in-estonian-parliamentary-elections |website=www.robert-schuman.eu |access-date=17 May 2023 |archive-date=17 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517193545/https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/eem/2034-success-for-liberal-parties-and-populists-lose-in-estonian-parliamentary-elections }}</ref> The party remained in opposition.<ref>{{cite news |title=Estonia's Parliament approves PM Kaja Kallas' 3rd Cabinet |url=https://apnews.com/article/estonia-parliament-coalition-government-kallas-303c3e68d2f6128ad6e3d7b7835f4543 |work=AP NEWS |date=12 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Following a donation from businessman Parvel Pruunsild that split the party's board and led to a special congress, party leader [[Jüri Ratas]] announced his intention to not run for leadership again.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Juhi rollist loobuv Jüri Ratas: see oli emotsionaalselt raske otsus. Uue esimehena toetan ma Tanel Kiike |url=https://www.delfi.ee/artikkel/120214166/juhi-rollist-loobuv-juri-ratas-see-oli-emotsionaalselt-raske-otsus-uue-esimehena-toetan-ma-tanel-kiike |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Delfi |language=et}}</ref> Following the announcement, he endorsed [[Tanel Kiik]] as his successor<ref>{{Cite web |last=ERR |date=2023-07-07 |title=Ratas näeb Keskerakonna uue esimehena Tanel Kiike |url=https://www.err.ee/1609028600/ratas-naeb-keskerakonna-uue-esimehena-tanel-kiike |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ERR |language=et}}</ref> while [[Tallinn]] mayor [[Mihhail Kõlvart]] declared his candidacy for leadership.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ERR |first=Johannes Voltri {{!}} |date=2023-07-07 |title=Kõlvart: olen valmis erakonna juhi vastutust võtma |url=https://www.err.ee/1609028693/kolvart-olen-valmis-erakonna-juhi-vastutust-votma |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ERR |language=et}}</ref> Pundits speculated the election to be the most important in the party's history, with Kiik being perceived as representing the liberal and Estonian-speaking wing of the party while Kõlvart was seen as the representation of the conservative and Russian-speaking wing.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=ERR |first=Aleksander Krjukov {{!}} |date=2023-07-20 |title=Kõlvart muudaks Keskerakonna konservatiivsemaks, Kiik hoiaks liberaalset joont |url=https://www.err.ee/1609039208/kolvart-muudaks-keskerakonna-konservatiivsemaks-kiik-hoiaks-liberaalset-joont |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ERR |language=et}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=ERR |first=Urmet Kook {{!}} |date=2023-07-27 |title=Aivar Voog: Keskerakonna uus juht ja suunavalik mõjutab ka teisi erakondi |url=https://www.err.ee/1609043411/aivar-voog-keskerakonna-uus-juht-ja-suunavalik-mojutab-ka-teisi-erakondi |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ERR |language=et}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=ERR |first=Mart Linnart {{!}} |date=2023-07-08 |title=Teised erakonnad ei ennusta head koostööd ei Kõlvarti ega Kiigega |url=https://www.err.ee/1609029227/teised-erakonnad-ei-ennusta-head-koostood-ei-kolvarti-ega-kiigega |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ERR |language=et}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=POLIITIKARADAR {{!}} Keskerakonna otsus, millest sõltub (peaaegu) kõik |url=https://ekspress.delfi.ee/artikkel/120219808/poliitikaradar-keskerakonna-otsus-millest-soltub-peaaegu-koik |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Eesti Ekspress |language=et}}</ref> Kõlvart won the leadership election with 543 votes against Kiik's 489, being elected the third leader in the party's history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=OTSEPILT ja -BLOGI {{!}} Keskerakond valis enda juhiks Mihhail Kõlvarti, ka juhatuses on Kõlvartil enamus |url=https://www.delfi.ee/artikkel/120230408/otsepilt-ja-blogi-keskerakond-valis-enda-juhiks-mihhail-kolvarti-ka-juhatuses-on-kolvartil-enamus |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=Delfi |language=et}}</ref>

In September 2023, Kõlvart won the Centre Party's leadership election. His victory marked a significant change in the party's direction, choosing to focus more on its Russophone electoral base and shifting to socially conservative and economically syncretic positions, with the party becoming seen as one specifically of the niche Russian minority concentrated in the capital [[Tallinn]] and [[Ida-Viru County]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Kramer |first=Samuel |date=10 October 2023 |title=Doubling Down: Estonia's Center Party Gamble on Mihail Kõlvart |url=https://www.fpri.org/article/2023/10/doubling-down-estonias-center-party-gamble-on-mihhail-kolvart/ |access-date=27 February 2024 |work=Foreign Policy Research Institute}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-04 |title=JUHTKIRI &#10217; Kõlvarti tragöödia |url=https://arvamus.postimees.ee/7932014/juhtkiri-kolvarti-tragoodia |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=Arvamus |language=et}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ERR |first=Anne Raiste {{!}} |date=2024-01-07 |title=Saarts: lahkumiste laine võib Keskerakonna marginaliseerida |url=https://www.err.ee/1609214899/saarts-lahkumiste-laine-voib-keskerakonna-marginaliseerida |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=ERR |language=et}}</ref> As a result, in the following months the previous party leader [[Jüri Ratas]] and several other party members defected to other political forces, leaving Centre Party with one third of its initial parliamentary representation (down to only 6 MPs) and with an increasingly weaker position in the following opinion polls.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bartosz |first=Chmielewski |date=8 February 2024 |title=The gradual break-up of the Estonian Centre Party |url=https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2024-02-08/gradual-break-estonian-centre-party |access-date=27 February 2024 |work=Center for Eastern Studies}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=ERR |date=2024-01-05 |title=Keskerakonnast lahkus kuus riigikogu liiget |url=https://www.err.ee/1609213205/keskerakonnast-lahkus-kuus-riigikogu-liiget |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=ERR |language=et}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ERR |date=2024-01-29 |title=Jüri Ratas lahkus Keskerakonnast ja liitub Isamaaga |url=https://www.err.ee/1609236363/juri-ratas-lahkus-keskerakonnast-ja-liitub-isamaaga |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=ERR |language=et}}</ref>

In August 2024, [[Jaak Madison]], an MEP and former member of the [[Conservative People's Party of Estonia]], joined the Centre Party.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-08-22 |title=MEP, former EKRE MP joins Center Party |url=https://news.err.ee/1609431505/mep-former-ekre-mp-joins-center-party |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=ERR |language=en}}</ref>  Madison rejected allegations that the party was pro-Russian and stated that he wished to reorient the party as a conservative people's party.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sildvee |first=Reimo |date=2024-08-26 |title=Newest Center member: Goal to keep Reform Party out of government after elections |url=https://news.err.ee/1609434823/newest-center-member-goal-to-keep-reform-party-out-of-government-after-elections |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=ERR |language=en}}</ref>

On 14 September 2024, the party withdrew from the [[Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party]],<ref>{{cite web |title=MEP: I will stay with Renew Europe/ALDE even if Center joins eurosceptic group |url=https://news.err.ee/1609453793/mep-i-will-stay-with-renew-europe-alde-even-if-center-joins-eurosceptic-group |publisher=ERR |access-date=14 September 2024 |language=en |date=14 September 2024}}</ref> citing a policy divergence on issues of [[European integration]] between the Centre Party and ALDE.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.postimees.ee/8097120/center-party-leaving-alde-group-in-european-parliament | title=Center Party leaving ALDE group in European Parliament | date=16 September 2024 }}</ref>

==Ideology and platform==
The Estonian Centre Party has been described as a [[social-liberal]],<ref>{{bulleted list|{{Cite web|last=Nordsieck|first=Wolfram|date=2019|title=Estonia|url=http://parties-and-elections.eu/estonia.html|website=Parties and Elections in Europe}}|{{cite book|author=Elisabeth Bakke|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oFXdiS25N78C&pg=PA79|title=Central and East European party systems since 1989|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2010|isbn=978-1-139-48750-4|editor=Sabrina P. Ramet|page=79}}|{{cite book|isbn=978-3-031-23996-0|title=Anxieties of Migration and Integration in Turbulent Times|doi=10.1007/978-3-031-23996-0|chapter-url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-23996-0_10|last=Kalev|first=Leiv|chapter=Covid-19 and the Politics of Migration Policy in Estonia|series=IMISCOE Research Series |year=2023 |pages=165–185|s2cid=256852923 }}|{{cite web|last=Toots|first=Anu|date=March 2019|publisher=Friedrich Ebert Foundation|location=Tallinn|title=2019 Parliamentary elections in Estonia|url=https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/baltikum/15260.pdf|page=6}}|{{cite news|url=https://bnn-news.com/estonias-new-government-to-be-sworn-in-this-week-221186|title=Estonia's new government to be sworn in this week|publisher=Baltic News Network|date=25 January 2021|access-date=5 March 2023}}}}</ref> or left-conservative,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2019-03-07 |title=Keskerakond ja vene valijad – Martin Mölder |url=https://martinmolder.com/blogi/keskerakond-ja-vene-valijad/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |language=en}}</ref> party that is in favour of the [[social market economy]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Olesk|first=Peeter|date=19 July 2017|title=Mis on Keskerakonna ideoloogia?|trans-title=What is Centre Party's ideology?|url=https://www.ohtuleht.ee/817911/peeter-olesk-mis-on-keskerakonna-ideoloogia|access-date=3 May 2018|language=et}}</ref> and it has been also described as populist.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lust |first1=Aleksander |title=Broken rails: the privatisation of Estonian railways |journal=Post-Communist Economies |date=2 January 2017 |volume=29 |issue=1 |pages=71–89 |doi=10.1080/14631377.2016.1237041|s2cid=157148082 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Keudel |first1=Dorothea |title=Government formation in Central and Eastern Europe: the case of minority governments |date=2014 |location=Opladen |publisher=Budrich UniPress |isbn=978-3-86388-237-2 |page=121}}</ref><ref name="Bugajski">{{Citation |last1=Bugajski |first1=Janusz |title=Atlantic Bridges: America's New European Allies |page=192 |year=2007 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |last2=Teleki |first2=Ilona}}</ref><ref name="Huang">{{Citation |last=Huang |first=Mel |title=Estonia |work=Eastern Europe: An Introduction to the People, Lands and Culture |page=89 |year=2005 |publisher=ABC-CLIO}}</ref><ref name="Cambridge">{{Citation |title=Estonian Centre Party |work=A Political and Economic Dictionary of Eastern Europe |page=201 |year=2002 |edition=First |publisher=Cambridge International Reference on Current Affairs}}</ref> Its political position has been described as either [[centrist]],<ref name="Plakans">{{Citation |author=Andrejs Plakans |title=A Concise History of the Baltic States |page=424 |year=2011 |publisher=Cambridge University Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Boros |first1=Tamás |title=The State of Populism in Europe |last2=Freitas |first2=Maria |last3=Kadlot |first3=Tibor |last4=Stetter |first4=Ernst |publisher=Foundation for European Progressive Studies |year=2016 |page=27}}</ref> [[centre-left]],<ref name=""Lauristin2019"">{{cite book |author1=Marju Lauristin |title=Thirty Years of Political Campaigning in Central and Eastern Europe |author2=Sten Hansson |publisher=Springer International |year=2019 |isbn=978-3-03-027693-5 |editor1=Miloš Gregor |page=27 |chapter=Estonia |editor2=Otto Eibl |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=de62DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA27}}</ref><ref name="Toomla2010">Toomla, R. (2010) Eesti erakonnad 2000-2010. Tartu: Tartu Ülikooli Kirjastus. ("Estonian parties 2000-2010", in Estonian)</ref><ref name="Castanheira2010">{{Citation |author1=Micael Castanheira |title=On the Political Economics of Taxation |work=Public choice e political economy |page=94 |year=2010 |publisher=FrancoAngeli |author2=Gaëtan Nicodème |author3=Paola Profeta}}</ref><ref name="Sikk2">{{Citation |author=Allan Sikk |title=The Case of Estonia |work=Party Politics in Central and Eastern Europe: Does EU membership matter? |page=60 |year=2011 |publisher=Routledge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Thirty years of political campaigning in Central and Eastern Europe |date=2019 |editor=Otto Eibl |editor2=Miloš Gregor |isbn=978-3-030-27693-5 |location=Cham, Switzerland |publisher=Springer International |oclc=1124617090}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Lilliefeldt |first=Emelie |title=European party politics and gender: configuring gender-balanced parliamentary presence |date=2011 |isbn=978-91-7447-379-7 |publisher=Stockholm University |oclc=766298502}}</ref> or [[left-wing]],<ref>Mari-Liis Jakobson 2012, pages 25, 59</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=The Europa world year book 2004. |date=2004 |publisher=Europa |isbn=1-85743-253-3 |location=London |oclc=55795909}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Greenberg |first=Deena |title=The Flat Tax: An Examination of the Baltic States |publisher=University of Pennsylvania |year=2009 |page=32}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Electoral support for left wing populist parties in Europe: addressing the globalization cleavage |first1=Andrés |last1=Santana |first2=José |last2=Rama |year=2018 |journal=European Politics and Society |doi=10.1080/23745118.2018.1482848 |volume=19 |issue=5 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23745118.2018.1482848 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |page=13 |quote="Its name notwithstanding, researchers agree to place Estonian’s Center Party (CPE, the acronym in Estonian being KESK) on the left side of the ideological spectrum: ‘From 2007 onwards, the KESK is the party most to the left’ (Jahn et al., 2018, p. 68)."|url-access=subscription }}</ref> since it combines [[left-wing populist]] elements and social liberalism.<ref name="Saarts214">[[Tõnis Saarts]]. Persistence and decline of political parties: the case of Estonia. ''[[East European Politics]]'', 2015, Vol. 31, No. 2. Lk 214</ref> 

This is despite the fact that the party holds positions considered contrary to social liberalism on a number of issues. For example, the party suggests that Estonia should deliberate re-establishing criminal punishments for the possession of even small amounts of illegal substances,<ref name="con">{{cite web |date=26 June 2012 |title=Yana Toom: narkomaane peab karmimalt karistama |url=http://arvamus.postimees.ee/888738/yana-toom-sustijaid-peab-karmimalt-karistama |access-date=11 September 2012 |publisher=Arvamus}}</ref> and the Centre Party's parliamentary faction did not agree on its stance in regards to same-sex marriage,<ref>{{cite news |author=Merje Pors |title=Keskerakond ei jõua partnerlusseaduse osas kokkuleppele |url=http://www.postimees.ee/588708/keskerakond-ei-joua-partnerlusseaduse-osas-kokkuleppele/ |access-date=11 September 2012 |newspaper=Postimees}}</ref> which is traditionally supported by social liberals. Party leader [[Jüri Ratas]] opposed same-sex marriage,<ref name="marriage">{{Cite web |date=2021-01-18 |title=Ratas: Keskerakond toetab jätkuvalt abielu mehe ja naise vahelise liiduna |url=https://www.postimees.ee/7158397/ratas-keskerakond-toetab-jatkuvalt-abielu-mehe-ja-naise-vahelise-liiduna |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Postimees |language=et}}</ref> while his preferred successor in the 2023 leadership election, [[Tanel Kiik]], stated his support for it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ma ei pea õigeks inimeste lahterdamist soo, vanuse, rahvuse, seksuaalse sättumuse või muude tunnuste alusel. Seetõttu toetan endiselt ka abieluvõrdsust. Küll aga on mul kahju, et praegune seaduse menetlus on tekitanud palju vastasseisu ning osapoolte kaasamine on olnud puudulik. |url=https://twitter.com/TanelKiik/status/1660748254148022293?s=20 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref> Political scientist Martin Mölder labelled the party as [[Liberal conservatism|left-conservative]], adding that the party's voter base is "equally as conservative as [[Isamaa]]".<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-22 |title=Eesti ideoloogilisest maastikust – Martin Mölder |url=https://martinmolder.com/blogi/eesti-ideoloogilisest-maastikust/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |language=en}}</ref> Former Prime Minister [[Andrus Ansip]] also pointed to the party's conservative voter base.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-07 |title=Ansip: kui minust oleks saanud Keskerakonna esimees… |url=https://www.postimees.ee/3864375/ansip-kui-minust-oleks-saanud-keskerakonna-esimees |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Eesti |language=et}}</ref> The potential alliance of Isamaa, [[Conservative People's Party of Estonia|EKRE]], and the Centre Party has often been labelled as the "conservative camp", "conservative wing", or "conservative alliance",<ref>{{Cite web |last=uudised |first=Uued |date=2023-03-10 |title=Mida liberaalne-vasakpoolne leer nii hullusti kardab? - Uued Uudised |url=https://uueduudised.ee/arvamus/mida-liberaalne-vasakpoolne-leer-nii-hullusti-kardab/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=uueduudised.ee |language=et}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=ERR |first=Anvar Samost {{!}} |date=2023-02-22 |title=Lumi: kui EKRE Keskerakonda edestab, ei pruugi nad valitsusse saada |url=https://www.err.ee/1608894029/lumi-kui-ekre-keskerakonda-edestab-ei-pruugi-nad-valitsusse-saada |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ERR |language=et}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ERR |date=2023-03-03 |title=Norstat: Reformierakonna langus peatus, EKRE kaotas ning Eesti 200 kasvatas toetust |url=https://www.err.ee/1608903716/norstat-reformierakonna-langus-peatus-ekre-kaotas-ning-eesti-200-kasvatas-toetust |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ERR |language=et}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ERR |first=Urmet Kook {{!}} |date=2023-02-23 |title=Kandidaatidega küsitlus: Reformierakond ja Keskerakond kaotasid toetust |url=https://www.err.ee/1608894020/kandidaatidega-kusitlus-reformierakond-ja-keskerakond-kaotasid-toetust |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ERR |language=et}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-04 |title=Riigikogu liige välistab kesk- ja reformierakondlaste liidu, ülejäänud väldivad EKREt |url=https://www.postimees.ee/7724970/riigikogu-liige-valistab-kesk-ja-reformierakondlaste-liidu-ulejaanud-valdivad-ekret |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Poliitika |language=et}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ERR |date=2023-06-20 |title=Ott Lumi: samasooliste abielu teema hakkab nüüd ajapikku debatist kaduma |url=https://www.err.ee/1609012712/ott-lumi-samasooliste-abielu-teema-hakkab-nuud-ajapikku-debatist-kaduma |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ERR |language=et}}</ref> while many experts regard the party as having a notable liberal and conservative wing, highlighted by the 2023 leadership election.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=POLIITIKARADAR {{!}} Abieluvõrdsus lahutas Keskerakonna kahe võimaliku esimehe leere pidi kaheks |url=https://ekspress.delfi.ee/artikkel/120193608/poliitikaradar-abieluvordsus-lahutas-keskerakonna-kahe-voimaliku-esimehe-leere-pidi-kaheks |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Eesti Ekspress |language=et}}</ref>

Historically, the party has been the most popular party among Russian-speaking citizens.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Aidarov |first1=Aleksandr |last2=Drechsler |first2=Wolfgang |date=2011 |title=The Law & Economics of the Estonian Law on Cultural Autonomy for National Minorities and of Russian National Cultural Autonomy in Estonia |url=http://www.halduskultuur.eu/journal/index.php/HKAC/article/view/52/48 |format=PDF |journal=Halduskultuur |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=43–61 |issn=1736-6089}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sebald |first1=Christoph |last2=Matthews-Ferrero |first2=Daniel |last3=Papalamprou |first3=Ery |last4=Steenland |first4=Robert |date=14 May 2019 |title=EU country briefing: Estonia |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-elections-2019/news/eu-country-briefing-estonia/ |access-date=28 January 2021 |work=[[EURACTIV]]}}</ref> In 2012, it was supported by up to 75% of ethnic non-Estonians.<ref>[http://www.postimees.ee/982022/keskerakond-on-mitte-eestlaste-seas-jatkuvalt-populaarseim-partei/ Keskerakond on mitte-eestlaste seas jätkuvalt populaarseim partei], Postimees, 23 September 2012</ref>

=== Platform ===
The party says it promotes the protection of human rights; solidarity and tolerance; and freedom and pluralism.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Programm |url=https://keskerakond.ee/en/erakonnast/programm/#majanduspoliitika |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Keskerakond |language=en-US}}</ref> They advocate for a strong and well-functioning state, as well as evidence-based governance.<ref name=":6" /> 

==== Economic Policy ====
The party claims that its goal is the formation of a strong [[middle class]] in Estonia. The Centre Party declares itself as a "middle class [[liberalism|liberal]] party"; however, against the backdrop of Estonia's [[economically liberal]] policies, the Centre Party has a reputation of having more left-leaning policies. They promote keeping the minimum wage steady while trying to reduce economic inequality.<ref name=":6" /> They hope to accomplish this through targeted investment to regions with weaker economies, training and up-skilling workers, and tax system reform.<ref name=":6" /> Additionally, they support the continued development of Rail Baltic.<ref name=":6" />

==== Cultural Policy ====
Despite its reputation as a stronghold for ethnically non-Estonian voters, it professes support for the Estonian language as the basis for the Estonian national identity.<ref name=":6" /> However, it does promote respect for ethnic and linguistic minorities.<ref name=":6" /> As such, it was the only party to vote against a 2025 constitutional amendment which stripped the right of non-citizens to vote in local elections, which largely affected the substantial population of Russian citizens and stateless residents living in Estonia.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-03-26 |title=Estonia's parliament bans local voting for non-Europeans, targeting Russians |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/russia/article/2025/03/26/estonia-s-parliament-bans-local-voting-for-non-europeans-targeting-russians_6739540_140.html |access-date=2025-05-20 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hääletustulemused 26.03.2025 / 16:51 / kohalolekukontroll |url=https://www.riigikogu.ee/tegevus/tooulevaade/haaletused/haaletustulemused-kohalolekukontroll/9da6f9ae-74b7-4888-991e-ae0fad4c08c5/?searchByFraction%5B0%5D=e4bf6970-f928-4230-961c-615cc54118f9&searchByFraction%5B1%5D=3c1832c0-7727-18d1-d9d3-e685a58f44b0&searchByFraction%5B2%5D=d4e90963-1d10-4f8a-bf37-a99ca8531ff3&searchByFraction%5B3%5D=8772fd6f-3197-6a53-2ffc-8c4d63407d1e&searchByFraction%5B4%5D=c99e4e31-617c-49ad-bfa6-814736842182&searchByFraction%5B5%5D=a844d128-287d-4c20-bf30-61fcb0af23cf&searchByFraction%5B6%5D=d188e268-5d01-7e93-0c22-3ae7f0c1e851&tab=0 |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Riigikogu |language=et}}</ref>

==== Social Policy ====
The party supports the creation of social welfare programs such as a social housing program and support for single parents.<ref name=":6" /> It also supports a strict immigration and migrant policy.<ref name=":6" />

==European representation==
The Estonian Centre Party currently has two members of the [[European Parliament]], one of whom sits in the [[Renew Europe|Renew Europe group]] and the other of whom sits in the [[European Conservatives and Reformists Group|European Conservatives and Reformists]] group.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home {{!}} Yana TOOM {{!}} MEPs {{!}} European Parliament|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/124700/YANA_TOOM/home|access-date=8 March 2021|website=www.europarl.europa.eu|date=15 October 1966 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> In the [[European Committee of the Regions]], the Estonian Centre Party sits in the [[Renew Europe in the European Committee of the Regions|Renew Europe CoR group]], with one full and one alternate member for the 2020–2025 mandate.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Members Page CoR|url=https://memberspage.cor.europa.eu/#/?mandate=mem&language=en&country=EE&politicalgroup=2020112&v=1615198379622}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Members Page CoR|url=https://memberspage.cor.europa.eu/#/?mandate=alt&language=en&country=EE&politicalgroup=2020112&v=1615198668512}}</ref> Andres Jaadla is the Deputy Coordinator of the COTER Commission. 

==Leadership==
*[[Edgar Savisaar]] (1991–1995)
*[[Andra Veidemann]] (1995-1996)
*[[Edgar Savisaar]] (1996-2016)
*[[Jüri Ratas]] (2016–2023)
*[[Mihhail Kõlvart]] (2023–)
On 10 September 2023, Mihhail Kõlvart was elected party leader at a special party conference in [[Paide]]. He received 543 votes (51.91%), defeating [[Tanel Kiik]] who received 489 votes (46.75%).<ref>{{Cite web |last=ERR |date=2023-09-10 |title=Keskerakonna uueks juhiks valiti Mihhail Kõlvart |url=https://www.err.ee/1609095764/keskerakonna-uueks-juhiks-valiti-mihhail-kolvart |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=ERR |language=et}}</ref>

==Election results==
===Parliamentary elections===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
|-
! Election
! Leader
! Votes
! %
! Seats
! +/–
! Status
|-
! [[1992 Estonian parliamentary election|1992]]
| rowspan="11"| [[Edgar Savisaar]]
| 56,124
| 12.25 (#3)
| {{Composition bar|15|101|hex={{party color|Estonian Centre Party}}}}
| New
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! rowspan="2"| [[1995 Estonian parliamentary election|1995]]
| rowspan="2"| 76,634
| rowspan="2"| 14.17 (#2)
| rowspan="2"| {{Composition bar|16|101|hex={{party color|Estonian Centre Party}}}}
| rowspan="2"| {{increase}} 1
| {{yes2|Coalition {{small|(1995)}}}}
|-
| {{no2|Opposition {{small|(1995-1999)}}}}
|-
! rowspan="2"| [[1999 Estonian parliamentary election|1999]]
| rowspan="2"| 113,378
| rowspan="2"| 23.41 (#1)
| rowspan="2"| {{Composition bar|28|101|hex={{party color|Estonian Centre Party}}}}
| rowspan="2"| {{increase}} 12
| {{no2|Opposition {{small|(1999–2002)}}}}
|-
| {{yes2|Coalition {{small|(2002–2003)}}}}
|-
! rowspan="2"| [[2003 Estonian parliamentary election|2003]]
| rowspan="2"| 125,709
| rowspan="2"| 25.40 (#1)
| rowspan="2"| {{Composition bar|28|101|hex={{party color|Estonian Centre Party}}}}
| rowspan="2"| {{steady}}
| {{no2|Opposition {{small|(2003–2005)}}}}
|-
| {{yes2|Coalition {{small|(2005–2007)}}}}
|-
! [[2007 Estonian parliamentary election|2007]]
| 143,518
| 26.08 (#2)
| {{Composition bar|29|101|hex={{party color|Estonian Centre Party}}}}
| {{increase}} 1
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[2011 Estonian parliamentary election|2011]]
| 134,124
| 23.32 (#2)
| {{Composition bar|26|101|hex={{party color|Estonian Centre Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 3
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! rowspan="2"| [[2015 Estonian parliamentary election|2015]]
| rowspan="2"| 142,458
| rowspan="2"| 24.81 (#2)
| rowspan="2"| {{Composition bar|27|101|hex={{party color|Estonian Centre Party}}}}
| rowspan="2"| {{increase}}1
| {{no2|Opposition {{small|(2015–2016)}}}}
|-
| {{yes2|Coalition {{small|(2016–2019)}}}}
|-
!  rowspan="2"| [[2019 Estonian parliamentary election|2019]]
|  rowspan="3"| [[Jüri Ratas]]
|  rowspan="2"| 129,618
|  rowspan="2"| 23.10 (#2)
|  rowspan="2"| {{Composition bar|26|101|hex={{party color|Estonian Centre Party}}}}
|  rowspan="2"| {{decrease}}1
| {{yes2|Coalition {{small|(2019–2022)}}}}
|-
| {{no2|Opposition {{small|(2022–2023)}}}}
|-
! [[2023 Estonian parliamentary election|2023]]
| 93,254
| 15.28 (#3)
| {{Composition bar|16|101|hex={{party color|Estonian Centre Party (2023)}}}}
| {{decrease}}10
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|}

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===European Parliament elections===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
|-
! Election
! List leader
! Votes
! %
! Seats
! +/–
! EP Group
|-
! [[2004 European Parliament election in Estonia|2004]]
| [[Vilja Toomast]]
| 40,704
| 17.53 (#2)
| {{Composition bar|1|6|hex={{party color|Estonian Centre Party}}}}
| New
| rowspan=3 |[[Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group|ALDE]]
|-
! [[2009 European Parliament election in Estonia|2009]]
| rowspan=2 |[[Edgar Savisaar]]
| 103,506
| 26.07 (#1)
| {{Composition bar|2|6|hex={{party color|Estonian Centre Party}}}}
| {{increase}} 1
|-
! [[2014 European Parliament election in Estonia|2014]]
| 73,419
| 22.4 (#2)
| {{Composition bar|1|6|hex={{party color|Estonian Centre Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 1
|-
! [[2019 European Parliament election in Estonia|2019]]
| [[Yana Toom]]
| 47,799
| 14.39 (#3)
| {{Composition bar|1|7|hex={{party color|Estonian Centre Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| rowspan=2 |[[Renew Europe|RE]]
|-
! [[2024 European Parliament election in Estonia|2024]]
| [[Mihhail Kõlvart]]
| 45,767
| 12.43 (#5)
| {{Composition bar|1|7|hex={{party color|Estonian Centre Party (2023)}}}}
| {{steady}}
|}

==See also==
*[[List of political parties in Estonia]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://keskerakond.ee/en/ Official website] (in English)

{{Renew Europe}}
{{Interlib}}
{{Political parties in Estonia}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1991 establishments in Estonia]]
[[Category:Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party member parties]]
[[Category:Centre-left parties in Europe]]
[[Category:Eurosceptic parties in Estonia]]
[[Category:Liberal parties in Estonia]]
[[Category:Left-wing populism]]
[[Category:Populist parties]]
[[Category:Pro-independence parties in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Social liberal parties]]