The NGO Volt Estonia was established at the end of August in Tartu. It supports left-centrist and pro-European ideas. Volt Estonia is part of the Volt Europa movement, which operates across Europe.
Artur Kaasik, a board member of the NGO, told ERR: "We are talking about a liberal and slightly left-leaning economic direction." He added that Estonian politics lacks a left-centrist and innovative party.
The NGO aims to support democracy, European unity, and social and economic reforms. Kaasik said that Volt Estonia competes with the Social Democratic Party but also has differences.
Volt Estonia wants to increase its membership to at least 500 to become a political party. Kaasik said they aim to do this as quickly as possible. Currently, there are about 50 members.
Kaasik did not name any well-known members but mentioned that former President Toomas Hendrik Ilves is among the supporters. Volt Estonia aims to participate in the next parliamentary elections.
The NGO currently has no specific donors, but soon anyone interested will be able to support it financially. Volt Estonia adheres to the values and goals of Volt Europa.
Volt Europa differs from other political movements because it aims to create a unified European program. It emphasizes reforming the European Union and deeper integration.
Volt Europa was founded in 2017 in Belgium. It operates in over 30 European countries and has five members in the European Parliament. The party's name is inspired by the unit of electrical potential and symbolizes new energy in European politics.