The previous local elections in Haapsalu were won by the Ha-Ri electoral alliance. They received over 50 percent of the votes. Urmas Sukles has been the mayor of Haapsalu for four years. He said he wants to win the elections again. Sukles said: "Ha-Ri has done a good job. Haapsalu is well maintained. We haven't had major scandals. I think the people will see this and give us their vote."
Sukles believes that Isamaa has the best chance of coming in second. Ha-Ri and Isamaa are currently in a coalition in Haapsalu. The leader of Isamaa, Jaanus Karilaid, stepped down from the position of council chairman. He said he is not satisfied with the city management. Karilaid said: "We consider the electoral alliance our biggest competitor. We are coming forward with a clear action plan. We will show why it is better to change the city leadership."
In the previous elections, the Centre Party came in second. Now they have only one seat in the council. Because Jaanus Karilaid took other Centre Party members with him when he joined Isamaa. Centre Party member Julia Proptšuk said they are going to the elections with their own list and candidate. They hope for a change in city management. Proptšuk said: "The Centre Party is going to the elections with a clear goal. We want to offer Haapsalu residents new management."
EKRE came in third in the previous elections. They are also going to the elections with their own list and candidate. EKRE member Martin Judanov said that Haapsalu management needs new perspectives. Judanov said: "We have a plan to create a strong list. I think we will get a better result than last time. We do not rule out the possibility of a coalition."
The Reform Party is not running in Haapsalu with its own list and candidate. Reform Party member Roger Tibar said that city management needs a refresh. Tibar said: "The Reform Party's chances would be worse than four years ago. That's why we are considering other options, such as creating a new electoral alliance."