The Estonian constitution does not in fact directly use either meaning, although the preambule to the constitution states: “With unwavering faith and a steadfast will to strengthen and develop the state, which is established on the inextinguishable right of the people of Estonia to national self-determination and which was proclaimed on 24 February 1918, which is founded on liberty, justice and law, which shall protect internal and external peace, and is a pledge to present and future generations for their social progress and welfare, which shall guarantee the preservation of the Estonian nation, language and culture through the ages…”
The creators of the constitution were mindful of the 50 years of foreign occupation in which the existence of the Estonian people, culture, language were threatened. The constitution thus reflects the understandable survival and self-preservation instinct of a small European nation. And thus this shall remain.
It has been concluded by some that the clearly defined goal of the preservation of Estonia as a nation-state should refer only to the narrower meaning of nation state. Thus Estonia would be a nation-state for only Estonians with some suggesting that all other ethnic groups, immigrants and refugees would endanger a priori an ‘ideal Estonian nation-state'.
But the Republic of Estonia has never ben a nation-state in the narrower meaning of the term. Estonia has never restricted residence nor citizenship for ethnic-non-Estonians. Before the Soviet occupation some 8 to10% of the population were Germans, Russians, Finns, Swedes, Jews etc. Most of these qualified for Estonian citizenship, if they so wished and complied with citizenship requirements. As a step in gaining independence the Estonian Country Council in its November 26, 1918 regulation established the ‘zero option' principle in citizenship acquisition whereby all who resided permanently in Estonia prior to 1917 would acquire Estonian citizenship if they so wished, irrespective of ethnicity or other criteria. Thus the most basic character of the republic created in 1918 was its existence as a citizen-state, not a nation-state in its narrow meaning. (To be continued.)
Laas Leivat
