Energy, Estonia, Legislation, Strike, Taxation, Transport

The protest meeting in front of the parliament building was registered by NGO Blue Alarm, which is Estonian Conservative People's Party (EKRE) youth organization.

While the event organizer, Silver Jõgger from EKRE hoped that the protest would gather three thousand people, Public Broadcasting's journalist estimated 1,000 to 1,500 people participated in the action.

The protesters claim that following the excise tax increases, by the year 2020 it would be cheaper to fill up a car in Finland, where the average salary is several times higher than in Estonia.

While the protest action was meant to fight against fuel excise tax increase, much of it turned into a criticism of Taavi Rõivas's government in general by the controversial EKRE party top politicians, Delfi reported.

After the Sunday protest action, the next major action is planned for Friday, May 1, in Tartu. The protest is aimed to show the government that raising the excise taxes has caused serious resentment among the people. In Tartu, the Town Hall Square has been booked starting 2 p.m. on Friday. Blue Alarm promises the same time that this will not be the last demonstration in May.

According to the government's plan, fuel excise tax will increase by 20 cents in four years – five cents each year. Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas has said that the impact of the rise is quite small and the drama is seriously exaggerated.