On 7 March 1999, citizens of Estonia elected the 9th Riigikogu. 492,356 citizens, i.e. 57.43% of 857,270 eligible voters, participated in the elections of the Riigikogu.

1901 persons ran as candidates in the Riigikogu elections. 1882 persons ran as party nominated candidates in the 12 parties’ lists and 19 persons ran as independent candidates.

Estonian Centre Party received the most votes – 113,378, i.e. 23.41 %, which secured them 28 seats in the Riigikogu. Estonian Centre Party was popular mostly in rural areas. In the Riigikogu, the Centre Party remained in opposition.

The 5% threshold required in the Riigikogu Election Act was exceeded by seven political parties – Estonian Centre Party, Pro Patria Union (Isamaaliit), People’s Party Mõõdukad, Reform Party, Estonian Coalition Party, Estonian Country People’s Party, United People’s Party of Estonia.
The Government of the Republic of Estonia was formed by representatives of Pro Patria Union, People’s Party Mõõdukad and Reform Party.

The Riigikogu elected Toomas Savi from Reform Party as its President, and Tunne Kelam from Pro Patria Union and Siiri Oviir from Centre Party as its Vice-Presidents.  

IX Riigikogu 18.03.1999