People's Union of Estonia
Encyclopedia
The People's Union of Estonia is a political party in Estonia
, currently led by Margo Miljand.
In the 2003 parliamentary election
, the party collected 64,463 votes, which made 13.0% share of all votes and 13 mandates out of 101. In 2007's election
, this dropped to 39,211 votes (7.1% of the total, a drop of 5.9%), and six seats in the Riigikogu, a loss of 7. It has dropped from fourth to sixth place among parties, having been bested by the Social Democratic Party and (narrowly) by the Greens.
The party was founded on 29 September 1994 in Tallinn
under the name of Estonian Country People's Party (Eesti Maarahva Erakond, EME). On 18 October 1999 the party was renamed to People's Union of Estonia. On 10 June 2000 the People's Union merged with the Estonian Country Union (Eesti Maaliit, EML) and with the Estonian Party of Pensioners and Families (Eesti Pensionäride ja Perede Erakond, EPPE), becoming the largest political party in Estonia. Another merger with the New Estonia Party (Erakond Uus Eesti) in 2003 resulted in further growth of membership. Currently there are more than 9,000 official members in the People's Union of Estonia.
The People's Union of Estonia is an agrarian party with populist
, social democratic influences. Consequently, the party has experienced difficulties in gaining wider support in cities and big towns. The last couple of years have brought along some changes. The representation of the People's Union in towns (including the capital Tallinn) has grown and they have started to work on involving Russian-speaking minority in political activities. Russian Association of the People's Union was founded in 2005. The People's Union has a youth organisation called the Youth of the People's Union (Rahvaliidu Noored), which as approximately 3000 members.
On the European level the People's Union is a member of the Alliance for Europe of the Nations
, but does not have any representatives in the European Parliament
. The official organ of the Union is called The Caring Estonia (Hooliv Eesti).
The first Chairman of the party was the previous President of the Republic of Estonia, Arnold Rüütel
. On 10 June 2000 Villu Reiljan became the new Chairman of the People's Union. He served also as the Minister of Environment when the People’s Party participated in the Reform Party’s coalition government.
The Union has been a member of Estonian government coalitions from 1995 to 1999 and from 2003 to 2007. From 2003 to 2005 they were in government together with the Estonian Reform Party
and the Union for the Republic - Res Publica. Following a vote of no confidence against the government of Prime Minister Juhan Parts
and Parts' subsequent resignation from the post of Prime Minister, they took part in formation of the new coalition where Res Publica was replaced with the Estonian Centre Party
(see Andrus Ansip's cabinet
).
In Estonian parliamentary election, 2003
the party collected 64,463 votes, which made 13% share of all votes and 13 mandates out of 101. In comparison with previous election in 1999 they gained 6 additional seats in the Estonian Parliament. The representation of the party grew to 16 seats in 2005 when Toomas Alatalu, Robert Lepikson
and Jaanus Marrandi, former members of the Estonian Centre Party
decided to join the People's Union. After Robert Lepikson's death on 1 July 2005 the People’s Party lost a seat, because he was elected in Centre Party list, and his replacement came therefore from the CPE list.
In local elections on 16 October 2005 the People's Union was also rather successful, winning 4 seats in Tallinn City Council and becoming part of coalitions in Tartu
, Pärnu
and Viljandi
. In Tallinn the candidates of the People's Union ran in the list of the Social Democratic Party
which has fueled speculations about the possible merger of the two parties. Chairmen of both parties have declared those speculations groundless.
Following the People’s Party’s poor performance in the March 2007 parliamentary elections, it was not reappointed to the coalition government, which continued to be led by the Reform Party. The Center Party and the People’s Party were replaced by the Social Democrats and Pro Patria/Res Publica.
After continued worsening of election results, ERL started to look for a possible merging partner; in 2010, talks with the Social Democratic Party
were successfully concluded, and a special congress on merging ERL into the SDE will be held on 23 May 2010. However, at the party congress, only 172 delegates out of 412 supported the deal; it was considered likely that the ERL would merge with the Centre Party instead. Following the failed merger attempt, leading ERL members left the party and joined the SDE. Since defections (three MPs joined the SDE, one the Reform Party and one Center Party) the ERL had only 1 MPs, which means that it did not have a faction status.
In the parliamentary election 2011
, the ERL did not pass 5% threshold, and became an extra-parliamentary party.
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, currently led by Margo Miljand.
In the 2003 parliamentary election
Estonian parliamentary election, 2003
The 2003 Estonian parliamentary election was held in Estonia on 2 March 2003 to elect the members of the Riigikogu . Two opposing parties won the most seats, with both the Centre Party and Res Publica Party winning 28 seats...
, the party collected 64,463 votes, which made 13.0% share of all votes and 13 mandates out of 101. In 2007's election
Estonian parliamentary election, 2007
Parliamentary elections took place in Estonia on Sunday, March 4, 2007 to elect members of the Riigikogu. The electoral system was a two-tier semi-open list proportional representation system with a 5% election threshold...
, this dropped to 39,211 votes (7.1% of the total, a drop of 5.9%), and six seats in the Riigikogu, a loss of 7. It has dropped from fourth to sixth place among parties, having been bested by the Social Democratic Party and (narrowly) by the Greens.
The party was founded on 29 September 1994 in Tallinn
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
under the name of Estonian Country People's Party (Eesti Maarahva Erakond, EME). On 18 October 1999 the party was renamed to People's Union of Estonia. On 10 June 2000 the People's Union merged with the Estonian Country Union (Eesti Maaliit, EML) and with the Estonian Party of Pensioners and Families (Eesti Pensionäride ja Perede Erakond, EPPE), becoming the largest political party in Estonia. Another merger with the New Estonia Party (Erakond Uus Eesti) in 2003 resulted in further growth of membership. Currently there are more than 9,000 official members in the People's Union of Estonia.
The People's Union of Estonia is an agrarian party with populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
, social democratic influences. Consequently, the party has experienced difficulties in gaining wider support in cities and big towns. The last couple of years have brought along some changes. The representation of the People's Union in towns (including the capital Tallinn) has grown and they have started to work on involving Russian-speaking minority in political activities. Russian Association of the People's Union was founded in 2005. The People's Union has a youth organisation called the Youth of the People's Union (Rahvaliidu Noored), which as approximately 3000 members.
On the European level the People's Union is a member of the Alliance for Europe of the Nations
Alliance for Europe of the Nations
The Alliance for Europe of the Nations was a pan-European political party that gathered conservative and national-conservative parties from across the continent.-History:...
, but does not have any representatives in the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
. The official organ of the Union is called The Caring Estonia (Hooliv Eesti).
The first Chairman of the party was the previous President of the Republic of Estonia, Arnold Rüütel
Arnold Rüütel
Arnold Rüütel OIH was the third President of the Republic of Estonia from October 8, 2001 to October 9, 2006. He was the second President since Estonia regained its independence in 1991....
. On 10 June 2000 Villu Reiljan became the new Chairman of the People's Union. He served also as the Minister of Environment when the People’s Party participated in the Reform Party’s coalition government.
The Union has been a member of Estonian government coalitions from 1995 to 1999 and from 2003 to 2007. From 2003 to 2005 they were in government together with the Estonian Reform Party
Estonian Reform Party
The Estonian Reform Party is a centre-right, free market liberal party in Estonia. It is led by Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, and has 33 members in the 101-member Riigikogu, making it the largest party in the legislature...
and the Union for the Republic - Res Publica. Following a vote of no confidence against the government of Prime Minister Juhan Parts
Juhan Parts
Juhan Parts is an Estonian politician who was Prime Minister of Estonia from 2003 to 2005. He was chairman of the Res Publica Party for a time. Since 5 April 2007 he is the Minister of Economy and Communication in Andrus Ansip's second government...
and Parts' subsequent resignation from the post of Prime Minister, they took part in formation of the new coalition where Res Publica was replaced with the Estonian Centre Party
Estonian Centre Party
The Estonian Centre Party is a centrist, social liberal party in Estonia. Keskerakond is a member of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party. It has the largest membership of an Estonian party, with over 12 000 members....
(see Andrus Ansip's cabinet
Andrus Ansip's cabinet
Andrus Ansip is the current Prime Minister of Estonia; his first cabinet took office on 12 April 2005 after being approved by Riigikogu by 53 members out of 101. His cabinet was formed with pragmatic calculations, as it consisted of ministers from free market liberal Reform Party of Estonia,...
).
In Estonian parliamentary election, 2003
Estonian parliamentary election, 2003
The 2003 Estonian parliamentary election was held in Estonia on 2 March 2003 to elect the members of the Riigikogu . Two opposing parties won the most seats, with both the Centre Party and Res Publica Party winning 28 seats...
the party collected 64,463 votes, which made 13% share of all votes and 13 mandates out of 101. In comparison with previous election in 1999 they gained 6 additional seats in the Estonian Parliament. The representation of the party grew to 16 seats in 2005 when Toomas Alatalu, Robert Lepikson
Robert Lepikson
Robert Lepikson was an Estonian politician, businessman and rally driver.As a rally driver, he was the Estonian champion three times, winner of the Baltic Cup and was the head of the Estonian motosport league....
and Jaanus Marrandi, former members of the Estonian Centre Party
Estonian Centre Party
The Estonian Centre Party is a centrist, social liberal party in Estonia. Keskerakond is a member of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party. It has the largest membership of an Estonian party, with over 12 000 members....
decided to join the People's Union. After Robert Lepikson's death on 1 July 2005 the People’s Party lost a seat, because he was elected in Centre Party list, and his replacement came therefore from the CPE list.
In local elections on 16 October 2005 the People's Union was also rather successful, winning 4 seats in Tallinn City Council and becoming part of coalitions in Tartu
Tartu
Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
, Pärnu
Pärnu
Pärnu is a city in southwestern Estonia on the coast of Pärnu Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea. It is a popular summer vacation resort with many hotels, restaurants, and large beaches. The Pärnu River flows through the city and drains into the Gulf of Riga...
and Viljandi
Viljandi
Viljandi is a town and municipality in southern Estonia with a population of 19,150 . It is the capital of Viljandi County. The town was first mentioned in 1283, upon being granted its town charter by Wilhelm von Endorpe....
. In Tallinn the candidates of the People's Union ran in the list of the Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party (Estonia)
The Social Democratic Party is a social-democratic party in Estonia, led by Sven Mikser. It has been a member of the Party of European Socialists since 16 May 2003 and a member of the Socialist International since November 1990....
which has fueled speculations about the possible merger of the two parties. Chairmen of both parties have declared those speculations groundless.
Following the People’s Party’s poor performance in the March 2007 parliamentary elections, it was not reappointed to the coalition government, which continued to be led by the Reform Party. The Center Party and the People’s Party were replaced by the Social Democrats and Pro Patria/Res Publica.
After continued worsening of election results, ERL started to look for a possible merging partner; in 2010, talks with the Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party (Estonia)
The Social Democratic Party is a social-democratic party in Estonia, led by Sven Mikser. It has been a member of the Party of European Socialists since 16 May 2003 and a member of the Socialist International since November 1990....
were successfully concluded, and a special congress on merging ERL into the SDE will be held on 23 May 2010. However, at the party congress, only 172 delegates out of 412 supported the deal; it was considered likely that the ERL would merge with the Centre Party instead. Following the failed merger attempt, leading ERL members left the party and joined the SDE. Since defections (three MPs joined the SDE, one the Reform Party and one Center Party) the ERL had only 1 MPs, which means that it did not have a faction status.
In the parliamentary election 2011
Estonian parliamentary election, 2011
A parliamentary election was held in Estonia on 6 March 2011, with e-voting between 24 February and 2 March 2011.The 101 members of the Riigikogu were elected using a form of proportional representation for a four-year term. The seats were allocated using a modified D'Hondt method. The country is...
, the ERL did not pass 5% threshold, and became an extra-parliamentary party.
External links
- Official website (in Estonian)
- Youth organisation (in Estonian)