Pro Patria Union
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Leadership | Tõnis Lukas |
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| Founded | 2 December 1995 |
| Political Ideology | Conservatism, Christian Democracy Nationalism |
| International Affiliation | Christian Democrat and People's Parties International and International Democrat Union |
| European Affiliation | European People's Party and European Democrat Union |
| Euro. Parliament Group | EPP-ED |
| Colours | Blue |
| Headquarters | Wismari 11 Tallinn 10136 |
| Website | www.isamaaliit.ee |
| Politics of Estonia Political parties in Estonia Elections in Estonia |
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The Pro Patria Union (Estonian: Isamaaliit, meaning literally "Fatherland Union") was a conservative political party in Estonia. On April 4, 2006, representatives of the Pro Patria Union and the representatives of Res Publica decided to merge the two parties. The merger was approved by the general assemblies of both parties in Pärnu on 4 June 2006. Although originally the name For Estonia (Eesti Eest) was considered for the united party, it was rejected. New party was officially registered on 15 October 2006 under the name Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa ja Res Publica Liit).
According to party statements, the programme was based on Christian Democracy and Nationalism. Together with its predecessors the Pro Patria Union was the main force behind the economic and legal reforms in the Republic of Estonia at the beginning of 1990s.
[edit] History
The party was founded on 2 December 1995 by merging the Estonian National Independence Party (ERSP, Eesti Rahvusliku Sõltumatuse Partei) and the National Coalition Party "Pro Patria" (Rahvuslik Koonderakond "Isamaa"). Most of the latter's founding members had been political dissidents during Soviet era and had participated actively in the movement for regaining national independence late 1980s and early 1990s. National Coalition Party 'Pro Patria' was founded in September, 1992, as four electoral cartel parters merged:
- Christian Democratic Party (Kristlik-demokraatlik Erakond)
- Christian Democratic Union (Kristlik-Demokraatlik Liit)
- Conservative People's Party (Konservatiivne Rahvaerakond),
- Republicans' Coalition Party (Vabariiklaste Koonderakond),
The latter 3 had left the National Coalition Party "Pro Patria" during 1994, Liberal Democratic Party (Liberaaldemokraatlik Partei)) was a member of electoral cartel, but didn't merge. In 1994, dissident groups split and formed their own People's Party of Republicans and Conservatives.
Toivo Jürgenson was elected the first Chairman of the party. He served in this position till 1998 and later became Minister of Transportation and Communications.
[edit] In government and opposition
Mart Laar, a historian, former Chairman of the National Alliance "Pro Patria" and Prime Minister of Estonia from 1992 to 1994 was elected the new Chairman of the party on 24 October 1998.
The party was successful on the parliamentary elections of 1999, receiving 18 seats. Its leader Mart Laar became Prime Minister again. His coalition government was in office till 28 January 2002.
The Pro Patria Union was a member of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats, known also by the abbreviation EPP-ED. The party has one seat in the European Parliament, held by Tunne Kelam, the Chairman of the Pro Patria Union from 7 December 2002 to 16 April 2005.
In parliamentary elections in 2003 they won 7 seats in Riigikogu and joined the opposition. The current Chairman of the party is Tõnis Lukas, elected on 16 April 2005. Historian and archivist Aimar Altosaar was re-elected a Secretary General in 2005, having served in the same position from 1996 to 1999.
The party has an official newspaper called "Tribüün" (The Tribune). It was established in 2001.
For the local elections in autumn 2005 Pro Patria Union signed a cooperation agreement with Union of Farmers (Põllumeeste Kogu) on 6 July 2005 and with Estonian Democratic Party (Eesti Demokraatlik Partei) on 12 July 2005. The local elections on 16 October 2005 showed a growing support for the party. Presence of the Pro Patria Union grew from 0 to 7 seats in Tallinn City Council and remained the same (9 seats) in Tartu City Council.
In April, 2006, former party leader and twice PM Mart Laar was awarded Friedman Prize for Liberty. [1]
[edit] External links
- The Pro Patria Union (official site)(this site is not working any more)
- The Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (official site)
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