Estonian Independence Party

Last updated
Estonian Independence Party
Eesti Iseseisvuspartei
Founded30 November 1999
Dissolved30 October 2022
HeadquartersTatari tn 8-21, Tallinn
Ideology
Political position Far-right [4] [5] [6]
Colours  Blue

The Estonian Independence Party (Estonian : Eesti Iseseisvuspartei, EIP) was a far-right nationalist political party in Estonia. The small party, founded in 1999, never had any significant success in the elections, and it was dissolved in 2022. One of the principal aims of the party was the withdrawal of Estonia from the European Union.

Contents

Philosophy

The EIP's political philosophy promoted a doctrine of “Estonia as a neo-autarkic geopolitical space” and an associated geopolitical imperative of neutrality between the East and the West. [7]

The party programme states that Estonia is extraordinarily rich in natural resources (much of these remain latent) and is situated in an important geopolitical space. Thus, the party is also against Estonia belonging to the European Union, which they accuse of having neocolonised Estonia. The party recommended rejecting International Monetary Fund suggestions. [8] The party regards Setomaa as a part of Estonia and not Russia. [9]

History

The party's predecessor, Estonian Future Party (Tuleviku Eesti Erakond) was founded in 1994. In 1999, it was renamed to Estonian Independence Party.

In 2001, the party called for closer relations with Russia[ citation needed ] and said that the country should have a bigger say in defining Estonia's future. [10]

EIP took part in the 2003 movement against Estonia joining the European Union.

EIP candidates gained 2,705 votes, amounting to 0.55% of the national vote, in the 2003 parliamentary election. [11] In the 2007 elections, the party's vote dropped to 1,274 votes, which was 0.2% of the total. [12] In the 2011 elections, the party's vote increased to 2,571 votes, which was 0.4% of the total. [13]

In the 2014 European Parliamentary election, the Estonian Independence Party received 4,158 votes, which was 1.3% of the vote, the party's highest ever. [14] Former Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica and future Estonia 200 MP Juku-Kalle Raid ran on the party's list in the election. [3]

In the 2015 parliamentary elections, the party's vote diminished to 1,047 votes, which was 0.2% of the total. [15] The party did not participate in the 2019 parliamentary elections. [16]

In 2022, it was reported that EIP was considering dissolving itself [17] and, soon afterwards, in October 2022, most politicians belonging to then party's leadership joined the Estonian Conservative People's Party instead. [18] [19] The party was officially removed from the business register on 30 October. [20]

Controversies

Scholars categorised the party as a far-right organisation. This has been rejected by the party leaders, Sven Sildnik and Tauno Rahnu. [21] One of the former leading members, Risto Teinonen, an ethnic Finn associated with Johan Bäckman, [22] has also been accused of having neo-Nazi views. [23]

Electoral results

Parliamentary elections

ElectionVotesSeatsPos.
# %± pp #±
2003 2,7050.5
0 / 101
Steady2.svg 09th
2007 1,2730.2Decrease2.svg 0.3
0 / 101
Steady2.svg 09th
2011 2,5710.4Increase2.svg 0.2
0 / 101
Steady2.svg 09th
2015 1,0470.2Decrease2.svg 0.2
0 / 101
Steady2.svg 09th
2019 Did not participate

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Estonian Centre Party</span> Political party in Estonia

The Estonian Centre Party is a left-centrist political party in Estonia. It was founded in 1991 as a direct successor of the Popular Front of Estonia, and it is currently led by Mihhail Kõlvart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jüri Ratas</span> 18th Prime Minister of Estonia

Jüri Ratas is an Estonian politician who served as the prime minister of Estonia from 2016 to 2021 and as the leader of the Centre Party from 2016 to 2023, and the mayor of Tallinn from 2005 to 2007. Ratas was a member of the Centre Party until switching to Isamaa in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Estonian parliamentary election</span>

Parliamentary elections were held in Estonia on 4 March 2007. The newly elected 101 members of the 11th Riigikogu assembled at Toompea Castle in Tallinn within ten days of the election. It was the world's first nationwide vote where part of the voting was carried out in the form of remote electronic voting via the internet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dmitri Linter</span> Russian political activist

Dmitri Linter is a counselor of the vice-director of the Russian Military Historical Society. He is also a pro-Kremlin political activist, who has worked as vice deputy of the Coordination Centre "Novorossiya" on human rights and humanitarian activities. He was one of leaders of the Nochnoy Dozor advocacy group that opposed the relocation of the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn memorial in 2007. In March 2014, Linter called for the formation of groups of volunteers to "correct holiday in the Crimea." In October 2014 Dmitri Linter acted as counselor and project manager during a visit to Riga of Russian Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky.

The Estonian United Left Party is a political party in Estonia undergoing reformation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1992 Estonian presidential election</span>

Presidential elections were held in Estonia on 20 September 1992, alongside parliamentary elections. As no candidate received over 50% of the vote, a second round was held in Parliament on 5 October 1992, in which Lennart Meri was elected. Voter turnout in the public vote was 68%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urmas Reinsalu</span> Estonian politician

Urmas Reinsalu is an Estonian politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2022 to 2023 and previously from 2019 to 2021. Before that, Urmas has served as the Minister of Defence between 2012 and 2014, and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2019. Reinsalu is a member and current leader of the Isamaa ("Fatherland") political party, and was the party leader from 2012 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservative People's Party of Estonia</span> Political party in Estonia

The Conservative People's Party of Estonia is a nationalist and right-wing populist political party in Estonia, currently led by Martin Helme. It was founded in March 2012, with the merger of People's Union of Estonia and Estonian Patriotic Movement. Its first leader, Margo Miljand, served as the chairman until 2013 when he was succeeded by Mart Helme. Its popularity remained low until late 2014, when the party began to draw supporters from the right; further, in the 2015 Estonian parliamentary election, it passed the electoral threshold and won seats in parliament for the first time. Since then its support has grown, turning it into one of the largest parties in Estonia. In the 2019 Estonian parliamentary election, EKRE placed third, winning 19 seats in total. Mart was succeeded as party chairman by his son, Martin Helme, in July 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Margus Tsahkna</span> Estonian politician

Margus Tsahkna is an Estonian politician, leader of new liberal Estonia 200 party since 19 November 2023, former leader of the conservative Isamaa party, former Minister of Defence in Jüri Ratas' cabinet and Minister of Social Protection in Taavi Rõivas' second cabinet. He was sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the third cabinet of Kaja Kallas on 17 April 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mart Helme</span> Estonian historian and politician

Mart Helme is an Estonian politician, diplomat and musician who served as the Minister of the Interior from 2019 to 2020. He was the long time chairman of the national conservative Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE) from 13 April 2013 to 4 July 2020 when he was succeeded by his son Martin Helme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Estonian parliamentary election</span>

Parliamentary elections were held in Estonia on 3 March 2019. The newly elected 101 members of the 14th Riigikogu assembled at Toompea Castle in Tallinn within ten days of the election. The Reform Party remained the largest party, gaining four seats for a total of 34 and the Conservative People's Party had the largest gain overall, increasing their seat count by 12 to a total of 19 seats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaak Madison</span> Estonian politician

Jaak Madison is an Estonian politician, the deputy chairman of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia and a member the European Parliament, where he is a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Delegation for relations with the United States and a substitute member for the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indrek Saar</span> Estonian politician and actor

Indrek Saar is an Estonian actor and politician. He has been the leader of the Social Democratic Party from 2019 to 2022 and the Minister of Culture of Estonia from 2015 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kersti Kaljulaid</span> President of Estonia from 2016 to 2021

Kersti Kaljulaid is an Estonian politician who served as the fifth president of Estonia between 2016 and 2021, and was its first and only female head of state since the country declared independence in 1918. She was also the youngest president, aged 46 at the time of her election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Estonian parliamentary election</span>

Parliamentary elections were held in Estonia on 5 March 2023 to elect all 101 members of the Riigikogu. The officially published election data indicate the victory of the Reform Party, which won 37 seats in total, while the Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE) placed second with 17 seats. The Centre Party won 16 seats, a loss of 10, while Estonia 200 won 14 seats, gaining representation in the Riigikogu.

An indirect election took place in Estonia on 30 and 31 August 2021 to elect the president of Estonia, who is the country's head of state. The Riigikogu — the Parliament of Estonia — elected Alar Karis to serve in the office and he was sworn in as the 6th president on 11 October 2021. The incumbent, Kersti Kaljulaid, was eligible to seek reelection to a second, and final, term but failed to gain the endorsement of at least 21 MPs, which is required in order for a candidate to register, as she was outspoken against some of the policies of the government, who thus denied her support.

VII Riigikogu was the seventh legislature of the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu). The legislature was elected after 1992 election, the first after the Estonian Restoration of Independence.

IX Riigikogu was the ninth legislature of the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu). The legislature was elected after 1999 election.

Events in the year 2023 in Estonia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Party of People's Unity (Estonia)</span> Political party in Estonia

Party of People's Unity was a civic nationalist anti-immigration Estonian political party active in 2014–2019.

References

  1. ↑ Pettai, Vello; Toomla, Rein (13 June 2003). Political Parties in Estonia. The National Council for Eurasian and East European Research.
  2. 1 2 Liivik, Ero (2015). Proceedings of Estonian Academy of Security Sciences. ISBN   978-9985-67-334-8.
  3. 1 2 ERR, Johannes Voltri | (2022-12-12). "Estonian Independence Party deleted from business register". ERR. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  4. ↑ Kasekamp, Andres (4 June 2010). "Extreme-right parties in contemporary Estonia". Patterns of Prejudice. 37 (4): 401–414. doi:10.1080/0031322032000144483. S2CID   143801588.
  5. ↑ Wodak, Ruth; Khosravinik, Majid; Mral, Brigitte (9 January 2015). Right-Wing Populism in Europe Politics and Discourse. doi:10.5040/9781472544940. ISBN   978-1-78093-343-6. S2CID   55423405.
  6. ↑ Minkenberg, Michael (2015). Transforming the Transformation?. ISBN   9780415793360.
  7. ↑ Piret Ehin, Estonian Euroskepticism: A Reflection of Domestic Politics?, East European Constitutional Review, Volume 11/12 Number 4/1
  8. ↑ "EIP party doctrine (in English)". Archived from the original on 2012-08-03.
  9. ↑ Jaan Hatto demokraatiast Iseseisvuspartei. Accessed 7 June 2014
  10. ↑ Baltic News Service, Estonian Independence Congress Calls for Neutrality, Better Ties with Russia, Nov 5, 2001
  11. ↑ Riigikogu Valimine 2. Märts 2003 vvk.ee. Accessed 7 June 2014
  12. ↑ Riigikogu Valimine 4. Märts 2007 vvk.ee. Accessed 7 June 2014
  13. ↑ Valimistulemus - Eesti Vabariik kokku vvk.ee. Accessed 7 June 2014
  14. ↑ "Voting and election results". Estonian National Electoral Committee. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  15. ↑ "Riigikogu valimised 2015". Vabariigi Valimiskomisjon. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  16. ↑ "Voting and election result". Vabariigi Valimiskomisjon. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  17. ↑ "Head of Independence Party has not considered merging with EKRE". 27 August 2022.
  18. ↑ "Erakonnad koguvad valimisteks musklit". Poliitika (in Estonian). 2022-10-08. Retrieved 2022-10-08.
  19. ↑ ERR (2022-10-04). "EKRE-sse astunud (:)kivisildnik: see on enesekaitse". ERR (in Estonian). Retrieved 2022-10-08.
  20. ↑ ERR (2022-12-12). "Estonian Independence Party deleted from business register". ERR. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  21. ↑ Tartus rünnati mustanahalist vahetusüliõpilast
  22. ↑ Askur Alas (18 March 2009). "Üheskoos Eesti vastu: antifašist Bäckman ja natsimeelne Teinonen". Eesti Ekspress (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2009.
  23. ↑ Kapo kahtlustab soomlast Eesti riigi vastases tegevuses Archived 2011-02-07 at the Wayback Machine Eesti Päevaleht, 2007-6-13.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.