- Liberalism in Estonia
This article gives an overview of liberalism and centrism in
Estonia . It is limited to liberal andcentrist parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ denotes another party in that scheme. For inclusion in this scheme it isn't necessary that the party has labeled itself as a liberal party.Background
At the beginning of the twentieth century liberal parties emerged and played an important role in Estonia. They lost influence in the 1930s.
History
After the restoration of independence in 1990, both pragmatic centrist and liberal forces arose. Nowadays the
Estonian Reform Party ("Eesti Reformierakond", member LI),ELDR is a free market liberal party. Despite its liberal international affiliations theEstonian Centre Party ("Eesti Keskerakond", member LI,ELDR ) is generally not considered a liberal party, so therefore it is not included.From Estonian Progressive People's Party to National Centre Party
*1905:
Jaan Tõnisson founded theEstonian Progressive People's Party ("Eesti Rahvameelne Eduerakond")
*1917: The party is renamed Democratic Party ("Demokraatlik Erakond")
*1919: The Democratic Party merged with the ⇒ Radical Democratic Party into theEstonian People's Party ("Eesti Rahvaerakond")
*1931: The Estonian People's Party merged with the Christian People's Party ("Kristlik Rahvaerakond") into theUnited People's Parties ("Ühendatud Rahvaerakonnad")
*1932: This is followed by the merger with the ⇒ Estonian Labour Party and the Union of Landlords ("Majaomanikkudeseltsideliiti") into the National Centre Party
*1934: The party is bannedRadical Democratic Party
*1917:
Konstantin Päts , the later conservative leader, founded the Radical Democratic Party ("Radikaal-Demokraatlik Erakond").
*1919: The party merged with the ⇒ Democratic Party into the ⇒ Estonian People's PartyRadical Socialist Party / Estonian Labour Party
*1917: Inspired by the French Radical Socialist and the Russian
Trudoviki the Radical Socialist Party ("Radikaalsotsialistlik Erakond") is founded.
*1919: The party merged with the Social Travaillist Party into theEstonian Labour Party ("Eesti Tööerakond")
*1931: The Estonian Labour Party merged into the ⇒ National Centre Party.From Popular Front to Estonian Centre Party
*1988:
Edgar Savisaar andMarju Lauristin founded the Popular Front ("Rahvarinne") officially aiming at consolidating reform minded people.
*1992: The Popular Front fell apart and Savisaar founded theEstonian People's Centre Party ("Eesti Rahva-Keskerakond"), which was later re-named theEstonian Centre Party ("Eesti Keskerakond").
*1996: A faction formed the ⇒ Progressive Party
*2004: A faction leaves and joins various parties ( see Social Liberals). The liberal and centrist character of the party is often disputed, whereby the party is usually considered a left of centre populist/personalist party.Estonian Liberal Democratic Party / Estonian Reform Party
*1990: Liberals formed the
Estonian Liberal Democratic Party ("Eesti Liberaal-Demokraatlik Erakond")
*1994: The party is the basis for the newEstonian Reform Party ("Eesti Reformierakond")Estonian Coalition Party
*1991: Dissident members of Savisaar cabinet (Jaak Tamm), and centrists found the
Estonian Coalition Party ("Eesti Koonderakond"), led byTiit Vähi
*2000s: The party was disbandedProgressive Party
*1996: A faction of the
Estonian Centre Party formed the Progressive Party ("Arengupartei")
*1999: The party disappearedLiberal leaders
*
Jaan Tõnisson ee also
*
History of Estonia
*Politics of Estonia
*List of political parties in Estonia
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