Conservative People's Party of Estonia
The Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE) is a conservative political party in Estonia.
Coalition government
The EKRE made massive gains in the 2019 parliamentary elections, more than doubling its number of seats.[1] In April 2019, EKRE, along with the centrist Center Party and the conservative Pro Patria announced a coalition agreement, though Estonia's president asked their pro-EU election rival to find a government.[2] Estonia's parliament and president approved the proposed coalition, and EKRE's cabinet members were sworn in on April 29, 2019.[3] The party held five out of fifteen ministries, including the interior and finance ministries.[3] Additionally, on May 2, 2019, party leader Mart Helme was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister, meaning he leads cabinet meetings if the prime minister is absent.[4]
An EKRE member of parliament also received the presidency of the country's parliament and removed the EU flag from the chamber shortly after taking office.[5] EKRE's members in the government continued to speak out against EU integration.[6]
Positions
The EKRE is Euroskeptic and nationalist, socially conservative, and opposes mass migration. It also supports policies to increase Estonia's birthrate. The party strongly opposes globalism and world government.[7] A conservative party, EKRE's leader Mart Helme has stated that some – though not all – of Marine Le Pen's views, such as on same-sex "marriage" and economic matters, are too left-wing.[8]
References
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Virki, Tarmo (March 2, 2019). Estonian center-right opposition wins elections. Reuters. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
- Centre Right, Populist Right Big Winners in Estonian Elections. Breitbart News. March 4, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
- Osborne, Samuel (March 4, 2019). Estonia election: Far right surges as centre-right Reform party pulls off surprise win. The Independent. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
- Kalantar, Polina; Sibierski, Mary (March 4, 2019). Estonia’s liberal opposition wins election as far-right surges. The Times of Israel. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
- Walker, Ryan (March 3, 2019). Estonia's far-Right EKRE party threaten election upset. The Telegraph. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
- https://www.ft.com/content/3867705e-3b61-11e9-b72b-2c7f526ca5d0
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Populists, Conservatives Prepared to Form Govt in Estonia. Breitbart News (from the Associated Press). Retrieved April 6, 2019.
- Ummelas, Ott (April 7, 2019). Euroskeptic Nationalists Set to Enter Government in Estonia. Bloomberg. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- Virki, Tarmo (April 6, 2019). Three Estonian parties, including far-right EKRE, agree on coalition plan. Reuters. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/estonian-populists-2-other-parties-seal-coalition-deal/2019/04/06/036f844e-5868-11e9-aa83-504f086bf5d6_story.html
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Multiple references:
- Olsen, Jan M.; Tanner, Jari (April 29, 2019). Nationalist party enters Estonia’s government. Associated Press. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- Estonia: Anti-Mass Migration National Populists Join New Coalition Govt. Breitbart News (from the Associated Press). April 29, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- Gallery: Jüri Ratas cabinet takes oath of office. ERR. April 29, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ↑ Tanner, Jari (May 2, 2019). Estonia minister calls president ‘emotionally heated woman’. Associated Press. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ↑ Reform Party calls on Riigikogu president to bring back EU flags. ERR. April 30, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ↑ Montgomery, Jack (May 20, 2019). Populist Revolt Spreads: Estonia’s New Govt Minister Will Oppose EU Integration. Reuters. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- ↑ Suyak, Frank (March 13, 2019). Far-right party deputy: 'We are the mainstream in Estonia'. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
- ↑ Some Le Pen views too leftist, says EKRE leader. ERR. May 9, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2019.