Estonian Independence Party
Encyclopedia
The Estonian Independence Party is a nationalist political party
in Estonia
. The party, founded in 1999, is a successor to the Estonian Future Party. One of the principal aims of the party is the withdrawal of Estonia
from the European Union
. The party is currently without parliamentary representation. It had 1,242 members on 15 July 2009.
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. Party supports Setomaa
to be a part of Estonia, not Russia.
In 2001, the party called for closer relations with Russia and said that the country should have a bigger say in defining Estonia's future.
EIP candidates gained 2705 votes (0.55% of the national vote) in the 2003 parliamentary election
.
EIP took part in the 2003 in movement against Estonia joining the European Union.
In the 2007 elections
, the party vote dropped by about two-thirds, to just 1,274 votes (0.2% of the total).
, has also been accused of having National Socialist views.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Estonia
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...
. The party, founded in 1999, is a successor to the Estonian Future Party. One of the principal aims of the party is the withdrawal of Estonia
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...
from the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. The party is currently without parliamentary representation. It had 1,242 members on 15 July 2009.
Philosophy
The EIP's political philosophy promotes a doctrine of “Estonia as a neo-autarkic geopolitical space” and an associated geopolitical imperative of neutrality between the East and the West.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
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, which they accuse of having neocolonised Estonia. The party recommended rejecting International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
suggestions. Party supports Setomaa
Setomaa
Setomaa is a region south of Lake Peipus and inhabited by the Seto speaking Setos. Seto language belongs to south Estonian dialect of Estonian language. The historic range of Setomaa is located on territories of present day Estonia and Russia...
to be a part of Estonia, not Russia.
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 and said that the country should have a bigger say in defining Estonia's future.
EIP candidates gained 2705 votes (0.55% of the national vote) 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...
.
EIP took part in the 2003 in movement against Estonia joining the European Union.
In the 2007 elections
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...
, the party vote dropped by about two-thirds, to just 1,274 votes (0.2% of the total).
Controversies
Opponents have claimed that the party is a far-right organisation. This has been rejected by the party leader, Vello Leito, and a leading board member, Tauno Rahnu. One of the former leading members, Risto Teinonen, an ethnic FinnFinland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, has also been accused of having National Socialist views.