Res Publica Party

Res Publica Party (Estonian: Erakond Res Publica) was a political party in Estonia that self-identified as conservative and therefore member of the International Democrat Union, but considering its vague platform for 2003 election, the genuineness of this ideology is disputed. Established as a party on 8 December 2001, the political organisation Res Publica was founded already as early as 1989 and existed as a community of young conservatives, mostly associated with the Pro Patria Union party during the 1990s. Res Publica was a member of the EPP (European People's Party) on the European level. It merged with Pro Patria Union in 2006 to form the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union.

Res Publica Party

Erakond Res Publica
LeaderTaavi Veskimägi
Founded8 December 2001
Dissolved4 June 2006
Merged intoPro Patria and Res Publica Union
HeadquartersNarva mnt 7
Tallinn 10117
IdeologyConservatism[1][2] Populism[3]
European affiliationEuropean People's Party
International affiliationInternational Democrat Union
European Parliament groupEPP–ED
Colours  Blue, Red
Website
www.respublica.ee

The party was founded under the name Union for the Republic – Res Publica (Ühendus vabariigi eest – Res Publica), but was commonly referred to as simply Res Publica and changed its name to Res Publica Party.

The party won its first parliamentary elections (in 2003) after being established. Their election slogans were "Vote for new politics" ("Vali uus poliitika") and "Choose order" ("Vali kord"). They formed a coalition with the Reform Party and the People's Union. The coalition broke in 2005 as a result of opposition to the policies of Res Publica's minister of justice Vaher.

At the time of its merging with Pro Patria, it was led by Taavi Veskimägi, a former Minister of Finance. The previous chairman Juhan Parts was also Prime Minister from 10 April 2003 until 23 March 2005. Until the 2007 parliamentary elections, Res Publica was the largest party in the Riigikogu, with 28 of 101 seats.

On 4 April 2006, representatives of the Pro Patria Union and the representatives of Res Publica decided to merge the two parties. A decision was made to form a new party, named Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (Isamaa ja Res Publica Liit), after approval by general assemblies of both merging political forces. Approval was given by the general assemblies on 4 June 2006. The union took third place in the 2007 elections, which, though they resulted in a loss in the combined parties' strength in Parliament, was a stronger than expected showing.

References
  1. Hanley, Seán (2006), "Getting the Right Right: Redefining the Centre-Right in Post-Communist Europe", Centre-Right Parties in Post-Communist East-Central Europe, Routledge, p. 14
  2. Cerami, Alfio (2006), Social Policy in Central and Eastern Europe: The Emergence of a New European Welfare Regime, Lit Verlag, p. 27
  3. Budryte, Dovile (2005), Taming Nationalism? Political Community Building in the Post-Soviet Baltic States, Ashgate, p. 77
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