Keskerakond
|
Estonian Centre Party
Eesti Keskerakond |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Leader | Jüri Ratas |
| Founded | 12 October 1991 |
| Preceded by | Popular Front of Estonia |
| Headquarters | Toom-Rüütli 3/5 Tallinn 10130 |
| Membership (2014) | 14,322 |
| Ideology |
Centrism Social liberalism Populism |
| Political position | Centre-left |
| European affiliation | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe |
| European Parliament group | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe |
| Colours | Green |
| Riigikogu |
27 / 101
|
| European Parliament |
1 / 6
|
| Website | |
| http://www.keskerakond.ee/ | |
The Estonian Centre Party (Estonian: Eesti Keskerakond) is a centrist,social-liberal and populistpolitical party in Estonia. It is one of the two largest political parties in Estonia and currently has 27 seats in the Estonian Parliament. The Party is a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE).
The party was founded on 12 October 1991 from the basis of the Popular Front of Estonia after several parties split from it. At that time, the party was called People's Centre Party (Rahvakeskerakond) in order to differentiate from the smaller centre-right Rural Centre Party (Maa-Keskerakond).
The Centre Party chairman from 5 November 2016 is Jüri Ratas. The party has served as the major coalition partner in the Rõivas cabinet since 26 March 2014.
The Centre Party has become by far the most popular party among Russians in Estonia, being supported by up to 75% of ethnic non-Estonians.
In the parliamentary elections of March 1995, the Centre Party was placed third with 14.2% of votes and 16 seats. It entered the coalition, Savisaar taking the position of the Minister of Internal Affairs, and 4 other ministerial positions (Social Affairs, Economy, Education and Transportation& Communications). After the "tape scandal" (secret taping of talks with other politicians) where Savisaar was involved, the party was forced to go to opposition. A new party was formed by those who were disappointed by their leader's behaviour. Edgar Savisaar became the Chairman of the City Council of the capital city Tallinn.
In 1996, CPE candidate Siiri Oviir ran for the presidency of Estonia.
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