Social Democratic Party
Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond |
|
---|---|
Leader | Jevgeni Ossinovski |
Founded | 8 September 1990 | (as ESDP)
Headquarters | Ahtri 10a V floor Tallinn 10151 |
Youth wing | Young Social Democrats |
Membership (2014) | 6,196 |
Ideology | Social democracy |
Political position | Centre-left |
European affiliation | Party of European Socialists |
International affiliation | Socialist International (Observer) |
European Parliament group | Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats |
Colours | Red |
Riigikogu |
15 / 101
|
European Parliament |
1 / 6
|
Website | |
www |
|
The Social Democratic Party (Estonian: Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond, SDE) is a social-democraticpolitical party in Estonia, currently led by Jevgeni Ossinovski.
The party was formerly known as the Moderate People's Party (Estonian: Rahvaerakond Mõõdukad). The SDE has been a member of the Party of European Socialists since 16 May 2003 and a member of the Socialist International since November 1990. In spite of its nominal ideology, it has normally governed with the right-wing parties.
The party has served as a junior coalition partner in the Rõivas cabinet since 26 March 2014.
For the history of Estonian Social Democracy before the 1980s, see Estonian Social Democratic Workers' Party
During the perestroika era the Estonian Social Democratic Party (Eesti Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Partei, ESDP) was formed as Estonia's social-democratic movements merged in 1990. The movements were: the Estonian Democratic Labour Party, the Estonian Social Democratic Independence Party, the Russian Social Democratic Party of Estonia and the Estonian Socialist Party's Foreign Association (successor of Estonian Socialist Workers Party in exile).
The ESDP's first leader was Marju Lauristin. They restored their contacts with the Socialist International in 1990. ESDP formed an electoral alliance with the agrarian Estonian Rural Centre Party (formed in 1990) for 1992 and 1995 elections. In 1996, after electoral defeat these two parties finally merged and named themselves the Moderates (Mõõdukad). The Moderates were accepted as a full member of the Socialist International at its 20th congress in September 1999.