Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TALLINN537
2006-06-07 05:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tallinn
Cable title:
ESTONIA: MERGER OF RES PUBLICA AND PRO PATRIA
how-toVZCZCXRO0260 RR RUEHAST DE RUEHTL #0537 1580543 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 070543Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY TALLINN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8702 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS TALLINN 000537
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV EN
SUBJECT: ESTONIA: MERGER OF RES PUBLICA AND PRO PATRIA
UNION FORMALLY APPROVED
REF: A) TALLINN 322 B) TALLINN 451
UNCLAS TALLINN 000537
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV EN
SUBJECT: ESTONIA: MERGER OF RES PUBLICA AND PRO PATRIA
UNION FORMALLY APPROVED
REF: A) TALLINN 322 B) TALLINN 451
1. On June 4 the general assemblies of Res Publica and
Pro Patria Union approved their parties' merger into
"the Union of Pro Patria Union and Res Publica." Taavi
Veskimagi, Chairman of Res Publica, told the press the
goal of the merger was to "prevent the leftists and the
new nomenclature from coming to power in the next
parliamentary elections." Veskimagi said that with 8,700
members, 32 seats in parliament (Res Publica has 25, Pro
Patria Union seven) and 70 local government leaders, the
new party would be better able to defend the interests
of Estonian voters.
2. The leader of Pro Patria Union, Tonis Lukas, said the
timing was auspicious for creation of the joint
political party. Referring to the present coalition,
which consists of two left-of-center parties and the
conservative Reform Party, he said "... this unnatural
union will remain in power in Estonia for a long time if
we do not establish a large, strong center-right force."
3. Both parties will maintain their current leadership
structures, with Res Publica Chairman Taavi Veskimagi
and Pro Patria Union's Tonis Lukas remaining in charge
as co-chairmen until a new leader is elected in June
2007. Party representatives say they intend to make the
name of their joint prime ministerial candidate for next
year's parliamentary elections known before the end of
June. Several senior members of Res Publica and Pro
Patria Union have mentioned former Prime Minister Mart
Laar as best suited for the job.
WOS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV EN
SUBJECT: ESTONIA: MERGER OF RES PUBLICA AND PRO PATRIA
UNION FORMALLY APPROVED
REF: A) TALLINN 322 B) TALLINN 451
1. On June 4 the general assemblies of Res Publica and
Pro Patria Union approved their parties' merger into
"the Union of Pro Patria Union and Res Publica." Taavi
Veskimagi, Chairman of Res Publica, told the press the
goal of the merger was to "prevent the leftists and the
new nomenclature from coming to power in the next
parliamentary elections." Veskimagi said that with 8,700
members, 32 seats in parliament (Res Publica has 25, Pro
Patria Union seven) and 70 local government leaders, the
new party would be better able to defend the interests
of Estonian voters.
2. The leader of Pro Patria Union, Tonis Lukas, said the
timing was auspicious for creation of the joint
political party. Referring to the present coalition,
which consists of two left-of-center parties and the
conservative Reform Party, he said "... this unnatural
union will remain in power in Estonia for a long time if
we do not establish a large, strong center-right force."
3. Both parties will maintain their current leadership
structures, with Res Publica Chairman Taavi Veskimagi
and Pro Patria Union's Tonis Lukas remaining in charge
as co-chairmen until a new leader is elected in June
2007. Party representatives say they intend to make the
name of their joint prime ministerial candidate for next
year's parliamentary elections known before the end of
June. Several senior members of Res Publica and Pro
Patria Union have mentioned former Prime Minister Mart
Laar as best suited for the job.
WOS