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Social Democratic Party (Estonia)
Encyclopedia
The Social Democratic Party is a social-democratic
party
in Estonia
, led by Sven Mikser. It has been a member of the Party of European Socialists
since 16 May 2003 and a member of the Socialist International
since November 1990.
The party was formerly known as the People's Party Moderates , and as such secured 6 seats with 7.0% share of vote in the Riigikogu
(the parliament of Estonia) in 2003. It was the most successful party in the 2004 European Parliamentary Election
, obtaining 36.8% of the national vote and returning 3 MEPs
.
The party's youth wing is called Young Social Democrats
.
During the perestroika era
the Estonian Social Democratic Party was formed as Estonia's social-democratic movements merged in 1990. The movements were: the Estonian Democratic Laour Party
, the Estonian Social Democratic Independence Party
, the Russian Social Democratic Party in 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 centre-right
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".
In 1999 the Moderates joined the People's Party, a centre-right
party, formed in May 1998 after fusion of small Peasants' Party and People's Party of Republicans and Conservatives
, a 1994 splinter group from Fatherland Alliance
. The seemingly unlikely decision to fuse took place on 29 May 1999, with some foreign commentators drawing parallels with 'right-wing
socialist
s'. In November the same year, the unification was formally approved by party's general assembly.
The Moderates' contacts with People's Party predecessors had started in 1998. The two parties had a joint list in 1999 parliamentary election
and formed a governing coalition with Pro Patria Union and Reform Party. In 2003, the People's Party moderates joined the Party of European Socialists
. After disappointing election results in 2003
, the party renamed themselves the Social Democratic Party (SDE) on 7 February 2004.
The SDE is committed to the social market economy
model, in addition to conventional social-democratic values including equality, social justice
, solidarity, and the welfare state
. On 10 May 2005 former social-liberals Peeter Kreitzberg and Sven Mikser joined them. On the 28th November former social-liberal Mark Soosaar re-joined the SDE. The party has been in opposition from 2002 on, but they participated talks for a common alternative presidential candidate to Arnold Rüütel
, SDE's Toomas Hendrik Ilves
was elected on 23 September 2006 as the next president of Estonia (apart from the Social Democrats, he was supported by the Reform Party of Estonia, Pro Patria Union
and Res Publica
deputies).
After last elections to the local government councils on 16 October 2005, the party in most major cities is in opposition, but are a part of the governing coalition in Rakvere and Tapa. The party improved its position in most areas. In Tallinn, it formed a joint list with the agrarian People's Union
, which got 6 seats out of 63 seats with 11.1% share of votes. Comparing to 2003. elections to the local government council in Tallinn SDE and People's Union gained seats. In the 2003 election, SDE got a 4.9% share of votes and People's Union 3.4% share of votes, which were both below a 5% election threshold. In Estonia, SDE local lists won 6.43% share of votes. In 2003 they got only 4.39% share of votes nationally. SDE is today represented on 65 local councils out of 206 and is governing in 20 local councils. After the 2003 election the party was represented in 104 local councils out of 247.
was to win at least 17 seats out of 101. Independent member of current Riigikogu
Liina Tõnisson ran as a candidate in their list. All SDE's MEPs and their current MPs were candidates in the 2007 election. The party got 58,354 votes (10.6% of the total), a gain of +3.6%; it won 10 seats in the new Riigikogu, a gain of four.
In April 2007, the Social Democrats joined the coalition government led by the Reform Party.
Riigikogu
governments with today's Fatherland Union and Reform Party
. Social democrats were in government in 1992–1994 Mart Laar
's first government, in 1994–1995 Andres Tarand
's government (often called to Christmas Peace government (jõulurahu valitsus)) and in 1999–2001 Mart Laar's second government (often called Triple Alliance (kolmikliit)) and from 2007 to 2009, when the Social Democrat ministers were expelled from the government.
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
party
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...
, led by Sven Mikser. It has been a member of the Party of European Socialists
Party of European Socialists
The Party of European Socialists is a European political party led by Sergei Stanishev, former Prime Minister of Bulgaria. The PES comprises social-democratic national-level political parties primarily from Member state of the European Union, as well as other nations of the European continent. The...
since 16 May 2003 and a member of the Socialist International
Socialist International
The Socialist International is a worldwide organization of democratic socialist, social democratic and labour political parties. It was formed in 1951.- History :...
since November 1990.
The party was formerly known as the People's Party Moderates , and as such secured 6 seats with 7.0% share of vote in the Riigikogu
Riigikogu
The Riigikogu is the unicameral parliament of Estonia. All important state-related questions pass through the Riigikogu...
(the parliament of Estonia) in 2003. It was the most successful party in the 2004 European Parliamentary Election
European Parliament election, 2004 (Estonia)
The European Parliament election of 2004 in Estonia was the election of MEP representing Estonia constituency for the 2004-2009 term of the European Parliament. It was part of the wider 2004 European election. The vote took place on June 13....
, obtaining 36.8% of the national vote and returning 3 MEPs
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
.
The party's youth wing is called Young Social Democrats
Young Social Democrats (Estonia)
Young Social Democrats is the youth wing organisation of the Estonian Social Democratic Party. It is a member of IUSY since 1996 and a member of ECOSY since 2001.The current president is Lauri Läänemets, since 2011.-History:...
.
1989–today
For the history of Estonian Social Democracy before 1980s, see Estonian Social Democratic Workers' PartyEstonian Social Democratic Workers' Party
The Estonian Social Democratic Workers' Party was a political party in Estonia. This party, founded on the platforms of patriotism, Estonian independence, and social justice, wrote the first Estonian constitution....
During the perestroika era
Perestroika
Perestroika was a political movement within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union during 1980s, widely associated with the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev...
the Estonian Social Democratic Party was formed as Estonia's social-democratic movements merged in 1990. The movements were: the Estonian Democratic Laour Party
Estonian Democratic Labour Party (1989)
The Estonian Democratic Labour Party was a social democratic political party in Estonia . The party was founded in April 1989. The party was led by Vello Saatpalu. In June 1989, the party sent a delegation to the Socialist International congress in Stockholm.On September 8, 1989, the party merged...
, the Estonian Social Democratic Independence Party
Estonian Social Democratic Independence Party
The Estonian Social Democratic Independence Party was a social democratic political party in Estonia , which advocated Estonian independence. The party was founded in May 1990. The party was led by Marju Lauristin....
, the Russian Social Democratic Party in Estonia and the Estonian Socialist Party's Foreign Association (successor of Estonian Socialist Workers Party in exile).
Marju Lauristin
Marju Lauristin is an Estonian politician and social scientist. She is the daughter of Johannes Lauristin and Olga Lauristin. Her father signed away Estonia's freedom to the Soviet Union in 1940. Together with Edgar Savisaar, in 1988 Lauristin established Rahvarinne, the first large-scale...
. They restored their contacts with the Socialist International
Socialist International
The Socialist International is a worldwide organization of democratic socialist, social democratic and labour political parties. It was formed in 1951.- History :...
in 1990. ESDP formed an electoral alliance with centre-right
Centre-right
The centre-right or center-right is a political term commonly used to describe or denote individuals, political parties, or organizations whose views stretch from the centre to the right on the left-right spectrum, excluding far right stances. Centre-right can also describe a coalition of centrist...
agrarian
Agrarianism
Agrarianism has two common meanings. The first meaning refers to a social philosophy or political philosophy which values rural society as superior to urban society, the independent farmer as superior to the paid worker, and sees farming as a way of life that can shape the ideal social values...
Estonian Rural Centre Party (formed in 1990) for 1992
Estonian parliamentary election, 1992
Estonian parliamentary election of 1992 was held on 20th September, 1992. This term of parliament was elected according constitution application law for 3 years. The threshold was 5% of the national vote or 3 personal mandates. To get a personal mandate candidate must collect at least a quota votes...
and 1995 elections
Estonian parliamentary election, 1995
Estonian parliamentary election of 1995 was held on 5 March 1995. Threshold was 5% of the national vote, seven lists passed threshold. In brackets are the names of the parties/cartels in Estonian....
. In 1996, after electoral defeat these two parties finally merged and named themselves "The Moderates".
In 1999 the Moderates joined the People's Party, a centre-right
Centre-right
The centre-right or center-right is a political term commonly used to describe or denote individuals, political parties, or organizations whose views stretch from the centre to the right on the left-right spectrum, excluding far right stances. Centre-right can also describe a coalition of centrist...
party, formed in May 1998 after fusion of small Peasants' Party and People's Party of Republicans and Conservatives
People's Party of Republicans and Conservatives
People's Party of Republicans and Conservatives was an Estonian political party, which existed under this banner from 1994 to 1998.- History :...
, a 1994 splinter group from Fatherland Alliance
Pro Patria Union
The Pro Patria Union was a conservative political party in Estonia. The party was founded on 2 December 1995 by merging the Estonian National Independence Party and the National Coalition Party Pro Patria .On April 4, 2006, representatives of the Pro Patria Union and the representatives of Res...
. The seemingly unlikely decision to fuse took place on 29 May 1999, with some foreign commentators drawing parallels with 'right-wing
Right-wing politics
In politics, Right, right-wing and rightist generally refer to support for a hierarchical society justified on the basis of an appeal to natural law or tradition. To varying degrees, the Right rejects the egalitarian objectives of left-wing politics, claiming that the imposition of equality is...
socialist
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
s'. In November the same year, the unification was formally approved by party's general assembly.
The Moderates' contacts with People's Party predecessors had started in 1998. The two parties had a joint list in 1999 parliamentary election
Estonian parliamentary election, 1999
Estonian parliamentary election of 1999 was held on 7 March 1999. The threshold was 5% of the national vote, and seven lists passed the threshold...
and formed a governing coalition with Pro Patria Union and Reform Party. In 2003, the People's Party moderates joined the Party of European Socialists
Party of European Socialists
The Party of European Socialists is a European political party led by Sergei Stanishev, former Prime Minister of Bulgaria. The PES comprises social-democratic national-level political parties primarily from Member state of the European Union, as well as other nations of the European continent. The...
. After disappointing election results in 2003
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...
, the party renamed themselves the Social Democratic Party (SDE) on 7 February 2004.
The SDE is committed to the social market economy
Social market economy
The social market economy is the main economic model used in West Germany after World War II. It is based on the economic philosophy of Ordoliberalism from the Freiburg School...
model, in addition to conventional social-democratic values including equality, social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
, solidarity, and the welfare state
Welfare state
A welfare state is a "concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those...
. On 10 May 2005 former social-liberals Peeter Kreitzberg and Sven Mikser joined them. On the 28th November former social-liberal Mark Soosaar re-joined the SDE. The party has been in opposition from 2002 on, but they participated talks for a common alternative presidential candidate to Arnold Rüütel
Arnold Rüütel
Arnold Rüütel OIH was the third President of the Republic of Estonia from October 8, 2001 to October 9, 2006. He was the second President since Estonia regained its independence in 1991....
, SDE's Toomas Hendrik Ilves
Toomas Hendrik Ilves
Toomas Hendrik Ilves is the fourth and current President of Estonia. He is a former diplomat and journalist, was the leader of the Social Democratic Party in the 1990s and later a member of the European Parliament...
was elected on 23 September 2006 as the next president of Estonia (apart from the Social Democrats, he was supported by the Reform Party of Estonia, Pro Patria Union
Pro Patria Union
The Pro Patria Union was a conservative political party in Estonia. The party was founded on 2 December 1995 by merging the Estonian National Independence Party and the National Coalition Party Pro Patria .On April 4, 2006, representatives of the Pro Patria Union and the representatives of Res...
and Res Publica
Res publica
Res publica is a Latin phrase, loosely meaning "public affair". It is the root of the word republic, and the word commonwealth has traditionally been used as a synonym for it; however translations vary widely according to the context...
deputies).
After last elections to the local government councils on 16 October 2005, the party in most major cities is in opposition, but are a part of the governing coalition in Rakvere and Tapa. The party improved its position in most areas. In Tallinn, it formed a joint list with the agrarian People's Union
People's Union of Estonia
The People's Union of Estonia is a political party in Estonia, currently led by Margo Miljand.In the 2003 parliamentary election, the party collected 64,463 votes, which made 13.0% share of all votes and 13 mandates out of 101. In 2007's election, this dropped to 39,211 votes , and six seats in...
, which got 6 seats out of 63 seats with 11.1% share of votes. Comparing to 2003. elections to the local government council in Tallinn SDE and People's Union gained seats. In the 2003 election, SDE got a 4.9% share of votes and People's Union 3.4% share of votes, which were both below a 5% election threshold. In Estonia, SDE local lists won 6.43% share of votes. In 2003 they got only 4.39% share of votes nationally. SDE is today represented on 65 local councils out of 206 and is governing in 20 local councils. After the 2003 election the party was represented in 104 local councils out of 247.
2007 election results
SDE's aim in the 2007 Estonian parliamentary electionEstonian 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...
was to win at least 17 seats out of 101. Independent member of current Riigikogu
Riigikogu
The Riigikogu is the unicameral parliament of Estonia. All important state-related questions pass through the Riigikogu...
Liina Tõnisson ran as a candidate in their list. All SDE's MEPs and their current MPs were candidates in the 2007 election. The party got 58,354 votes (10.6% of the total), a gain of +3.6%; it won 10 seats in the new Riigikogu, a gain of four.
In April 2007, the Social Democrats joined the coalition government led by the Reform Party.
Leaders of ESDP/SDE
- Marju LauristinMarju LauristinMarju Lauristin is an Estonian politician and social scientist. She is the daughter of Johannes Lauristin and Olga Lauristin. Her father signed away Estonia's freedom to the Soviet Union in 1940. Together with Edgar Savisaar, in 1988 Lauristin established Rahvarinne, the first large-scale...
1990–1995 - Eiki NestorEiki NestorEiki Nestor is an Estonian politician. He was the leader of the Social Democratic Party of Estonia from 1994 to 1996...
1995–1996 - Andres TarandAndres TarandAndres Tarand , is an Estonian politician and former Member of the European Parliament for the Social Democratic Party, part of the Party of European Socialists between 2004 and 2009. Tarand also served as the Prime Minister of Estonia from 1994 to 1995.Born in Tallinn, Tarand graduated from the...
1996–2001 - Toomas Hendrik IlvesToomas Hendrik IlvesToomas Hendrik Ilves is the fourth and current President of Estonia. He is a former diplomat and journalist, was the leader of the Social Democratic Party in the 1990s and later a member of the European Parliament...
2001–2002 - Ivari PadarIvari PadarIvari Padar is an Estonian politician, former Minister of Finance and former chairman of the Estonian Social Democratic Party. He was Deputy Mayor of Võru from 1993 to 1994, Executive Chairman of the Võru Farmers Union from 1994 to 1995, and Assistant to the Chancellor at the Finance Ministry from...
2002–2009 - Jüri PihlJüri PihlJüri Pihl is an Estonian politician, a member of the Social Democratic Party.From 1993 to 2003 he served as the General Director of Kaitsepolitsei, the central security institution in Estonia...
2009–2010 - Sven Mikser 2010-
RiigikoguRiigikoguThe Riigikogu is the unicameral parliament of Estonia. All important state-related questions pass through the Riigikogu...
election results
- 1992: 12 seats (as electoral cartel Moderates, i.e joint list of Estonian Social Democratic Party and Rural Centre Party)
- 1995: 6 seats (as electoral cartel Moderates, i.e joint list of Estonian Social Democratic Party and Rural Centre Party)
- 1999: 17 seats (as Moderates, which included People's Party candidates)
- 2003: 6 seats (as People's Party Moderates)
- 2007: 10 seats
- 2011: 19 seats
The periods in Government
1992–1994, 1994–1995, 1999–2001, 2007–2009 They participated in three centre-rightCentre-right
The centre-right or center-right is a political term commonly used to describe or denote individuals, political parties, or organizations whose views stretch from the centre to the right on the left-right spectrum, excluding far right stances. Centre-right can also describe a coalition of centrist...
governments with today's Fatherland Union and Reform Party
Estonian Reform Party
The Estonian Reform Party is a centre-right, free market liberal party in Estonia. It is led by Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, and has 33 members in the 101-member Riigikogu, making it the largest party in the legislature...
. Social democrats were in government in 1992–1994 Mart Laar
Mart Laar
Mart Laar is an Estonian statesman, historian and a founding member of the Foundation for the Investigation of Communist Crimes. He was the Prime Minister of Estonia from 1992 to 1994 and from 1999 to 2002, and is the leader of the conservative party Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica...
's first government, in 1994–1995 Andres Tarand
Andres Tarand
Andres Tarand , is an Estonian politician and former Member of the European Parliament for the Social Democratic Party, part of the Party of European Socialists between 2004 and 2009. Tarand also served as the Prime Minister of Estonia from 1994 to 1995.Born in Tallinn, Tarand graduated from the...
's government (often called to Christmas Peace government (jõulurahu valitsus)) and in 1999–2001 Mart Laar's second government (often called Triple Alliance (kolmikliit)) and from 2007 to 2009, when the Social Democrat ministers were expelled from the government.
Members of Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu)
MP, electoral district- Sven Mikser, Järvamaa and Viljandimaa counties, faction chairman
- Eiki NestorEiki NestorEiki Nestor is an Estonian politician. He was the leader of the Social Democratic Party of Estonia from 1994 to 1996...
, Haabersti, Põhja-Tallinn and Kristiine districts in Tallinn, faction vice chairman - Indrek Saar, Lääne-Virumaa county, faction vice chairman
- Jaak Allik, Ida-Virumaa county
- Andres Anvelt, Kesklinn, Lasnamäe and Pirita districts in Tallinn
- Kalev Kotkas, Hiiumaa, Läänemaa and Saaremaa counties
- Mart Meri, Mustamäe and Nõmme districts in Tallinn
- Kalvi Kõva, Võrumaa, Valgamaa and Põlvamaa counties
- Helmen Kütt, Järvamaa and Viljandimaa counties
- Kajar Lember, Hiiumaa, Läänemaa and Saaremaa counties
- Marianne MikkoMarianne MikkoMarianne Mikko is an Estonian politician and former Member of the European Parliament for the Social Democratic Party, part of the Party of European Socialists....
, Pärnumaa county - Jevgeni Ossinovski, Ida-Virumaa county
- Heljo Pikhof, Tartu city
- Urve PaloUrve PaloUrve Palo is an Estonian politician, a member of the Social Democratic PartyFrom April 2007 until May 2009 she served as Estonian Minister of Population and Ethnic Affairs.-References:...
, Harjumaa and Raplamaa (without Tallinn city) - Rein Randver, Võrumaa, Valgamaa and Põlvamaa counties
- Karel RüütliKarel RüütliKarel Rüütli was Chairman of the Estonian People's Union and also leader of Estonian People's Union faction in the Estonian Parliament. He left the ERL and joined the Social Democratic Party of Estonia on 14th June, 2010.- Education :Karel Rüütli acquired secondary education in Valga Gümnaasium...
, Harjumaa and Raplamaa (without Tallinn city) - Neeme Suur, Hiiumaa, Läänemaa and Saaremaa counties
- Rannar Vassiljev, Lääne-Virumaa county
- Jaan Õunapuu, Jõgevamaa and Tartumaa counties (without Tartu city)
Members of the European Parliament
Since 2009 the SDE has 1 MEPMember of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
- Ivari PadarIvari PadarIvari Padar is an Estonian politician, former Minister of Finance and former chairman of the Estonian Social Democratic Party. He was Deputy Mayor of Võru from 1993 to 1994, Executive Chairman of the Võru Farmers Union from 1994 to 1995, and Assistant to the Chancellor at the Finance Ministry from...
Other notable SDE members
- Jaan KaplinskiJaan KaplinskiJaan Kaplinski is an Estonian poet, philosopher, and culture critic. Kaplinski is known for his independent mind, focus on global issues and support for left-wing/liberal thinking...
- Maimu Berg
- Andres TarandAndres TarandAndres Tarand , is an Estonian politician and former Member of the European Parliament for the Social Democratic Party, part of the Party of European Socialists between 2004 and 2009. Tarand also served as the Prime Minister of Estonia from 1994 to 1995.Born in Tallinn, Tarand graduated from the...
- Katrin SaksKatrin SaksKatrin Saks is an Estonian politician. She is the vice-chairman of the Social Democratic Party , Estonia, and worked in Brussels as a Member of the European Parliament elected in October 2006, when she replaced Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who was elected President of Estonia...
See also
- Social Democratic PartySocial Democratic PartyThe name Social Democratic Party or Social Democrats has been used by a large number of political parties in various countries around the world...
- Estonian Social Democratic Workers Party (historical)
External links
- http://www.sotsdem.ee Official web site
- http://www.noorsots.ee Social Democratic Youth in Estonia