Social Democratic Party (Estonia)
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Template:Politics of Estonia The Social Democratic Party (Estonian: Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond), or SDE, is a social democratic party of Estonia, led by Ivari Padar. It is a member of the Party of European Socialists since 2003 16th May and a member of the Socialist International since November 1990.
It was formerly known as the Moderate People's Party (Rahvaerakond Mõõdukad), and as such secured 6 seats 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.
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History
Social democracy in Estonia during 1917-1940
Social democracy in Estonia was born at the beginning of the 20th century. Estonian social democracy was influnced by West-European ideas of social democracy and Russian ideals too. During 1905 revolution social democratic ideas spread. Social democrats formed their party in 1917. Their name was in the beginning Estonian Social Democratic Association. Their views were patriotic and they fought for Estonian independence and social justice. They changed their name into Estonian Social Democratic Workers Party and they won the elections of Estonian constitutive body (1/3 votes and 41/120 mandates). They wrote the first Estonian constitution and solved the rural problem in the democratic way. Their Party changed their name again: Estonian Socialist Workers Party (below). They were in the power in 1924-1925 and 1928-1929. In 1925 they joined with Estonian Independent Socialist Workers Party to form Estonian Socialist Workers' Party. They won the elections in 1926 (24/100) and in 1929 (25/100). Their party was well known in Estonia, they were one of the biggest parties in Estonia. They had contacts with other social democrats in Europe, the party was a member of the Labour and Socialist International. They made a cultural autonomy law and gave their chance of the promotions in cultural and educational life. Their party was closed in 1935 because of the end of democratic era in Estonia. After the beginning of the Soviet occupation during World War II they escaped to the free world and continued their work in emigration in Sweden in Stockholm.
1989-today
During the perestroika era the Estonian Social Democratic Party was formed from social democratic movements. The movements were: Estonian Democratic Labour Party, Estonian Social Demoratic Independence Party, Russian Social Democratic Party in Estonia and Estonian Socialist Party Foreign Association (successor of Estonian Socialist Workers Party in exile). ESDP’s first leader was Marju Lauristin. They restored their contacts with Socialist International in 1990. They formed an electoral alliance with centrist-agrarian Estonian Rural Centre Party in 1992 and 1995. In 1996, after electoral defeat they joined and named themselves Mõõdukad ("The Moderates"). This was their electoral cartel name. In 1999 they joined People’s Party (centrist-agrarian). Their contacts with People’s Party predecessors started in 1998. In 2003 they joined the PSE (Party of the European Socialists). And on February 7th, 2004 they named themselves Estonian Social Democratic Party. Their values are: social market model which values work, equality, social justice, solidarity, welfare state. Their leader is Ivari Padar. On the May 10th, 2005 former social-liberals Peeter Kreitzberg and Sven Mikser joined them.
Leaders of ESDP
- Marju Lauristin 1990-1995
- Eiki Nestor 1995-1996
- Andres Tarand 1996-2001
- Toomas Hendrik Ilves 2001-2002
- Ivari Padar 2002-
Riiigkogu election results
1992. 12 out of 101 1995. 6 out of 101 1999. 17 out of 101 2003. 6 out of 101
The periods in Goverment
1992-1994, 1994-1995, 1999-2001.
Members of Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu)
MP, electoral district
Ivari Padar (faction chairman), Võru-, Valga- ja Põlvamaa
Eiki Nestor (faction vice-chairman), Tallinna Haabersti, Põhja-Tallinna ja Kristiine
Kadi Pärnits, Lääne-Virumaa
Katrin Saks, Tallinna Kesklinn, Lasnamäe ja Pirita
Jarno Laur, Tartu linn
Jüri Tamm, Harju- ja Raplamaa
Peeter Kreitzberg, Lääne-Virumaa
Sven Mikser, Tartu linn
Members of European Parliament
Toomas Hendrik Ilves
Marianne Mikko
Andres Tarand
See also: List of political parties in Estonia - Social Democratic Party
External link
Official web site (http://www.sotsdem.ee)
Social Democaratic Youth in Estonia (http://noored.sotsiaaldemokraadid.ee)
et:Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond
fr:Parti social-démocrate (Estonie)