National Centre Party (Estonia)
The National Centre Party (Estonian Rahvuslik Keskerakond - RKE) was a center-right party in the first half of the 1930s in Estonia. It was built 1931/32 in the context of several mergers conservative Estonian parties.
History and Program
The National Centre Party was formed in the wake of the global economic crisis and the consolidation of the Estonian political spectrum beginning of the 1930 years as a merger of four parties of the center-right spectrum.
In October 1931, the conservative - liberal national Estonian People's Party ( Eesti Rahvaerakond ) and the clerical- Protestant Christian People's Party ( Kristlik Rahvaerakond ) joined together. On January 29, 1932 was the Group of the National Centre Party of the union of the two parties with the conservative Estonian Labour Party ( Eesti Tööerakond ). On 5 February 1932, the Group of little interest party " house owners, merchants, industrialists and other supporters of private property " included ( Majaomanikud, kaupmehed, töösturid yes teised eraomandust pooldajad ), which had won in 1929 three seats in the parliamentary elections, the fraction of.
Influential politicians of the party in the short time of its existence were next to the charismatic Jaan Tõnisson the Minister Mihkel Pung, Konstantin Konik, Ado Ander Kopp, August Kerem and Hugo Villi Kukke.
The incumbent government since February 1931 under the State Elders ( Riigivanem ) Konstantin Pats from the "covenant of farmers " ( Põllumeeste Kogud ) resigned, had been formed when early in 1932 by the union of several groups and parties new constellations of power in the parliament ( Riigikogu ). The cabinet was replaced by a new government under the State elders Jaan Teemant on 19 February 1932. This was because of the upcoming parliamentary elections, but only for a short time in office.
In the parliamentary elections, which took place from May 21 to 23, 1932 the National Centre Party won 22.1 percent of the vote. With 23 MPs in the 100 -member Riigikogu she asked the second largest fraction of the 5th parliamentary term.
The party presented in June 1932 in the new coalition government of the State elders Karl Einbund ( Põllumeeste Kogud ) three ministers. The cabinet was a coalition government under the new state elders Konstantin Pats ( Põllumeeste Kogud ) replaced in March 1933, the National Centre Party was also represented.
In April 1933, the National Centre Party withdrew because of disagreements over economic policy back its ministers from the government. Jaan Tõnisson by the National Centre Party formed on 18 May 1933, leadership of the National Centre Party a new government. Coalition partner of the RKE was the union of the " settlers, farmers and government tenants " ( Asunikkude, Väikepõllupidajate yes Riigirentnikkude Koondus ).
The government lasted only until October 1933. In a referendum held on 14 to 16 October 1933, the Estonian people had adopted a new Estonian Constitution. The approval was 72.7 percent. The National Centre Party had voted against the draft constitution, which they rejected as largely undemocratic. She handed because of their defeat on 17 October 1933, the resignation. On October 21, 1933 Konstantin Pats formed a transitional government that would remain in office until the election of Elder of State and Parliament.
Coup in 1934
On March 12 1934 crack heads of state and head of government of Konstantin Pats ' Federation of Farmers " ( Põllumeeste Kogud ) with the help of the Estonian military in a bloodless coup the power. All parties were occupied on September 22, 1934, an operating ban and no longer summoned Parliament 3 October 1934. Pats ushered in the end of an Estonian democracy. His authoritarian rule was replaced in 1940 by the Stalinist occupation of Estonia and the annexation of the country to the Soviet Union.