New Era Party

Jaunais laiks (JL, New Era ) was a liberal- conservative political party in Latvia. It was founded in 2001 by Einar Repše and went in 2011 in the party Vienotība ( dt: "Unity " ) on.

History

During the campaign for the parliamentary elections in 2002, the New Era promised to fight corruption and tax evasion especially. After the party believes the state budget of Latvia could be relieved by 400 million lats, which would open up possibilities to finance various programs and tax cuts. The party's program also includes measures in the health and education services, among others to the state-funded higher education example, be replaced by loans to the students.

In the Latvian parliamentary elections on 5 October 2002 JL was the strongest force in the Saeima. She won 23.9 % of the vote and 26 of 100 seats and formed the alliance of Greens and Farmers, the Fatherland Party and Latvia's First Party a coalition government with Einar Repše as Prime Minister. In January 2004 came the break of the coalition and Repše had to resign.

At the government Kalvītis the party of December 2004 was involved with six ministers until 13 April 2006. Chairman of the parliamentary faction was the former Education Minister Karlis SADURSKIS. The party leadership had still held Einar Repše.

In the European Parliament Jaunais laiks belonged to the European People's Party.

At the 2010 parliamentary elections the party ran as part of the electoral alliance Vienotība. 2011, constituted the former electoral alliance as a party.

Results in Latvian elections

• General Election 2002: 23.9 %, corresponding to 26 seats (out of 100) - largest group in the Parliament
• General Election 2006: 16.4%, which is 18 seats (out of 100)
• General Election 2010: 31.2%, so 33 seats as part of the electoral alliance Vienotība