Free Party Made Official
The Free Party has been officially registered as a political party with 642 members.
Party Chairman Andres Herkel said the party is open to all who want to change the nation's political culture, adding that those who do not want to sign up can still run at elections under their name.
The party has attracted a number of public figures, such as former government minister Jüri Adams, who was one of the main writers of the Constitution. Former head of the Defense Forces and former IRL MP, retired Vice Admiral Tarmo Kõuts and actor Ain Lutsepp, also appear.
The party held its first congress two weeks ago, picking a chairman and board, and confirming ambitions to run for Parliament at the 2015 elections.
The Free Party is Estonia's 24th political party, although 11 have been disbanded, one is bankrupt and one is in the process of liquidation.
The remaining ten parties are (in the order of membership numbers): the Estonian Center Party (14,277 members), the Estonian Reform Party (12,854), the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica, also known as IRL (9,788), the Conservative People's Party of Estonia (7,661), the Social Democratic Party (6,230), the Estonian Independence Party (2,138 members), the Estonian United Left Party (1,986), the Estonian Greens (1,138), the Freedom Party – Farmers' Union (967) and Party of People's Unity (over 500).