Convervative People's Party Opens Branch in Finland
The Conservative People's Party established a branch in Finland on Monday, October 20.
The Conservative People's Party said the new branch aims to mobilize the close to 50,000 Estonians currently permanently residing in Finland and give them a political platform for voicing their opinions on the issues relating to their native country and the development of Estonian society.
The founding meeting was attended by 20 people, including party board members Martin Helme and Jaak Madison. The elected branch board consists of Mare Liiger, Timo Kalaus, Malle Reinlo, Kersti Rääk ja Piret Janis.
Helme said: "This is a benchmark event. We believe that human resources are Estonia's most valuable capital and we should not accept, in addition to other capital, the drain of precious and irreplacable human resources from Estonia. The Conservative People's Party will represent all Estonians, regadrless of where they choose to reside and gives a clear signal, that Estonians in Finland are needed in their home country and we are working to create incentives for their return."
The party, which is not represented in Parliament, is known for its opposition to immigration and Eurofederalism, and supports greater direct democracy. It has close to 8,000 members and polls at about 3 percent of decided voters. It has friendship ties with the UK Independence Party.