Free Party to work with independent lists in 2017 local elections
The Free Party will take part in the 2017 local elections in partnership with independent lists across Estonia, the council of the party decided on Saturday.
The Free Party’s position is that local governments must be independent and strong, and it is opposed to parties working to take over local communities. Unlike the ruling parties, the Free Party would not interfere in the affairs of local authorities, chairman of the council Jaanus Ojangu said.
“In the elections to take place a year from today, the Free Party will participate in list coalitions, acknowledging and respecting local communities’ rights,” Ojangu said.
“We are convinced that political decisions must be made as near to the people as possible,” Free Party MP Artur Talvik said. “Local governments must be assured a firm income base and independence. Party headquarters have no business in every municipality and city. Local policies include roads, education, public amenities, and social services, not ideology.”
The Free Party does not support the law that allows parliament members to sit on local councils as well. It also recognizes local governments and independent lists that opposed it. The so-called ‘two seats law’ amounted to interference in local governments’ internal affairs, Ojangu said.
The council decided that the Free Party would provide a political platform to all Estonians who share the party’s views on the country’s development, and who wish to participate in “big politics” and take part in parliamentary elections without party affiliation.
Editor: Editor: Dario Cavegn
Source: BNS