EKRE holds anti mass-immigration rally in Toompea
The Conservative Peoples' Party (EKRE) held its second protest in front of Parliament in as many months, this time protesting against possible migrant quotas for Estonia.
EKRE Chairman Mart Helme said the protest is a reminder for the government to stick with its promise of rejecting any EU-imposed quotas for taking in immigrants.
“So the government would not agree to quotas, and not agree to mass immigration. We wanted the people to show their views and say out loud that they will expect the government to stick by their own words,” Helme said.
One protester told ERR he does not want Estonia going along the same path as Sweden and other Western nations and war refugees should instead be helped in their own homelands.
Helme said he agreed beforehand with police to remove any provocative slogans. He said Estonia should continue with its current immigrant intake of between 50-100 each year, adding that Estonia could not handle thousands of refugees.
PM Taavi Rõivas said it is inappropriate to talk about mass immigration and some political parties are attempting to win short-term popularity on the topic. He has repeatedly stated the initial figure of 1,064 refugees per year is too much for Estonia but told Postimees that Estonia needs good arguments against the proposed quota, not for politicians to stir up hatred and bask in populism.
A month ago the youth wing of EKRE held a protest against the planned increase of tax on fuel.
Editor: J. M. Laats, M. Oll