Reinsalu Named IRL Chairman
Urmas Reinsalu was elected the new chairman of the IRL party at a party congress on January 28.
In the first round of the vote, the Reinsalu was supported by 977 party members, slightly over 50 percent of the total. Rival candidates Andres Herkel and Liisa-Ly Pakosta received 465 and 285 votes, respectively.
In his speech, Reinsalu said that the party must remain true to its conservative worldview, ensure social stability for families and not accept any compromises made at the expense of national security. He also ruled out the possibility of cooperation with the opposition Centre Party led by Edgar Savisaar.
Parliamentary Speaker Ene Ergma, Minister of Economic Affairs Juhan Parts and MP Tõnis Lukas were named vice-chairmen of the party, while former head of IRL, Mart Laar, was given the position of honorary chairman, with 1,423 votes.
During the congress, the party's 20-member governing body, Audit Committee and Court of Honor were also elected.
Ingrid Teesalu