Estonian Greens leader: Parties merging due to fear of liquidation
The Free Party and the Richness of Life Party are merging because both are in a rush for survival, Züleyxa Izmailova chair of the Estonian Greens, says.
Züleyxa Izmailova told ERR that the Estonian Greens are continuing negotiations with Richness of Life and the Free Party, because the world views of the parties overlap in some key areas.
None of the three parties currently has seats at the Riigikogu.
As reported on ERR News, the Free Party and Richness of Life are merging.
"Both of the parties have a small number of members; if this falls under 500, the parties will [under Estonian electoral regulations] be liquidated. The parties have thus decided to quickly liquidate themselves." Izmailova said.
Izmailova added that previous attempts at forming a new party with the same members hasn´t been a success.
"It is dependent on the people who can bring their energy, and if new quality doesn´t arise from this, then I don´t believe that creating a new party will help," she added.
According to Izmailova, the parties share common positions on direct democracy, community involvement, and environmental issues. At the same time, Izmailova pointed out one potential sticking point in that the Free Party has supported fur farming, but that this is not acceptable for the Greens.
As of May 25, the Estonian Greens have 953 members, the Richness of Life Party 528 members, and the Free Party 508 members.
The Free Party had half a dozen seats at the XIII Riigikogu, but lost them at the March 2019 general election.
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Editor: Roberta Vaino