Kristina Kallas, leader of the Estonia 200 movement, said that the new party's keywords would be personal liberties, transparency, personal responsibility, innovation, ambition, and Estonian spirit.

According to the Political Parties Act, a political party is founded by a memorandum of association in unattested written form, and will be registered if it has at least 500 members.

Kallas told ERR that Estonia 200's membership has grown to a few hundred.

The Riigikogu Election Act states that political parties which are entered in the non-profit associations and foundations register not later than 90 days before election day may participate in Riigikogu elections. In the case of the 2019 Riigikogu elections, the deadline will be 17 January.

"We are going to carry out the long-term plan that we described in our manifesto," Kallas said. "The big issue with Estonian politics is the lack of a long-term plan."

Straight to the top

In an interview with Vikerraadio, Kallas said that the future party's goal is to win the Riigikogu elections.

"In order to go realise big changes or reforms, we need to be in the government," she said. "In order to be in the government, we need to be capable of mobilising the people's support by the elections and receive a mandate."

According to the movement leader, the the goal isn't simply to exceed the 5% election threshold, because such low ambitions would send the signal that they simply need jobs for people: "That we're pushing our way in, giving them seats in the Riigikogu and can then take it easy for the next four years. No, we're heading into the elections with the goal of realising these ideas and our vision. In that case, we can only go to win the elections; our ambition has to be precisely that great."

She added that everyone interested in making their contribution to the development of Estonia are welcome to join.

Estonia 200 began this spring as a think tank, and the goal of the movement was to influence Estonian politicians to make plans that went beyond the length of one election cycle.

"When parties began introducing €100 promises one after another, it was clear to us that we need to get into politics ourselves and seek a mandate for our long-term plaan," Kallas said.

"There are intelligent people in Estonia that are not possible to sway with financial promises," added Estonia 200 member Meelis Niinepuu. "We are inviting scientists, teachers, engineers and entrepreneurs to get involved in politics again."

Fellow member Rait Kuuse said that nobody should have to move in order to guarantee access to quality education or social assistance.

"Estonia 200 believes that all people in every corner of Estonia should receive uniformly quality education, quality social assistance and opportunities to participate in an active life," he said.

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