Estonian Independence Party


The Estonian Independence Party is a nationalist political party in Estonia. The party, founded in 1999, is a successor to the Estonian Future Party. One of the principal aims of the party is the withdrawal of Estonia from the European Union. The party is currently without parliamentary representation.

Philosophy

The EIP's political philosophy promotes a doctrine of “Estonia as a neo-autarkic geopolitical space” and an associated geopolitical imperative of neutrality between the East and the West.
The party programme states that Estonia is extraordinarily rich in natural resources and is situated in an important geopolitical space. Thus, the party is also against Estonia belonging to the European Union, which they accuse of having neocolonised Estonia. The party recommended rejecting International Monetary Fund suggestions. The party regards Setomaa as a part of Estonia and not Russia.

History

The party's predecessor, Estonian Future Party was founded in 1994. In 1999, it was renamed to Estonian Independence Party.
In 2001, the party called for closer relations with Russia and said that the country should have a bigger say in defining Estonia's future.
EIP took part in the 2003 movement against Estonia joining the European Union.
EIP candidates gained 2,705 votes, amounting to 0.55% of the national vote, in the 2003 parliamentary election. In the 2007 elections, the party's vote dropped to 1,274 votes, which was 0.2% of the total. In the 2011 elections, the party's vote increased to 2,571 votes, which was 0.4% of the total.
In the 2014 European Parliamentary election, the Estonian Independence Party received 4,158 votes, which was 1.3% of the vote.
In the 2015 parliamentary elections, the party's vote diminished to 1,047 votes, which was 0.2% of the total. The party did not participate in the 2019 parliamentary elections.

Controversies

Opponents have claimed that the party is a far-right organisation. This has been rejected by the party leader, Sven Sildnik, and a leading board member, Tauno Rahnu, a Tartu Neo-Nazi. One of the former leading members, Risto Teinonen, an ethnic Finn associated with Johan Bäckman, has also been accused of having National Socialist views.

Electoral results

Parliamentary elections