IRL conjures patriotic spirit

Photo: Jaanus Lensment

While starring as fresh chairman of Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) in Tallinn general assembly, Margus Tsahkna was forcing «Statesmen» the folk group do without him at two initial shows of Estonian Mendance Festival Three happening in Rakvere.

At the Sunday show, elected IRLs third chairman with votes tally of 835, he then danced the better. Today, work begun. Cleaning house – as promised to worried looking comrades-in-party at the assembly. To assist the chairman, court of honour convenes on Wednesday to seek out who were involved in the shameful votes manipulation (or perhaps purchase thereof) in Pärnu County – enlisting individuals of criminal background.

The court of honour is almost totally new. One of the two «oldies» that remained, Avo Üprus, was among the frankest speakers at the event.

«Whoever planned and arranged [the fraud] must be brought to light, whatever stone they might be hiding under,» he promised. «The Pärnu underworld, outsourced and then outcast, is less low and dangerous than those that ordered their recruitment.»

The camps

Of people publicly mentioned as possibly involved in attempted fraud, the new leadership features Riigikogu member Aivar Kokk, entrepreneur Peeter Laurson, and IRL youth chief Linda Eichler. Kaspar Kokk was left out.

While failing to prevent Mr Tsahkna from getting elected, the opponents had enough clout at general assembly to vote suspects into leadership.

Mr Tsahkna admitted the 24-member leadership has both sides represented – the other being the opponents who backed candidacy of Jaan Männik. The new chairman wishes to convene the general assembly before due time in two years so as to amend the statutes. «I want to cut the leadership by half,» is one of his suggestions.

To the joy of Mr Tsahkna, lots of long-term members had showed up at the general assembly, such as had not come for years. «They came feeling that fatherland was threatened – not just the party,» said the man, IRL member of nearly 15 years and from Pro Patria (Isamaaliit) background.

The dream

Of the near-thousand that convened, vast majority were middle-aged and older – such as joined the forerunners of the party as younger people twenty years ago.

Also, Mr Tsahkna promised to pull together a national assembly, one that has already convened once. «There are two issues to discuss – internal party policy, and the world-view,» he said.

At that, Mr Tsahkna promised better involvement of town and parish elders of IRL membership. «We have 80 leaders of local governments,» he underlined, hinting at the possible clout at next year’s Presidential elections should this go beyond Riigikogu.

As for the dream: Mr Tsahkna wishes the party could again bear the name Isamaa – Fatherland – while realising the worthy word would have to be earned first.

The leadership

Chairman: Margus Tsahkna

Vice Chairmen: Marko Mihkelson, Kaia Iva, Siim Kiisler

Membership: of Riigikogu members – Raivo Aeg, Aivar Kokk, Viktoria Ladõnskaja, Mart Nutt, Juhan Parts, Helir-Valdor Seeder, Priit Sibul, Ken-Marti Vaher; of ministers – Urmas Reinsalu, Sven Sester; MEP Tunne Kelam; of entrepreneurs Olle Koop, Peeter Laurson, Tõnis Palts; of public activists Linda Eichler, Tarmo Kruusimäe, Sirle Rosenfeldt, Andrus Saare; county governor Ulla Preeden; charity activist Riina Solman

Source: PM