TALLINN — The People’s Union party congress voted down a proposed merger with the Social Democratic Party Sunday in Jõhvi, Estonia, a move that could push the small party into the arms of Center instead.

The merger, hotly debated within the People’s Union since the beginning of the year, found the support of only 172 delegates out of 412.

Funding problems and a lack of well-known names pushed some of the [private_supervisor]party’s members to discuss the merger with the Social Democrats. That caused a strong conflict between the People’s Union members.

The situation got so tense that on Friday the party’s secretary Tarvo Sarmet was not allowed to the party’s press conference at Tallink Hotel. Sarmet then talked to the media outside the hotel but during the interview he was punched by Jossif Eidelkind, a party member. On Sunday the discussion continued, this time without violence. Sarmet has not approached police about Eidelkind’s conduct.

People’s Union Chairman Karel Rüütli told Estonian Public Broadcasting Sunday that the congress carries the highest power in the party and that its decision must be accepted.

“Of course I am sorry that this was the decision of the congress,” said Rüütli. “That part who voted against the merger finds that they have enough strength to continue on their own and the majority must be respected.”

Rüütli implied that these may be last days for him as party chairman given his support of the merger, and a board meeting on Tuesday will likely decide that. At a KUKU radio program he said that he may join the Social Democratic Party individually.

Meanwhile it is uncertain if People’s Union will make it to the parliamentary elections in March 2011. Reiljan’s supporters still have not offered a new candidate for the party’s chairman position nor other leading positions. Neither have they come up with any solutions and ideas on the upcoming election campaign.

There are speculations that the party my instead unite with the populist Center Party. Also Rüütli said at the Kuku radio program that the merger plans may have failed in light of the plans to join the Center Party.

The speculations about a possible merger with the Center Party rose on the surface in November last year. The People’s Union received the merger proposals by the Center Party, Estonian Greens and Social Democrats in November 2009, but then the plans to unite with another party was not under discussion.

However, according to an anonymous source in the People’s Union quoted by the Postimees newspaper, Reiljan and Tarmo Mänd secretly discussed the possible joining of the parties the Center Party because the younger members of People’s Party are strongly against Reiljan’s continued leadership of the Party. But the plan backfired, as most of the members are against joining the Center Party.

Center Party has neither confirmed nor denied that talks with People’s Union are taking place.

Sarmet told BNS Monday that many members have sent the request to leave the party, six of them are municipality leaders and others ordinary members.

Political analyst Tõnis Saarts told Postimees that it is possible that those who initiated the merger will join the Social Democratic Party themselves. The party’s future depends largely on the court decision on the former board members of People’s Union and also on former Estonian President Arnold Rüütel’s future position in the party, according to Saarts.

The People’s Union has been in a state of internal strife since charges were pressed on party leader and former Minister of the Environment Villu Reiljan, alleging he took a one million krooni (€639,000) in cash and real estate as bribes. Reiljan was found guilty in May 2009, but has appealed the sentence.

“If the court will not convict the former leader and Rüütel will step on the top of the election list then it definitely gives new hope,” said Saarts.

Saarts did not exclude that in the light of all that’s happening there could be negotiations with the Center Party. The Center Party

According to political analyst Rein Toomla the congress’ decision will not save the party from further problems and digging the party out of the ditch takes a lot of effort. Toomla told Public Broadcasting that the current situation is favorable for the Social Democrats as they always wanted only the best part of the People’s Union. [/private_supervisor] [private_subscription 1 month]party’s members to discuss the merger with the Social Democrats. That caused a strong conflict between the People’s Union members.

The situation got so tense that on Friday the party’s secretary Tarvo Sarmet was not allowed to the party’s press conference at Tallink Hotel. Sarmet then talked to the media outside the hotel but during the interview he was punched by Jossif Eidelkind, a party member. On Sunday the discussion continued, this time without violence. Sarmet has not approached police about Eidelkind’s conduct.

People’s Union Chairman Karel Rüütli told Estonian Public Broadcasting Sunday that the congress carries the highest power in the party and that its decision must be accepted.

“Of course I am sorry that this was the decision of the congress,” said Rüütli. “That part who voted against the merger finds that they have enough strength to continue on their own and the majority must be respected.”Rüütli implied that upcoming days might be the last days for him as party chairman, given his support of the merger, and a board meeting on Tuesday will decide the party’s near future. At a KUKU radio program he said that he may join the Social Democratic Party individually.

Meanwhile it is uncertain if People’s Union will make it to the parliamentary elections in March 2011. Reiljan’s supporters still have not offered a new candidate for the party’s chairman position nor other leading positions. Neither have they come up with any solutions and ideas on the upcoming election campaign.

There are speculations that the party my instead unite with the populist Center Party. Also Rüütli said at the Kuku radio program that the merger plans may have failed in light of the plans to join the Center Party.

The speculations about a possible merger with the Center Party rose on the surface in November last year. The People’s Union received the merger proposals by the Center Party, Estonian Greens and Social Democrats in November 2009, but then the plans to unite with another party was not under discussion.

However, according to an anonymous source in the People’s Union quoted by the Postimees newspaper, Reiljan and Tarmo Mänd secretly discussed the possible joining of the parties the Center Party because the younger members of People’s Party are strongly against Reiljan’s continued leadership of the Party. But the plan backfired, as most of the members are against joining the Center Party.

Center Party has neither confirmed nor denied that talks with People’s Union are taking place.

Sarmet told BNS Monday that many members have sent the request to leave the party, six of them are municipality leaders and others ordinary members.

Political analyst Tõnis Saarts told Postimees that it is possible that those who initiated the merger will join the Social Democratic Party themselves. The party’s future depends largely on the court decision on the former board members of People’s Union and also on former Estonian President Arnold Rüütel’s future position in the party, according to Saarts.

The People’s Union has been in a state of internal strife since charges were pressed on party leader and former Minister of the Environment Villu Reiljan, alleging he took a one million krooni (€639,000) in cash and real estate as bribes. Reiljan was found guilty in May 2009, but has appealed the sentence.

“If the court will not convict the former leader and Rüütel will step on the top of the election list then it definitely gives new hope,” said Saarts.

Saarts did not exclude that in the light of all that’s happening there could be negotiations with the Center Party. The Center Party

According to political analyst Rein Toomla the congress’ decision will not save the party from further problems and digging the party out of the ditch takes a lot of effort. Toomla told Public Broadcasting that the current situation is favorable for the Social Democrats as they always wanted only the best part of the People’s Union. [/private_subscription 1 month] [private_subscription 4 months]party’s members to discuss the merger with the Social Democrats. That caused a strong conflict between the People’s Union members.

The situation got so tense that on Friday the party’s secretary Tarvo Sarmet was not allowed to the party’s press conference at Tallink Hotel. Sarmet then talked to the media outside the hotel but during the interview he was punched by Jossif Eidelkind, a party member. On Sunday the discussion continued, this time without violence. Sarmet has not approached police about Eidelkind’s conduct.

People’s Union Chairman Karel Rüütli told Estonian Public Broadcasting Sunday that the congress carries the highest power in the party and that its decision must be accepted.

“Of course I am sorry that this was the decision of the congress,” said Rüütli. “That part who voted against the merger finds that they have enough strength to continue on their own and the majority must be respected.”

Rüütli implied that upcoming days might be the last days for him as party chairman, given his support of the merger, and a board meeting on Tuesday will decide the party’s near future. At a KUKU radio program he said that he may join the Social Democratic Party individually.

Meanwhile it is uncertain if People’s Union will make it to the parliamentary elections in March 2011. Reiljan’s supporters still have not offered a new candidate for the party’s chairman position nor other leading positions. Neither have they come up with any solutions and ideas on the upcoming election campaign.

There are speculations that the party my instead unite with the populist Center Party. Also Rüütli said at the Kuku radio program that the merger plans may have failed in light of the plans to join the Center Party.

The speculations about a possible merger with the Center Party rose on the surface in November last year. The People’s Union received the merger proposals by the Center Party, Estonian Greens and Social Democrats in November 2009, but then the plans to unite with another party was not under discussion.

However, according to an anonymous source in the People’s Union quoted by the Postimees newspaper, Reiljan and Tarmo Mänd secretly discussed the possible joining of the parties the Center Party because the younger members of People’s Party are strongly against Reiljan’s continued leadership of the Party. But the plan backfired, as most of the members are against joining the Center Party.

Center Party has neither confirmed nor denied that talks with People’s Union are taking place.

Sarmet told BNS Monday that many members have sent the request to leave the party, six of them are municipality leaders and others ordinary members.

Political analyst Tõnis Saarts told Postimees that it is possible that those who initiated the merger will join the Social Democratic Party themselves. The party’s future depends largely on the court decision on the former board members of People’s Union and also on former Estonian President Arnold Rüütel’s future position in the party, according to Saarts.

The People’s Union has been in a state of internal strife since charges were pressed on party leader and former Minister of the Environment Villu Reiljan, alleging he took a one million krooni (€639,000) in cash and real estate as bribes. Reiljan was found guilty in May 2009, but has appealed the sentence.

“If the court will not convict the former leader and Rüütel will step on the top of the election list then it definitely gives new hope,” said Saarts.

Saarts did not exclude that in the light of all that’s happening there could be negotiations with the Center Party. The Center Party

According to political analyst Rein Toomla the congress’ decision will not save the party from further problems and digging the party out of the ditch takes a lot of effort. Toomla told Public Broadcasting that the current situation is favorable for the Social Democrats as they always wanted only the best part of the People’s Union. [/private_subscription 4 months] [private_subscription 1 year]party’s members to discuss the merger with the Social Democrats. That caused a strong conflict between the People’s Union members.

The situation got so tense that on Friday the party’s secretary Tarvo Sarmet was not allowed to the party’s press conference at Tallink Hotel. Sarmet then talked to the media outside the hotel but during the interview he was punched by Jossif Eidelkind, a party member. On Sunday the discussion continued, this time without violence. Sarmet has not approached police about Eidelkind’s conduct.

People’s Union Chairman Karel Rüütli told Estonian Public Broadcasting Sunday that the congress carries the highest power in the party and that its decision must be accepted.

“Of course I am sorry that this was the decision of the congress,” said Rüütli. “That part who voted against the merger finds that they have enough strength to continue on their own and the majority must be respected.”

Rüütli implied that upcoming days might be the last days for him as party chairman, given his support of the merger, and a board meeting on Tuesday will decide the party’s near future. At a KUKU radio program he said that he may join the Social Democratic Party individually.

Meanwhile it is uncertain if People’s Union will make it to the parliamentary elections in March 2011. Reiljan’s supporters still have not offered a new candidate for the party’s chairman position nor other leading positions. Neither have they come up with any solutions and ideas on the upcoming election campaign.

There are speculations that the party my instead unite with the populist Center Party. Also Rüütli said at the Kuku radio program that the merger plans may have failed in light of the plans to join the Center Party.

The speculations about a possible merger with the Center Party rose on the surface in November last year. The People’s Union received the merger proposals by the Center Party, Estonian Greens and Social Democrats in November 2009, but then the plans to unite with another party was not under discussion.

However, according to an anonymous source in the People’s Union quoted by the Postimees newspaper, Reiljan and Tarmo Mänd secretly discussed the possible joining of the parties the Center Party because the younger members of People’s Party are strongly against Reiljan’s continued leadership of the Party. But the plan backfired, as most of the members are against joining the Center Party.

Center Party has neither confirmed nor denied that talks with People’s Union are taking place.

Sarmet told BNS Monday that many members have sent the request to leave the party, six of them are municipality leaders and others ordinary members.

Political analyst Tõnis Saarts told Postimees that it is possible that those who initiated the merger will join the Social Democratic Party themselves. The party’s future depends largely on the court decision on the former board members of People’s Union and also on former Estonian President Arnold Rüütel’s future position in the party, according to Saarts.

The People’s Union has been in a state of internal strife since charges were pressed on party leader and former Minister of the Environment Villu Reiljan, alleging he took a one million krooni (€639,000) in cash and real estate as bribes. Reiljan was found guilty in May 2009, but has appealed the sentence.

“If the court will not convict the former leader and Rüütel will step on the top of the election list then it definitely gives new hope,” said Saarts.

Saarts did not exclude that in the light of all that’s happening there could be negotiations with the Center Party. The Center Party

According to political analyst Rein Toomla the congress’ decision will not save the party from further problems and digging the party out of the ditch takes a lot of effort. Toomla told Public Broadcasting that the current situation is favorable for the Social Democrats as they always wanted only the best part of the People’s Union. [/private_subscription 1 year]

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