TALLINN — After the merger proposal with the Social Democratic Party was voted down by the party congress May 24, the troubled People’s Union is splitting up.

The former vice chairmen of the People’s Union, Ene Tomberg along with board members Kajar Lember, Anto Liivat left the party Thursday and joined the Social Democrats.

Meanwhile the party’s former chairman Karel Rüütli also resigned from the People’s Union Tuesday and has now joined the Social Democrats.

Tomberg told the Postimees newspaper that instead of debating about the future direction of the agrarian People’s Union party members have focused on the party’s wallet and petty personal rivalries, degenerating its potential.

Meanwhile the Estonian media is still speculating about whether the increasingly marginal People’s Union will join Tallinn Mayor Edgar Savisaar’s Center Party.