It is important for the Estonian Centre Party Parliamentary Group that the state power is exercised responsibly and with respect for everyone living in Estonia. We are committed to making sure that economic success does not remain on paper but reaches everyone regardless of their income, place of residence, age, gender, or ethnic background.

Services close to home as well high-quality education and health care should be available everywhere across Estonia, so that people could start families and feel safe in their homes. The activities of the Estonian Centre Party Parliamentary Group are based on the interests of all people of Estonia.

In November 2016, Jüri Ratas became the Prime Minister and the Estonian Centre Party formed the Government. We took on the governmental responsibility with the determination to make our society more cohesive and stronger, so that our population and the welfare of our people would grow. We stood for these principles after the 2019 Riigikogu elections, when Jüri Ratas continued as Prime Minister, as well as after 2021, when we signed a coalition agreement with the Reform Party. We continue standing for our values also now, when we are in opposition. In its activities, the Estonian Centre Party Parliamentary Group has always strived to promote Estonia’s economic growth, to increase the population, to strengthen security, and to enhance welfare and social cohesion.

The Centre Party Parliamentary Group was instrumental in ensuring that the 14th Riigikogu supported the people, businesses, and local governments during the corona crisis with more than 2 billion euros; rise in energy prices was compensated to private consumers and businesses, state funding to research and development activities was increased to 1% of the GDP, there was an extraordinary rise in pensions, and the allowance for pensioners living alone was increased to 200 euros. In the 15th Riigikogu, in the conditions of a prolonged economic recession, our main focus is on improving the livelihood of people.

World view

The Estonian Centre Party is a people’s party with a broad voter base that focuses on values which are important for the whole population, regardless of whether these values are conservative, liberal, or social democratic. The politics of the Centre Party are based on the concept of a strong country with no peripheries, where the tax revenue is used to ensure the efficient performance of all the state’s functions. The Party sees its mission as representing the interests of the more vulnerable groups and national minorities. The Estonian Centre Party values a state based on the trust of its citizens – the people must feel that they have a say in the important decisions made by the state. Justice, development, and unity are the three pillars of the Party.

Political priorities in the short term

The immediate objective of the Centre Party is to shape Estonia into a stable welfare state. Any draft legislation initiated by the Parliamentary Group is meant to ensure social security for everyone. In the Riigikogu, the Political Group is dedicated to making sure that no regions are marginalised and that every Estonian resident can feel valued. Everyone should be able to find their place in the society, be useful and included. To reach these goals, we work together with all the parliamentary groups that share our values.

History

The Estonian Centre Party was founded in Tallinn on 12 October 1991 on the basis of the Popular Front of Estonia. Edgar Savisaar was elected the Chairman of the new political party, and held this position until 2016. Then Jüri Ratas was elected the Chairman of the Party, and in September 2023, Mihhail Kõlvart became the Chairman of the Centre Party. With its 28 regional organisations and nearly 13,000 members, the Estonian Centre Party is the largest political organisation in Estonia. The Estonian Centre Party Parliamentary Group has been represented in all compositions of the Riigikogu since Estonia regained its independence.

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Last updated: 24.01.2024

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