People's Party of Republicans and Conservatives (''Vabariiklaste ja Konservatiivide Rahvaerakond'') was an Estonian political party, which existed under this banner from 1994 to 1998.

History

It was founded in September 1994 after Pro Patria split and some

national conservative National conservatism is a nationalist variant of conservatism that concentrates on upholding national and cultural identity, communitarianism and the public role of religion. It shares aspects of traditionalist conservatism and social conserva ...

members left, including Enn Tarto. The founders of the new party were mostly former members of the Conservative People's Party and the Republicans' Coalition Party (these two parties had formed the ''Isamaa'' (Pro Patria) electoral cartel in

1992 1992 was designated as International Space Year by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 – Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt replaces Javier Pérez de Cuéllar of Peru as United Nations Secretary-General. * January 6 ** The Republ ...

, together with the Christian Democratic Party and the Christian Democratic Union). The ''People's Party of Republicans and Conservatives'' contested the 1995 parliamentary election under the banner of ''Right-wingers'' (''Parempoolsed''). The list got 27,053 votes (5.00%) and thus managed to pass the threshold, gaining five seats in the

Riigikogu The Riigikogu (, from Estonian ''riigi-'', "of the state", and ''kogu'', "assembly") is the unicameral parliament of Estonia. In addition to approving legislation, the Parliament appoints high officials, including the prime minister and chi ...

. The party remained in opposition throughout the four-year term. In May 1998, the party merged with the non-parliamentary Peasant's Party (''Talurahvaerakond''), forming the new People's Party (''Rahvaerakond''). Toomas Hendrik Ilves was chosen as the first party leader. As the new party was unlikely to pass the Riigikogu threshold of 5%, it was soon decided to co-operate with possible partners. The People's Party decided to participate in the 1999 election as part of the Moderates' list, which led to a couple of nationalists leaving the party (e.g. Mart Nutt, who joined the Pro Patria Union list).Central Europe Review - Estonia: Right-wing socialists
/ref> The People's Party and the Moderates merged on 27 November 1999, forming the ''People's Party Moderates''. After election disasters in 2002 and 2003, this party reformed and renamed itself the Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond.

References

;Notes ;Sources *Toomla, Rein, ''Eesti Erakonnad'', Tallinn, 1999 {{Political parties in Estonia Defunct political parties in Estonia Political history of Estonia Conservative parties in Estonia 1994 establishments in Estonia 1998 disestablishments in Estonia Political parties established in 1994 Political parties disestablished in 1998