At the general meeting held on Saturday, the former Estonian United Left Party adopted a new name. The new name is Estonian Left Union. The new board gave up hundreds of members. These members were not active enough or did not pay membership fees.
Robert Kiisler, one of the leaders of the Left Union, said that they adopted a new name, statutes, and program. A new board was also elected. The party was left with 27 members. Kiisler said this was necessary to get enough people to the meeting.
Kiisler said they have not yet received a date by which they must have at least 500 members. This is necessary for the party's registration. "We need to recruit new members quickly and in large numbers," said Kiisler.
The party's new slogan is "On your left side". Kiisler said the new party is more socially progressive. It no longer focuses only on Estonia's Russian-speaking population.
The Left Union supports a progressive income tax and the taxation of corporate profits. They want to introduce an inheritance tax and provide more social guarantees. They also support teachers, police officers, and rescuers. Additionally, they want more support for students and young families.
The Left Union supports Estonia's membership in the European Union and NATO. They also support Ukraine against Russia's war. The Left Union will not run in the upcoming local elections this autumn. But they may participate in the next parliamentary elections.
The Estonian United Left Party was founded in 1992. Previously, they wanted to take the name Leftists, but this did not succeed.