National Front for the Implementation of the Constitution

Estonia
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Estonia

The National Front for the Implementation of the Constitution (Estonian: Põhiseaduse Elluviimise Rahvarinne, PER) was a political movement in Estonia. For all intents and purposes, it was an enlarged version of the Patriotic League, the only legally permitted party in the country.

History

In 1936--two years after Konstantin Päts's self-coup in 1934--the Patriotic League had been established as the sole legal party in the country.[1] A National Assembly was elected in 1936 to draw up a new constitution. Prior to the 1938 elections the Patriotic League set up the National Front to run in the elections,[1] which were not entirely free and fair.[2] The PER was the only organisation to contest the elections, although independent candidates were also allowed to run.[3] The PER won 64 of the 80 seats,[4] eight of them unopposed.[5]

In 1940 the Soviet Union began its occupation of the country and all non-Communist political parties were banned.

References

  1. 1 2 Vincent E McHale (1983) Political parties of Europe, Greenwood Press, p380 ISBN 0-313-23804-9
  2. ↑ Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p566 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
  3. ↑ Nohlen & Stöver, p583
  4. ↑ Nohlen & Stöver, p587
  5. ↑ Nohlen & Stöver, p568
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