Põlvkonnad party aims to contest Estonia’s parliamentary election

A new party founded to represent older people’s interests hopes to contest Estonia’s next parliamentary election, ERR reports. Põlvkonnad has 50 members and aims to reach the 500-member threshold required for registration by the end of November.

The party held its founding meeting on Saturday. One of its leaders, Ago Kokser, said it was formed to ensure older people’s views are heard and to engage people across age groups.

Kokser said the plan to create a party followed the loss of state operating support by the Estonian Union of Pensioners’ Associations several years ago. The union’s resources had dwindled over time, and its members chose to establish a party rather than dissolve the organisation.

Põlvkonnad has not defined itself as conservative or liberal, left- or right-wing. Kokser said it wants to promote the wellbeing of all residents, with attention to older people, young families and the quality of education in schools.

The party currently has no financial backers and is relying on volunteers, social media and personal contacts. Kokser said it was too early to predict how many seats the party might win, adding that entering parliament would be a significant step.

He did not name any prominent people who have joined, saying the party would share those names later.