New Era on verge of collapse

RIGA 's Opposition political party Jaunais Laiks (New Era) looked to be onthe verge of complete collapse Feb. 4 after a wave of defections andresignations among MPs and local councillors.

A group of leading New Era members, including MPs Karlis Sadurskis, InaDruviete, Sandra Kalniete and Ilma Cepane resigned their party memberships onFeb. 1, citing unwillingness to sit in the opposition and an inability toinfluence decision-making in the party as the main reasons.

Party leader Krisjanis Karins is leftwithout many of his most prominent members, though founding member and former PrimeMinister Einars Repse is still on board.

An extraordinary party congress will takeplace on March 1, a spokeswoman for New Era told Baltic News Service.

Despite what looks suspiciously like coordinated action, Krisjanis Karinssaid the defectors had left for individual reasons. "Most probably it isdiscontent with the party being in opposition," he said.

"New Era is a party which is not based on economic interests but a voluntaryidea of representation."

New Era parliament faction head Dzintars Zakis said that the act of leaving theparty by so many important individuals was "a planned and organizedevent." He underscored that he has not felt any disagreement onideological issues earlier, except for "passivity and inertia atwork."

"This is the last chance for the New Era to mobilize," he said.

The MPs that have left New Era party will probably set up a new politicalparty, former member Karlis Sadurskis said. However, he downplayed suggestionsthat former New Era members might join in the formation of a new politicalparty by former People's Party ministers Aigars Stokenbergs and Artis Pabriks.

Asked about his personal motivation to leave New Era, Sadurskis revealedthat the split had been brewing for months.

He admitted that in the end he had to act spontaneously after learning thata number of municipal leaders have terminated their membership in New Era.

"I want to side with those who are able to work. True, New Era hadfantastic ideas and expectations, but..." he said.

The MP voiced hope though that New Era would still be able to function afterthe departure of its most active members, but admitted that the future did notlook for the once-popular organization.

Sandra Kalniete, one of the high profile MPs who left New Era, appreared onthe "900 Seconds" television program and hinted that collaborationwith Stokenbergs and Pabriks might be possible, as it would be with New Era,Harmony Centre and even the ruling People's Party and its allies.

Einars Repse confirmed that he would stay with the party. "Within mycapacity I was, am and will be active in the party," Repse said.