New Era on verge of collapse

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

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

Party leader Krisjanis Karins is left without many of his most prominent members, though founding member and former Prime Minister Einars Repse is still on board.

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

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

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

New Era parliament faction head Dzintars Zakis said that the act of leaving the party by so many important individuals was "a planned and organized event." He underscored that he has not felt any disagreement on ideological issues earlier, except for "passivity and inertia at work."

"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 political party, former member Karlis Sadurskis said. However, he downplayed suggestions that former New Era members might join in the formation of a new political party by former People's Party ministers Aigars Stokenbergs and Artis Pabriks.

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

He admitted that in the end he had to act spontaneously after learning that a 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 had fantastic ideas and expectations, but..." he said.

The MP voiced hope though that New Era would still be able to function after the departure of its most active members, but admitted that the future did not look for the once-popular organization.

Sandra Kalniete, one of the high profile MPs who left New Era, appreared on the "900 Seconds" television program and hinted that collaboration with 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 my capacity I was, am and will be active in the party," Repse said.