RIGA - More than 20 members walked out of New Era on Jan. 31, withdrawing their party membership and possibly casting a fatal blow to the opposition party that had been instrumental in battling corruption.
Eight municipal and county leaders were among those who left the party, along with seven former regional leaders.
The exodus prompted a number of other politicians 's some of whom had leading roles in the popular center-right party 's to withdraw their membership as well. These included former ministers and long-time party supporters.
All former members will maintain their seats in Parliament, working as independents. There are rumors, however, that they are prepared to join one of two new parties which are set to emerge in coming months (see story on Page 1).
The former party members said they left because New Era seems stuck in the opposition, unable to cooperate with the ruling coalition.
"They are tired of being in the opposition… New Era's principles are close to them, but they want to implement them practically with their work," Sandra Kalniete said in a Feb. 1 interview with the "900 Seconds" television program.
New Era was formed in early 2002 and later that year won the parliamentary election. Party founder Einars Repse took the prime minister's seat, which he occupied until February 2004. A brief stint in the government of former Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis ended in acrimony in 2006.
Kalniete was one of New Era's most prominent members, representing the party in last year's presidential elections.
She cited her lack of influence in party decisions and her inability to explain why New Era was able to work with other parties on a regional level but not on a national one as other reasons for her leaving.
Chairman Krisjanis Karins assured The Baltic Times that the mass exodus has not put the party in any danger of collapse, and that they are now actually seeing an increase in party membership.
"Our party is not in trouble, it is just that some people have left… There are people calling the various offices and wanting to join. Now people who have maybe been sideline supporters are saying, 'Hey, the party needs our help,' and throwing us their support," he said.
Karins said the party would not be changing any of its basic platform or basic program in response to the exodus. He said the same basic ideals are as important now as they were when the party was founded, and that at most the party would be altering which points it emphasizes.
Though basic party policy will remain unchanged, Karins has placed the blame for the loss on himself and decided not to run for another term following an emergency party congress scheduled for March 1.
"I am not going to be running as party leader next time. After something like this it is important to get a new face, a new person to express our views," he said.
MP Solvita Aboltina is the most likely candidate to replace Karins. In a Feb. 1 interview with "900 Seconds," she said she was prepared to take over party leadership if offered.
Four MPs are among the more than 20 people who have so far left New Era 's former Education Ministers Ina Druviete and Karlis Sadurskis, former Foreign Minister Sandra Kalniete and former Constitutional Court Judge Ilma Cepane. Former Riga Mayor Aivars Aksenoks also announced that he too will quit the party.
Among the initial wave of people dropping the party was Staicele Mayor Janis Bakmanis, Limbazu Mayor Juris Zurins, Saldus Mayor Didzis Konusevskis, Skulte County Chairwoman Velta Purina, Ape Mayor Astrida Harju, Arona County Chairman Andrejs Piekalns, Rujiena Mayor Guntis Gladkins and Smiltene Deputy Mayor Ilze Vergina.
Regional party leaders from Valmiera, Cesis, Limbazi, Saldus, Liepaja, Dobele and Smiltene also terminated their membership in the party.
