Pro Patria Union

The Pro Patria Union (, meaning literally "Fatherland Union") was a conservative political party in Estonia. The party was founded on 2 December 1995 by merging the Estonian National Independence Party (ERSP, Eesti Rahvusliku Sõltumatuse Partei) and the National Coalition Party Pro Patria (Rahvuslik Koonderakond "Isamaa").

On April 4, 2006, representatives of the Pro Patria Union and the representatives of Res Publica decided to merge the two parties. The merger was approved by the general assemblies of both parties in Pärnu on 4 June 2006. Although originally the name For Estonia (Eesti Eest) was considered for the united party, it was rejected. New party was officially registered on 15 October 2006 under the name Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa ja Res Publica Liit).

According to party statements, the programme was based on Christian Democracy and Nationalism. Together with its predecessors the Pro Patria Union was the main force behind the economic and legal reforms in the Republic of Estonia at the beginning of 1990s.

In government and opposition

Mart Laar, a historian, former Chairman of the National Alliance "Pro Patria" and Prime Minister of Estonia from 1992 to 1994 was elected the new Chairman of the party on 24 October 1998.

The party was successful on the parliamentary elections of 1999, receiving 18 seats. Its leader Mart......
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