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Revision as of 14:30, 28 May 2007 by Petri Krohn (talk | contribs) (-> 24 February)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Maapäev (English: "National Diet") was created in 1917 as the national diet of the autonomous Russian Governorate of Estonia
On April 12, 1917 the Russian Provisional Government issued an order on the provisional autonomy of Estonia. The Reval Governorate, comprising of the historical Estland (Eestimaa) was merged with the Estophone northern Livonia, to form the autonomous governorate.
Elections for the 62 deputies of the diet were held many stages; the last deputies being elected in the fall of 1917. The election process saw the creation and reorganization of Estonian national parties.
Six parties were represented at the diet, with three independent deputies and two deputies representing the Baltic German and Swedish-Estonian minorities.
- The agrarian Eesti Maarahva Liit led by Jaan Hünerson gained 13 seats
- The Democratic Party (Eesti Demokraatlik Erakond) gained 11 seats
- The Radical Socialists gained 11 seats
- The Menshevik fraction of the RSDLP led by Mihkel Martnan and August Rein was reorganized as the Eesti Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Tööliste Partei and gained 9 seats
- The SRs led by Hans Kruus and Gustav Suits formed the Eesti Sotsialistide-Revolutsionääride Partei with 8 seats
- The Bolsheviks, led by Jaan Anvelt gained 5 seats
The diet was disbanded by Bolsheviks on November 28, 1917. In its last meeting the Maapäev proclaimed itself the supreme legal authority of Estonia. The Committee of Elders was authorized to issue laws. On 24 February 1918, one day before German forces occupied Tallinn, the Elders issued a formal declaration of independence of the Republic of Estonia.
After the German occupation of Estonia ended, the Maapäev continued as the legislative assembly of Estonia until 1919.
See also
References
- Zetterberg, Seppo (1995). "Historian jännevälit". Viro – Historia, Kansa, Kulttuuri. Finnish Literature Society. ISBN 951-717-806-9.
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