Union of Settlers and Smallholders

The Union of Settlers and Smallholders (Estonian: Asunikkude ning väikemaapidajate Koondis, AVK) was a political party in Estonia.

History

The party was established in 1932 as a merger of the ruling Farmers' Assemblies party and the Settlers' Party,[1] with the two parties holding a combined 38 seats in the Riigikogu.[2] In the 1932 elections the new party won 42 seats, the most seats ever won in multi-party elections in Estonia. It continued in government, with Kaarel Eenpalu becoming Head of State.

In 1933 it suffered a major split when the large conservative faction of the Farmers' Assemblies left the Union to re-establish their party.[3]

Along with all others, the party was banned in 1935 following Konstantin Päts's self-coup.[4]

References

1. Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p579 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
2. Nohlen & Stöver, p586
3. Vincent E. McHale (1983) Political parties of Europe, Greenwood Press, p380 ISBN 0-313-23804-9
4. McHale, p371