Estonian Patriotic Movement

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This article is about an early 21st century political movement

For a mid-19th century national movement in Estonia, see Estonian Age of Awakening.

For a late 20th century national movement in Estonia, see Singing Revolution.

The Estonian Patriotic Movement (Eesti Rahvuslik Liikumine; ERL) is a political pressure group in Estonia. The group was set up in the summer of 2006 to promote the removal of the monument to the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn from the heart of the Estonian capital, Tallinn. As of May 2007, it claims a membership of 220.

[edit] Politics

As of 2007, the primary political positions of the ERL are opposition to building the planned Nord Stream pipeline through the Baltic Sea, dislike for Estonia being a member state of European Union, support for a NATO military base being installed in Estonia and disdain for Keskerakond's perceived improper acts.

The movement has also repeatedly expressed displeasure for Russian Federation's covert influence in Estonia's internal affairs. On June 20, 2007, the movement issued a press release demanding declaring the Russian Ambassador to Estonia, Nikolai Uspenski, a persona non grata based on his repeated attempts to exert such influence. This was triggered by the ambassador's presence on an establishment meeting of Russki Mir in Tallinn.