VI. The World Wars and the Interwar Period, 1914–1945 > C. Europe, 1919–1945 > 17. The Baltic States > d. Estonia > 1937, July 29
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
1937, July 29
 
The new constitution, providing for a president and a two-chamber parliament, was adopted. Restoration of civil liberties was provided for, as were democratic elections. But under the new system the president (to be elected for six years) was to enjoy great authority, with power to appoint and dismiss the cabinet, dissolve both houses of Parliament, and rule by decree in national emergencies.  1
 
1938, Feb. 24
 
The election resulted in a chamber containing 63 deputies of Päts's National Front and 17 of opposition groups.  2
 
April 24
 
Päts was elected president. Although Päts returned to constitutionalism in 1938, there proved to be little change from the authoritarianism of the post–March 1934 period. Political parties remained proscribed, the government continued to issue legislation by decree, and the new parliament played a minor role in public life.  3
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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