Hussar says Madise ready to run for president with sufficient support

Estonia’s Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise is ready to run for president if she receives sufficient support, Riigikogu Speaker Lauri Hussar said after Tuesday’s meeting of the parliament’s Council of Elders, according to ERR.

Madise confirmed to Hussar that she would accept the candidacy if enough members of the Riigikogu believe she should continue serving the country as president. She said she would assume the responsibility if a vote confirmed the lawmakers’ choice.

Hussar said parliamentary party groups would now begin collecting signatures in support of Madise’s nomination. The level of support would then be assessed, he added.

Three parties have proposed Madise as a candidate, while EKRE has put forward Mart Helme.

Centre Party faction leader Lauri Laats said the situation was complicated because parliamentary factions could not meet Madise before August 21. This meant the party could not yet form its position on her candidacy, he said.

Hussar said he would discuss with Madise whether and how her duties as chancellor of justice would allow her to meet parliamentary factions before she officially became a candidate.

Parties continue discussions

Reform Party faction leader Õnne Pillak said not all parliamentary factions had identified their preferred presidential candidate and that discussions would continue. She said the key question was whether Madise had enough support to be nominated.

EKRE leader Martin Helme said the Council of Elders had tried to clarify how much support Madise expected. He understood that her target was not 68 votes but more than 50. “The liberal camp does not have 68 votes for Madise,” Helme said.

Isamaa faction leader Helir-Valdor Seeder also said it remained unclear whether Madise was ready to run. He said Isamaa had invited her to a meeting, but Madise had replied that she did not consider herself a candidate.

Coalition parties Reform and Estonia 200 support Madise. The opposition Social Democratic Party also backs her possible candidacy.

Opposition parties Isamaa and the Centre Party do not have their own candidates and have not ruled out supporting Madise.

Diplomat Hannes Hanso, entrepreneur Indrek Laul, European Union official Maive Rute and Tallinn University of Technology rector Tiit Land have also announced their willingness to run.

EKRE is currently the only party with a confirmed candidate, Mart Helme, but at least 21 votes are required to nominate a presidential candidate in the Riigikogu, and EKRE does not have that many seats.

Nominations will open on August 21, and the first round of the presidential election will take place on September 2.

The Riigikogu’s Council of Elders consists of members of the parliament’s board and the chairs of its parliamentary factions.