Estonian coalition counts votes for Ülle Madise presidential bid

Estonia’s coalition parties are counting potential votes for Ülle Madise to become president, ERR reports, but MPs outside parliamentary factions say they still want to consider other candidates.

Reform Party Secretary General Kristo Enn Vaga said the Social Democratic Party, Reform Party and Eesti 200 together would have at least 66 votes for Madise in the Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament. A presidential candidate needs 68 votes to be elected.

Vaga said at least three factionless MPs would “very firmly” support Madise, which would bring the total to 69. He added that some MPs from the Centre Party and Isamaa had also said they would support her.

Factionless MPs met on Friday to discuss the election. Tõnis Mölder said Madise was a strong candidate, but they would wait to see whether Isamaa or the Centre Party put forward candidates of their own.

“If no additional candidates come from there and Ülle Madise gives her consent, even informally, to run for president, then we are ready to meet with her and form our position,” Mölder said. The factionless MPs will wait for Tuesday’s meeting of the Riigikogu’s council of elders before discussing a joint position again.

Eesti 200 leader Kristina Kallas said on Thursday that Madise currently had 67 supporters in the Riigikogu. Züleyxa Izmailova, who left Eesti 200 and joined the Social Democrats, does not support Madise.

Izmailova said the election would be held by secret ballot and that Madise’s election would not depend on her. She said there should be a discussion before the vote, rather than pressure on the opposition to make a quick choice. Izmailova also said she was not convinced that the coalition actually had the votes and signatures it claimed.

Vaga said members of the three coalition factions would vote for Madise if she agreed to run. The coalition also wants to collect at least 68 signatures to formally nominate her.

Madise has served as Estonia’s Chancellor of Justice for 11 years. The first round of the presidential election is scheduled for September 2.