Stoicescu considers backing Land to ensure presidential choice

Kalev Stoicescu, who recently left Eesti 200, told ERR that he may sign in support of rector Tiit Land’s nomination for president to ensure voters have a choice.

Stoicescu said unaffiliated members of the Riigikogu will meet Land on Friday and Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise on Monday. He will decide which candidacy to support after those meetings.

Meelis Kiili, who recently left the Reform Party, has proposed that the unaffiliated lawmakers support Land’s nomination so that at least two substantive candidates reach the election.

Stoicescu also hopes Land can secure the 21 signatures required for nomination. “It would be better for Estonian democracy if there were two candidates rather than one on the ballot on September 2,” he said.

Asked whether he might support Land’s nomination simply to create a choice and encourage debate, Stoicescu said he was considering doing so. He added that signing in support of Land’s nomination would not mean abandoning his support for Madise.

“There are other people who would suit me as well, such as Hannes Hanso, but political forces have not put him forward,” Stoicescu said.

Stoicescu will also soon decide whether to join a political party. He has been invited to the Parempoolsed party’s general assembly on Saturday and will announce his decision afterwards.

He said he hoped to speak with people at the assembly. In addition to party leader Lavly Perling, he said several other Parempoolsed members were already familiar and appealing to him, specifically mentioning Rainer Saks and Ilmar Raag.