Michal expects Tiit Land to enter Estonia’s presidential race

Prime Minister Kristen Michal expects TalTech rector Tiit Land to be nominated for Estonia’s presidential election, while constitutional law expert Ülle Madise has secured the support of more than 60 members of parliament, ERR reported.

Michal said he supports Madise and believes she would be a good president for Estonia. He called her the first confirmed candidate with enough support to stand in parliament.

“We have one candidate who has the support of around 60 members of parliament, and signatures are gradually being added,” Michal said. “This means that the presidential election has its first candidate who can run in parliament.”

He said the parties of the other potential candidates, Land and Mart Helme, were still holding discussions. “I would expect Tiit Land to also be nominated as a candidate, which means the voting rounds in parliament will be interesting,” Michal said.

Education Minister Kristina Kallas said the expectations surrounding the election did not reflect the system established by Estonia’s Constitution. She said the president is elected by parliament, rather than through a nationwide campaign, debates and public discussions.

Kallas said parliament had handled the process well over the summer and that the process was not an election in the traditional sense, but an agreement on who would represent Estonia for the next five years. She said more than 60 members of parliament had agreed that Madise should represent the country and expressed hope that more supporters would join.

Kallas said Madise would perform the role well because of her international authority and clear knowledge of the Constitution.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said all members of the Estonia 200 parliamentary faction had signed in support of Madise. He called for respect among political parties and warned that Estonia faced serious geopolitical uncertainty, which also affected the country’s security.

Parliament will convene to elect the president on September 2. Candidates can be nominated from August 21 to 24.