Eesmaa will ask presidential hopefuls about hidden past

Estonian MP Enn Eesmaa said he will ask presidential hopefuls about any hidden episodes in their past, ERR reported. He said unaffiliated members of parliament could play a decisive role in the secret vote because the governing coalition relies on a minority.

Eesmaa said the current presidential election process had taken on an unusual character, with people who should not be speaking so much dominating the discussion while presidential candidates themselves remained largely silent.

He welcomed potential candidates meeting with unaffiliated MPs. Although around 20 members of the Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament, are unaffiliated, Eesmaa said fewer are genuinely free and independent in their decisions, as some consistently follow the instructions of particular parties.

Because the vote is secret, unaffiliated MPs could determine the outcome. Eesmaa said, for example, that if Tiit Land received the full support of the Isamaa and Centre Party parliamentary groups, he would have 19 votes, leaving him two short of the 21 votes required for an official nomination.

Eesmaa said he would not limit meetings with candidates to polite conversations.

“I asked the candidates I first met somewhat uncomfortable questions. First of all, of course, about the skeletons in their closets,” he said. He added that in today’s media environment, everything would eventually come to light, meaning candidates had to be prepared for attacks.

Eesmaa questions Madise’s suitability

Eesmaa expressed some doubt about a possible candidacy by Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise, pointing to the difference between her current office and the presidency.

“As members of the Riigikogu, we know Madise well. She has often appeared before us, and I am the first to say that she is doing an excellent job in her current position. But the office of president is a completely different job, with completely different responsibilities,” Eesmaa said.

He compared the situation to the theatre, asking whether actor Peeter Oja could perform the role of King Lear.

“Some people would certainly say yes, while others would say no, but there is a very big difference. Shakespeare, a genius, wrote King Lear’s lines, while the president of the republic must find and write down their own thoughts. Even if someone writes the president’s February 24 speech, the president must deliver it convincingly,” Eesmaa said.

Eesmaa also said the wider public did not know Madise or the other names being discussed well enough in terms of their suitability for the presidency, because there had been no public television or radio debates in which candidates could present their visions and positions.

Eesmaa favours a woman or a convincing statesman

Discussing the kind of president Estonia needs, Eesmaa said State Auditor Janar Holm could be a very convincing candidate, among others.

On the international stage, however, Eesmaa said he favoured Estonia standing out.

“Europe is full of old men like me when we talk about presidents. If Estonia wanted to stand out, one option would be to have a woman president,” Eesmaa said.

Drawing on his experience with delegations, he recalled President Kersti Kaljulaid’s visits to Arab countries, saying her arrival as a fit, attractive and clearly intelligent woman had made a strong impression.