Madise hires communications firm to advise presidential campaign

Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise has hired communications consultancy Tuum Consulting to advise her after announcing on Monday that she would run for president, ERR reported.

“Ülle called me on Friday and asked for help, and of course I agreed,” Tuum Consulting founder and communications expert Põim Kama told ERR. “Honesty and transparency are the most important values for her, and they are very important to us as well.”

Kama said he had informed political parties and politicians that he would attend Madise’s meetings with them. He could not say how much the consultancy would cost because the parties had not yet agreed on a fee. Madise said she would pay the bill as a private individual.

On Monday, Madise is meeting representatives of the Centre Party, Isamaa, the Social Democratic Party, the so-called window-seat MPs and, separately, Mart Võrklaev. She will also hold a press conference at 4:45 p.m. to explain why she wants to run for president and outline her views on the role of the president.

On Tuesday, Madise is due to meet the Reform Party, followed on Wednesday by Estonia 200. Both parties have pledged to support her presidential bid.

Last week, 62 members of the Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament, from the Reform Party, Estonia 200 and the Social Democratic Party signed her nomination papers. At least 21 signatures, or one-fifth of the parliament’s membership, are required to nominate a candidate. A candidate needs at least 68 votes to be elected president in the Riigikogu.

Madise’s possible opponent in parliament is Tiit Land, rector of Tallinn University of Technology.