Madise supporters will formally submit presidential bid Monday

Supporters of Ülle Madise plan to submit her presidential candidacy to Estonia’s State Electoral Committee on Monday, ERR reported. The formal nomination period began on Friday.

Õnne Pillak, chair of the Reform Party parliamentary faction, said the delay had several practical reasons. Not all members of parliament who have expressed support for Madise have yet signed the nomination document, she said, pointing to Isamaa, which was the last party to endorse her candidacy.

Several other administrative procedures must also be completed to ensure the documents are submitted correctly, Pillak said.

The submission must include Madise’s first and last names, date of birth, and the names and signatures of her nominators, as well as the date on which the document was prepared. It must also include Madise’s handwritten consent to stand for election, her confirmation that she meets the legal requirements, and documents proving that she is an Estonian citizen by birth.

According to information available to ERR, representatives of all four parliamentary factions that have declared support for Madise are expected to participate in submitting her candidacy. They are the Reform Party, Eesti 200, the Social Democratic Party and Isamaa. Unaffiliated members of parliament who support her are also expected to take part.

Candidates for the first round of the presidential election may be nominated until 6 p.m. on Monday, August 24. At least 21 members of the 101-seat parliament are required to nominate a candidate, and each member may nominate only one candidate.

The State Electoral Committee will meet at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, to register the candidates.

The parliament’s extraordinary session to elect the president will begin at noon on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.