Karis declines to assess future or former presidents

President Alar Karis has declined to assess his possible successor or predecessors, ERR reported, but said he would offer advice to a new president if asked.

“I am the president, and I have never given an assessment of anyone in any position. Neither my successors nor my predecessors,” Karis told Lääne Elu.

“Everyone lives and works in their own time, and that also applies to the president. It is very difficult to assess the situation today when the next president is actually five years in the future,” he said.

Karis added that every president adapts to the office and to how the public views them.

Asked whether he could advise the new president, Karis said advice must be requested.

“Certainly, if advice is requested, I will give as much advice as I know how to give. But the person must want to receive advice. Otherwise, they are suggestions and instructions, not advice,” he said.