Estonian parliament begins presidential election with Madise as sole candidate

Estonia’s Riigikogu began the first round of the presidential election at noon on Wednesday, with Ülle Madise the only registered candidate, ERR reported.

Madise was nominated by 75 members of parliament and addressed the Riigikogu at the start of the session. Parliament members then had one hour to cast their ballots.

After voting ends and any possible protests are resolved, the election committee will count the votes publicly. A candidate must receive the support of two-thirds of the Riigikogu’s full membership, or at least 68 votes, to be elected.