Parliament elects Ülle Madise as Estonia’s president

Estonia’s parliament, the Riigikogu, has elected Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise president in a secret ballot, with 71 votes, ERR reported. She will take office on October 12.

Madise told parliament before the vote that Estonia needed more trust. She said she would do her best to ensure that the country was happy, good and safe.

“Let us not want someone from above to tell us how to live, want and feel. It is neither so nor possible that the state knows best how to live, breathe and act,” Madise said.

Members of the EKRE parliamentary faction held a picket outside Toompea Castle and did not enter the chamber or take part in the presidential election.

“She is a candidate of the liberal camp. She is not a candidate above camps or above the coalition and opposition. She is a candidate of the liberal camp,” EKRE leader Martin Helme said.

Reform Party faction leader Õnne Pillak said Madise had supporters in four of the six parliamentary factions, as well as among MPs outside the factions.

“To say that she is someone’s candidate, I think, is wrong,” Pillak said.

The Social Democrats were the first party to put forward Madise’s name. Raimond Kaljulaid said the Chancellor of Justice, who attends government meetings, was well informed.

“There are so few people who, especially in the current difficult security situation, have as good an overview of our defence and foreign policy activities as members of the government, the Chancellor of Justice and others directly involved in these issues,” Kaljulaid said.

Kalev Stoicescu, who left Eesti 200 and joined the Parempoolsed party, also voted for Madise. He described her as a thorough expert on the Constitution and a very intelligent, humane person.

Some members of the Isamaa faction also supported Madise. Faction member Tõnis Lukas said he had voted for her “with a very light heart,” adding that Estonia’s affairs would continue to be handled in the best sense at Kadriorg.

Other Isamaa members did not support Madise. Priit Sibul submitted an unmarked ballot, saying that Madise had taken a long time to decide whether she wanted to run and that MPs had not been able to review her positions.

“Unfortunately, candidates still do not have that opportunity today, despite the fact that parliament has amended the presidential election law somewhat,” Sibul said.

Members of the Centre Party faction also decided not to support Madise. Lauri Laats said the coalition should have involved the public more in the election process.

“People are drifting away from the entire presidential election process, or have already drifted away. When I go out on the streets and ask what they think about the presidential election, there is not much of an opinion, and that is a problem,” Laats said.

A candidate needed 68 votes to be elected. Madise was nominated by 75 Riigikogu members and received 71 votes in the secret ballot.

Thanking the MPs, Madise said Estonia could achieve a great deal by working together, understanding one another and, when necessary, arguing.