Estonia’s chancellor of justice, Ülle Madise, has formally announced her presidential bid, entering the race with the backing of 62 MPs and a promise to “safeguard what makes Estonia Estonia”.
Madise, one of the country’s most prominent constitutional authorities, formally announced on Monday that she would stand for president.
Her declaration places her at the head of the field to succeed Alar Karis, who has said he will not seek a second term. Sixty-two members of the 101-seat Estonian parliament have already signed in support of nominating Madise, although she would need 68 votes to be elected by parliament.
“I am standing for president of the Republic of Estonia,” Madise said. “As I write these words, I feel a profound sense of respect and awe. The presidency carries the greatest responsibility I could assume before the Estonian state and its people.”
Her declaration was as much a meditation on Estonia’s purpose as a conventional political announcement. Madise presented the presidency as a guardianship of the country’s identity, independence and democratic values.
“My views are no secret: Estonia’s purpose is to be Estonia,” she said. “Independence gives us the opportunity to do everything we can to make Estonia the best place in which to live, raise children, invent, write poetry and do business.”
She added that Estonia must preserve its language, culture and values while retaining the courage to “dream big and make those dreams a reality”.
“The president’s constitutional duty is to safeguard what makes Estonia Estonia: our people, language, culture, natural environment, freedom and peace,” Madise said.
A message about Estonia’s future
Madise placed families, education and the country’s demographic future at the centre of her statement. Everything possible must be done, she said, to ensure that children are born in Estonia and can grow up to become educated people, find fulfilling and fairly paid work, establish families and build their lives in the country.
She also called for a “caring, forward-looking state”, a clean natural environment and a society combining freedom with responsibility.
Her announcement comes as Estonia prepares to mark the 35th anniversary of the restoration of its independence on 20 August.
“Thirty-five years ago, we reclaimed our freedom because people dared to do more,” Madise said. “Yes, today’s generations are small. But may they become generations full of strength.”
She said young Estonians needed faith, hope, determination, education, prosperity and a zest for life, adding that cooperation between generations would help build “an ever greater Estonia”.
Madise also addressed the international role of the head of state, an area in which her critics may question her comparative lack of diplomatic and foreign policy experience.
“Estonia must carry more weight in the world,” she said. “The president must remain unwaveringly committed to opening doors and building bridges.”
She said Estonia had much to offer internationally through the work, services and products created by its people.
Madise said she would meet members of the Estonian parliament over the coming days to explain her understanding of the president’s role. She also promised an open dialogue with the public.
“If I am elected president of the Republic of Estonia, I will accept, with honour and humility, the task of serving the Estonian people and the Estonian state as head of state,” she said.
Six votes short of victory
Madise has secured the signatures of 62 MPs from the Reform Party, Estonia 200 and the Social Democratic Party. This is well above the 21 signatures required to nominate a presidential candidate, but six short of the 68 votes needed to elect her in parliament.
Because the presidential ballot is secret, the signatures do not in themselves guarantee that all 62 MPs will vote for her.
Only two MPs from the three supporting parties have yet to add their signatures: Mart Võrklaev of the Reform Party and Züleyxa Izmailova of Estonia 200.
Võrklaev said he wanted to hear Madise’s views before deciding. The Reform Party is due to meet her on Tuesday. He has also described Tiit Land, the rector of Tallinn University of Technology, as a worthy potential candidate.
Izmailova said she would consider her position after Madise’s meeting with the Estonia 200 parliamentary group.
None of the independent MPs has yet signed in support of Madise. Some have said they will not vote, while others intend to decide after meeting both Madise and Land.
Tiit Land seeks to join the contest
Land confirmed that Madise’s announcement had not deterred him from pursuing his own candidacy.
“It is very positive that Madise has publicly announced her decision to stand, and it does not affect me in any way,” he said.
Land described Madise as a strong rival, a capable chancellor of justice and a pleasant person. He argued that his own record in education, research and technology, as well as his experience of leading large organisations, distinguished him from her.
“I have worked on Estonia’s future: education, research, technology and the next generation,” Land said.
The opposition parties Isamaa and the Centre Party are considering supporting Land. Their parliamentary groups contain a combined 15 MPs. Including party members who sit outside those groups would bring his potential support to 19, leaving him two signatures short of the 21 required for nomination.
Kalev Stoicescu and Meelis Kiili, two MPs who until recently belonged to the governing coalition, have suggested they may provide the remaining signatures. They have argued that presenting two candidates would give parliament a genuine choice and create an opportunity for public debate.
The first parliamentary ballot is due to take place on 2 September, with further rounds expected the following day if no candidate secures the required majority. Should the parliament fail to elect a president, the decision will pass to an Electoral College consisting of MPs and representatives of Estonia’s local authorities.
Madise has served as chancellor of justice since 2015. If elected, she would become Estonia’s second female president, after Kersti Kaljulaid, who held the office from 2016 to 2021.
