Reform Party awaits presidential election initiative from other parties

Reform Party faction leader Ünne Pillak said after a joint faction and board meeting that she expects coordination of presidential election discussions from the Speaker of Parliament and candidate nominations, particularly from opposition parties. The first round of presidential elections will take place on 2 September.

Reform Party faction leader Ünne Pillak announced on Monday following a joint faction and board meeting that sshe expects the presidential election process to be launched by the Speaker of Parliament, and that she hopes opposition parties will play a more active role in nominating candidates.

Pillak: other parties must show their commitment

"I expect other parties to now also demonstrate their readiness. I would like to see Isamaa and Centre Party step out of the world of political spin and show a willingness to cooperate. We are waiting for the positions of other parties, whether they are ready to cooperate or not. After all, we are searching for and selecting not a Reform Party presidential candidate, but the president of all of Estonia," Pillak told ERR.

He added that until Victory Day, two parties clearly stated that Alar Karis was their candidate, even though the president himself had not said whether he would run at all. "In my view, the president was placed in a very uncomfortable situation by such pressure. Now the picture has become clear and we are essentially at the beginning of the next stage," Pillak noted.

Candidates to emerge in July, discussions in August

According to Pillak, the identification of various candidates will take place during July, and in August it will be possible to discuss specific individuals, present and hear their views. "I believe it would be advisable to convene the Riigikogu Council of Elders at the beginning of August," she said.

Pillak emphasized that on Monday the faction leadership did not discuss specific names, but focused on the necessary qualities of the next president. As for leading the process, Pillak was clear: "The Speaker leads the Riigikogu and I believe the initiative must come from him."

Parties discussing the issue in parallel

Meanwhile, discussions related to the presidential elections are also taking place in other parties. Isamaa's board met on Monday in Parliament, the Centre Party leadership held its meeting on Monday morning as well, and the Social Democratic Party leadership is also discussing the issue on Monday.

Centre Party faction leader Lauri Laats said that the party's goal is to present a presidential candidate who would be close to as large a portion of Estonian society as possible. "At the same time, this requires the consent of potential candidates and the party is actively working on that," Laats added, confirming that the Centre Party is maintaining ongoing dialogue with other political forces.

Parliament Speaker Lauri Hussar (Estonia 200) announced last week to ERR that the expanded Council of Elders will likely meet in August to discuss presidential candidates, when faction hearings with official candidates will also take place. The first round of presidential elections is scheduled for 2 September.