Isamaa faction leader: withholding signature for Madise was a deliberate choice
Isamaa parliamentary faction leader Helir-Valdor Seeder denied claims of technical difficulties behind his refusal to sign in support of Ülle Madise's presidential nomination, calling it a conscious decision. He declined to reveal how he will vote in the Riigikogu presidential election.
Helir-Valdor Seeder, leader of the Isamaa parliamentary faction, has rejected claims that he failed to sign in support of Ülle Madise's presidential nomination due to technical reasons. Speaking on Vikerraadio's "Reporteritund" program, he called such claims slander and asked that the message reach the prime minister so he would stop spreading rumors at press conferences.
Among lawmakers from parties backing Madise, Social Democrat Zuleyha Izmailova and Isamaa members Priit Sibul and Seeder himself did not sign in support of her nomination.
Constitutional grounds
Seeder said he follows the Constitution and takes his cue from Madise herself, who has stated she must remain as independent and impartial as possible. He stressed that under the Constitution, each Riigikogu member participates in the presidential election independently and must decide their own vote, and that only individual MPs — not parties, factions or committees — may nominate candidates.
Seeder confirmed his decision not to sign in support of Madise was a deliberate choice, adding that party statements endorsing a specific candidate technically contradict the Constitution. Since the vote is secret, he will not disclose his decision, even after the ballot.
He recalled that previous presidential elections also produced surprises, noting that even if 75 MPs supported a nomination, it remains unclear whether the candidate will receive 77, 69 or 72 votes — a matter left to each MP's personal choice.
Debate over direct elections
Seeder suggested that even under a direct popular vote, presidential candidates would emerge in a similar way to now. EKRE MP Rain Epler argued in favor of direct elections by the people, saying this would not necessarily require changing presidential powers.
Centre Party MP Peeter Ernits confirmed he will take part in the September 2 presidential election despite signals that Centre Party members might abstain.
