Ossinovski: Joint candidate could secure presidential election in parliament
Social Democratic Party vice-chair Jevgeni Ossinovski believes that a joint candidate from the Reform Party, Eesti 200, and the Social Democrats would significantly increase the chances of electing the president in the Riigikogu, avoiding the electoral college.
Jevgeni Ossinovski, vice-chair of the Social Democratic Party (SDE), stated in an ERR interview that a unified candidate from the Reform Party, Eesti 200, and the Social Democrats would greatly improve the likelihood of electing the next Estonian president in the first parliamentary vote. This would prevent the election from being moved to the electoral college.
Ossinovski spoke positively about Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise as a possible candidate, calling her a "very worthy candidate" who could receive broad support from various parties. However, he emphasized that SDE has not officially nominated anyone yet.
According to Ossinovski, without the support of the Reform Party, electing a president in parliament is nearly impossible. "No serious candidate will come to the Riigikogu without the support of the Reform Party, because purely mathematically, such a candidate will lose anyway," he noted.
He also expressed doubt about the willingness of the Centre Party and Isamaa to seek a compromise on a presidential candidate. In his view, both parties are more interested in moving the election to the electoral college and using the presidential campaign ahead of the parliamentary elections.
Current Estonian President Alar Karis has previously declined to run for a second term, so political parties continue to discuss possible candidates for the head of state. The Riigikogu will convene to elect the next president on September 2.
