Reform Party to push Madise for president if she agrees

On Saturday, July 4, the parliamentary group and board of the Estonian Reform Party decided that if Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise gives her consent, the party will start seeking votes in the Riigikogu for her candidacy. According to the party's secretary general and MP Kristo Enn Vaga, the Reform Party is ready to seek parliamentary support for Madise, who was proposed this week by the Social Democrats.

"The short summary is: if Ülle Madise is ready to run, the Reform Party will make efforts to secure her support in the Riigikogu and, if necessary, in the electoral college," Vaga said in an interview with ERR.

Although Madise was nominated by the Social Democratic Party, MP Züleyha Izmailova said she would not support the current chancellor of justice. At least one other Social Democrat said the same.

Based on current parliamentary logic, votes for the president could be gathered around a candidate from the so-called liberal bloc—the Reform Party, Eesti 200, and the Social Democrats. Together, these three parties have 65 seats in the Riigikogu, minus two MPs who oppose Madise. The bloc would need to find at least five more votes, most likely among non-affiliated MPs. Officially there are 18, but in reality only seven are independent of factions.

Does the Reform Party believe Madise can be elected in the Riigikogu? "She has excelled as chancellor of justice in recent years, and I believe her election in the Riigikogu is very likely," Vaga replied.

Other candidates are also being discussed. Publicly mentioned are, for example, Foreign Ministry Chancellor Jonatan Vseviov, and on Friday public figures proposed former Kaitseliit commander Riho Ühtegi. Vaga did not name specific names. "Names of various people have been discussed for months, and we hope that more official candidates will be presented to the public already in July. This will ensure that we ultimately get the best president," he said.

Among the candidates mentioned is also Maive Rute, currently Deputy Director General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Internal Market and Industry. "To date, no one has spoken to me about a real nomination, and I have seen my name more in newspaper articles listing possible candidates," she told ERR. "If any party wanted to nominate me, I would probably consider the proposal very seriously."

This week, Madise stated that she has not given any party consent to nominate her. "Thank you to everyone who has expressed support, but I have not given anyone consent to run. As chancellor of justice, I remain impartial and will continue my work based on this principle," Madise said. Kristo Enn Vaga confirmed they have not received confirmation from Madise either.