TalTech Rector drops out of Estonian presidential race, leaving Madise as sole candidate
Tallinn University of Technology Rector Tiit Land has conceded the Estonian presidential race, leaving Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise as the only realistic candidate ahead of the Riigikogu vote on September 2-3.
Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) Rector Tiit Land has acknowledged he lacks sufficient support to continue his bid for the Estonian presidency, effectively conceding the race. This leaves Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise as the sole viable candidate for the vote to be held at the Riigikogu on September 2-3.
Land, who had mainly been put forward by fellow academics, saw his prospects collapse after opposition party Isamaa announced its backing for Madise on Tuesday. Isamaa's move added its support to that of the Reform Party, Eesti 200 and the Social Democrats, who had already declared for Madise.
Land said the current balance of support in the Riigikogu showed that only one worthy candidate remained for the vote, wishing Madise success. Even before Isamaa's decision, Madise had already secured signatures from 63 MPs, while Land could only count on clear backing from the Center Party's eight MPs plus support from some of the chamber's 20 independent members — short of the 21 signatures required to register a candidacy.
Land said he remained ready for substantive debate on Estonia's future and the role of the presidency, including discussion of the election procedure itself — whether the head of state should continue to be chosen by the Riigikogu with cross-party backing or whether Estonia should move to direct elections. He thanked those who had supported his candidacy, particularly fellow university rectors and the president of the Estonian Academy of Sciences.
Land had entered the race relatively late, emerging as a potential candidate only last week, while Madise announced her own intention to run only at the start of this week. Candidate registration runs from August 21-24, open only to those with at least 21 MPs' signatures. Electing a president requires at least 68 votes out of the 101-seat Riigikogu, and with Isamaa's support Madise's backing now exceeds that threshold, though the three rounds of voting on September 2-3 will be held by secret ballot.
