Võrklaev decides to back Madise's presidential bid after meeting her

Reform Party member of the Riigikogu Mart Võrklaev, who had earlier said he needed time to think, confirmed to ERR that after meeting with Ülle Madise he has decided to back her nomination for president and will vote for her on September 2 in the Riigikogu.

Võrklaev said he was glad Madise took the time to meet personally with lawmakers who had doubts. He stressed that, ultimately, every Riigikogu member chooses the president independently, according to conscience, in a secret ballot, rather than following a party faction's line.

After two meetings — one the previous day and one that day — Võrklaev said he had gained confidence that backing Madise's candidacy and writing her name on the September 2 ballot would be the right and good choice for Estonia and its people.

Earlier hesitation

The previous Thursday, Võrklaev had told ERR he was still weighing whether to sign in support of Madise's nomination, noting that a meeting with her was planned during which he would hear her views. Asked why he did not want to sign immediately, he said at the time that he would keep his reasons to himself for now. He also added that he considered Tiit Land a worthy candidate.

With Võrklaev joining the ranks of MPs supporting her nomination, Madise has now secured 63 signatures.

ERR was unable to reach Social Democratic Party MP Züleyha Izmailova for comment on Tuesday; she too had not yet signed in support of Madise as of last week. Asked by ERR the previous Thursday whether she planned to sign soon, Izmailova replied that she did not yet plan to, noting that Madise was to meet her parliamentary group on Monday, after which she would be able to decide.