Estonian parliament elects Ülle Madise as new president

TALLINN - The Riigikogu elected the current Chancellor of Justice, Ülle Madise, as the new President of Estonia during an extraordinary session on Wednesday.

Madise was elected in the first round of voting, receiving 71 votes from members of the Riigikogu, thereby exceeding the required 68-vote majority.

Seven ballots were left unmarked, and there were no invalid ballots. A total of 78 members of parliament participated in the vote.

Ülle Madise expressed her gratitude for the support and trust. "I will do my best to justify this trust!"

At the beginning of the session, presidential candidate Ülle Madise delivered a speech in which she stressed the need for much more trust. "All of us, in our lives. Let us not wish for someone from above to dictate how we should live, think, and feel. It is neither true nor possible that the state knows best how to live and breathe, or how to undertake new ventures. Initiative is understood by those who take it," Madise said.

"Estonia is on the front line of security for all of Europe, for the entire free West. This line holds because our predecessors had the wisdom to restore independence, catch up with the free world, and create a corruption-free, secure state. They had the vision and ingenuity to steer Estonia into the European Union and NATO - not merely to exist, but to actively build a common future," Madise emphasized.

At the end of her speech, Ülle Madise said: "I watch and listen to our police officers, defense forces members, diplomats, and statesmen with sincere gratitude and civic pride. Thank you to them! I feel respect and reverence, I feel a responsibility towards our people, and a responsibility for Estonia. I am certain that together we can make Estonia greater, happier, and stronger. I am ready to bear the responsibility of the head of state, if you, esteemed members of the Riigikogu, entrust it to me. Thank you!"

At the beginning of the session, the Riigikogu held a minute of silence to commemorate the passing of long-serving members Siim Kallas and Priit Aimla.

The National Electoral Committee registered Madise as a presidential candidate on August 25. She was nominated for the first round of voting in the Riigikogu by 75 of its members.