Madise gives her first speech as president in the Riigikogu

TALLINN – Ülle Madise delivered her first speech as the President of the Republic of Estonia in the Riigikogu on Monday, after President Alar Karis handed over the office to her. BNS is publishing Ülle Madise's speech in its entirety.

Honorable Riigikogu, Presidents, Prime Minister, Ministers, constitutional officials, Your Excellencies, guests. Honorable people of Estonia!

On September 2, I spoke before you about how Estonia's greatest treasure is its people. That we must do everything possible to ensure there are many carriers of the Estonian language and culture. That Estonia should be the best place to raise children and grow old; to invent and create; to conduct science and business. That our children should be among the world's smartest, most balanced, and happiest. That the joy of life should not be lost as a family member or a worker, nor because of age or health.

Clean nature, roaring forests. The sea, lakes, rivers. Birds and animals. Plants, mushrooms, bees. Fish and dragonflies. In just a generation, our nature here will be an even greater wonder of the world than it is now! If we know how to preserve it.

Estonia is indeed one of the most pleasant places in the world to live. With mosquitoes and puddles, with good and bad skiing weather. Everyone here in Estonia must be able to feel that they themselves, as well as their lives, work, and creations, are valuable. That we can all fit here comfortably – as different as we are.

With our own interests, views, lifestyles, tastes, and mother tongues. High and pop culture, alternative culture and underground, this whole vibrant palette. Practicing for the Song and Dance Festival doesn't interfere with hip-hop or a midnight rave. And vice versa! Estonia is free, exciting, lively, developing, and diverse. Can we maintain and continue building such an Estonia? That depends on trust, hope for the future, and courage.

Perhaps we don't notice every day, or have forgotten, that in most parts of Estonia, kindness, simple work, common sense, and helping neighbors are still held in high regard. A car stuck in the snow is pulled out by a neighbor; an old person freezing at the bus stop gets a ride to where they need to go; another family's children get a ride home from practice with one's own; fresh cucumbers and tomatoes are shared with neighbors, or apples are put out for everyone to take. Let us notice this, acknowledge it, and participate in it.

In my work as the Chancellor of Justice, I unfortunately saw all too often how a person gives their best, dedicates themselves to others, but is not treated in kind. Yet they could be. They should be. For example, a mother who, by a twist of fate, is raising a child alone, works, studies for a profession so necessary for society, and volunteers where she can; yet when she herself needs help, she encounters administrative harassment and cold arrogance in her search for support. My colleagues and I in the Chancellor of Justice's office always stood against soulless proceedings. What is the point of a system where one can coldly shrug and state that 'clients did not receive the service,' instead of regretting that a child and their mother were left in distress?

Fortunately, there are those who solve problems. But do we know how to notice and recognize them? A police officer who saves the life of a child speeding on a scooter-shaped electric vehicle and hears from the parent in response... I won't even repeat it. How can anyone think that a highly trained officer leaves their family in the evening to go to work simply to harass decent people? Or a teacher who carries concern for their students in their heart, looks for opportunities for them to spread their wings, opens their computer – and there it is! No, not expressions of gratitude.

We need much more trust and warm recognition. A doctor, a journalist, a police officer, a teacher, a farmer – each of us in our profession – is a trained expert who gives their best. And trust must indeed be earned. By giving one's best. All of us, in our lives and our work.

The attempts in recent decades to re-educate people, to prescribe the one right way to live, think, feel, or speak, have resulted in a strong backlash. The lesson has been learned by all; now credibility must be restored. Especially in people with experience of the occupation, all sorts of ideological propaganda provoke contempt, which can lead even the best person to write or do things they would not otherwise even consider. And to vote simply... against everything. Eventually, resentment transforms into an election result.

Everyone has the right to vote exactly as they see fit. That is what elections are for. The main thing is not to abstain from voting altogether, not to remain silent, indifferent, or completely withdrawn from life. Indifference is the enemy of a free democratic society, as is the loss of hope for the future and mere noise. The rule of law is not sustained by laws alone, but also by trust – the knowledge that the rules apply to everyone and that people are treated fairly. Let us not allow ourselves to be turned against each other – here, in our corner of the world, with our people. There should be as few people as possible who feel – perhaps justifiably – so bad that they are ready to destroy things. We need to trust each other and build the future.

Good people! If you want peace, prepare for... you know. Peace must be maintained. Everyone can contribute to this. The first step: maintain peace of mind. There is too much fear of war in the air. When I come from a discussion about the actual security situation, assessed based on facts, my mind is always much calmer than when reading deliberate fearmongering. I know very well that politics or business is behind it. But still. Yes, the world around us is unpredictable and dangerous. Of course it is. I understand the concern, and I am concerned myself. A global crisis of trust – also true.

Ukraine must be supported in every conceivable way so that the war of aggression against Ukraine ends and a lasting, just peace arrives. So that war criminals are punished and the aggressor pays for the damages. It must be convincingly demonstrated worldwide that international law, a rules-based world order, and the protection of human rights are beneficial to the majority of countries and to all people.

Estonia has been diligently built stronger. The Defence Forces, the Defence League, the Women's Home Defence. The entire broad national defence. Dedicated neighbors in the Baltic and Nordic countries. Poland. All our allies in Europe and NATO. This is all our security. Please: let us not allow fear or hopelessness into our hearts. Fear paralyzes or incites foolishness. We must act wisely. And everyone has the opportunity to do so. I dare to affirm that the future is not dark or predetermined – we are building it ourselves. In times of turmoil, one must see one's great opportunity and skillfully seize it.

Dear listeners, we need more humor and levity. And spiritual fortitude. Culture cannot be considered something that comes after everything else. Culture sustains and carries, consoles, broadens, warns, cleanses the dark corners of the human soul, and helps us become better. Let's not miss out on domestic cultural events. Let's make them inviting and accessible to children and young people; and to those who are short on money or have difficulty moving. Let's value our writers, filmmakers and theater creators, artists, designers, museums – both new and heritage.

Let us always be interested in the way of life and culture of other nations as well. And let us be visible ourselves: exhibitions by Estonian artists around the world, our magnificent orchestras and choirs, theater performances, novels, medals in sports competitions. Scientific research and the inventions that have reached production, collaborative projects. Bold and trustworthy entrepreneurship. Technology, start-up, and deep-tech entrepreneurship, and of course, the defense industry.

But not only that! Nowadays, it is a great achievement if an entrepreneur can produce something special and very well, at a reasonable price and in an environmentally friendly way, and also deliver the products on time. Not just here in Estonia, but all over the world. Estonia's trump card is education. We know this ourselves, and so does the entire educated world. But let's strive harder to ensure that all children in Estonia have a good education and broad opportunities. This should not depend on whether a child studies in a small rural school or in the capital city's districts, whether they live with their parents, in a foster family, or in a children's home, or whether they are still learning the Estonian language. Estonia's future depends on the good education of all Estonia's children.

The leap in artificial intelligence in schools, initiated by President Alar Karis, deserves recognition and continuation. The future belongs to those who know how to use AI wisely while remaining free and skilled as human beings. This new leap must be aimed as far as possible. And always in a way that AI doesn't become 'Ouch!'. Technology must not make us forget that humans must also be able to cope on their own. Excessive dependence on technology and electricity is dangerous for everyone, everywhere. A storm or a thief is enough to land us in big trouble. Let us remain steadfast.

Estonia's Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa Pakosta, is leading a global discussion to establish worldwide regulation for artificial intelligence. It is precisely Estonia that must take the lead. We have long experience as a digital state and a complex history. We are able to understand other nations and countries around the world, and perhaps they understand us too. The digital divide does not only run and deepen within societies, sometimes causing great poverty, pain, and resentment. It is running ever more dangerously across the world as well. Therefore, it is necessary to agree that AI must be accessible to the smaller and poorer as well. And that artificial intelligence must serve humanity, not the other way around.

For the protection of the Estonian language and culture, and of all small nations and cultures, it is necessary that they are well and correctly represented in artificial intelligence models. We are in a situation where armies of bots serving the interests of an aggressor state are teaching artificial intelligence to lie. And this lie will ultimately harm everyone. Countries that wish to remain independent and sovereign should be vitally interested in combating hostile propaganda.

The President of the Republic cannot and must not replace the popularly elected Riigikogu, nor the government or the court. The separation and balance of powers is a great value. The President has a significant role in this balancing formula. The date for the National Defence Council, as stipulated in the Constitution, has already been set. The saying 'hard in training, easy in battle' I would further develop to say that if the training is especially tough, there will be no battle. Our goal, after all, is peace.

Against a lack of ideas and homogenization, we could start right here at home with bold thoughts and dreaming. The President's Think Tank is one place for this. Searching, thinking, debating, and humor together bring out the best in people – from academics to schoolchildren. This is how new ideas are born. The President can recognize and support all who work to ensure that families have a place to live and raise children, that the birth of a child does not lead to financial hardship, and that those who want to build a home in the countryside can also get a loan.

Let a child- and family-friendly Estonia become a theme for the upcoming and all elections. Not by cornering or putting anyone on the defensive, but by cheerfully showing how things can be done very well. It's possible that we also need a 'Tiger Leap' for mental health. Yes, of course, we need more psychologists and psychiatrists, and we need to notice and account for individual differences. But we also need to get rid of unnecessary tensions that break people. Excessive, destructive competitiveness, pulling each other down, noise, bullying, injustice, loneliness, great fear and worry, hopelessness – these are not inevitable phenomena of life. Perhaps we dare to free ourselves from them. I will do my best so that we dare. Because why be unhappy and lose when it's possible to be happy and win?

The President can make more audible what is expected and hoped for in Voru and Viru counties, in Mehikoorma and Häädemeeste, on Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, in Paide and Põltsamaa, in all the places where the local community works hard to prevent life from moving away, for farms to flourish, for tourism and business in general to develop, so that there is a point in making an effort. We can only obtain the money needed to maintain our free Estonian state with a strong and adaptable economy.

Therefore, let's set people free! There is no need for a total comfort that makes people lazy and helpless. There is no need for commands, prohibitions, unnecessary bureaucracy, or supervisors everywhere that stifle creativity and entrepreneurship – the head of state can also serve as a reminder of this. If necessary, in the form of a veto.

I will take the time to meet people from different walks of life in different parts of Estonia. To listen to them, to empathize with them, to try to understand. And then to pass the word on. You will see me and my colleagues in gardens, factories, barns, corporate brainstorming corners, schools, nursing homes, village squares, hospitals, city streets, and other places where daily life happens. I'm afraid I won't make it to formal ceremonies as often as I should, so I ask for your understanding in advance. I hope to be in constant communication

with the members of the Riigikogu, the Prime Minister and ministers, the heads of constitutional institutions – understanding and respecting their roles. Here, too, what matters is trust, upholding each other's dignity, and working together for the future of Estonia, for the good of all the people here.

I have said it repeatedly and I will say it again: all previous heads of state have been in the right place at the right time, making Estonia better and greater. Thank you very much! Thank you, President Alar Karis! I would like to separately thank Mrs. Sirje Karis here. Her work for Ukrainian children alone deserves the highest recognition.

Continuing the work of my predecessors, I feel great reverence and responsibility. Dear people of Estonia! If we trust each other, value freedom and responsibility and a clear message, dare to be good people, trust in life, believe in Estonia, and maintain a hopeful outlook, then all good things are possible. Long live Estonia!