Ruutel hints at foregoing second term

  • 2006-03-08
  • Staff and wire reports

THINKING RETIREMENT? For Ruutel, there's probably nothing like a little time in the great outdoors to ponder this tough decision.

TALLINN - President Arnold Ruutel has hinted that he may not submit his candidacy for a second term in office, intensifying speculation as to who might become the country's third head of state since regaining independence. Speaking to the Kanal 2 television station, Ruutel offered a cryptic message about his intentions, which have so far been kept under a tight lid.

"We have been doing this work for quite a long time already," he said. "I think it is necessary to give younger people a chance."

The interview was recorded on Feb. 24 's Independence Day - and Ingrid Ruutel, who also took part, said she would prefer not to be the first lady for the next five years. "I would be very happy if a president could be found whom it would be possible to support," she said.

In recent weeks, the presidential couple has come under intense criticism and speculation since it was learned that their granddaughters, both teenagers, organized several parties at the presidential palace in Kadriorg.

The get-togethers included alcohol and it appeared that some of the guests stole liquor from the president's personal collection.

Also, there is a widespread belief that Ruutel, who will be 78 in May, is too old for the job.

In the meantime, the right-wing Res Publica party and the Social Democrats have intensified calls for political parties to come up with a suitable replacement for Ruutel, should the latter decide not to run.

Villu Reiljan, chairman of the People's Union, the center-left party that played an instrumental role in Ruutel's election in 2001, was quoted as saying that he would not like to go along with any media speculation or provocations.

Reiljan, who has already said his party would support Ruutel for a second term, said that he had no information about whether the president would run. "To say today that everything is decided would be a journalistic provocation," Reiljan added.

Centrist leader Edgar Savisaar told the news program that, compared with some other countries' presidents, Ruutel was still a young man. The economy minister, who heads the country's most popular party according to most polls, declined to say whether he was planning to run or not. "I don't think this is the right time to speak about such things," he said.

Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said that if Ruutel should decide not to run, the right-wing parties would start looking for a common candidate. He admitted that there had been several discreet contacts that couldn't even be called consultations. "The Reform Party is planning to give credentials to its representatives for talks and then the consultations could begin with full intensity, as far as we're concerned," he added.

Res Publica chairman Taavi Veskimagi said that Ruutel's decision not to run could possibly help Parliament come to an earlier agreement.