Poll: 32% of Estonians who have decided on a presidential candidate supported Madise
Estonian Chancellor of Justice Jülle Madise emerged as the most popular potential candidate for the country's presidency in a poll conducted by Turu-uuringute on behalf of Delfi. She received the support of 32% of respondents who expressed an opinion on the proposed candidates, according to ERR News.
The poll was conducted August 6–12 among 902 Estonian citizens aged 18 and older. When “don’t know” responses are also taken into account, Madise’s support stood at 22%. Another 22% of those who gave a response chose the “other candidate” option.
Second place went to Mart Helme, the candidate from the Conservative People’s Party of Estonia (EKRE), with 11%. Estonia’s new ambassador to the U.S., Hannes Hanso, received 9%; diplomat Jüri Luik, 8%; and entrepreneur and banking expert Indrek Neyvelt, 7%. Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jonathan Vsevijov received 5%, Maive Rute — 3%, Matti Maasikas — 2%, and piano manufacturer Indrek Laul — 1%.
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Tiit Land, rector of Tallinn University of Technology, was not included in the poll because he had not yet been nominated as a candidate when the poll began. Land was later considered one of the frontrunners in the presidential race.
Madise enjoyed the highest support among supporters of the Social Democratic Party—49.9%. Among supporters of Parempoolsed, Reform, and Isamaa, she received 46.6%, 45.6%, and 38.7% of the vote, respectively. Among EKRE supporters, 65.3% chose Mart Helme, while Madise received 9.5%.
The President of Estonia is not elected by popular vote. The election first takes place in the Riigikogu, where a candidate needs at least 68 votes in the 101-member parliament. If parliament fails to elect a head of state, the process moves to a regional electoral college.
