Teet Land has effectively withdrawn from the Estonian presidential election
Tiit Land, rector of Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), has effectively withdrawn from the presidential election in Estonia. As a result, Justice Chancellor Ülle Madise may remain the sole candidate in the Riigikogu election, according to ERR News.
Land, who was primarily nominated by representatives of the academic community, met with most of the parliamentary factions. The balance of power shifted after the opposition party Isamaa endorsed Madise, joining the Reform Party, Eesti 200, and the Social Democratic Party.
Even before Isamaa’s decision, 63 members of parliament had signed in support of Madise’s candidacy. Land had confirmed support from the Centrist Party, which has eight members of parliament, as well as several of the 20 independent members of parliament. This is not enough to register his candidacy, as at least 21 signatures from members of parliament are required.
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Candidate registration will take place from August 21 to 24, and the vote in the 101-seat Riigikogu is scheduled for September 2–3. At least 68 votes are required to elect a president. Following Isamaa’s endorsement, the number of lawmakers who have signed in support of Madise’s nomination exceeds this threshold; however, the vote will be secret.
Land stated that he is ready to continue participating in a substantive discussion about Estonia’s future and the role of the president. Among the topics he mentioned was the procedure for electing the head of state: either with cross-party support in parliament or through direct elections. If the parliamentary vote does not produce a result, the president will be elected by a 208-member electoral college.
