Estonia: Corridor talks on next president: parliament speaker

Some talks have started on a possible candidate for Estonia’s next president in 2026, ERR reports. The president is elected by the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, provided an agreement is reached by a two-thirds majority of MPs. The current three-party ruling coalition is two seats short of the 68 votes needed in the 101-seat parliament. Parliamentary speaker Lauri Hussar of Estonia 200 revealed that some names have been circulated, but that the coalition has not started discussing a possible candidate yet. Opposition Fatherland (Isamaa) MP Helir-Valdor Seeder claimed that former prime minister and EU commissioner Andrus Ansip of the Estonian Reform Party was being suggested to the post. However, Reform MP Maris Lauri noted that her party already holds several key posts. Incumbent president Alar Karis is eligible for a second term in office, but has earlier said that he does not intend to run again.