Estonia’s Chancellor of Justice, Ülle Madise, has expressed her willingness to run for president, provided there is “broad-based support” for her candidacy, Õnne Pillak, leader of the ruling Estonian Reform Party’s parliamentary group, announced, ERR reports. Pillak reaffirmed Reform’s support for Madise’s candidacy and urged other party leaders to state their preference before the upcoming meeting of the parliament’s council of elders, which will discuss the presidential election process. Opposition leaders Urmas Reinsalu of Fatherland and Mihhail Kõlvart of the Estonian Centre Party have stated that they want to hear a clear decision from Madise herself and a public discussion involving other candidates as well before deciding on their choice of presidential candidate. Meanwhile, Madis Ernits, professor of public law at Tallinn University, argued that Madise would have to resign from her office if she decided to run for president, ERR reported. Also, he warned that Madise’s continued silence on her possible candidacy could compromise her perceived independence.
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