Estonia’s former chancellor of justice, Ülle Madise, was sworn in as the country’s new president in the parliament, the Riigikogu, on 12 October 2026, ERR reports. She was elected to the office by the 101-member parliament with 71 votes on 2 September 2026. In her first speech as president, Madise noted that past attempts to “remake people, to prescribe how they should live, think, feel, or speak” had undermined mutual trust in society, ERR reported. She insisted that Estonia had “plenty of room” for everyone, each with their “own interests, views, lifestyles, tastes, and native languages.” She stressed the need to ensure that people do not become indifferent and pointed out that the rule of law rests “not only on legislation but also on trust.” Madise spoke against “unnecessary bureaucracy” that stifles creativity and initiative, saying that she would veto such laws if necessary. At the same time, she emphasised the separation of powers, noting that the president must not take the place of the popularly elected parliament, the government, or the courts.
In his farewell speech to parliament, outgoing president Alar Karis stressed the need to maintain diversity and speak to those with differing views, ERR reported. He spoke against the “never-ending need for attention,” which he said undermined the ability to think critically and to express divergent opinions. He spoke in favour of “comprehensible laws” and avoiding over-regulation. In interviews with both ERR and Kuku Raadio, Karis defended his decisions to veto legislation, criticising the government’s legislative initiatives. Also, he argued that Estonia’s foreign policy lacked open debate, Postimees reported. He insisted that the president should have a greater role in shaping Estonia’s foreign policy, suggesting that the president could attend NATO summits. He again stressed the need for Europe to do more to find a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine. Furthermore, he suggested extending the president’s term of office to possibly seven years.