Estonia’s incumbent president, Alar Karis, said that he would indicate by July 2026 if he wants to run for a second term, ERR reports. Speaking in an interview with Vikerraadio, Karis noted that there was still several months until the election in September 2026, and that candidates could only be nominated in early July 2026….
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal suggested that former president Kersti Kaljulaid could be nominated as a candidate in presidential elections due in September 2026, ERR reports. Michal noted that incumbent president Alar Karis did not seem to have sufficient support in the parliament, the Riigikogu, to be reelected for a second term. Earlier, Lauri Läänemets,…
Estonian President Alar Karis gave a long interview to ERR’s Vikerraadio radio channel, in which he expanded on his earlier statements about possible dialogue with Russia, ERR reports. He lamented that many politicians in Estonia had rushed to condemn his views without actually reading them, and stressed the need to “face reality” and “allow for…
Estonia’s Foreign Ministry lacks the ability to look ahead, President Alar Karis stated, ERR reports. Speaking in an interview with regional daily Lääne Elu, Karis noted that once the war in Ukraine ends, the question will arise whether Estonia still has friends left. Estonia therefore needs “the strength to look a bit further,” he said….
Most Estonians support the re-election of President Alar Karis for a second term in office, according to a new Norstat poll for the Institute for Societal Research (YI), Baltic News reports. The survey conducted in early March 2026 shows that 70% of respondents support and 17% oppose electing Karis for a second term. He is…
The council of elders of the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, agreed that the next presidential election could be held on 2-3 September 2026, ERR reports. The council will meet again on 26 February 2026 to discuss a possible candidate to the post. Õnne Pillak, chairwoman of the parliamentary group of the ruling Estonian Reform Party,…
Recent remarks by Estonian President Alar Karis have led to questions from foreign partners about Estonia’s position on the war in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said, ERR reports. Following his visit to Kyiv, Tsahkna said that the President’s suggestions of possible EU talks with Russia, lifting sanctions, and for Ukraine to cede territory had…
Estonian President Alar Karis assured that Estonia’s foreign policy remained united despite criticism of his comments on the war in Ukraine, ERR reports. Earlier, Karis expressed support for appointing a special EU envoy for peace talks with Russia and suggested that Ukraine cede territory to end the war. Speaking on the sidelines of the opening…
Estonian President Alar Karis and Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina back an idea to appoint a special EU envoy for talks with Russia on ending the war in Ukraine, Euronews reports. Speaking in interviews at the World Governments Summit in the UAE, both Karis and Silina said that any communication with Russia should be conducted…