Estonian MPs Elect Museum Director in 2nd Round

Members of the Estonia’s parliament on Tuesday elected the director of the national museum as the Baltic country’s new president. The successful vote took place following an inconclusive first-round vote on Monday.

On Tuesday, Estonian National Museum director Alar Karis gained the support of 72 parliamentarians in the 101-seat Riigikogu. Eight MPs submitted blank votes while the remainder abstained. The museum director was the only candidate in both rounds, but he still failed to achieve the necessary two-third’s majority support at the first attempt. 

Following the vote, the 63-year-old Karis commented to the press: “I thank all of those who voted for me and also those who didn’t. I promise to be a good partner for the Riigikogu.” He will succeed Estonia’s first female president, Kersti Kaljulaid, who was not able to run for a second term after failing to obtain the support of a minimum of 21 lawmakers.

In Estonia, which has been an EU member state since 2004 and is also a member of NATO, the role of the president is largely ceremonial. Still, the Estonian president has the right to send back laws or veto them and is the supreme commander of the country’s armed forces.

Source: Washington Post