Only 1 candidate seeking Estonia's presidency - so far
ABC News
Estonia is gearing up for an unusual presidential election
HELSINKI -- Estonia is gearing up for an unusual presidential election in parliament. So far, there is only one candidate in Monday's vote, a situation unprecedented since the Baltic nation regained independence 30 years ago. President Kersti Kaljulaid's five-year term expires Oct. 10, and lawmakers in the 101-seat Riigikogu must elect a new head of state to replace her in the largely ceremonial post. But unless new candidates register by a late Saturday deadline, the director of the Estonian National Museum,will be the sole contender: Alar Karis, a former state auditor, is the only one who has managed to get backing from the required minimum of 21 lawmakers. Jaak Joeruut, a well known writer, former defense minister and diplomat, said in a recent opinion piece that “elections with one candidate belong to the Soviet era. It is unethical, but, strangely enough, legal.” Once a Soviet republic, Estonia, a nation of 1.3 million, regained its independence in 1991 and is a member of the European Union and NATO.More Related News