Prime Minister Andrus Ansip who has chaired Estonia's ruling Reform Party since 2004 is the sole contender for the top job at the congress to be held at the end of this month as members of the party have not nominated other candidates for the position, Postimees says.
Ansip for his part stated at a meeting of the party's policy-making council at the beginning of February that he would keep his promise to lead the party until the end of the present Cabinet's term of office. "I've been asked by members of the opposition in particular whether I intend to run for chairman in June. I can tell members of the party directly - yes, I do. Anyone else who does too is welcome, they'll have to compete with me. The party has been under attack for six months and there would be no justification if I abandoned the party on the battlefield in such a situation," Ansip said at the time.
At the congress also a new board lineup will be elected for a term of up to two years which in turn will elect deputy chairs at the chairman's proposal.
Both incumbent vice chairs Jürgen Ligi, Urmas Paet and Keit Pentus-Rosimannus as well as board members Urmas Klaas, Urmas Kruuse, Rein Lang, Kalev Lillo, Hanno Pevkur, Laine Randjärv, Valdo Randpere, Taavi Rõivas and Jaanus Tamkivi are seeking reelection.
Other contenders for board seats are Madis Timpson, Kairi Uustulnd, Mihkel Lees, Kaja Kallas, Kalle Jents, Kristjan Kõljalg, Urmas Sukles, Aivar Surva and Kristiina Ojuland. Of current board members only MPs Arto Aas and Tonis Kõiv are not running for reelection.
The Reform Party congress will be held on May 25 in Tartu. Secretary general Martin Kukk said that besides election of chairman and board a review of previous activities and setting of goals for coming years are on the agenda.
The next municipal elections in Estonia are set for Oct. 20 this year, European Parliament elections will take place in June 2014 and parliamentary elections will be held in March 2015.