After the majority of parties decided to support Kersti Kaljulaid as candidate for president of Estonia – some even called her Estonia's own Margaret Thatcher –, the board and MPs of the Reform Party had little choice but to agree.
Sharp and outspoken – Estonia could get first female president
29th September 2016, 11:16
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The Reform Party, firmly in favor of former minister and diplomat Jüri Luik (IRL), probably found itself over the barrel yesterday or the day before that after Chairman of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor had made his choice. Reform had secured the support of three parties for Luik when the social democrats made an even more convincing offer in Kaljulaid. The situation after several failed attempts to elect the president left no choice. As head of the Council of Elders, Nestor had to take charge.
Attempts to lure Kaljulaid into the presidential race were made already in spring. She was not interested at the time; Estonia's seat in the European Court of Auditors, held by Kaljulaid, had additionally become a matter of heated political dispute.
It remains unclear how many members of the Reform Party will support Kaljulaid's candidacy with their signature on Saturday. Just as it is unclear how many votes she will get in the Riigikogu on Monday. Talk of treachery, double dealings, and bouncing the ball back to the Electoral College could be heard in all factions yesterday.
«Kersti Kaljulaid is a learned and dignified presidential candidate with extensive experience in international communication and who meets the criteria the Reform Party has for the president,» party chairman, Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas said after the meeting.
Only one request played
While there were complaints that Kaljulaid failed to produce concrete answers and positions regarding some topics coming from the Reform Party, members settled for the inevitable. There were those who openly praised Kaljulaid. For example former foreign minister, MP Keit Pentus-Rosimannus who until recently hoped to make Marina Kaljurand president. «Kersti Kaljulaid might be a surprise candidate; however, she has a lot of grit. We met. We asked. We support. Best of luck!» she wrote in social media.
Another supporter of Kaljurand, Reform Party MP Liina Kersna said: «Yes, Kaljulaid is not Kaljurand, but she is a good presidential candidate. Her youth is a good thing rather than unfortunate as the office requires some energy. Secondly she speaks clearly and sees far. Intelligent and experienced. I support her.»
Reform Party deputy chairman Kaja Kallas found that Kaljulaid would make a good president. She was not happy, however, about the fact that Estonia failed to find a president through democratic elections and that one will now be appointed virtually after the fact.
«Why couldn't IRL have set up Kaljulaid's candidacy from day one? It really does come off as a small clique's agreement in the form of a hurried Council of Elders decision (before even factions have had a chance to discuss the matter),» the MEP writes in her blog. Kallas goes on to emphasize the need to change the rules of presidential elections.
IRL chairman Margus Tsahkna said that the election is not a radio requests show where everyone can ask for their favorite tracks.
«That time is over. While you can make requests, only one will be broadcast,» he said. «It is not exactly traditional that so many parties can put their interests aside and find a strong common presidential candidate. It is a value that must not be sunk. Our meeting with Kersti Kaljulaid convinced us that this consensus might be end up as a very good decision.»
The Free Party would have preferred Director of the International Center for Defense Studies Jüri Luik. Head of the party Andres Herkel said, however, that all eight members of the Free Party faction will vote for Kaljulaid if she is set up.
The social democrats, especially Eiki Nestor and chairman Jevgeni Ossinovski who has been a keen supporter of Kaljulaid's candidacy from the start, can regard themselves president-makers.
«Kersti Kaljulaid is a woman with an open mind and a broad horizon. She is someone who has their own opinion and courage to voice it, strong analytic capacity and the ability to bolster positions with arguments. We see as Kersti Kaljulaid's strengths experience from both the public and private sectors, as well as her work as chairman of the council of the Praxis Center for Policy Studies,» the social democrats' press statement read yesterday.
The social democrats see in Kaljulaid an inspiring example. «As social democrats, we are glad Estonia could get its first woman president before its 100th anniversary. The social democrats support Kersti Kaljulaid!» the party exclaimed.
EKRE still not convinced
Chairman of the Center Party's Riigikogu faction Kadri Simson said that Kaljulaid is a dignified candidate who is very competent and meets several criteria the centrists have for the next president.
«We like her strong economic background and independence from parties. We need a supraparty candidate, and Kersti Kaljulaid could fit the bill. Should members of the Riigikogu set up Kaljulaid's candidacy, her election will not be stuck behind the Center Party,» Simson said after meeting with the candidate.
«It is clear that our number one choice is still Mailis Reps; however, we are prepared to compromise. Mailis has said that should we be successful in finding a supraparty candidate, she is willing to give her signature,» Simson added.
The Conservative People's Party (EKRE) spent only 15 minutes meeting with Kaljulaid yesterday. No decision was made.
EKRE faction chairman Martin Helme said that while Kaljulaid proved to be a bold, well informed, and eloquent candidate, the conversation partners had ideological differences in various fields. «First and foremost as concerns the registered partnership act, Estonia-Russia border agreement, and immigration,» Helme said.