Mid-April poll: 30 percent support Kaljurand for president, 14 percent support Savisaar
As of mid-April of this year, current Minister of Foreign Affairs Marina Kaljurand was the most popular potential candidate for the Estonian presidency among voters polled, earning the support of 30 percent of respondents, according to a BNS-ordered survey conducted by TNS Emor.
Second only to Kaljurand’s support was support for longtime chairman of the Center Party and ex-mayor of Tallinn Edgar Savisaar at 14 percent, while former vice-president of the European Commission and honorary chairman of the ruling Reform Party Siim Kallas received the support of 12 percent and MEP Indrek Tarand ten percent of voters polled.
Chairman of the Conservative People’s Party of Estonia (EKRE) Mart Helme was supported by five percent, former Chancellor of Justice Allar Jõks and former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence Jüri Luik each by three percent, and President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor by two percent of voters polled.
An additional five percent of those polled expressed support for some other, unnamed candidate, while 16 percent of respondents had no preference.
TNS Emor conducted in-person and online interviews with 1,293 eligible voters aged 18-74 from April 13-21.
So far, three potential candidates have publicly confirmed their interest in running for president, including Siim Kallas, ex-diplomat and former Minister of Defence Jaak Jõerüüt, and Marina Kaljurand.
In order for the president to be elected within the Riigikogu, they must receive the support of 68 MPs.
The 2016 presidential election in Estonia is to take place on August 29 of this year.
Editor: Editor: Aili Sarapik
Source: BNS