Nestor endorsed by SDE, Jõks by IRL board and parliamentary group for president
On Monday, the Board of Directors of the Estonian Social Democratic Party (SDE) endorsed President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor as the party’s candidate for Estonia’s next president, while Pro Patria and Res Publica Union’s (IRL) Board of Directors and Parliamentary Group decided to submit Chancellor of Justice Allar Jõks to the party’s extended board for endorsement.
SDE Chairman Jevgeni Ossinovski noted in a press release that in all of his roles, including that of President of the Riigikogu, Nestor has been a champion of human values and a friendly society, and defended every Estonian’s right to freedom. “I am convinced that Eiki would be the best president for Estonia,” he said.
“The president does not have to stand with his face toward the people, because the president must look in the same direction as the people,” said Nestor. “As president, I would act guided by the principle that the Estonian state belongs to all of our people.”
After meeting with Jõks, IRL’s Board of Directors and Parliamentary Group decided to submit the former Chancellor of Justice to the party’s extended board for endorsement according to party statutes. IRL’s extended board is scheduled to meet in Tallinn on June 5.
“Allar Jõks’ vision of the future for Estonia, the nation, the functioning of the state as well as the tasks of the president is entirely consistent with our understanding of the same,” said IRL Chairman Margus Tsahkna. “He embodies in the best ways the values that are important to the IRL.”
IRL Parliamentary Group Chairman Priit Sibul said that Jõks has proven with his actions that he is a cross-party candidate and as president would be independent and just and look to the future. “As Chancellor of Justice, he was the one who worded the protection of the Tartu Peace Treaty in the preamble of the Estonian-Russian border treaty as well as the clause protecting the Estonian Constitution upon joining the EU,” said Sibul.
In order for a candidate to be nominated for the Estonian presidency in the Riigikogu, they must receive the support of at least 21 of the Riigikogu’s 101 total members.
In order to win the presidency by Riigikogu election, a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority, or the support of a total of 68 MPs. If the Riigikogu is unable to elect the president in three rounds of ballots, a special electoral college consisting of all 101 MPs as well as representatives from municipal councils will be convened in order to elect the president.
Estonia’s 2016 presidential elections will take place on August 29.
Editor: Editor: Aili Sarapik
Source: BNS