SDE, Reform submit signatures nominating Eiki Nestor for president
A total of 43 members of the Social Democratic Party (SDE) and the Reform Party submitted their signatures supporting current President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor's formal nomination for the first round of the presidential elections in the Riigikogu.
The document submitted to the National Electoral Committee included the signatures of all 15 members of the SDE Parliamentary Group — Andres Anvelt, Toomas Jürgenstein, Kalev Kotkas, Kalvi Kõva, Helmen Kütt, Jaanus Marrandi, Marianne Mikko, Sven Mikser, Eiki Nestor, Ivari Padar, Urve Palo, Heljo Pikhof, Mark Soosaar, Tanel Talve and Rainer Vakra — but only 28 of the 30 members of the Reform Party Parliamentary Group — Yoko Alender, Deniss Boroditš, Remo Holsmer, Jüri Jaanson, Liina Kersna, Johannes Kert, Toomas Kivimägi, Eerik-Niiles Kross, Kristjan Kõljalg, Ants Laaneots, Kalle Laanet, Maris Lauri, Lauri Luik, Madis Milling, Meelis Mälberg, Kalle Palling, Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, Heidy Purga, Mati Raidma, Laine Randjärv, Valdo Randpere, Vilja Savisaar-Toomast, Andre Sepp, Imre Sooäär, Anne Sulling, Aivar Sõerd, Urve Tiidus and Terje Trei.
Missing from the Reform Party were the signatures of Igor Gräzin and Peep Aru. Gräzin told ERR that he simply didn't make it to add his signature, but during the vote he will be 100 percent in Nestor's favor.
Aru's signature is missing due to the fact that he has yet to take his oath of office after replacing Martin Kukk.
On Tuesday, the Reform Party's Board of Directors decided on Tuesday to support the SDE's proposal in which both parties would support SDE candidate Eiki Nestor in the first round of voting, and, should the first round prove unsuccessful in electing the president, support Reform candidate Siim Kallas in the following two rounds.
Eiki Nestor was born on Sept. 5, 1953, is an Estonian citizen by birth and has confirmed his consent to run for president.
The nomination of candidates for registration for the first round of presidential elections in the Riigikogu opened at 9 a.m. on Thursday. The first candidate to be formally nominated was Center Party's Mailis Reps, who had the support of all 27 members of the party's parliamentary group and was nominated on Thursday. Allar Jõks was second to be nominated, on Friday morning, with the signatures of all 14 members of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union's (IRL) Parliamentary Group as well as seven of the eight-member Free Party Parliamentary Group.
In order to be formally nominated for president, an individual must have the support of at least one fifth of the Riigikogu, or 21 MPs. Each MP can only nominate one candidate for president.
Editor: Editor: Aili Sarapik