Helme casts doubt on Kaljurand's right to run for president, ministry confirms no issues
The Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE) Parliamentary Group Chairman Martin Helme, who found that Marina Kaljurand's candidacy will hurt the chances of the Reform Party's Siim Kallas as well as the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) and Free Party's candidate Allar Jõks, has again questioned Kaljurand's right to run for president, however the Ministry of the Interior has confirmed there are no issues with Kaljurand's birthright Estonian citizenship, a requirement to run for president in Estonia.
"Niisiis, Kaljurand ikkagi kandideerib. Astus lausa ministri kohalt tagasi, et võimendada oma märtri mainet ja kasvatada kaastunde kapitali. Kuidas see valimiste dünaamikat muudab?" kirjutas Helme sotsiaalmeedias.
"This doesn't affect us much, but rather will inprove [EKRE candidate Mart Helme's] chances, as it will split the vote even more and drive the threshold for making it into the second round down," Martin Helme wrote on social media.
Helme noted that he could "clearly see" how an information operation was being conducted, i.e. "an attempt to whip up a (media) frenzy, the crest upon which the goal is to boost up as president a non-Estonian who is easily influenced due to their nonexistent political experience."
Helme went on to note that this frenzy was being used to help hide the fact that Kaljurand was simply an extension of one of the camps of the Reform Party, adding that it was also being used to distract people from the question of Kaljurand's right to birthright Estonian citizenship.
"To our knowledge, she was granted citizenship at the end of 1991 or beginning of 1992 not on a legitimate basis but with an exceptional decision made by the government," wrote Helme. "Very appropriately, the government's archives from this period are currently in the process of being moved and the files are unable to be located."
Helme referred to the law which stated that a candidate must submit proof of their right to run for president. "Thus, it is Kaljurand's duty to submit document evidence not of her citizenship, but of the legitimacy of her citizenship."
The Estonian Ministry of the Interior responded laconically to ERR's request to confirm whether Kaljurand had the right to run for president according to the population register and election law: "Marina Kaljurand is a citizen by birthright of Estonia."
Editor: Editor: Aili Vahtla