Outgoing president, politicians congratulate Kaljulaid on her election
Upon her successful election, on Monday, President-elect Kersti Kaljulaid was immediately congratulated on her election as the next President of the Republic of Estonia by Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas, President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor, leaders of the Riigikogu's parliamentary groups and other MPs, and later also by the outgoing President of Estonia and other political figures, including other presidential candidates from this summer.
Following the confirmation of her election in the Riigikogu, President-elect Kersti Kaljulaid took the stand and thanked the Riigikogu for the trust, signaures and votes given to her by the Riigikogu. "Our cooperation will be friendly and good, of that I am totally certain today," she said. "This is excellent capital to take along [with me] to Kadriorg from here."
In a press release from the Office of the President shortly after her election, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves congratulated his successor.
"I will pass the office of the President of the Republic over to Kersti Kaljulaid on Oct. 10 with confidence and peace in my heart," said Ilves, who himself has held the office since fall 2006.
"Kersti Kaljulaid has a sensitive and smart eye in her approach to Estonian, European and security affairs," assured the outgoing president, who had only recently appointed Kaljulaid to the Advisory Committee of the Foresight Centre. "I wish to invite all my compatriots to acknowledge her as the new head of state."
Welcoming her to Kadriorg that evening, Ilves told the press upon Kaljulaid's arrival that he was delighted by the results of Monday's elections, adding that he had known her for more than 22 years already.
"One of the smartest people that I know, and I am glad that this intelligent and competent person has been elected the President of the Republic of Estonia," he added.
Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas, who was among the first to greet Kaljulaid with an embrace and a bouquet of flowers in the Riigikogu immediately following the confirmation of her win, took to social media with a short and simple message: "Congratulations and lots of success in a position with great responsibility, Kersti Kaljulaid!
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and presidential candidate Marina Kaljurand likewise posted on social media, writing, "Congratulations and lots of success to the next President of the Republic of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid!"
"Congratulations to Kersti Kaljulaid and the people of Estonia — I am sure that the MPs made the right choice today," wrote Center Party Parliamentary Group Chairman Kadri Simson. "Kersti Kaljulaid is a rspectable candidate who is in every way a good [choice] for the role of the President of the Republic," she said, highlighting her economic competence and independence from the country's political parties as positive. "Expectations for the new president are high, but I believe that Kersti Kaljulaid will be able to fulfill them."
The Free Party likewise congratulated Kaljulaid and hoped she would find great joy in her work.
Juncker: You can count on our support
Greetings also came from abroad as well. In addition to the presence of foreign and foreign-language media at the president-elect's first press conference, which followed immediately after her being elected, Kaljulaid received a letter from Jean-Claude Juncker, President oft the European Commission, as well.
"I look foward to working with you in achieving our common European ideals and aims, focusing our action on areas where the EU can make a real difference. You can count on the Euorpean Commission's support in continuing to assist Estonia to achieve these goals," wrote Juncker in his letter to the new head of state.
Editor: Editor: Aili Vahtla