Kaja Kallas: Kaljulaid will be a good president for Estonia
MEP and Reform Party Deputy Chairman Kaja Kallas wrote in her blog that Kersti Kaljulaid, who is slated to be officially nominated on Thursday, will make a good president for Estonia.
"I have a lot of respect for Kersti Kaljulaid," Kallas wrote in her blog, referring to the new heir apparent to the Estonian presidency as a smart person with a sharp mind whose heart aches for Estonia. "I have met her briefly at the airport and elsewhere and [our] discussions have always been very interesting. She knows a lot about economics; she has ideas on how to make Estonia better. She knows the Constitution well. She is a hard worker and a mother of four. I believe that she will be a good president for Estonia."
The MEP did not, however, speak so kindly of this year's presidential election process as a whole. "I don't like that a candidate isn't found via democratic elections but rather the right person comes only after the elections are practically over. Why couldn't the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) nominate Kersti Kaljulaid right away? Now in hastily deciding within the Council of Elders — even before parliamentary groups are able to discuss this amongst themselves — they really leave the impression that [it was] the agreement of a narrow circle. Neither the future president nor the Riigikogu — much less the political parties — need this."
Kallas noted that the Riigikogu must get over the aversion to everything that has happened and that once the new president has been elected, they must immediately and earnestly tackle Estonia's presidential election rules and discuss necessary changes thereof in order to avoid a repeat in the future of what happened this year. "And this discussion should be initiated immediately, not in four years once new elections are once again already on the horizon."
Editor: Editor: Aili Vahtla