Kaljulaid told ERR that he joined SDE based on the party's values, not to climb high in its hierarchy.

"The social democrats have not made me an offer at this time," Kaljulaid said when asked whether he plans to run for the party's Tallinn chair and would be willing to be the social democrats' mayoral candidate for local elections in two years' time.

"All manner of speculations are coming from members of the Centre Party who want to paint me joining SDE as being motivated by a deal or special interests. But nothing has been discussed or decided," Kaljulaid said.

Rainer Vakra, who has headed Tallinn's social democrats for the past six years, told ERR on Thursday that he has not decided whether he will run for the position again. "I have not had time to think about it," Vakra said.

Vakra added he is glad Kaljulaid joined SDE because the two men have found common ground in the past.

He said that there are sure to be many candidates for regional chairman and the board. "Local elections are in two years, and we are aiming for a solid result and to be able to start weeding out Center from the city government," Vakra said.

Tallinn region deputy head Jaak Juske told ERR that there will be no shortage of candidates. "No one has hoisted their flag yet, but prospects are pretty exciting," Juske noted.

Asked whether he plans to run, Juske said he will think about it, adding that because he has held the post in the past, it would be more interesting to see someone else take the job.

Juske added that the position of regional chairman is not automatically tied to that of the party's mayoral candidate for the capital.

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