Reform not willing to speculate on Ratas' chances of presidency yet

Reform Party's political group rooms at the Riigikogu building.
Reform Party's political group rooms at the Riigikogu building. Source: Ken Mürk/ERR

Reform Party politicians did not wish to comment on statements made by EKRE chairman Martin Helme, who said previous prime minister and Center Party chairman Jüri Ratas would be suitable as the next president of Estonia.

Reform Party board member Hanno Pevkur told ERR that it is still to early to speak of any specific names. "It is not reasonable to speculate on names right now. It would certainly be great if the president of the republic was chosen in the Riigikogu, as the Constitution states. But it presupposes that there would be another party's votes in addition to Reform's and Center's," Pevkur said.

He added that the topic will likely be discussed in late-spring or summer. "The coalition is working on finding a suitable common nominee," Pevkur explained.

Reform's deputy chairman Jürgen Ligi also told ERR that the topic has not been approached within the party yet. At the same time, Ligi noted that he does have an opinion on Ratas being nominated, but he would not like to say anything yet.

Reform's Riigikogu political group's chairman Mart Võrklaev said choosing a presidential candidate and presenting them is a joint decision in the group and party members cannot present any names yet.

Chairman of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE) and previous finance minister Martin Helme has told magazine Kroonika (link in Estonian) that he would consider previous prime minister Jüri Ratas a suitable candidate for the presidency. EKRE has never before expressed support towards Ratas becoming the next president.

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Editor: Kristjan Kallaste

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