Talvik is not currently a member of the Free Party, but joined its parliamentary group as an independent. To be a candidate, he first needs to join the party. “I’ve got a few more meetings connected with this, and on Wednesday I’ll either submit the application, or I won’t,” Talvik commented the matter on Monday.

Despite being well-known in Estonia as one of the Free Party’s leading characters, Talvik never actually joined. He was elected as an independent on the Free Party’s list in 2015 and subsequently joined its parliamentary group in the Riigikogu, which is why ERR News along with other media typically quote him as a member of that party.

The Free Party will elect its new chairman on Apr. 23 in the recently opened National Museum in Tartu. So far, the only known candidate is Jevgeni Krištafovitš. Current chairman Andres Herkel won’t stand for election.