Estonia Elects New President Amid Russia Fears, Defense Buildup

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

TALLINN (Worthy News) – Estonia’s parliament has elected constitutional lawyer and human rights ombudsman Ülle Madise as the Baltic nation’s next president as the country sharply increases defense spending amid concerns about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Madise, 51, received 71 votes in Wednesday’s secret ballot in the 101-seat Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament, exceeding the 68 votes required for the two-thirds majority needed to become head of state.

Seventy-eight lawmakers participated in the vote, with seven ballots left blank. Madise, nominated by 75 lawmakers, was the only presidential candidate.

“I will do my best to deserve this trust,” Madise told lawmakers after her election.

In an address before the vote, she stressed both individual freedom and the need for greater trust between citizens and the state. “We should not want someone up there to tell us how to live, think, or feel,” she said, adding that the state cannot always know best how people should live or conduct business.

ESTONIA ON SECURITY FRONTLINE

Yet security dominated another part of her address as Estonia, a European Union and NATO military alliance member of about 1.4 million people, confronts what its government views as a long-term threat from Russia.

Estonia has also emerged as one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

“Estonia is the frontline of the security of the whole Europe, the whole free West,” Madise told parliament.

She credited earlier generations with restoring Estonia’s independence, building a secure democratic state and steering the country into the European Union and NATO.

Madise suggested Estonia should not merely be a passive member of the Western alliances but help shape their future, saying the country had joined them “not just to twiddle our thumbs there, but to build a common future together.”

DEFENSE SPENDING SURGES

Estonia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and joined both NATO and the European Union in 2004.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted Estonia to accelerate the expansion of its armed forces and dramatically increase defense spending.

Estonia allocates 5.4 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defense this year, equivalent to about 2.4 billion euros ($2.8 billion), according to the country’s Defense Ministry. That represents a 42 percent increase from last year’s 1.7 billion euros.

The government plans to maintain defense spending at a minimum of 5 percent of GDP between 2027 and 2029 as Estonia expands its military capabilities.

The Baltic nation has also committed to providing Ukraine with military assistance worth at least 0.25 percent of its GDP annually through 2027.

SECOND FEMALE PRESIDENT

Madise will become Estonia’s second female president and succeed Alar Karis, who decided not to seek a second term. She will serve a five-year term.

She has served as Estonia’s Chancellor of Justice since 2015, an independent constitutional office whose responsibilities include reviewing legislation and protecting fundamental rights.

Her previous roles have included positions in the Justice Ministry, parliament’s Constitutional Committee and the National Audit Office, as well as serving as a legal adviser to a former president.

Madise will formally take office on October 12 after taking the presidential oath before parliament.

Although Estonia’s presidency is largely ceremonial, the head of state represents the country internationally and has important constitutional responsibilities.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR ESTONIA

Madise concluded her parliamentary address by thanking Estonia’s police officers, military personnel, diplomats and state officials.

“I feel responsibility for our people, I feel responsibility for Estonia,” she said. “I am sure that together we can make Estonia bigger, happier, and stronger.”

She added that she was ready “to carry the responsibility of the head of state.”

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