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Estonia’s parliament has elected constitutional watchdog Ülle Madise as the nation’s next president, making her only the second woman to hold the office. She succeeds outgoing President Alar Karis and is expected to focus on democratic resilience and European integration.
Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day with President Zelensky stating the nation desires peace but will not surrender to Russia at any cost. The day was marked by solidarity from international leaders and continued conflict, including a drone crash in Chernihiv injuring 15 people.
Estonia is preparing for a new presidential election as current head of state Alar Karis announced he will not seek a second term. Potential successors are already being discussed.
Estonian President Alar Karis hosted Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs on Ruhnu Island for discussions on bilateral relations. Karis humorously stated that if he had to choose between Ruhnu Island and friendship, he would choose friendship.
President Alar Karis stated in his Victory Day parade speech in Rapla that Estonia's national defense has significantly strengthened over the past five years, highlighting that the nation's power comes from everyone recognizing their role in defense.
The Supreme Court of Estonia has rejected President Alar Karis's request to declare amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act unconstitutional. The decision was made by a majority of 17 justices, with six dissenting.
President Alar Karis hosted a reception to honor all Estonian athletes who competed in this year's Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Estonia's Eesti 200 party has declared its lack of support for President Alar Karis's re-election, citing insufficient parliamentary backing for him to remain in office.
Estonian President Alar Karis undertook 28 foreign visits last year, incurring costs of €600,000. This year, a third of the allocated €450,000 has already been spent on 10 visits.
Members of Estonia's Reform Party parliamentary faction express skepticism about Kersti Kaljulaid's potential re-election as president after Alar Karis, a proposal made by Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
Hans H. Luik, owner of Ekspress Grupp, commented on criticism of Estonian President Alar Karis, suggesting that his critics are often more vain than competent.
Estonian President Alar Karis is currently on a rare state visit in Helsinki with his spouse.
Estonian President Alar Karis met with Riigikogu speaker Lauri Hussar, but remains undecided on whether he will seek a second term.
The jewelry worn by Lithuanian First Lady Diana Nausėdienė at a state dinner for Estonian President Alar Karis and First Lady Sirje Karis has garnered significant attention, with its price being highlighted.
Estonian President Alar Karis and First Lady Sirje Karis are undertaking a two-day state visit to Lithuania at the invitation of Lithuanian President Nausėda. This marks the first visit of an Estonian head of state of this level to Lithuania in over a decade.
President Alar Karis stated that Estonia plays a crucial part in Europe's space technology, including its defense capabilities.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced that the Reform Party would not hinder President Alar Karis from seeking a second term, should he decide to do so.
President Alar Karis has not yet signed the decision to recall Jaap Ora, who served as Estonia's ambassador to Kazakhstan and stepped down from the role at the end of last year.
Three-quarters or more of voters of all parliamentary parties, except EKRE, support Alar Karis serving a second term as president, a new survey shows.
Urmas Reinsalu, leader of Estonia's Isamaa party, stated that some political parties lack the courage to openly oppose Alar Karis's bid for a second term as president.
Estonia's continuity is not a self-evident gift, but a responsibility borne by every generation, President Alar Karis said during his Independence Day speech. The future hinges on choices made by each and every one of us, headded.
The recent selection of Estonia’s head of state has drawn criticism from diplomatic observers regarding the parliamentary voting system, renewing calls for electoral reform and highlighting historical precedents in the country's leadership transitions.
After five years in Kadriorg, Estonian President Alar Karis and First Lady Sirje Karis are looking forward to catching up on chores at home.
As Estonia's September presidential election approaches, several individuals have emerged as potential candidates to succeed current President Alar Karis.
Estonian President Alar Karis has announced he will not seek a second five-year term in office. This decision has led analysts to suggest that finding a popular presidential candidate for the next election may be challenging.
Estonian President Alar Karis has announced that he will not seek a second term in office. This decision means he will not run for re-election in the upcoming presidential race.
The presidents of Romania and Estonia have agreed to intensify cooperation in anti-drone defense, following a Russian drone strike on a block in Galați, Romania, in late May, which prompted a phone discussion between Nicușor Dan and Alar Karis.
Public statements from Riigikogu politicians indicate that no serious process has been initiated to ensure the re-election of President Alar Karis, suggesting a lack of urgency for the upcoming presidential election.
Former Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Reform Party head stated that incumbent Alar Karis is a dignified candidate for a second term as president, despite some controversial interviews.
Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović, accompanied by his wife Milena, is on an official visit to Estonia from May 15-16. During his visit, Milatović will hold high-level meetings with Estonian President Alar Karis and participate in the prestigious Lennart Meri Conference.
Estonian President Alar Karis stated in a radio interview that engagement with Russia could only be considered after the country undergoes significant change, criticizing politicians who condemn his views without understanding them.
Estonian President Alar Karis faced criticism and pushback from MPs, the foreign minister, and journalists for his statements suggesting a readiness for dialogue with Russia after the war ends.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and his Estonian counterpart Alar Karis concur that European nations will eventually need to resume direct dialogue with Moscow.
Estonian President Alar Karis is on an official visit to Greece, which is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday evening.
Estonian President Alar Karis stressed that security relies on close alliances during his state visit to Lithuania, where he met with President Gitanas Nausėda.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna questioned the value of second presidential terms, leading to accusations from Isamaa chairman Urmas Reinsalu of pressuring President Alar Karis.
President Alar Karis stated that Estonia's foreign ministry lacks the personnel, skills, and knowledge to plan effectively for the future, focusing too much on the present.
Lauri Läänemets, chair of the Social Democratic Party, on Tuesday apologized to Riina Kionka and Alar Karis who he believes have suffered as a result of the Reform Party's in-house games.
Analysts Annika Arras and Martin Mölder suggest that President Alar Karis' high approval rating presents a problem for the ruling Reform Party in Estonia, as criticizing the incumbent carries political risks.
Estonian President Alar Karis and Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna are not planning to meet in the near future following several public incidents that have led to accusations of a rift in the country's foreign policy.
Parliamentary parties agreed at an expanded meeting of the Riigikogu Council of Elders that they will first speak with incumbent President Alar Karis when seeking a possible joint candidate for president.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs hosted Estonian President Alar Karis and his spouse Sirje Karis on August 28th to thank them for their close cooperation and contributions to strengthening bilateral relations.
Estonia's current Chancellor of Justice is a strong contender to become the country's next president, following incumbent President Alar Karis's announcement in June that he would not seek a second term.
President Alar Karis and Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas honored this year's outstanding school graduates at a ceremony in the Rose Garden of Kadriorg.
Estonian President Alar Karis has announced he will not seek re-election, with the country's parliament set to convene on September 2nd to choose his successor.
Estonia's Center Party has officially endorsed President Alar Karis for a second term, while also advocating for direct presidential elections where the head of state is chosen by the public rather than the Riigikogu.
President Alar Karis has appointed Hannes Hanso, Estonia's current ambassador to China, as the next ambassador to the United States.
Estonian President Alar Karis stated on Thursday that he will announce his decision on whether he will run for a second term just after Midsummer's Day.
Both President Alar Karis' position and his procedural role enjoy majority support, while the government's more rigid alternatives do not, writes Remi Sebastian Kits.
A recent public poll indicates that incumbent Alar Karis is the most popular choice for president in Estonia, with 70 percent of respondents supporting him over Kersti Kaljulaid.
Estonian President Alar Karis is projected to be the highest-paid public sector wage earner in 2025, with a gross salary of €115,118.
Speaking in Santahamina, Estonian President Alar Karis highlighted that the current top leadership of the Estonian Defence Forces received their officer training in Finland.
Estonian President Alar Karis stated that Europe made a mistake at the beginning of the war in Ukraine and emphasized that the continent must be ready to resume communication with Russia once the conflict ends.
Estonian President Alar Karis is on an official visit to Finland, where he has engaged in formal events and commented on the prevailing aggression in the air. The visit underscores bilateral relations between the two countries.
MEP Marina Kaljurand criticized recent remarks by President Alar Karis and Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, calling Estonia's leadership rift "embarrassing to watch" and urging clear communication.
Estonian President Alar Karis stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not incompetent but rather lacks sufficient resources, though improvements could still be made.
Estonian political parties, including the Reform Party, Eesti 200, and the Social Democrats (SDE), have not yet taken a definitive stance on whether to support a potential second presidential term for Alar Karis.
President Alar Karis' all-day reading marathon is back for Native Language Day, with the public welcome to stop by Kadriorg and enjoy readings by dozens of guests.
While there is still time to decide on a potential second term, politicians should first decide who and what they want, President Alar Karis said.
In light of a recent dispute between President Alar Karis and the foreign minister, ERR takes a look back at the solos of Karis' predecessors.
Estonia's six parliamentary parties are divided on President Alar Karis being elected to a second term.