Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise, the only candidate, was elected President of Estonia by the Riigikogu — Estonia’s parliament — according to Reuters. She will be sworn in October 12, succeeding Alar Karis who served since 2021. Madise is Estonia’s first female president.

HOW ESTONIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WORK  

Estonia’s constitution provides for parliamentary election of the president. The Riigikogu votes; if no candidate achieves a two-thirds majority in three rounds, an electoral college of MPs and local representatives convenes. In this case: Madise was the sole candidate and was elected by the parliament without public vote. This is the constitutional design of Estonian democracy, not an irregularity.

Estonia’s first female president was elected by parliament as the only candidate. No public vote. That is Estonian constitutional democracy. It produces legitimacy through institutional process rather than direct popular election. Both methods produce democratic leaders; they produce different relationships between leaders and publics.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT  

▸  October 12 inauguration — Madise sworn in

▸  Estonia-NATO — whether Madise’s specific foreign policy positions on Russia and NATO are stated ahead of inauguration

CONFIDENCE: HIGH

Ulle Madise elected Estonia president Riigikogu only candidate first female succeeding Karis sworn in October 12 from Reuters confirmed reporting.

SOURCES

▸  Reuters — Estonia first female president Ulle Madise parliament elected September 12 2026