Estonia Elects Ulle Madise as President

On Wednesday, the Estonian parliament elected Ulle Madise as the country's new head of state, Estonian public broadcaster ERR reported. In a secret ballot, she received 71 votes, more than the 68 required to win. Of the 101 members of parliament, 78 received ballots, and seven of these were left blank.

After the results were announced, Madise promised to do everything in her power to prove herself worthy of the trust placed in her. She called on members of parliament to show mutual understanding, engage in open discussion and cooperate for the sake of a safe and contented life for the country's citizens.

She will take office on 12 October as Estonia's seventh head of state and the second woman to hold this position. She will succeed Alar Karis, who announced in June that he would not seek another term. He wished his successor strength, wisdom and determination.

Madise has served as chancellor of justice since March 2015. In this role, she has championed individual freedoms, criticized excessive regulation and maintained a nonpartisan stance. She has also advocated for clear communication by public institutions and the protection of the Estonian language. Her husband, Lauri Madise, is a judge at the General Court of the European Union.

(err, bak)