Ex-Foreign Minister Kaljurand officially introduced as presidential candidate
TALLINN. Sept 20 (Interfax) - In Estonia, former Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand, on Tuesday, was officially introduced as a candidate for the presidential elections by the Electoral College.
The National Elections Commission reported that 26 members of the Electoral College supported her. The support of 21 out of 335 members of the Electoral College would have been sufficient.
According to public opinion polls, Kaljurand is the most popular politician in Estonia. The ruling Social-Democratic Party expressed support for Kaljurand, an independent, on Monday.
The first round of voting will take place at noon on September 24. If the president is not elected by 4 p.m. the same day, a second round will be held involving two candidates collecting the greatest number of votes in the first round.
The first round will also involve the honorary chairman of the leading ruling Party of Reform Siim Kallas and deputy head of the biggest opposition Center Party and parliament member Maili Reps. They were automatically listed as candidates as the winners of the parliamentary round of voting.
Lawyer Allar Joks, who has the support of 40 members of the Electoral College, and chairman of the opposition Conservative People's Party, Mart Helm, having the support of 21, are also expected to be candidates for participation in the first round of voting by the Electoral College.
The registration of the presidential candidates by the National Elections Commission is due on Friday.
Estonia has two-stage presidential elections. The head of state is elected by parliament. If none of the candidates succeed in collecting a majority of two-thirds (no less than 68 out of 101) in three rounds, then the head of state is elected by the Electoral College that comprises 101 parliament members and 234 representatives of local self-governments.