Estonia proposes to combine posts of president, PM

Estonia could combine the functions of the president and the prime minister under one position, honorary chairman of the ruling right-liberal Reform Party Siim Kallas, Report informs referring to TASS.

“Then, of course, the president-head of government could be elected directly. Simple and clear,” he wrote in the Eesti Päevaleht newspaper.

Kallas noted that the procedure for electing the president of Estonia is very complicated. To be elected, a candidate must have the support of 68 members of the 101-seat Riigikogu (parliament) or 105 votes in the Electoral College.

The next presidential elections in Estonia are to be held from August 10 to September 29. First, the country’s parliament will try to elect the head of state. If he fails to do so, an Electoral College will be convened, which includes 208 members (107 representatives of local governments and 101 members of the Riigikogu).