Ülle Madise Takes Office as President of Estonia

Ülle Madise took the oath of office as President of Estonia on 12 October 2026 in the Riigikogu. Outgoing President Alar Karis placed the presidential chain of office around her neck during the ceremony in Tallinn. Madise was elected on 2 September with 71 votes in the 101-seat parliament, exceeding the two-thirds majority required.

She is Estonia's seventh president since independence was restored in 1991 and the second woman to hold the post after Kersti Kaljulaid. Madise, 51, previously served as Chancellor of Justice from 2015 until her election. She is a jurist educated at the University of Tartu and has worked in the Ministry of Justice, the National Audit Office, and as legal adviser to a former president. She is independent of any political party.

In her inaugural address, Madise emphasised trust, hope and courage. She warned against fear, indifference and political hostility eroding public confidence. She stressed that Estonia has room for people of differing views, lifestyles and languages, and that the rule of law rests on legislation and mutual trust. She said she would veto unnecessary bureaucracy that stifles initiative if required, while respecting the separation of powers. The president does not replace the parliament, government or courts.

Madise affirmed Estonia's Western orientation and continued support for Ukraine. Given the country's position on NATO's eastern flank, she noted the role of the Defence Forces, the Defence League and allies in national security. Outgoing President Karis, in his farewell remarks, stressed the value of diversity and speaking with those who hold different views.

The election process involved nomination by 75 members of the Riigikogu from several parties and unaffiliated deputies. Madise stood effectively unopposed in the final vote. She was sworn in at a formal sitting that included speeches and the signing of the guestbook by both presidents. The ceremony was broadcast live.

The Estonian presidency is largely ceremonial but carries influence through veto power, foreign representation and moral authority. Madise's background as an independent constitutional expert shaped expectations that she will prioritise institutional balance. Her term begins amid ongoing regional security concerns linked to the war in Ukraine.

No major policy shifts were announced beyond the themes of trust and continuity in foreign alignment. The transition proceeded smoothly, with the outgoing and incoming presidents participating jointly in the handover elements of the day. Madise's first official acts will follow the established calendar of the office.