"Our three parties together account for 63 votes, because Zuzu Izmailova has said she will not support her, and as far as I know there are three independent MPs. That makes 67 votes," Kallas said when asked how much support Madise currently has.

A presidential candidate needs at least 68 votes to be elected in the Riigikogu.

Madise has been endorsed by the governing Reform Party, which has 37 MPs, along with two independent lawmakers. Eesti 200 has 13 MPs, while the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDE) has nine MPs, with five additional lawmakers voting alongside the party. One of those five, Izmailova, has said she will not support Madise. Based on those figures, the three parties together would have 65 votes, meaning they would still need at least three votes from independent MPs to elect the president.

Asked about the remaining shortfall, Kallas replied: "What's missing is support from Isamaa or the Center Party."

"Ülle Madise has the broadest support in the Riigikogu today, but the final outcome — whether Ülle Madise becomes the next president — now depends on the decisions of the Center Party and Isamaa," she added.

"Why they are not telling the people of Estonia what that decision is, I don't understand. I believe the statesmanlike thing to do would be to say clearly that if Ülle Madise is nominated — and there is no problem in submitting the required 21 signatures as early as tomorrow, even though the deadline is still some time away — then would Isamaa and would the Center Party support Ülle Madise? That answer is the missing piece in knowing whether Ülle Madise will become the next president," said Education and Research Minister Kallas.

She added that she sees no reason why any party should refuse to support Madise.

"I don't see any reason, except for partisan interests ahead of the parliamentary elections — wishing to paint the government as incapable and to derail the presidential election for that purpose. Not because Ülle Madise would be unsuitable as president. Ülle Madise enjoys very strong public support in Estonia, but unfortunately, in some cases partisan interests outweigh the interests of society," she said.

According to Kallas, Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise is a highly capable, competent and widely respected public figure who is well suited to serve as president.

The Riigikogu will convene to elect the president on September 2, 2026. A presidential candidate must be nominated by at least one-fifth of the Riigikogu's members (21 MPs). Candidates must be Estonian citizens by birth who are at least 40 years old. Active-duty members of the armed forces and anyone who has already served two consecutive terms as president are ineligible. If no candidate is elected in the Riigikogu, the election will be decided by the Electoral College where MPs are joined by local government electors.

Key dates:

August 21–24: Nomination period for candidates.
September 2: First round of voting in the Riigikogu.
September 3: Second and third rounds of voting in the Riigikogu, if necessary.

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