Prime Minister Kristen Michal said on Vikerraadio that members of the Reform Party support both Kersti Kaljulaid and Alar Karis for president. Michal thought that Kaljulaid could be a good candidate. He said that Kaljulaid's strong stance on the issue of violence prevention is sympathetic to him.
Michal added that he has not spoken with Kaljulaid about her running for president. He said that in the presidential elections, a candidate with many shared views should be found. Michal also said that Alar Karis has good chances of becoming president, but he should run.
Michal said that in the Reform Party, there are people who support Kaljulaid because of her liberal views. There are also people who support Karis. Michal said that both have the potential to be Estonia's president.
Michal said that Karis's support was diminished by his statements about relations with Russia. Therefore, several members of the Riigikogu no longer support Karis. Michal pointed out that in an interview given in Finland, Karis said that we must prepare for relations with Russia after the end of the war.
Michal highlighted four other possible candidates: Riina Kionka, Kyllike Sillaste-Eling, Jüri Luik, and Matti Maasikas. He said that debates about the candidates still need to be held.
Michal said that the Reform Party is unlikely to field a presidential candidate. He believed that the president should be someone who can unite different political views and is skilled in foreign policy.
Michal said that the president could be elected either in parliament or by the electoral college. In the Riigikogu, 68 votes are needed to elect the president. If parliament does not elect, the election goes to the electoral college.