President Alar Karis spoke to ERR. He said that the Riigikogu should think more about the impact of laws. He wants the president to represent Estonia at NATO meetings.
Karis acknowledged that he had been sidelined in foreign policy. He said it is difficult for the president to convey messages from others when he is not involved in the process.
The president's most important decisions are vetoing laws. Karis said that some laws create controversy. He emphasized that the Riigikogu should do its job better.
Karis also spoke about the car tax. He vetoed it because it affected vulnerable people. Ultimately, the law was passed, but the implementing acts were unconstitutional.
Another major issue was the church law. Karis repeatedly left it unannounced. He said that churches live in a different world. The law eventually reached the Supreme Court.
In foreign policy, the president's role is limited. Karis visited over a hundred countries, but in Estonia, it was barely noticed. He would recommend that the president attend NATO meetings. This way, he could communicate better with the government.
Karis also reflected on Rail Baltica. He did not believe it would be ready by 2030. Today, it has become clear that he was right.
Finally, Karis recalled joyful moments. He particularly enjoyed the moments of awarding prizes. He said that every president can decide for themselves how many orders to award.