Lauri Läänemets is the chairman of the Social Democratic Party. He says that President Alar Karis does not want a second term. This decision must be respected.
Now, parties can start looking for a new president. Läänemets believes that the ruling coalition should quickly meet with the parties. They should discuss potential new candidates.
Läänemets says that traditionally, the ruling coalition leads the process. They have the most members in parliament. The president is elected in parliament.
He thinks that the parties should jointly agree on one candidate. Support from many parties is needed in parliament. Currently, apart from EKRE, other parties do not have their own candidates.
Läänemets does not know why Karis is not running again. He says that Karis's decision must be respected. Karis has done a good job. He has been president during difficult times.
Läänemets thanks Karis for his work. Karis has led Estonia through the coronavirus crisis and the war in Ukraine.