Estonia Has A New President

• 12.10.2026, 18:11

Yulle Madize has officially taken office.

Estonia's former Minister of Justice Julle Madise took the oath of office and officially assumed the role of the country's new president. The head of state's inauguration ceremony was broadcast by the national public television and radio service ERR.

The ceremony took place in the chamber of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament). Upon taking office as president, Madise pledged to uphold the country’s constitution and laws.

On September 2, members of the Estonian Parliament elected Madise as the country’s new president for a five-year term during a special session. She was the only candidate for the office of head of state. To win, Madise needed at least two-thirds of the parliament’s votes (68 out of 101). In the end, 71 members of parliament supported her.

Yulle Madise, 51, is an Estonian lawyer and politician. She has served as Estonia’s Chancellor of Justice since 2015 and was re-elected to a second term at the end of 2021. Her predecessor as president, Alar Karis, held the highest office in the country from October 11, 2021, to October 11, 2026.