This afternoon, the President of the Republic had a meeting with representatives of the Riigikogu factions in order to hear the factions' opinions on the potential legal chancellor candidates Professor Rein Müllerson and barrister Kaido Pihlakas.

The representatives of the factions emphasised that both candidates are competent lawyers and have authority. As Toomas Varek, Chairman of the Centre Party faction said, Rein Müllerson had left a better impression on the majority of the faction. Jürgen Ligi, Chairman of the Reform Party faction said that the meeting with Rein Müllerson had mitigated the problems related to his past, but that the overwhelming majority of the faction would support the candidacy of Kaido Pihlakas if he were nominated. Mart Siimann, who represented the opinions of the Estonian People's Union and the Coalition Party faction, said that a considerable majority of them would support the candidacy of Rein Müllerson. According to Tiit Sinissaar, Chairman of the Pro Patria Union faction, most of the faction would prefer the candidacy of Kaido Pihlakas if he were nominated. As Sinissaar said, the faction would still recommend the President to propose new candidates. Viktor Andreyev, Chairman of the Estonian United People's Party faction, informed that they support Professor Rein Müllerson. Kalev Kotkas, who represented the Moderates faction, said that the faction recommends the President to seek new candidates.

Thus, both Rein Müllerson and Kaido Pihlakas found supporters among politicians, but neither won the support of the majority of the Riigikogu.

The President of the Republic and the chairmen of the factions agreed to meet in the beginning of January to discuss the matter of the legal chancellor. The President promised the representatives of the factions to continue working indefatigably to find a suitable legal chancellor candidate. President Meri expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the institution of the legal chancellor has stably continued its work despite the difficulties with the appointment of the new Legal Chancellor. Normal functioning of the institution of the legal chancellor under the circumstances where there is no Legal Chancellor is evidence of the functioning of the Constitution, the President said.

President Meri wished the representatives of the factions peaceful and harmonious Christmas.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, December 14, 2000

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