President of the Republic today had a meeting with representatives of the Riigikogu factions at Kadriorg in order to discuss the possible candidates to the post of the Legal Chancellor. President Meri explained to the representatives of the Riigikogu that he has, so far, met eight people with whom he has discussed their suitability to the post of the Legal Chancellor. In case of new candidates, the President has considered the requirements that had, in the opinion of the Riigikogu, been unfulfilled by Priit Kama, the previous candidate proposed to the post of Legal Chancellor. The Riigikogu had, above all, required the candidate to be of mature age, even though the state of Estonia has mostly been built up by young men, the President said.

Today, President of the Republic proposed two possible candidates for discussion to the members of the Riigikogu - Rein Müllerson, who is a Professor of International Law and Head of the Chair of International Law at King’s College, London University, and barrister Kaido Pihlakas.

The two candidates proposed by the President represent different spheres of legal activity: Professor Müllerson represents the best European academic legal tradition, whereas barrister Kaido Pihlakas is an outstanding practitioner of Estonian law. Representatives of the Riigikogu acknowledged the names of the candidates; their general opinion was that both of the two candidates are distinguished men. Members of the Riigikogu promised to have meetings with the candidates and to form their opinion in the course of the next couple of weeks.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, November 30, 2000

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