ABU DHABi, September 4, 2026 – UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has congratulated Ülle Madise on her election as President of the Republic of Estonia.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court also congratulated Madise, as reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
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On September 2, Estonia parliament, the Riigikogu, elected Madise, who won 71 votes in a secret ballot. She had to get at least 68 votes, which is a two-thirds majority of the 101-member parliament. There were 78 legislators who participated in the vote, and seven ballots were not marked.
The election provides Madise with a five-year term as the head of state in Estonia. She replaces President Alar Karis who chose not to run a second term. Since 2015, Madise was the Chancellor of Justice of Estonia, an independent protector of constitutional values and basic rights.
Her election comes at a particularly sensitive time for Estonia, a member of both NATO and the European Union that shares a border with Russia. The nation has been one of the most vocal advocates of Ukraine in the two organisations and has greatly boosted defence expenditure due to the increased security concerns in the region.
The presidency of Estonia is mostly representative, but the office has significant constitutional duties. The president is the international face of the country, he formally appoints the government, promulgates legislation and may send legislation back to parliament to be reconsidered. The president also plays a role in ensuring the constitutional balance of state institutions.
The experience of constitutional law and the long-term experience of Madise as Chancellor of Justice may influence her presidential practice. In her election speech, she emphasized the need to restore trust and that the state should not determine how individuals live, think or how they carry out their business.
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The other significant aspect of her election was the wide parliamentary backing of her candidacy. She was nominated by 75 legislators and received 71 votes, easily surpassing the constitutional minimum to be elected in the first round.
The messages of the UAE leaders are delivered when Estonia is preparing to make the official change of power. Madise will assume office on October 12 and take the presidential oath after which she will commence her five-year term.
The UAE leadership congratulations emphasize the diplomatic significance of the election of Madise and indicate the ongoing high-level interaction between the UAE and Estonia as the Baltic nation starts a new presidential term.
