At the festive ceremony at the beginning of today’s sitting of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia), President of the Republic Ülle Madise took the oath of office and delivered a speech before the Riigikogu.
In her oath of office, President Ülle Madise said to the people of Estonia: “In assuming the office of the President of the Republic, I, Ülle Madise, solemnly swear to steadfastly defend the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Estonia, to exercise the power entrusted to me in a just and impartial manner, and to faithfully perform my duties with all of my abilities and to the best of my understanding, for the benefit of the people of Estonia and the Republic of Estonia.”
After that, outgoing President Alar Karis placed the presidential chain of office, featuring the national coat of arms, around the neck of President of the Republic Ülle Madise.
President Madise said in her speech before the Riigikogu what she considered important when assuming the office of the President.
“In my speech on 2 September I said that Estonia’s biggest treasure was the people. I said that we needed to do everything in our power to make sure that there are many people who take forward the Estonian language and culture. So that Estonia was the best place to raise children, and to grow old; to invent things and write poetry; to do science and business. So that our children would be among the smartest, most balanced, and happiest in the world. So that no one would lose their joy in life among the family or at work, or because of their age or health,” she emphasised.
“Everyone here in Estonia must feel that they are an asset, as are their life, work, and creation. We must all feel at our ease—however different we are. With our interests, views, lifestyles, tastes, and mother tongues,” Madise said. “Can we keep and continue building this kind of Estonia? That depends on trust, hopes for the future, and courage.”
In her speech, Madise focused on the challenges faced by Estonia, for which we must find solutions together.
“The President of the Republic cannot and must not replace the Riigikogu, elected by the people, nor the government or the courts. The separation and balance of powers is an important value. The President plays a weighty role in this equation of balance. The date for the National Defence Council provided in the Constitution has already been set. I would complement the saying “A hard drill makes an easy battle” by adding that a particularly hard drill would prevent a battle. After all, our goal is peace,” Madise said.
“Great care has been taken to make Estonia stronger. Defence Forces, Defence League, Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation. The whole comprehensive national defence. Dedicated neighbours in the Baltic states and Nordic countries. Poland. All our allies in Europe and NATO. This is what our security is about,” the President underlined.
She explained that lack of ideas and lack of diversity could be fought on our home soil with bold ideas and dreams. One place for this is the Academic Advisory Board of the President. “Seeking, thinking, arguing, and joking together brings out the best in people, from members of the academy to schoolchildren. This is how new ideas are born,” Madise noted.
“The President can acknowledge and support all those who work to ensure that families have a place to live and raise their children, that the birth of a child would not lead to financial hardship, and that those who want to build a home in the countryside would get a loan. I hope that child- and family-oriented Estonia will be the focus of all elections. Not by driving anyone into a corner or a defensive position, but by joyfully showing how well something could be done,” Madise said.
In conclusion of her speech, President Ülle Madise said: “Thank you, President Alar Karis. Particular thanks to Mrs Sirje Karis. Her work for the children of Ukraine alone would deserve the highest recognition. I feel great awe and responsibility in taking over from my predecessors. If we trust each other, value freedom and responsibility, and clear communication, if we are not afraid to be good people, trust in life, believe in Estonia, and maintain a hopeful outlook, then all good things are possible. Long live Estonia!”
At the beginning of the ceremony, President Alar Karis delivered a speech in which he thanked for the trust that had been placed in him.
“Five years ago, here in the Riigikogu, I pledged to uphold the Constitution, and the internal and external peace enshrined in its preamble, and to listen and observe with patience. I spoke about people who can manage. People who are not afraid to meet the unknown.” Karis said, and recalled the events that had taken place during his term of office, and the problems that had to be solved.
“He said that he had been asked a lot, especially over the past week, what positive things he was taking with him from those five years.
“I have replied that it is a firm conviction, certainty that the Estonian people can manage. The ability to adapt to difficulties and crises. The wisdom of the Estonian people lies precisely in their ability to manage in any situation. That is precisely our ingenuity, our essence, and the key to our survival.
The joy and knowledge that we live in a free country, with an excellent living environment, good education, and a safe home, outweigh the difficulties and drive our daily actions and decisions. I also wish for more courage in decision-making from politicians and officials. Otherwise, things will not move forward, and problems will pile up.
The ageing and shrinking Estonia, and Europe as a whole, need new approaches. Bold decisions, smart solutions, the courage to take risks. To amend decisions if necessary. Listening to younger generations and trusting them,” Karis emphasised.
President Karis concluded his speech with the words: Dear President-elect Madise. The office of the Head of State of Estonia is a great honour and an even greater responsibility. I wish you the ability to observe, to notice, to ask the right questions, and to find time for reflection as well. But above all – to remain true to yourself. Not to be afraid to meet the unknown. I wish you strength, wisdom, and resolve to carry out this office.”
The Estonian National Male Choir, conducted by Mikk Üleoja, sang the national anthem of Estonia at the ceremony.
After the ceremony, the Presidents went to the White Hall of Toompea Castle, where the signed the entry in the guestbook of the Riigikogu: “Today, on 12 October 2026, President Alar Karis officially handed over his presidential powers to President-elect Ülle Madise.”
Afterwards, both presidential couples posed for an official group photo in front of the flags.
The official part of the presidential transition ceremony began a quarter of an hour before the start of the Riigikogu sitting, when President-elect Ülle Madise and outgoing President Alar Karis arrived at Toompea from Kadriorg in the same car.
The orchestra played the national anthem upon the presidents’ arrival, and the outgoing President greeted the honour guard of the Guard Battalion. Then the presidents and their spouses proceeded to the Riigikogu Building, where the formal ceremony took place.
As they departed from Toompea, the national anthem of Estonia was played once more, and President Ülle Madise greeted the honour guard of the Guard Battalion.
After the ceremony at Toompea, both presidential couples proceeded to Kadriorg. This time, President Ülle Madise with her husband Lauri Madise was in the first car, and President Alar Karis with his wife Sirje Karise in the second car.
The election of the President of the Republic took place on 2 September 2026 in the Riigikogu, where Ülle Madise was elected President in the first round of elections with 71 votes in favour.
Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu).
Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian):
Video recordings of the sittings of the Riigikogu can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/riigikogu.
(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)