President of Estonia

The President of Estonia, is the head of state for the Republic of Estonia.

As the head of state the following duties are attributed to the President:

• Represents Estonia in international relations.
• Confers diplomatic ranks, appoints and recalls diplomatic representatives of the Republic of Estonia, accepts letters of credence from foreign diplomatic representatives accredited to Estonia, signs instruments of ratification, etc.
• Promulgates laws or returns them to the parliament for a new debate.
• Has the right to initiate amendment of the Constitution.
• Is the Supreme Commander of Estonia's national defence, convenes and presides over the National Defence Council, confers military ranks.

The current President is Arnold Rüütel, who was elected to the post by an electoral college on 21 September 2001.

Presidents since 1992

	Name	Took Office	Left Office	Party
1	Lennart Meri	October 6 1992	October 8 2001	Pro Patria
2	Arnold Rüütel	October 8 2001		Estonian People's Party

External link

• President of Estonia website
• Website of the former President of Estonia