Alar Karis Elected New President of Estonia

Members of Estonia’s parliament elected 63-year-old Alar Karis as the country's new President after a second round of voting on August 31.

 

The director of the Estonian National Museum secured the votes of 72 members of the 101-seat Riigikogu, gaining the required two-thirds support.

 

Karis was the only candidate in both rounds and will succeed Kersti Kaljulaid, Estonia’s first female president. Tartu native Karis is a molecular geneticist and developmental biologist.

 

He served as rector of the University of Tartu from 2007 to 2012 and Auditor General of Estonia from 2013 to 2018. Karis will assume office as Estonia's fifth-ever President on October 11.

 

 

Fingerprint Recognition Added to New ID Cards

Fingerprint recognition has been added to Estonian ID cards issued as of August 23 to those 12 years of age and older.

 

The change reflects the introduction of pan-European biometric identity cards this year.

 

The feature will be added when applying for a new ID card and people do not have to start exchanging a valid ID card for a new one before it expires.

 

 

Afghan Families Arrive in Estonia

Two more Afghan families arrived in Tallinn on August 27, raising the total number of evacuees to arrive in Estonia to 13, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

 

A six-member family seeking international protection was first to arrive.

 

On August 19, the Estonian government announced it would accept up to 30 Afghans who have cooperated with Estonia and its allies.

 

In addition, Estonia is ready to accept up to 10 Afghans who have cooperated with NATO or the EU, as well as their family members.