OREANDA-NEWS. The director of the National Museum of Estonia, Alar Karis, has been elected the new president of the Baltic Republic. In the second round of voting in the Estonian parliament of the Riigikogu, the 63-year-old scientist secured the support of the necessary two-thirds majority of votes-on Tuesday, August 31, 72 out of 101 deputies voted for him during an extraordinary session of the parliament, the press service of the Riigikogu reports.

During the first round of voting, which took place the day before, 63 deputies voted for Karis, despite the fact that at least 68 votes were required to be elected president. For the first time in 30 years, the President of Estonia was elected on an uncontested basis - Karis was the only candidate nominated by secret ballot.

Molecular geneticist Alar Karis will replace Kersti Kaljulaid, who has been the President of the Republic of Estonia for one term, since 2016. The inauguration ceremony is scheduled for October 11.