Architect of the “Plain Language Law” Rule to Lead the Country
The Estonian parliament (Riigikogu) has elected Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise as the country’s new president. During her tenure as Chancellor of Justice, she gained prominence for mandating that state officials draft legislation in plain, accessible language, as well as enshrining the right of citizens to challenge decisions made by AI algorithms before a human official.
In the first round of voting, 71 lawmakers cast ballots in favor of her candidacy, surpassing the required threshold of 68 votes (a two-thirds majority in the 101-seat chamber). In Estonia, the head of state is elected by parliament rather than by direct popular vote. Had the deputies failed to reach a decision, the election would have proceeded to an electoral college.
Transition of Power and Inauguration
Ülle Madise will become Estonia’s seventh president and the second woman to hold the post. The official swearing-in ceremony before parliament will take place on October 12. She succeeds Alar Karis, who served a single term and announced in advance that he would not seek re-election. Prior to handing over power, the incumbent president will conduct a series of official visits to European nations and the United States.
Career and Professional Background
The 51-year-old Ülle Madise is a legal scholar and jurist. She previously held positions in the Ministry of Justice, the parliamentary Constitutional Committee, and the National Audit Office (Riigikontroll), and served as legal adviser to President Toomas Hendrik Ilves from 2009 to 2015. Madise was appointed Chancellor of Justice in 2015 and was successfully re-elected to a second term in 2021.
Key Achievements and Public Record
Protection of Personal Data and Privacy of Communications
Madise played a pivotal role in curbing mass surveillance and unauthorized data harvesting by law enforcement and security agencies. She prohibited the creation of central “super-databases,” restricted local authorities’ access to residents’ geolocation and health data during crisis situations, and ended the practice of releasing wiretaps of witnesses in criminal proceedings. In May 2026, she intervened against the Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO), ruling that reviewing lawmakers’ correspondence during investigations of specific officials was unconstitutional.
Defense of Civil Liberties During COVID-19
During the pandemic, Madise closely reviewed the proportionality of government restrictions, firmly opposing blanket bans lacking sound medical justification. She defended the principle of voluntary vaccination, spoke out against discrimination based on vaccination status, and overturned disproportionate administrative fines, establishing herself as a leading legal safeguard for civil liberties.
Reining in Bureaucracy and Regulating AI
Madise systematically worked to streamline citizens’ interactions with the state. Her office instituted a rule requiring any complex legal draft to be accompanied by a concise, one-page summary in accessible language. In addition, as artificial intelligence tools entered public sector administration, she established a legal safeguard granting citizens the unconditional right to challenge any algorithmic decision—such as an automated fine or benefit denial—before a human reviewer.
