Ex-Communist Chosen as New President
Estonia chose leftist Arnold Ruutel, 73, as its next president, putting the Baltic state on the list of nations likely to be led into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or European Union by former Communists.
Estonia’s electoral college picked Ruutel over Parliament Speaker Toomas Savi in a 186-155 vote, electoral commission head Heiki Sibul told the assembly.
Estonia now joins countries such as Poland and Lithuania that have formerly Communist leaders and are vying to join the EU or NATO.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
