Columbia University educated Toomas Ilves won Estonia's presidency Friday, September 22. He narrowly edged out incumbent Arnold Ruutel who was the odds on favorite going into Friday's run off. Ruutel, a former Soviet leader, was popular among rural residents and ethnic Russians who make up 25% of Estonia's population. Ilves' win, therefore, symbolizes a shift in the balance of power toward those who favor even warmer relations with the west.
No doubt Ilves' win will be applauded by the Bush Administration who co-incidentally will be visiting Estonia in November. Bush's visit is the first ever by a US president to the small but increasingly influential Estonia. Russia is certainly put off by the election of Ilves which favored Ruutel because of his past relationship with the Soviet Union.
"The road to Moscow goes via Brussels," Ilves said, when asked how he intends to handle relations with Russia. Brussels is the main seat of the EU's institutions.
Ilves is a two-time foreign minister and former ambassador to the United States, Canada and Mexico. He is also a former journalist for Radio Free Europe in Germany. His western ties will continue to build confidence in the real estate market which is currently on a roll.
Ilves' five year term begins October 9.
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