Estonia lawmakers clear 3 candidates for presidential vote

TALLINN — Estonian lawmakers have cleared three candidates to run in the Baltic country's presidential election to find a successor for President Toomas Hendrik Ilves.

The National Election Committee said yesterday that they include former Education Minister Mailis Reps, former Chancellor of Justice Allar Joks and parliamentary Speaker Eiki Nestor. They have each received the minimum backing of at least 21 lawmakers in the 101-member parliament.

Political observers have said that it's highly unlikely that any candidate will receive the needed two-thirds majority to win in the first round of the election Monday, likely requiring second and third rounds on Aug. 30.

The Estonian president is largely a ceremonial figure. Ilves, whose term expires in October, has served two successive terms since 2006.