Estonia parliament fails to elect new PresidentAugust 29, 2016 - 16:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Estonia's presidential election is heading into a second round Tuesday, August 30, after no candidate got the required two-thirds majority in a parliamentary vote, the Associated Press reports. Lawmakers are trying to pick a successor to President Toomas Hendrik Ilves whose second and final term expires in October. None of the three candidates received the 68 votes required to win in Monday's secret ballot in the 101-seat Parliament. Parliamentary Speaker Eiki Nestor got 40 votes, Former Education Minister Mailis Reps got 26 votes and former Chancellor of Justice Allar Joks received 25 votes. The other lawmakers abstained or were absent. A second, and a possibly third, round of voting will be held Tuesday. Estonia's ruling three-party coalition has been divided over who should become the next president, a mostly ceremonial post. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |