Alar Karis

Alar Karis
File:Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Estonian President Karis in Kyiv 2022 (13) (cropped).jpg Karis in 2022
President of Estonia
Incumbent
Assumed office 11 October 2021
Prime Minister	Kaja Kallas
Preceded by	Kersti Kaljulaid
Director of the Estonian National Museum
In office 9 April 2018 – 7 September 2021
Preceded by	Tõnis Lukas
Succeeded by	Kertu Saks
Auditor General of Estonia
In office 7 April 2013 – 7 March 2018
Preceded by	Mihkel Oviir
Succeeded by	Janar Holm
Rector of the University of Tartu
In office 3 July 2007 – 30 June 2012
Preceded by	Tõnu Lehtsaar (Acting)
Succeeded by	Volli Kalm
Rector of the Estonian University of Life Sciences
In office 2003–2007
Preceded by	Henn Elmet
Succeeded by	Mait Klaassen
Personal details
Born	(1958-03-26) 26 March 1958 Tartu, Estonia
Political party	Independent
Spouse(s)	Sirje Karis (m. 1977)
Children	3
Alma mater	Estonian University of Life Sciences

Alar Karis (Estonian pronunciation: [ˈɑlɑr ˈkɑris]; born 26 March 1958) is an Estonian molecular geneticist, developmental biologist, civil servant and politician who, since 11 October 2021, has served as the sixth President of Estonia.

Prior to presidency

Karis was born in Tartu on 26 March 1958 as son of botanist Harry Karis. He graduated from the Estonian Agricultural Academy in 1981. In 1999 he became a professor at the University of Tartu.

Karis served as rector of the Estonian University of Life Sciences from 2003 to 2007, as rector of the University of Tartu from 2007 to 2012, as the Auditor General of Estonia from 2013 to 2018, and as director of the Estonian National Museum from 2018 to 2021.

2021 presidential election

In August 2021, he was approached by the president of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas with a prospect of nomination for the post of president of Estonia in the upcoming autumn election. He accepted the nomination and his candidacy was subsequently endorsed by both coalition parties, the Reform Party and the Centre Party. On 31 August 2021, Karis was elected as the president of Estonia with a two thirds majority of 72 votes in the Riigikogu. He assumed the office on 11 October 2021.

The election received criticism and calls for electoral reform due to the absence of opposing candidates. Referencing the "turmoil that surrounded the presidential selection process" in his post election speech, Karis called for changes of the system to be examined by the Riigikogu, such as using an enlarged electoral college, facilitating the nomination of candidates or even using direct election.

Personal life

He has been married to Sirje Karis ​since 1977, with whom he has 3 children and 5 grandchildren. Besides Estonian, Karis is fluent in English and Russian. Although he is fluent in Russian, he has admitted that it needs some practice since he has not had to speak the language in a long time.

Honours

National honour

• 80px Grand Master of the Order of the National Coat of Arms (11 October 2021)
• Grand Master of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
• Grand Master of the Order of the White Star
• IV Class of the Order of the White Star (2007)
• Grand Master of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle
• Grand Master of the Order of the Estonian Red Cross

Foreign honour

• Commander’s cross of the Order of Leopold II (2008)
• 80px Commander 1st Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland (2013)
• 3rd Class of the Cross of Recognition (2019)
• Commander 1st Class of the Royal Order of the Polar Star (2011)

External links

Civic offices
Preceded by Mihkel Oviir	Auditor General of Estonia 2013–2018	Succeeded by Janar Holm
Political offices
Preceded by Kersti Kaljulaid	President of Estonia 2021–present	Incumbent