Alar Karis

Alar Karis (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. His father was the botanist Harry Karis (1930–2018) and his mother Virve Karis (1929–2020), an agriculture specialist in animal nutrition. He grew up with his mother and grandmother Vilhelmine after his parents divorced in 1960. 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.

Presidency
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. In his acceptance speech Karis referenced the "turmoil that surrounded the presidential selection process" and 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. He promised to be a balancer and a mediator during his presidential term.

On 15 July 2024 Prime Minister Kaja Kallas submitted her resignation, as a result he accepted her resignation and began discussions on forming a new government led by Reform Party candidate for Prime Minister Kristen Michal.

Personal life
He has been married to Sirje Karis (née Jädal) 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.

National honours

 * EST Order of the National Coat of Arms - 1st Class BAR.svg Grand Master and Collar of the Order of the National Coat of Arms (11 October 2021)
 * EST Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana - 1st Class BAR.svg Grand Master of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
 * EST - Order of the White Star - 1st Class BAR.svg Grand Master of the Order of the White Star
 * EST Order of the White Star - 4th Class BAR.svg Fourth Class of the Order of the White Star (2007)
 * EST Order of the Cross of the Eagle 1st Class BAR.png Grand Master of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle
 * EST Estonian Red Cross Order 1Class BAR.svg Grand Master of the Order of the Estonian Red Cross

Foreign honours

 * 🇧🇪 Belgium: Commander’s Cross of the Order of Leopold II (2008)
 * 🇫🇮 Finland:
 * Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose (27 May 2024)
 * Commander 1st Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland (2013)
 * 🇱🇻 Latvia:
 * Commander Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of the Three Stars (20 April 2023)
 * Commander of the Cross of Recognition (9 April 2019)
 * 🇸🇪 Sweden:
 * Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim (2 May 2023)
 * Commander 1st Class of the Royal Order of the Polar Star (2011)