The Estonian parliament failed for a second time in two days to elect a successor to outgoing President Lennart Meri.
Opposition candidate and deputy speaker Peeter Kreitzberg received 36 votes, one more than his rival Peeter Tulviste, a local government official from the Pro Patria Union party of Prime Minister Mart Laar, election committee chairman Heiki Sibul told parliament.
A candidate requires 68 votes from the 101 member parliament to win election.
The outcome is now likely to be decided next month in a special electoral assembly.
Under electoral rules a third vote between the top two candidates from the second round will take place at 4:00 p.m. (1400 GMT), and if no candidate is elected the contest will have to be decided by the electoral assembly, set to convene on September 21.
The assembly includes 266 local government representatives in addition to 101 lawmakers, and elects the president by a simple majority.
Meri, 72, is barred by the constitution from seeking a third consecutive term in office -- TALLINN (AFP)
