TALLINN, March 27 - RAPSI, Nikolai Adashkevich. The Constitutional Commission of Estonia's parliament on Tuesday recommended parliament to reject the proposed amendment to the Constitution which introduces direct presidential elections, the parliament's press service said.

The amendment was formulated by the opposition Centre Party MPs. It stipulates the nomination of candidates by parties and also allows independent candidates who collect at least 10,000 signatures to nominate themselves. The candidate who wins over 50% of the vote is declared president.

"This amendment introduces direct presidential elections, but at the same time preserves the existing parliamentary system of government where the powers are balanced and clearly specified. If we expand the mandate of one institution, this may affect other elements of power and provoke a conflict of responsibilities," said Rait Maruste, chairman of the constitutional commission.

Under the current legislation, the Estonian president is elected by parliament. If at least two-thirds of MPs vote for one of the candidates, he or she is elected president at this stage; if not, a second round is held the next day.

If the second round ends with no clear result, a third round is held for the two candidates who won the largest number of votes in the second round. If neither gets two-thirds of the vote here, the Electoral College convenes a month later to elect the Estonian president by a simple majority.

The Electoral College consists of MPs and representatives of local governments.