The leftist politicians who dominated the Estonian Constituent Assembly (1919-1920) opposed the concentration of power in the hands of one person. Therefore, the position of President was not created in the constitution adopted in 1920, and the tasks of the head of the state were divided among the parliament, the government and the head of the government (State Elder, Estonian riigivanem ).
Eesti Asutavas Kogus (1919–1920) domineerinud vasakpoolsed poliitikud olid vastu võimu koondamisele ühe isiku kätte. Seetõttu jäeti 1920. a põhiseaduses presidendi ametikoht loomata ning riigipea ülesanded jagati parlamendi, valitsuse ja valitsusjuhi (riigivanem) vahel.