Chair implementation
Session: 15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
Date: 2025-09-04 12:58
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 2996
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 15523h 0m
AI Summaries: 2996/2996 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu work year began with the new calendar year, characterized by an exceptionally tight and intense work schedule that spanned several sessions. The sittings were accompanied by constant procedural disputes, especially during the confirmation of agendas, as the opposition (mainly EKRE, Isamaa, and the Centre Party) extensively employed obstruction tactics. Numerous interpellations and draft bills were repeatedly postponed or removed from the agenda, often due to the impossibility of proceeding with the debate. The main discussion topics revolved around the government's tax hikes (especially the motor vehicle tax), energy policy (including subsidies for wind farms and the energy crisis), the teachers' salary crisis, and security issues. Political tensions culminated in several votes of no confidence against members of the government, highlighting a deep crisis of trust between the parliament and the executive power. The Riigikogu Board had to repeatedly explain its decisions, citing Supreme Court rulings and the necessity of ensuring the parliament's operational capacity.
Decisions Made 5
The agenda was confirmed repeatedly, notwithstanding numerous withdrawals and challenges (e.g., by 67 votes in favor at the beginning of the first working week of the Third Session, by 76 votes in favor at the beginning of the second working week of the Third Session, and by 50 votes in favor at the beginning of the seventeenth working week of the Fifth Session).
The bills initiated by the Government of the Republic (including the Draft Act on the organization of energy management, the Draft Act on the ratification of the Estonia/Korea air services agreement, and the Draft Act on the motor vehicle tax) were accepted for deliberation.
The Riigikogu's work schedule was changed several times; for example, during the 6th working week of the V session, the sitting was extended until the completion of the first item on the agenda (with 77 votes in favor).
Several motions of no confidence were filed with the Government of the Republic (targeting Kristina Kallas, Tiit Riisalo, Jürgen Ligi, Yoko Alender, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, and Karmen Joller). The debate on these motions was either postponed or, at the government's demand, placed first on the agenda.
The Board of the Riigikogu decided at its sitting on February 14th to cease accepting draft legislation and interpellations, citing obstruction and referring to point 18 of subsection 2 of Section 13 of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure Act.
Most Active Speaker
Martin Helme (EKRE) was undeniably the most active speaker, repeatedly raising points of order, challenging the board's decisions (especially regarding obstruction and the bundling of bills), and submitting numerous interpellations and motions of no confidence. His activity was aimed at sharply criticizing the government's policies, particularly tax hikes and energy policy. His position is right-wing.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi, at the start of the new working year, wishes for a better year than the previous one, calling for more understanding and respect toward one another, more attention to the state, and less partisanship.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
73 members of the Riigikogu registered their attendance, 28 are absent, and before the agenda was confirmed, Toomas Kivimägi turned to Helir-Valdor Seeder with a request.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She hopes that the current year will be better than the last, and stresses that the programmatic positions of Isamaa and the actions of the parliament are consistent with the interests of the Estonian people and the state.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi stated that the programs of the parties represented in the Riigikogu align regarding their objectives, but the methods for achieving those objectives differ. Furthermore, due to changes in the agenda, interpellations No. 235, 237, 265, and 323, which had been submitted to the Minister of Social Protection, Culture, and Regional Affairs, remained unanswered and were subsequently removed from the agenda.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Conservative People's Party of Estonia proposes striking the first item on Tuesday's agenda, Bill 326, as the rapporteur is currently on a foreign assignment.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that this is the prerogative of the initiator of the draft bill, and consequently, today's item has been removed from the draft agenda. Together with these specified amendments, the agenda for the first working week of the third session of the Riigikogu plenary assembly will be put to a vote, omitting interpellations 235, 237, 265, and 323, and draft bill 326.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda: 67 in favor, 0 against, 0 abstentions; it is now possible to submit bills and interpellations, and the representative of the Government of the Republic, Heili Tõnisson, was requested to come here.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Government representative Heili Tõnisson announced that the government will submit two draft bills today: the draft act on the organization of energy management and the amendment of other acts, and the draft act on the ratification of the agreement on air services between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Government of the Republic of Korea. The government will be represented by the Minister of Climate during the proceedings of these two draft bills in the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi expressed his sincere thanks and invited Tõnis Lukas to speak.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas stated that although all parliamentary parties had promised before the elections to raise teachers' salaries to at least 120% of the average starting from January 1, 2024, teachers are now on the verge of a strike. The Isamaa faction is demanding that the government increase the salary fund, regulate the workload, and update the career model starting from 2025. He emphasized the necessity of a long-term reform of the education system and the immediate finding of additional money (at least 8 million euros, or 10 million if needed), warning that otherwise, finding teachers will be incredibly difficult.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu Toomas Kivimägi stated that two bills and one draft resolution had been adopted on behalf of the Board.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets his colleagues, announces the start of the Riigikogu's Tuesday plenary session, and commences the roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the first item on the agenda would not be opened for discussion because the initiators were not present in the chamber. He then urged that in the future, agenda items should not remain unprocessed, and that draft legislation and interpellations should proceed to handling.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas welcomes his colleagues and the honorable members of the Riigikogu, and declares the Wednesday plenary session of the Riigikogu open, beginning first with the roll call.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas announced that 76 members of the Riigikogu had registered their presence, with 25 members being absent. He requested that anyone wishing to submit draft legislation or interpellations signal their intent, and as there were no requests to speak, the proceedings continued with the handling of the items on the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar welcomed his colleagues and opened the Thursday sitting of the first working week of the Riigikogu's third session, requesting a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that 59 Riigikogu members had registered their attendance and 42 were absent, and therefore the submission of draft legislation and interpellations would not take place; he then drew attention to the notices and reminded the members that today at 14:00, the President of Ukraine, Volodõmõr Zelenskõi, would be speaking here in the session hall, and he requested everyone to assemble in the hall at 13:55, five minutes prior to the address.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar greeted everyone, announced the start of the Monday sitting of the second working week of the third session of the Riigikogu, and called for a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Seventy-nine members of the Riigikogu were registered as present, with 22 absent; the confirmation of the agenda for the second working week of the third session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly was put up for a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announced that the agenda had been approved—76 members in favor, 1 against, and 2 abstentions—and stated that bills and interpellations could now be submitted. He then called upon Heili Tõnisson, the representative of the Government of the Republic, to take the floor first.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Today, the Government of the Republic initiates the draft Act supplementing the Energy Sector Organisation Act and the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System Act. This draft Act will be processed in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Climate, and the bill has been submitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expressed his satisfaction and invited his colleague Marko Mihkelson to the Riigikogu rostrum to speak.
Marko Mihkelson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
A draft resolution concerning the amendment of the composition of the Estonian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is submitted on behalf of the Riigikogu Foreign Affairs Committee. Pursuant to this resolution, Tõnis Lukas is appointed as an alternate member of the delegation upon the proposal of the Isamaa faction, and Reili Rand [is appointed] upon the proposal of the Social Democratic Party faction. The draft resolution has been submitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker/the assembly] and gives the floor to Aleksei Yevgrafov at the Riigikogu rostrum.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov submitted a formal inquiry to the Minister of Climate concerning the overcrowding of Elron trains. He requested clarification regarding the plans, funding, and timeline, as well as the future steps being taken, including the specific number of additional trains and the date they are scheduled to enter service.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Board of the Riigikogu received two draft acts and one interpellation and will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu, declares the Tuesday plenary session open, and calls for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 76 members of the Riigikogu are present and 25 are absent, and that now is the time and opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations, but there is no such desire. After the plenary session concludes, a meeting will take place here in the session hall for the formation of the support group for resilient space and mobility; the convener is Züleyxa Izmailova.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi greets his colleagues and opens the Riigikogu's Wednesday plenary session, requesting an attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 68 members of the Riigikogu were present and 33 were absent, making it now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations, and he invited Vadim Belobrovtsev to take the floor.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
On behalf of the Center Party faction, a draft resolution is being submitted, the aim of which is to secure 10 million euros for 2024 to increase teachers' salaries, in line with the compromise proposal put forward by the Estonian Education Personnel Union, to conduct negotiations for a salary agreement covering the next three years, to conclude a collective agreement with the Estonian Education Personnel Union, and to swiftly develop effective measures for modernizing teachers' remuneration and workload, as well as ensuring a sufficient pipeline of new teachers, all in order to guarantee the sustainability of quality education in Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi makes a request to Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats submitted an official inquiry to Climate Minister Kristen Michal, emphasizing that Estonia's housing stock urgently needs acceleration. He stressed that over 14,000 apartment buildings still require renovation, and at the current pace of KredEx funding, the process would take approximately 70 years. Consequently, he posed questions to the government regarding speeding up the process, providing support for the communities with the greatest need, and developing specialized solutions for Soviet-era and rural housing.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Rain Epler to speak.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Amidst the arrival of winter, Rain Epler highlighted concerns regarding the condition of Estonian roads and traffic safety, attributing this to a shrinking budget and the recent reorganizations within the Transport Administration, which could exacerbate the situation. He announced that he would submit an interpellation to the Climate Minister regarding these issues and awaits the Riigikogu Board's decision on further proceedings.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Board of the Riigikogu accepted one draft resolution and two interpellations, and announced that their subsequent processing will take place in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, which is standard practice and must be followed.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas greets his colleagues and guests, declares the Thursday sitting of the second working week of the third session of the Riigikogu open, and conducts the roll call.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Riigikogu Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas announced that 52 members had registered their presence and 49 were absent. Following this, the floor was opened for the submission of draft legislation and interpellations, and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart was invited to the rostrum.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reference is made to the interpellation mediated by Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to Regional Minister Madis Kallas, and the petition submitted to Lauri Hussar bearing 21,000 signatures concerning the free-range keeping of cage hens. Simultaneously, emphasis is placed on the necessity of establishing a national pet register, noting that chipping alone will not solve the problem without a nationwide registry. The Regional Minister is therefore asked to provide answers regarding the progress of the draft bill, its submission to the Riigikogu, and the proposed design of the register.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Board of the Riigikogu decides on the further processing of one interpellation in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is commencing the Monday sitting of the third working week of the third session and requests a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that 72 members of the Riigikogu are present and 29 are absent, and that, together with the amendments, the confirmation of the agenda for the 3rd working week of the 3rd session of the Riigikogu will be put to a vote, because interpellations 260, 473, and 453 have been withdrawn and will therefore be removed from the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Seventy-eight members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, with no votes against or abstentions. The agenda has been confirmed, and it is now possible to submit bills and interpellations. First, the representative of the Government of the Republic, Ms. Heili Tõnisson, is invited to the Riigikogu podium, but confusion arose as to whether she was truly Heili Tõnisson.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal greets the people of Estonia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar refused and apologized.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal is speaking today about the teachers' strike and solidarity.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requests that [the person] leave the podium.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal announces a ten-minute strike in support of teachers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Heili Tõnisson was called to the Riigikogu rostrum, but she was asked to leave and was not expected.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal is protesting the submission of the motor vehicle tax bill by a representative of the Government of the Republic, and announces that the strike has begun.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requested that the Riigikogu podium be vacated, and asked Heili Tõnisson and Kalle Grünthal to leave the rostrum, and the presiding officer declared a three-minute recess.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar announced that the session would continue and requested that the Riigikogu rostrum be vacated, noting that Kalle Grünthal had not expressed a wish to speak, and that he had yielded the floor to Heili Tõnisson, the representative of the Government of the Republic.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
In the speech, the Speaker of the Riigikogu is asked for clarification as to what this matter is.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar asks everyone to leave and vacate the Riigikogu rostrum, because you were not invited here right now.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speech addressed the possibilities for a member of the Riigikogu to go on strike.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar referenced the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, urged civilized conduct, and requested Kalle Grünthal to vacate the Riigikogu rostrum.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
This address conveys gratitude and respect for the presiding officer.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asked if Kalle Grünthal should leave the Riigikogu podium. The chamber shouted "Yes!" and protested, and Grünthal was subsequently asked to leave.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He/She asks whether the decision should be put to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that he would take a ten-minute recess so that Kalle Grünthal could understand that he is not currently at the Riigikogu rostrum, pursuant to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced the resumption of the sitting for the submission of bills and interpellations, raised a procedural question, and called upon Martin Helme to speak.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme pointed out that he wasn't there when Kalle went up to the rostrum and made an announcement, asking whether it was a solidarity strike supporting teachers or a protest against the imposition of the car tax. He added that since the rules of procedure in the Riigikogu chamber essentially no longer apply—bills aren't brought to the floor on time, and amendments aren't processed—the question arises whether everyone can now just do whatever they want, because the leadership has set the precedent.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu operates under the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and a solidarity strike in the Riigikogu chamber, especially at the rostrum, is not provided for, and Martin Helme's second question concerns the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme criticized the moment in Parliament (Riigikogu) where decisions are being made solely through shouting ("yes" versus "no"), adding that if this practice continues, they will always be victorious.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that this was an unregulated procedural matter, the aim of which was to free up the speaker's stand for the submission of bills and interpellations, and next, Heili Tõnisson, the representative of the Government of the Republic, will speak.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The Government submitted three draft acts to the Riigikogu today: the first being the Draft Act on the Denunciation of the Treaty between the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation concerning Legal Assistance and Legal Relations in Civil, Family, and Criminal Matters, which will be represented in the proceedings by the Minister of Justice; the second, the Draft Act amending the Precious Metal Products Act, the State Fees Act, and the Equipment Safety Act, which is represented by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology; and the third, the Draft Motor Vehicle Tax Act, which is represented by the Minister of Finance. All three draft acts were forwarded electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speaker thanks the audience and next invites his colleague, Andrei Korobeinik, to the stage.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik submitted an official inquiry to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding the taxation of banks, referencing the solidarity tax implemented in Lithuania and asking whether the revenues generated by the advance income tax—80 million in 2024 and 42 million in 2025—will actually materialize, and he posed three questions on this topic.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the previous speaker and invites colleague Jaak Valge to the Riigikogu podium to speak next.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge, on behalf of the EKRE faction, submitted a proposal requiring the government to eliminate Russian-language websites in order to secure the status of the Estonian language and cease positioning Estonia within the CIS space, and he hopes for the support of the Riigikogu majority.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Board accepted four draft acts and one interpellation, and will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. We shall now proceed to today's agenda, and prior to that, Alar Laneman submitted a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Alar Laneman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Alar Laneman asked the Presiding Officer whether a strike had occurred in the Riigikogu, citing the longer-than-permitted recess and requesting an explanation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
There was a breach of the rules of procedure for conducting the Riigikogu sitting, but the Presiding Officer has resolved the situation, and we will now continue with the session.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He/She greets colleagues and announces that the Riigikogu plenary session for Tuesday is commencing, and the first order of business will be the roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Sixty-four members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence; thirty-seven are absent. We may now proceed with the submission of draft legislation and interpellations. Mr. Priit Sibul, please.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul submitted an inquiry to Auditor General Janar Holm, asking how the finding of the sixth object—created by amending the Estonian Cultural Endowment Act and the Gambling Tax Act, which would establish two parallel lists of nationally important cultural objects and must not negatively impact the funding of the previous five—can be realized. He also inquired how Parliament can exercise oversight regarding funding carried out through the Cultural Endowment, and additionally, the inquiry discusses the funding of the Jõhvi film studios project alongside the Tallinn film campus, and how many national cultural buildings can generally be constructed in the future.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, one interpellation has been adopted, and we can now proceed to the consideration of today's agenda items.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced at the start of the sitting that the attendance check was necessitated by technical faults in the registration cards. He promised to replace them by the end of the year and apologized before continuing the attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
70 members of the Riigikogu were present, 31 were absent, and now there is an opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations. Annely Akkermann, please.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Finance Committee submitted a draft resolution to the Riigikogu concerning the recall of a member of the Bank of Estonia Council and the appointment of a new member, and Jaak Aab, the presenter, will represent the submitter during the proceedings of the draft resolution.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Rain Epler.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler called on the Riigikogu Board to ensure that the Economic Affairs Committee and other members of the Riigikogu gain swift and unrestricted access to the Nordica interim report, stating that the compiler’s consent must not be allowed to impede parliamentary work. He subsequently submitted this appeal to the Board.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called Andrei Korobeinik forward.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik, on behalf of the Centre Faction, submitted a draft bill for a temporary solidarity tax on the banking sector covering 2024–2027. The purpose is to allow the government time, during a period of economic pressure, to develop a permanent scheme and ensure a greater contribution from banks, while avoiding the taxation of ordinary people via a car tax or VAT.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Board of the Riigikogu, I accepted two draft resolutions; I cannot deem the appeal accepted, but the Chancellery will register it nonetheless. Since the time and place of submission were incorrect, I am therefore returning it, although the Chancellery will continue the registration process.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas welcomes his fellow members and guests, declares the commencement of the Thursday sitting of the third working week of the Riigikogu's third session, and proceeds to take attendance.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Sixty-two members of the Riigikogu were present, with thirty-nine absent. Following this, Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas greeted his colleagues and requested that Hanah Laht present a procedural question.
Hanah Lahe
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Hanah Lahe said that it was a mistake.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas humorously remarked that maybe Yoko's elbow had bumped something, adding that it was no big deal. He then called for the submission of bills and interpellations and informed the chamber that tomorrow the youth Riigikogu session, organized by the Model-Estonia Foundation, would take place, concluding by asking everyone to take their personal belongings from their desks and drawers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker welcomes the Riigikogu and opens the Monday sitting of the fourth working week of the third session, first requesting a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that 71 members of the Riigikogu are present (30 are absent). During the changes to the agenda, the responses to interpellations no. 344, 421, and 594 are being postponed due to the minister's illness, interpellation no. 495 has been withdrawn, the EKRE faction wishes to exclude the first reading of draft resolution 208 of the Riigikogu decision "On the development of measures for increasing the birth rate" from the second item on the agenda, and the Economic Affairs Committee wishes to remove the second reading of draft resolution 347 from the agenda of Wednesday's sitting. These constitute the week's changes. Before the session continued, Priit Sibul raised a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul complains that his extensive interpellation to the National Audit Office has been converted into a written question. He points to the confusion regarding the dates of the documents and asks on what basis this change was made and when the parliament will receive the response, because he wants to know how parliament is supposed to exercise its statutory oversight.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The inquiry was returned in writing along with my signature, and the response clarifies the reason for its return; the matter is not related to the procedure for conducting this current session, and if there are additional questions, they can be discussed or further justifications can be submitted.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder criticizes the procedure for conducting Riigikogu sessions and the differential treatment of answers to interpellations and written questions. He emphasizes the importance of interpellation for substantive debate and calls upon the Speaker of the Riigikogu to ensure that interpellation is not replaced by a written question and that the work of the Riigikogu is not stifled.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the colleague, states that he has sent his opinion as a written answer, which the submitter of the query has received, and asks Henn Põlluaas to pose a question concerning the procedural rules for conducting the session.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He asked, under the third item on the agenda, why the bill specifies a majority of the full membership for approving the use of the historical name of Königsberg, and stressed that, in reality, no additional legislation is needed, and a simple majority vote would suffice.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the adoption of the draft bill requires a majority vote of the full membership of the Riigikogu, a requirement confirmed by the committee's position and the vote taken in the committee. He further added that Priit Sibul raised a question concerning the procedural rules for conducting the sitting.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul asks how it is technically possible that the response to the inquiry is dated the 30th, but the signature shows today's date as of 11:00 AM, and requests an explanation regarding the system's operation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed the signing of the document at the EMS today, explaining that due to a foreign mission, he could not sign all documents every day, and that the response had been received promptly, while Mart Helme raised a question regarding the rules for conducting the session.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme stated that the work of the Riigikogu must be based on the Rules of Procedure, rather than on a working method relying on the preponderance of opinions and votes. He further stressed the need for coordination with parliamentary factions when drafting the agenda, and for considering the situation of absent representatives.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that regarding the interpellations, all those submitting the inquiries had been asked if they could attend, and the information concerning the bill's rapporteur being unable to participate only reached the session department this morning.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He emphasizes that the required quorum or simple majority for adopting a bill in the Riigikogu must not be determined by a committee decision, and the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act must be followed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the committee's position requires an absolute majority of the Riigikogu membership for the adoption of the draft act, and therefore the Board added this item to the agenda; however, Helir-Valdor Seeder raised a question regarding the rules for conducting the sitting.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder highlighted two observations: first, that the requirement for a majority vote regarding the composition of the draft bill is vague and contradicts the interpretation provided by the board and the annotated edition; second, that the excessive use of the right to self-regulation and the practice of returning interpellations necessitate an open debate in the Riigikogu, along with clear criteria and explanations for the plenary session.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the reason for sending the interpellation back was the requirement set forth in the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. This act stipulates that individual issues must be submitted as written questions (Section 147), and that an interpellation is only appropriate for clarifying the implementation of legal acts regulating the addressee's scope of authority (Section 139), which is why he referred to the comments.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder said that one must not selectively and tendentiously quote the House Rules and Rules of Procedure, and called the debate pointless, stating that it needs to be clarified in the Rules of Procedure. He also added that his first question regarding the draft bill requiring 51 votes was not answered.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that he had responded, but was ready to discuss the matter in the Riigikogu Council of Elders and review those provisions, as well as consider the committee’s very clear position regarding draft legislation requiring at least 51 votes. He added that Henn Põlluaas would raise a question concerning the rules for conducting the sitting.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas emphasizes that a majority vote of the Riigikogu membership is not required for bills that do not necessitate additional legislation. He considers the committee's decision unlawful and announces that he is temporarily withdrawing his bill and awaiting discussion by the board.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks Henn Põlluaas to return the microphone and notes that the end dropped out.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas said that the agenda has not yet been approved, and he is withdrawing it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained that the draft resolution of the Riigikogu submitted by the EKRE faction can only be removed from the agenda upon the proposal of the faction's chairman or deputy chairman. He added that if no one objects, tomorrow's agenda item No. 3 can also be removed, and this decision will be made now, today.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He reiterates that the bill submitted by Henn Põlluaas must be removed from the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that, pursuant to the proposals, seven items would be removed from this week's agenda, including item 3 of tomorrow's agenda (the first reading of Draft Bill 218), the first reading of Draft Bill 208, the second reading of Draft Bill 347, and interpellations 344, 421, and 594, as well as interpellation 495. Following these changes, the confirmation of the agenda for the 4th working week of the Riigikogu's III session will be put to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The agenda was unanimously approved (67 votes in favor), and we may now proceed to submit bills and interpellations. First, the representative of the Government of the Republic, Ms. Heili Tõnisson, is invited to the Riigikogu podium.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Today, the Government is initiating the draft act on the ratification of the agreement and its protocol between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan concerning the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion and tax fraud. The bill, which is represented in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Finance, has been submitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the assembly] and calls Siim Kallas to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Siim Kallas
AI Summary
A support group formed within the Riigikogu submitted a draft resolution proposing that the government find a solution to overcome the nature and heritage conservation restrictions currently preventing the extension of the Estonian National Opera, and, if necessary, to initiate a state special plan for the Estonia extension project.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker/the audience] and next invites Kalle Grünthal to the podium.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal emphasizes that the Estonian police are the guarantee of national security, but the 2009 amendment to the oath text removed the phrases "remain loyal to the people" and "to the Republic" from the oath, leaving the oath tied solely to the constitutional order of Estonia. This, he argues, caused repressive police behavior during protests, which is why he submitted a bill to amend the oath text.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and invites Urmas Reinsalu to the Riigikogu podium.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu announced that he will submit an interpellation and a draft resolution to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding the broader connections of the Russian transport business highlighted by the press and the Prime Minister's family companies, asking for verification of the information's veracity, the government's handling of the matter, and necessary steps at the EU, interstate, and domestic levels, and proposing, on behalf of the Isamaa faction, the formation of a Riigikogu investigative committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speech emphasizes that now is your time.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
In the context of investigating Russia-linked business activities in Estonia during the war in Ukraine, it was emphasized that although the coalition has twice rejected the formation of an investigative committee, the data presented in the media points to systemic business activity. Consequently, the Riigikogu, as the representative body of the people, must ascertain the relevant information and make it available to the public for the purpose of future decisions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks everyone and calls Vadim Belobrovtsev to the Riigikogu rostrum next.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The focus of the report centers on the critical nature of Estonia's demographic situation: the birth rate has fallen for two consecutive years and is the lowest it has been since 1919. Furthermore, the government's steps to cut family support and reduce tax benefits could further worsen the situation, which is why an interpellation will be submitted to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked the assembly and invited Tõnis Lukas to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Culture Committee supports the proposal of the Centre Party and initiates a draft resolution of the Riigikogu to replace Andre Hanimägi, a member of the Council of the Estonian Public Broadcasting, with Vadim Belobrovtsev.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Board has adopted five bills and two interpellations, and the decision regarding their further processing will be made in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He greets the colleagues, opens the Tuesday sitting of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly, and requests a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
56 members of the Riigikogu registered their presence, 45 are absent; now is the time, place, and opportunity for the submission of bills and interpellations.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Center Party faction submitted a formal interpellation to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding the economic recession and rising prices, citing data from the Estonian Institute of Economic Research, which indicates that Estonia has been in economic decline for two consecutive years, unemployment is growing, and inflation is high, and asking how these phenomena and the tax increases set to take effect on May 1st will affect the populace.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi addresses his colleague Tõnis Lukas and asks for something.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The faction is submitting a new draft resolution that obligates the government to fulfill its promises regarding raising teachers’ salaries and to develop, by May 1st, a career model—along with corresponding legislation—that incorporates workload calculation and the inclusion of additional work duties.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
One interpellation and one draft resolution have been adopted on behalf of the Riigikogu Board. Furthermore, during the clarification of today's sitting agenda, Bill No. 366 will be discussed, which will be presented by Annely Akkermann, the Chairman of the Finance Committee.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi commenced the Riigikogu's Wednesday plenary session by first conducting a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Sixty-seven members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence; thirty-four are absent. We now have the opportunity to submit bills and interpellations. Mart Maastik, please proceed first.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik stated that the proposed car tax bill constitutes a betrayal of the electorate, arguing that, against the backdrop of the economic recession, it increases the tax burden and undermines the financial security of individuals and businesses, especially for families with children and those in rural areas. Therefore, Isamaa calls on the government to withdraw this bill from parliamentary procedure in the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi invites Priit Sibul to speak.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul requests, in the presence of Toomas Kivimägi, the discussion of the interpellation submitted to the Auditor General concerning the listing and funding of cultural objects. He further stresses the necessity of parliamentary oversight to ensure that new objects receive the funding mandated by law, citing as an example the allocation of transition fund resources for the Jõhvi and Tallinn film campuses.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the interpellation is entirely relevant. We plan to try again this week, and if that does not succeed, we have a time slot available next week. Furthermore, one draft resolution and one interpellation have been adopted on behalf of the board, and we can now proceed with the handling of today's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker welcomes everyone and declares the Thursday sitting of the Third Session of the Riigikogu Plenary open, and requests that the attendance of colleagues be checked.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that 48 members of the Riigikogu were present and 53 were absent, adding that bills and interpellations could now be submitted, but the procedure for conducting the session must be discussed before they are formally adopted.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas thanks [them] and notes that he could have, of course, done things differently.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks his colleagues to quiet down. The bell is ringing, and he says that he cannot hear Henn Põlluaas’s question.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas stated that Bill 222 requires a majority vote of the full membership, a requirement that applies only to Riigikogu decisions used to approach the Government for the initiation of legislation. He added that such a requirement is unconstitutional and violates the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and therefore cannot be processed in this manner.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Commission relied on the analysis provided by the Legal and Analysis Department and concluded that this draft resolution necessitates the amendment of the Law and the Food Act. Consequently, the draft has been submitted to the floor.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas asserts that this is not a change to the law, but rather a ministerial regulation, and questions what considerations led the Riigikogu Board to place a bill on Thursday's agenda—a bill that requires an absolute majority of the parliament's membership and for which it is known that there will not be enough MPs present on Thursday to achieve that majority—and asks whether this constitutes a deliberate action.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar simply said "No" and thanked Henn Põlluaas.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas simply asks the direct question: "Why is that?"
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that Bill 222 would constitute interference with the freedom of enterprise and would require a legal basis that the Food Act does not provide. Therefore, a corresponding draft law would need to be developed. The board is attempting to maintain a balance between the coalition and the opposition when drawing up the weekly agenda, as we were unable to address several bills yesterday due to the impossibility of their processing, meaning they are postponed until next week, which increases the procedural burden. Finally, the bills and interpellations will be taken up, and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart will be the first person called to the floor.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart submitted an interpellation to the Prime Minister, asking for precise data on when and in which schools, and what total amount of state-allocated money is not reaching teachers' salaries in Tallinn. She also inquired about other municipalities, specifying which local governments and schools are concerned, what steps the state plans to take to ensure the targeted use and supervision of the funding, and whether and how the issue of the legality of paying teachers' salaries during the strike will be resolved, along with the possibility of state oversight.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman invites Riina Solman to the podium.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman points out that the proposed car tax bill places a heavy burden on large families and people with disabilities in rural areas—groups who lack access to public transportation and face an estimated annual additional cost of around 4,000 euros. She urges Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to withdraw the bill and consult with these vulnerable target groups.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the previous speaker] and then gave the floor next to Liisa-Ly Pakosta.
Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The statement drafted by members of the Riigikogu stresses the necessity of returning Ukrainian children deported from Russia, emphasizing that children must not be abducted or deported, their identity must not be altered, and war criminals must face just punishment.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Board of the Riigikogu has accepted one bill and two interpellations and will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
At the Riigikogu, Chairman Lauri Hussar welcomed European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and affirmed that Estonia stands firmly for European values and is working to ensure the European Union is both visible and influential on the international stage.
Euroopa Parlamendi president Roberta Metsola
AI Summary
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stressed that Europe must strengthen security and energy security, increase strategic autonomy, continue firm support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, develop digital and social legislation, and called on Estonians to participate in the European Parliament elections to elect the seven Estonian representatives to the European Parliament.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked President Metsola and his colleagues and announced that the recess had lasted five minutes before they proceeded.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called upon his colleagues to continue the Monday sitting of the fifth working week of the third session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly, and requested a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar informed the chamber that 79 Riigikogu members had registered their attendance, and 22 were absent. He then directed the proceedings toward the confirmation of the agenda, first asking Andrei Korobeinik if there were any questions concerning the rules of the sitting.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik noted that, as a member of the committee, he was unable to ask questions regarding the car tax bill. He therefore proposed removing the bill from today's agenda and discussing it with the Finance Committee in a way that would allow every committee member to ask at least one question.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
As the Chair of this session, it is very difficult for me to assess what happened in the Finance Committee, but the Committee has sent it here, and during the discussion taking place here, all members of the Riigikogu can ask questions about the draft bill, and Aivar Kokk asked a question regarding the rules for conducting the session.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk lodged a complaint with the Riigikogu Board, claiming that Bill 364 concerning the motor vehicle tax was sent to the Finance Committee without the necessary coordination table, remarks, or calculation table, and only included an unsigned table. Consequently, he is questioning how the Board could have forwarded a bill that fails to meet the required conditions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman explained that the clearance matrix would be sent later, but it would be signed and forwarded to you at the earliest opportunity, and also made available on the draft bill's page, following which Andrei Korobeinik posed a question concerning the rules for conducting the meeting.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik states that he was not permitted to ask a single question during the committee meeting regarding the draft legislation, which affects nearly all Estonian residents. He considers this format improper and contrary to the principles of democracy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that he had not been present at the committee meeting, which is why it was difficult for him to comment on the topic. However, he stressed that when a discussion takes place in the committee, members must be allowed to have their say.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak, speaking for the EKRE faction, stated that chaos reigned in the Finance Committee, that speaking time was granted selectively, and that documents were missing. Therefore, they propose removing the draft bill from the agenda so that the committee can properly discuss the two new taxes—one levied on the purchase of cars and the other on car ownership.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
As I said, the coordination matrix has been sent out and is available for obtaining signatures. This can be discussed further, and the committee will have the opportunity during the second reading to address stakeholder involvement in greater detail. Furthermore, Helir-Valdor Seeder raised a question regarding the rules for conducting the sitting.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder stated that the draft legislation is premature and violates both the Rules of Procedure Act and the Constitution, given that the Finance Committee lacked the required documentation and the coordination table. Furthermore, the plenary debate must not be conducted in a controlled fashion, leading the faction to request its removal from this week's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The proposal has been taken into account, and provided that no faction objects, we will be able to implement it; this concerns an appendix to the explanatory memorandum, not the explanatory memorandum itself, to which a signature will be affixed, and which is formally correct as a document.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk asked if the board had lied, and emphasized that the draft legislation was sent to the Finance Committee without the coordination table, remarks, or the calculation table, and he requested direct evidence from the explanatory memorandum.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the coordination table included in the explanatory memorandum is currently being signed and will be distributed at the earliest opportunity, and that it has already been sent to you. He then asked Rene Kokk to present a question concerning the rules for conducting the session.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk demanded that the draft bill be removed from the plenary session's agenda and that the committee ensure full availability of materials and the opportunity to ask questions, because the current situation is not normal.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that procedural decisions were made first. Although questions could indeed have been asked, the commission members dispersed, and therefore those questions were not posed, after which Mart Helme raised a question regarding the rules for conducting the session.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme accused the Riigikogu of violating its Rules of Procedure and charged the presiding officer with failing to ensure that questions were submitted and documents were presented properly. He called for strict adherence to the rules, the proper handling of the draft bill, and the removal of the item from the agenda to prevent further issues and damage to the reputation of both the Riigikogu and the Estonian state.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar highlighted point 10 of the explanatory memorandum, according to which the draft bill was sent for coordination on October 9th and submitted via EIS. He noted that the opinions of several professional organizations would be consolidated and appended to the draft, along with a table containing signatures. Furthermore, he mentioned that this information is currently available to Riigikogu members during the discussion, and the pros and cons of the motor vehicle tax will be debated during the first reading in the main chamber, prompting Kalle Grünthal to raise a question regarding the rules of procedure for the session.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal asserts that the work of the committees was not organized in accordance with Sections 18 and 13 of the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and asks the chairman why the board fails to ensure the work and violates the law.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The autonomy and rights of the committees are very extensive, and therefore a balance must be struck; the explanatory memorandum contains a clause related to the consultation round, stating that the opinions will be consolidated and subsequently appended to the draft legislation; the table has already been submitted and will be signed; Kert Kingo inquired about the rules governing the conduct of the sitting.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo criticizes the procedure, pointing out that decisions are first made and only then discussed, and stresses that debate must happen before decisions are adopted, otherwise the trustworthiness of the Riigikogu and the committees' work is questionable.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the first reading of the bill introduces the principles, and the Finance Committee has prepared for this. Discussions will certainly precede the second reading, and a broader and more thorough first reading is scheduled in the Riigikogu chamber, which gives all Riigikogu members and factions the opportunity to participate with questions and contribute to the debate. The discussions will continue, which was followed by a question from Varro Vooglaid regarding the rules for conducting the session.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He/She raises the question of whether the committees' right to self-regulation allows the committee chair to completely deny opposition members the right to ask questions, and requests clarification to find out how the committees operate and what the rights of the members are.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
I was not present for that discussion, but after the procedural decisions were made, the debate was able to continue in the committee. The claim that it was impossible to hold the discussion in the committee at all is, to my knowledge, untrue. Urmas Reinsalu, this concerns the rules for conducting the sitting.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu claims that the draft bill taken up for discussion does not comply with the rules of legislative drafting, as the explanatory memorandum fails to present the results of clearances and public consultation, and the socio-economic impact has not been analyzed. He calls for the draft bill to be removed from this week's agenda and for the Riigikogu Board to demand compliance with the rules from the government.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked them for understanding the proposal and noted that Andrei Korobeinik had asked a question regarding the rules for conducting the session.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik claimed that the opposition was unable to ask a single question in the Finance Committee because the committee's leadership is drawn from the coalition, and he questioned whether this adheres to the rules of procedure and good practice.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that questions must be permitted and that the debate on the draft bill should have been allowed to continue after the procedural decisions were finalized. He also added that Aivar Kokk raised a question concerning the rules for conducting the sitting.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk accuses others of causing this entire mess, alleging that they sent materials to the Finance Committee that do not comply with the rules of procedure, and rushed the discussion of the draft bill when the necessary documents were missing. He also questions why the bill was sent to the committee at all.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman stated that the opinions of the professional organizations have been compiled in the annex to the explanatory memorandum, and these will be appended to the draft bill, signed, and made available to everyone for discussion.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal told Hussar that they were playing with fire, that the public was angry about the draft bill, and asked that the bill be immediately withdrawn in the committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the previous comment was not a question about the rules governing the session, but rather a very clear personal opinion, and he requested Varro Vooglaid to ask a question regarding those rules.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid asserts that a substantive debate should take place, and opposition members must have the opportunity to ask questions, before any procedural decision is made regarding sending the bill to the plenary for its first reading, rather than holding the discussion only after the decision has been adopted.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that the Finance Committee meeting included a discussion and procedural decisions, and the debate is currently continuing with procedural matters. A proposal has been voiced, and if no one objects, they will proceed according to that proposal. Furthermore, Rene Kokk asked a question regarding the rules for conducting the meeting.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk criticizes the practice of committees forcefully making decisions before receiving necessary answers, noting that the opposition is left to submit questions only afterward. He then inquired whether this same procedural arrangement could be extended to local government councils.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
According to the statement, the commission has already made a decision and the position remains valid. The discussion and procedural decisions in question were made by the relevant commission, which was then followed by Aivar Kokk raising a question about the rules for conducting the session.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk criticized the procedure and the lack of discussion, stating that the opposition was steamrolled purely due to the will of the coalition. He also asked when the materials and opinions being added to the draft bill would be shared more widely, and why they have not been sent to and signed by all members of the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the draft bill had been sent to the Finance Committee, and provided there were no objections, the same procedure would follow. The explanatory memorandum notes that opinions will be consolidated and appended to the draft bill later. Members of the Finance Committee have received the documents, and all Riigikogu members will receive the signed copies before the first debate. Furthermore, Urmas Reinsalu raised a question regarding the rules for conducting the sitting.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stated that the implementation of the content of subsection 21 of section 36 of the commission's guideline was contradictory and created a vicious circle. He also asked exactly where the information regarding the events in the commission originated, how those interest groups could have participated in the previous session, and who decided on compiling the list of those associations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that interest groups are typically brought into the discussion of the draft bill after the first reading, and all relevant interest groups are involved before the second reading, in compliance with the provisions of the law and the committee's rules of procedure.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak highlighted the extreme chaos of the Finance Committee session, citing potential protests and issuing warnings that if the current style persists, they might resort to merely reading out government decrees and permitting only laudatory speeches. He requested adherence to the house and work rules, and asked them to acknowledge that the proceedings were substandard, or at the very least, to discuss the matter with the committee chairman.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that he lacks a full overview of what transpired in the committee, but the board has made a decision regarding this week's draft agenda based on the committee's ruling and procedural actions. He plans to adopt the last three procedural questions, give the floor to Alender, and then confirm the agenda.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme accuses the coalition of autocratic intentions and the failing of democracy, and demands the bill be withdrawn from the agenda, while simultaneously asking what procedural options the opposition still has to stop the coalition’s abuse of power.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks his colleague and confirms that since no one has voiced any opposition to the proposals, they will proceed based on those proposals. Following this, Andrei Korobeinik raises a question regarding the rules for conducting the session.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik stated that he was unable to ask questions during the committee meeting, that he filed a protest and would also raise that protest in the plenary hall, and that his rights as a member of the Riigikogu have been very clearly violated, requesting that this fact be taken into account when the law is adopted on the third reading.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites the audience to ask questions.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He said he was working on other things simultaneously and didn't want to bother you with his question.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called Andrei Korobeinik to the stage.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Korobeinik stated that the violation of his rights as a member of the Riigikogu should be taken into account, adding that he has a sufficient overview of what transpired in the committee. He recommended against processing the draft bill at this time, suggesting instead that a calm and thorough committee session be organized to discuss all outstanding issues before proceeding further.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stressed that both the coalition and the opposition must be involved in leading the committees, and that restoring normal operations is crucial following the rapid changes in the Riigikogu. He also noted that although he was not present for the Finance Committee discussions, the car tax debate has taken place, and he will now take three procedural questions, the last of which is from Aleksei Jevgrafov.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov noted that a strange incident had occurred in the Rural Affairs Committee, where he proposed initiating the bill within the framework of a public petition procedure and requested a vote, but the committee chairman refused, and he asked whether this constituted normal treatment of the opposition or an exceptional case.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the issue did not pertain to the rules for conducting the session, and that he did not have the information required to offer a comment. He then invited Yoko Alender, who had already been waiting for half an hour, to take the floor.
Yoko Alender
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Yoko Alender thanks the presiding officer and states that the Reform Party faction does not agree with the proposal to change the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced changes to the agenda, stating that several interpellations have been withdrawn, and that EKRE requests the exclusion of draft bill 163—the amendment to the Law Enforcement Act—from the February 14th agenda. The bill was initiated by Helle-Moonika Helme and Henn Põlluaas, and its endorsement was submitted by Siim Pohlak.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He demanded the removal of this draft bill from the agenda, while simultaneously wondering why, just last week, the statement of the faction chairman or vice-chairmen had been required.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained that the bill submitted by you and Helle-Moonika Helme was now at hand, presented its amendments for the current week's agenda, and then proceeded to the approval of the agenda.
Jevgeni Ossinovski
AI Summary
Ossinovski emphasized that changing the agenda can only be done based on a request from the initiator. Since this specific draft bill has two initiators, they are the ones who must submit the request, because a faction cannot submit such a request, and parliamentary procedure is sacrosanct.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
We considered Henn Põlluaas’s oral statement last week, which has been transcribed and on the basis of which we are taking his statement into account. We have already spent almost an hour dealing with procedural matters; now Siim Pohlak will present a procedural question to you.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak is protesting the actions of the presiding officer, asserting that procedural questions are being addressed based on party affiliation, and further claiming that a bill processed by the committee was allowed to pass during the consideration of the car tax bill. He stresses that procedural questions ought to be added to the queue displayed on the screen.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman said that Jevgeni Ossinovski had his hand up and he treated it as a protest, applying the same principle to your case. Before moving on, he offered the microphone to Helle-Moonika Helme so that she could also express the desire to exclude that specific item from this week's agenda.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme confirms that she has the consent, that the procedural decisions must now be made, and that this practice has become standard.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the audience and asked Andrei Korobeinik to raise his hand, noting that he also wished to express a protest.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik expressed deep indignation and accused coalition members of being given priority to ask questions and voice opinions, while the opposition was denied the opportunity. He characterized this behavior as unfair and a disregard for the democratic order.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the protest would not be upheld, the session would move on to preparing the vote for confirming the agenda, the interpellations have been withdrawn, and a proposal has been made to exclude Wednesday's item No. 5 from the agenda (Draft Act 163 on amending the Law Enforcement Act); Urmas Reinsalu will present a technical question before the vote.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu presented the joint protest of the opposition factions against the car tax bill, accusing its handling of violating constitutional principles because a coordination table and substantive impact analysis were missing, and decisions were made in the committee without adequate discussion. He called on the ruling coalition to abandon this style of procedure and vote against the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announced that the draft legislation includes an explanatory note and that the protest will not be taken into account. Furthermore, the interpellations have been withdrawn, and item number 5—the Draft Bill 163 amending the Law Enforcement Act—has been removed from the agenda of Wednesday's sitting. With these amendments, the confirmation of the agenda for the 5th working week of the 3rd session of the Riigikogu will be put to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda (50 in favor, 27 against), with no abstentions. It is now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations, and the first person to take the floor will be the representative of the Government of the Republic, Ms. Kaire Karbi.
Valitsuse esindaja Kaire Karp
AI Summary
The Government is submitting four draft bills to the Riigikogu: the draft Act on Credit Collection Agencies and Buyers; the draft Act amending the Health Insurance Act and consequently amending other Acts (Prevention of Incapacity for Work); the draft Act amending the Food Act; and the draft Act supplementing the Tax Information Exchange Act, the Taxation Procedure Act, and the Income Tax Act. Furthermore, each bill will be represented in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Regional Affairs, respectively, and all bills have been submitted digitally through the draft legislation information system.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and invites Andres Metsoja to the Riigikogu podium next.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Isamaa faction is proposing amendments to the State Assets Act and the Land Cadastre Act. The goal is to ensure that land designated for national defense, along with the buildings and structures situated on it, cannot fall into the hands of private investors via public auction. Instead, in the event of a notarial transaction, their designated purpose must be redefined, and this same principle applies to the buildings, ensuring that the state can continue to use these national defense facilities whenever necessary.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Board has adopted five draft bills, and their further processing will be decided in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act; before discussing today's agenda, the question of the rules for conducting the sitting will be raised – Urmas Kruuse, please.
Urmas Kruuse
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Kruuse stated that he sought attention before the confirmation of the agenda and responded to the standpoints of Aleksei Jevgrafov and Andrei Korobeinik regarding today's session of the Rural Affairs Committee, noting that Jevgrafov was not given the opportunity to make a proposal for the initiation of a bill. However, the submitter was unable to clearly define his potential proposal, and therefore there was no basis to assess the possibility of its initiation. He then proposed that the committee member could submit this proposal in writing tomorrow so that it could be discussed and, if necessary, voted upon.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar clarified that this was not a procedural matter, and referenced Helir-Valdor Seeder’s question regarding the rules for conducting the sitting.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder raised a point of order, inquiring whether the ten-minute recess for parliamentary groups before a vote is still permitted, or if the rules of procedure and the practice of the board have been altered.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that next time they would try a different approach, and requested that hands be raised, noting that there were too many hand raises visible on the screen. He also confirmed that the option to take a ten-minute recess was still available, referencing Urmas Reinsalu's question regarding the rules of procedure for the sitting.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu is asking whether a violation of the Rules of Procedure Act occurred when Helir-Valdor Seeder, in his capacity as chairman of the Isamaa faction, was unable to call for a recess, and if so, what the source of that violation was.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that signals can be given by hand in the chamber, and he would have acknowledged Helir-Valdor Seeder's request to speak if it had been signaled manually. However, due to the black palms, he failed to notice it, and promised to ensure smoother proceedings going forward. Aivar Kokk subsequently raised a question regarding the rules for conducting the sitting.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk pointed out that Jevgeni Ossinovski was not present at the committee meeting on Thursday, and it was unclear whether he would be ready and willing to defend the motor vehicle tax bill on Wednesday.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The first item on the agenda was the interpellation concerning the pet register, which was submitted on January 18th. Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart was scheduled to be the presenter, but due to her absence, the discussion cannot take place, and Regional Minister Madis Kallas will not be able to provide an answer today.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi greeted the colleagues and, on behalf of the excellencies, declared the Riigikogu's Tuesday plenary session open, before requesting a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that 68 members of the Riigikogu were present and 33 were absent. He stated that there were currently no requests to submit draft legislation or interpellations, and then clarified the agenda. The second item on the agenda is the first reading of Draft Resolution 372, submitted by the Cultural Affairs Committee, titled "Appointment of a member of the Riigikogu as a member of the Council of the Estonian Public Broadcasting." The presentation will be given by Tanel Tein, a member of the Cultural Affairs Committee.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi opened the Wednesday plenary session of the Riigikogu. He wished everyone a happy Valentine’s Day, expressing hope that the colleagues would still be friends when the session concluded, and then proceeded to take attendance.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 66 members of the Riigikogu had registered as present and 35 were absent, and informed [the assembly] that it is now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations. Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, please proceed!
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart submitted an official inquiry to the Minister of Finance concerning the impact of the triple taxation of the motor vehicle tax, emphasizing that it primarily burdens low-income individuals, rural regions, and motorsports, and requested the preparation of an impact analysis and the development of support measures.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi makes a brief request: "Mart Helme, please!"
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme stated that the interpellation addressed to Minister of Culture Heidy Purga asks why she supports the introduction of the car tax, arguing that it will undermine the competitiveness of Estonian businesses, the tax environment, and the livelihoods of large families and people living in rural areas, and requests analyses regarding its impact on the residents, employees, and consumers within her administrative area.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a brief appeal to invite Kert Kingo to speak.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo, on behalf of 11 members of the Riigikogu, submits a query to the Minister of Climate, Kristen Michal, concerning traffic management on national roads. The query asks how safety is ensured on 1+1 lanes where the marker posts of the central barrier and the road edge markers form a so-called tunnel-like driving lane, and how the security of road users is guaranteed in this situation, for example, in the event of wild animals appearing.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asks the chamber to be a little quieter, to respect the work of the colleagues speaking at the rostrum, and requests the rapporteur to continue.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo stated that clarification is required regarding how traffic flow is managed on those specific road sections that feature both roadside markers and central median barrier posts, especially when an unexpected need arises to stop the vehicle or remain stationary due to a hazard or technical failure.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called Leo Kunnas up to the stage.
Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Leo Kunnas, on behalf of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE), submitted an interpellation to the Prime Minister regarding the boosting of the Defense Forces' wartime engineer capability. Drawing attention to five specific questions in light of the experience of the war in Ukraine, he asked: what is the timeline and approximate cost for restoring the engineer equipment and supplies ceded to Ukraine; whether the production of military-grade explosives is planned to be launched in Estonia; whether the Government of the Republic is prepared to consider denouncing the Ottawa Convention; what else is planned to strengthen the wartime engineer capability; and whether a new so-called reinforcement package will be initiated to strengthen indirect fire, engineer, and drone warfare capabilities.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Martin Helme to speak.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme submitted a draft resolution of the Riigikogu, initiated by the faction of the Estonian Conservative People's Party, the content of which is a proposal to organize a referendum on the suitability of electronic voting in local government, Riigikogu, and European Parliament elections, as well as in national referendums, emphasizing that secrecy, transparency, and verification of results are not guaranteed, and voters do not trust the system.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asks Rene Kokk to come forward.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk submitted an interpellation to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding the impact of the car tax on Estonian society, noting that the coalition had promised strong entrepreneurship and a tax environment that is among the best in Europe, but argued that the car tax fails to ensure this. He requested analyses concerning the impact on various specific aspects: entrepreneurship, the coping ability of low-income individuals, dispersed settlements and the accessibility of medical care for residents of rural areas, and the general sense of security. Furthermore, he expressed solidarity with those who face difficulties due to the introduction of the car tax.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that remaining at the podium is not in compliance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and it prevents others from submitting bills and interpellations. Therefore, people must wait, and fewer submissions can be made today. He also asked that the coalition not be blamed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi acknowledged that the situation was slightly awkward, and called upon Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid expresses strong criticism of the government's tax conduct and its promise that "taxes will not rise," and submits a formal inquiry to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding the right to life of the unborn and the state funding of abortions, posing three questions: Do the still unborn have an equal right to life? On what basis is the right to life restricted for other groups? And what is the justification for state funding of abortions when there are no medical indications?
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Please welcome Arvo Aller to the stage.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller, representing the EKRE parliamentary group, submitted an interpellation to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, requesting specific figures detailing the impact of several measures—the introduction of the car tax, the 10% VAT increase, and the hike in excise duties and state fees—on the increase of local governments' revenue base during 2024–2025. The request also sought the total projected increase for the full year 2025, citing the coalition agreement's commitment to boosting the financial autonomy of local authorities.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Ants Frosh to take the floor.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch said that although the opposition's draft legislation is not beneficial to him, he and his colleagues are prepared to present a draft amendment to the Public Service Act. This amendment would restore the previous situation, ensuring all state officials are appointed through a competitive procedure, thereby repealing Section 16, Subsection 51 of the law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called Andrei Korobeinik forward.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik thanks the chairman of the session and his colleagues, mentioning that the Finance Committee discussed the car tax bill last week, but as a member of the committee, he did not have the opportunity to ask a single question, and therefore submits a procedural question to the chairman of the session.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He emphasizes that this is currently the time for submitting bills and interpellations, and if anyone is finished, he asks them to vacate the rostrum so that colleagues may hand them over. Following this, procedural questions will also be addressed.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks the chair how that is relevant now.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He reminded everyone once again that it is currently the time for the submission of draft legislation and parliamentary questions.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He is joking, saying that the chair of the session wants to use psychic powers to guess what he will finally say.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He points out that he asked you if you could get to it, and that it would have been easy to just answer yes and continue.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks if there will be a question period and notes that he has two minutes. He observes that his long career in the Riigikogu has not shown anyone interrupting a speaker at the rostrum, and he emphasizes that he is not organizing a solidarity strike.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The manager still has the right to intervene.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She asks whether the audience has the right to interrupt him/her with questions during the speech.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi grants his consent and asks to continue.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks under which section they have this right, if that confidentiality is no longer valid.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi promises to help you later and will show you the section.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks if he can start again now.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asks to continue.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik asks if he can continue.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that you have one minute left.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik stated that he was unable to ask questions about the car tax bill in the Finance Committee last week. Since the bill is now on the agenda, he has submitted an official inquiry regarding the impact of the car tax.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that time was up, and even the extra time had expired. He explained that he had stepped in and granted the listener an additional minute, but now, the time truly is up.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
It felt like your intervention lasted considerably longer.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The duration was only one minute.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Korobeinik said that this is an interpellation directed at Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, and he hopes a swift response will be forthcoming despite the large number of queries submitted today.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The address highlights the rushing and the document's missing signatures, and consequently, it is being returned because colleagues' time has been wasted.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas submitted a query to the Minister of Finance regarding the negative impacts of the car tax, claiming that the tax increases social and economic inequality, places a particular burden on large families and residents of rural areas, and affects both the automotive sector and public transport.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is simply a friendly greeting that says: "It's time, dear colleague!"
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas stated that after submitting the interpellation, he awaits answers from the prime minister and will remain here for three minutes, emphasizing solidarity with the overwhelming majority of the Estonian people.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Chairman announced a ten-minute recess because the Speaker of the Riigikogu has called a board meeting, and you may also stay longer.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Board of the Riigikogu decided consensually on February 14, 2024, to conclude the acceptance of bills and interpellations for today's sitting, emphasizing the need to balance rights and ensure the smooth functioning of the Riigikogu's work, and to leave the decision regarding further proceedings within the competence of the Board, in the name of which I have accepted two bills and eight interpellations.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik asks where in the Rules of Procedure it is stipulated that the presiding officer of the session has the right to intervene during the submission of an interpellation, and requests a reference for this.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This speech refers to Section 72 of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, wishes Andrei happy reading, and addresses Martin Helme.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme criticized the procedure for handling the car tax bill in the Riigikogu, noting that questions could not be asked in the committee and decisions were adopted haphazardly. He deemed it necessary to remove the bill from today's agenda and send it back to the Finance Committee for discussion, so that the documentation would be correct and questions could be properly submitted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi gives his thanks, states that before providing his answer, he will take a few more procedural questions, and then addresses Ants Frosch.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch expressed the wish that the people who had put their names down in the Riigikogu before the recess, including himself, would amicably be able to ask their questions or submit their draft legislation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a short request to Siim Pohlak, and a promise to respond.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak, following the example of Ants Frosch, proposed submitting a formal interpellation concerning the car tax and the taxation of bank profits, and requested that the remaining three individuals on the list also be given this opportunity. He joined the protest of the Finance Committee and demanded that the draft bill be returned to the committee, arguing that not all opposition members of parliament were allowed to speak during the committee session, and the meeting was hastily concluded, leaving several questions unanswered.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi called for an end to the parliamentary obstruction, citing the Supreme Court ruling and affirming that the draft bill complies with the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and that the coordination table was available during the first reading, even though the issue referenced in the appendix to the explanatory memorandum sparked debate.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik raised a procedural question pursuant to Section 72, asking at what point one may interrupt a speaker who is submitting an interpellation (given that the allotted time is two minutes and the interruption occurred after approximately 20 seconds). He also sought clarification on whether the absence of an item on the agenda or the use of impolite expressions justifies such an interruption.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Kalle Grünthal was called up to the stage to give a speech.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal asserts that the presiding officer unlawfully intervened in Andrei Korobeinik’s address, arguing that an interpellation is neither a formal speech nor a presentation, and calls upon the chair to apologize to Korobeinik.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that his interim response and intervention were entirely appropriate, pursuant to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, because the presiding officer has the right to intervene, and Andrei Korobeinik's address did not result in the submission of a bill or an interpellation, and signatures were absent.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Maastik said that following the speech by Andrei Korobeinik and his colleagues, he wanted to examine the famous yellow book. He opened his drawer, but the book was not found there, and he is now completely incapacitated and is asking for help to find it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi suggested that you had run out of ideas and invited Siim Pohlak to speak.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak is criticizing the Finance Committee because opposition MPs were not allowed to ask questions, the debate was terminated, and the admissibility of the draft bill for proceedings is being questioned. He emphasizes that the Riigikogu board should monitor the work of the committees and intervene if necessary.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that he had not attended the Finance Committee meeting, which made it difficult for him to comment on the matter. He emphasized the autonomy of the committees from the Riigikogu Board, confirmed that the procedure was in compliance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, noted that the question round concluded when there were no further questioners, and finally asked Rene Kokk to take the floor.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk criticizes the opposing side's hypocritical behavior, arguing that they hand out lessons on how others should conduct themselves, yet fail to follow those same rules. Furthermore, they took a ten-minute break to submit their inquiries, all while simultaneously calling on everyone else to act uniformly and honestly.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi explains that the break was due to a board meeting, and while he tries not to offend, he cannot accept the discrediting of the Riigikogu or its members. He notes that the Riigikogu was prevented from working for five minutes, and he promises to address the outstanding procedural questions and conclude those matters for today.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme said that the minutes of the Finance Committee do not reflect what transpired, that the members left, and that alternative proposals were not put to a vote. He added that the minutes are embarrassing, that the reputation of the Riigikogu has declined, and that the Supreme Court has stated that anything can be done to the opposition, which demonstrates a disregard for the rules.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that he would compile an excerpt based on the memo, explained the procedure for asking questions during the session (at 13:32, Annely Akkermann proposed continuing to ask questions, Aivar Kokk asked a question, Mart Võrklaev answered, and no further questions were asked), and emphasized respect for the Supreme Court.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch asks who in the Riigikogu decides what constitutes obstruction, why an interpellation or a bill is permitted on one occasion but not another, and asserts that his bill and interpellation were not obstructionist.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi addresses Andrei Korobeinik and asks.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik emphasizes that the interpellation meets the formal requirements of Paragraph 139 and has been correctly submitted, but Toomas wishes to return it, and he asks for the exact reason.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi explains that obstruction occurs when draft legislation is submitted with the goal of blocking the work of the Riigikogu (Parliament)—a single bill might be permissible, but if multiple bills are submitted with the aim of hindering proceedings, it turns into obstruction—referencing a Supreme Court decision and the statements of his own colleagues, and noting that this phenomenon has sometimes been called a ritual dance.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik said that the car tax bill is completely ill-conceived, and he requested access to the yellow book to find answers there, because others possess it and he feels unable to function effectively.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi expressed embarrassment regarding Mart Maastik, recalling how Urve Tiidus brought him a yellow book. He said that a colleague tried to help, but Maastik complains that he doesn't have that book, and asked Varro Vooglaid for assistance.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid stated that his interpellation was substantive and did not constitute obstruction. He criticized the unnecessary and vexatious interruptions and asked who in the Riigikogu exercises supervision to ensure that committees function in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi emphasized that constitutional review is not the primary solution, but the committees are independent and the management board must not unduly influence their work. Furthermore, if the accumulation of interpellations becomes an obstacle, it may qualify as obstruction. Simultaneously, he confirmed that Andrei merely wished to ask a procedural question, and the accusation regarding retaliation is unfounded.
Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Leo Kunnas stated that he was compelled to issue a protest because his own interpellation to the prime minister had also been highly substantive.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that they were not in disagreement, and that while no single separate interpellation is obstructionist, their nature can change when taken in quantity, citing the same Supreme Court ruling. He then ceased accepting procedural questions for the time being and proceeded with the handling of the agenda.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal addresses the esteemed presiding officer and accuses him of violating the rules of procedure, after which the microphone is switched off, and he continues speaking from the podium.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomed the members of the Riigikogu, opened the Thursday plenary session, and called for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Forty-eight members of the Riigikogu have registered as present, fifty-three are absent, and now there is an opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations—Aivar Kokk, please.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
On behalf of the Isamaa faction, Aivar Kokk submitted a proposal to the Riigikogu (Parliament) to present by May 1st a concrete and realistic action plan for ensuring Estonia's energy security and the reliability of its electricity supply. This plan must outline the role of energy sources, the development of production capacities, storage, distributed generation, and consumer management, and its ultimate goal is to guarantee a competitive price and an affordable electricity price for household consumers. The proposal references the assessment by the National Audit Office (Riigikontroll) that existing plans are too general.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
There are no further requests to speak. On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, I have accepted one draft resolution, and we can now proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes his colleagues and announces the opening of the Monday sitting for the 6th working week of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly's III Session, before requesting a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that changes had been made to the agenda: interpellations No. 418, 424, 309, and 466 have been withdrawn, and draft legislation 261 from the EKRE faction has also been withdrawn. He then put to a vote the approval of the agenda for the 6th working week of the III session of the Riigikogu, but interrupted the vote and asked whether to continue without a hall summons.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The question is very serious, and we are asking whether you have now received a replacement hammer, or if the other one is lost.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks his colleagues and informs them that, along with the amendments, the approval of the agenda for the 6th working week of the 3rd session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly will be put to a vote, and he asks everyone to take a position and cast their vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that the proposal was adopted with 79 votes in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstentions; the agenda was confirmed. He apologized for the technical oversight (or 'error concerning the facility') and informed members of the opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations. He then invited Ms. Kaire Karp, the representative of the Government of the Republic, to speak first.
Valitsuse esindaja Kaire Karp
AI Summary
The Government initiated two draft acts to the Riigikogu: the draft act amending the Competition Act and consequently amending other related acts, and the draft act amending the Foreign Relations Act and consequently amending other related acts. These drafts are being processed by the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, respectively, and have been digitally submitted to the draft legislation information system.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
In the speech, thanks are expressed and a request is made to Martin Helme.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme stated that the disappearance of the gavel was not our obstruction, and he submitted an inquiry to Kaja Kallas concerning Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. This inquiry included questions regarding the impact on the budget, changes to membership fees and European Union support values, the effect of direct agricultural subsidies and market competition, demographics, restrictions on the free movement of labor, and transition periods. Furthermore, they asked which territory the enlargement actually applies to and how the situation will be resolved if part of Ukraine’s territory is not under the state’s control.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The address was brief and invited Riina Solman to speak.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman submitted a formal inquiry to the Minister of Social Protection, Signe Riisalo, accusing her public statements of sowing division between large and small families, and labeling Riisalo the most anti-child minister in Estonian history.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks that Helle-Moonika Helme be called to the stage.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme and seven members of the Conservative People's Party submitted an interpellation to Kristina Kallas, the Minister of Education and Research, concerning the school reform, emphasizing the increasing workload amidst the teachers' strike, the departure of teachers from their profession, and the detrimental impact of closing small schools, and requesting answers not only regarding salary issues but also for mapping out teachers' other concerns.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Igor Taro to take the floor.
Igor Taro
AI Summary
Igor Taro submitted a draft resolution of the Riigikogu to recall Yoko Alender from the supervisory board of the State Forest Management Centre and appoint Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski as the new member.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi confirmed that the draft decision had been submitted electronically, and announced that the Board of the Riigikogu had accepted two draft acts, one draft decision, and three interpellations. With that, we can now move on to today’s agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker welcomes everyone, announces the commencement of the Tuesday sitting of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly, and calls for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
72 members of the Riigikogu were present (29 absent), and now there is an opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations. Riina Solman, please proceed.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman submitted a query in the Riigikogu regarding the increase in immigration, which is addressed to Lauri Läänemets, the Minister of the Interior. She emphasized that the supplementary costs for security, language and adaptation training, and social benefits for family members must be reviewed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is an interpellation that has been adopted by the Riigikogu Board.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He greets the colleagues, declares the Wednesday plenary sitting of the Riigikogu open, and calls for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 69 members of the Riigikogu had registered their attendance (32 were absent), and that it is now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations by addressing Helir-Valdor Seeder.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Isamaa Party submitted to the Riigikogu a draft act amending the Local Government Council Election Act, the purpose of which is to henceforth restrict the right to vote in local elections only to citizens of those third countries with whom Estonia has concluded a reciprocal agreement and which the Riigikogu has ratified, in order to ensure internal security.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi addressed his colleague Vadim Belobrovtsev with a request.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev said that Estonia's demographic situation is critical and the government lacks a strategy, and he presented the opposition's proposal to increase the child allowance for all families with children to 150 euros per month for each child, funded through a bank tax, cuts to the state apparatus, and abandoning the abolition of the tax hump.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes his colleague Varro Vooglaid and requests attention.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid submitted an inquiry to the Minister of Education and Research, emphasizing the constitutional right of parents to raise their children, and presented three questions: how to ensure that gender ideology, which is mentally and physically damaging to children and youth, does not spread in kindergartens and schools; how to ensure timely and accurate information for parents regarding what is taught in school about human sexuality, marriage, and family; and how to protect the constitutional right of parents to be the decision-makers concerning their children's education and, if necessary, to remove a child from classes.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi turns to his colleague Siim Pohlak and asks for his attention.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
A query submitted on behalf of 13 members of the EKRE faction asks the Prime Minister why the taxation of major banks' extraordinary profits is not being implemented, citing the Lithuanian precedent and the agreement concluded with the banks, which increased the state budget deficit. Furthermore, the query asks whether and what steps are planned to support borrowers and to mitigate the impact of financial capital outflow and foreign banks' profits leaving Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu Toomas Kivimägi informed that the board adopted two draft acts and two interpellations. Today, a meeting will take place here in the session hall to form the support group for family caregivers and caregivers. The initiators have withdrawn bills 263, 265–270, due to which those agenda items may not be opened today. The remaining ten agenda items are valid, and concerning the seventh agenda item, Arvo Aller will present the first reading of the EKRE faction's draft act 286 on amending the Value Added Tax Act.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas opened the Riigikogu plenary sitting on Thursday and conducted a roll call.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
59 Riigikogu members were present (42 absent); Jüri Ratas called for the submission of bills and interpellations and began proceedings on today's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Plenary Session of the Riigikogu is commencing the Monday sitting of the seventh working week of the Third Session, and requests a roll call before the proceedings begin.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Seventy-six members of the Riigikogu are present, and twenty-five are absent. Changes have been made to the agenda: the response to interpellation No. 531 has been withdrawn, and draft bill 320 submitted by the EKRE faction, along with agenda items 12 and 14, have been removed. Consequently, these items are excluded. With these modifications, the confirmation of the agenda for the 7th working week of the 3rd session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly is now put to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announced that 73 members of the Riigikogu had voted in favor, confirming the agenda. He noted that bills and interpellations could now be submitted, and invited Heili Tõnisson, the representative of the Government of the Republic, to the rostrum.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The Government of the Republic is today initiating two draft acts: the draft act amending the 2024 State Budget Act, which will be represented in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Finance, and the draft act amending the Information Society Service Act, the Copyright Act, and the Taxation Procedure Act, which will be represented by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology; both have been submitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks Mrs. Tõnisson and invites Annely Akkermann to the podium next.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann stated that she is presenting a draft amendment to the State Budget Act, which aims to increase the budgetary autonomy of constitutional institutions. She added that the bill was initiated consensually within the Finance Committee and has been a necessary topic of discussion for at least ten years, expressing hope that it will proceed smoothly through the remaining procedural stages.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar invites Leo Kunnas to the Riigikogu rostrum next.
Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
By a consensus decision of the National Defence Committee, a draft amendment to the Electronic Communications Act and the Nature Conservation Act was submitted. The purpose of this bill is to address the use of threat notification systems during military training and to enable the practice of realistic capabilities, including the installation and removal of engineer bridges. Furthermore, the Environmental Board may grant permission to the Defence Forces to use the coastal and shore restricted zone and the building exclusion zone for training exercises, a matter which is urgent in connection with the Kevadtorm (Spring Storm) exercise.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Board adopted four bills and will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. We will now proceed to the agenda, as we have quite a few interpellations scheduled for today.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi welcomes his colleagues, declares the Tuesday sitting of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly open, and conducts the roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 55 members of the Riigikogu were present and 46 were absent. He then gave the instruction for the submission of draft legislation and interpellations, asking Anti Poolamets to take charge of recording them.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets submitted an interpellation, signed by six members of the Riigikogu, to Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets concerning mass immigration. He compared Estonia’s immigration level with those of Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania, highlighting the greater influx in relative terms during 2012–2021, the 2.2% population growth in 2022, and the 15.9% share of residents born outside Estonia. He presented six questions, including whether the Ministry of the Interior or the PPA (Police and Border Guard Board) possesses data regarding the impact of Ukrainian refugees on the Estonian population (approximately 79,000 people, or 6%), and what basis the Prime Minister’s calculation relies upon, in addition to five further questions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
I accepted one interpellation on behalf of the Board of the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets his colleagues, wishes them a pleasant Wednesday, and declares the Riigikogu plenary session open, requesting the attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Fifty-six members of the Riigikogu have registered their attendance; 45 are absent. The submission of bills and interpellations will now commence; Rain Epler is first up.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler and his co-authors are submitting an interpellation to the Climate Minister to clarify the cost of grid development associated with wind and solar energy production (e.g., 360 million for the mainland portion), and to explain where the funds will come from both for purchasing the 4 + 4 TWh reverse auction tenders and for financing the billion-euro project for the fourth Estonia-Latvia electricity connection.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked [them] and gave the floor to Anti Poolamets.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets submitted an interpellation, signed by nine members of the Riigikogu, to the Minister of the Interior regarding the number of Ukrainian men of mobilization age in Estonia. The interpellation cited a total of 10,752 men aged 18–60 (6,888 under temporary protection and 3,864 under international protection), and asked whether the Minister’s previous claim of 7,000 men was misleading, and whether the data had been erroneously presented or was incomplete.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi turned to Igor Taro and said, "Please!"
Igor Taro
AI Summary
The Environmental Committee is initiating a draft amendment to the Atmospheric Air Protection Act because the Chancellor of Justice has determined that the provisions concerning the application of the noise standard target value are not unambiguous, which could impact the planning of residential and commercial buildings. Furthermore, the draft bill has been finalized in cooperation with the ministries and sent electronically.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi informed on behalf of the Riigikogu Board that two interpellations and one electronically submitted draft act have been accepted, and specified the agenda: regarding agenda item 11, the first reading of the draft act amending the Public Order Enforcement Act, the report on behalf of the committee will be presented by the Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee, Eduard Odinets, and regarding item 12, the first reading of the draft act amending the Local Government Council Election Act and other acts, the report on behalf of the initiators will be presented by Riigikogu member Henn Põlluaas.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar welcomes everyone, announces the opening of the Thursday sitting of the 7th working week of the 3rd session of the Riigikogu, and calls for a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Forty-nine members of the Riigikogu are present, 52 are absent, and it is now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid announced that the Harju County Court overturned the misdemeanor conviction issued by the PPA (Police and Border Guard Board) against Jaak Valge and Andres Aule. Although they had placed the flag of the Estonian SSR near the Juhan Smuul bas-relief in Tallinn's Old Town, the PPA had imposed a fine on them, which, according to Vooglaid, demonstrates a pattern of suppressing the right to protest. For this reason, four questions have been submitted to the Minister of the Interior regarding how to avoid similar violations in the future and ensure the constitutional protection of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
There are no further requests to speak; the Board of the Riigikogu has received one interpellation and will decide on its further processing pursuant to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar opened the Monday sitting of the 8th working week of the 3rd session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly and requested a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
76 members of the Riigikogu were present (25 were absent); when proceeding to confirm the agenda, the following amendments were made: Rene Kokk and Ants Frosch have withdrawn Interpellation No. 426, which was submitted to the Prime Minister; the faction of the Estonian Conservative People's Party has withdrawn Draft Bill 282 and proposed omitting the third and fifth items on the agenda (Draft Bills 171 and 208) from the agenda of this week's Wednesday sitting; and prior to confirmation, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart raised a question concerning the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticized the draft bill on administrative penalties and the board's decision to appoint the Economic Affairs Committee as the lead committee, arguing that the committee does not deal with procedural matters and that the bill could be unconstitutional and restrictive of fundamental rights. She called on the board to reassess the decision and appoint either the Legal Affairs Committee or the Constitutional Committee as the lead committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Board has addressed this matter, sent questions to the respective committees, and the debate is still underway; it is also planned to obtain an assessment from the Constitutional Committee. Based on the preliminary decision, the Economic Affairs Committee has been designated as the principal committee, and Andrei Korobeinik submitted a question regarding the rules for conducting the session.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik asks whether the lead committee can be switched even if the proceedings have already begun in a different committee, and whether that possibility is weighed similarly.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that during today's sitting, Interpellation No. 426 and Draft Bill 282 will be withdrawn, the third and fifth items on the agenda (the first reading of Draft Bills 171 and 208) will be removed from the agenda, and with these amendments, the approval of the agenda for the 8th working week of the III session of the Riigikogu will be put to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the agenda had been approved: 78 Riigikogu members voted in favor, 0 against, and 1 abstained. The next item is the submission of bills and interpellations. There were no requests to speak, and therefore we will proceed with today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomed his colleagues, announced the commencement of the Riigikogu plenary session on Tuesday, and called for an attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Seventy members of the Riigikogu have registered their attendance; 31 are absent. We now have the opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations, but no one wishes to do so.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes his colleagues, announces the start of the Riigikogu's Wednesday sitting, and calls for an attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
64 members of the Riigikogu registered their attendance, 37 are absent, and one question is submitted to the Presiding Officer of the session; Varro Vooglaid requests the floor.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid asks why the draft bill stipulates a requirement for an absolute majority vote of the full membership, given that the objective is merely for the government to find ways to better implement existing law and the bill does not seek a legislative amendment, and he requests that this provision be eliminated and the decision be adopted by a simple majority of votes cast.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that decisions require a majority vote of the membership, and since the agenda for the working week has already been approved, there is no point in holding a major debate today. He added that he would answer a few more questions before the submission of bills and interpellations, after which Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart requested the floor.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
I am asking whether the board has discussed the draft bill on administrative fines and the amendments to the Competition Act, and whether a decision has been adopted to designate the Legal Committee as the lead committee, because the current assignment to the Economic Committee may cause constitutional issues.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that this topic was not discussed at yesterday's board meeting, and that question must be put to Henn Põlluaas, the Speaker of the Riigikogu.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas indignantly criticizes that although the constitution does not always require a majority of the full membership, the same draft bills—regarding the adoption of the name Königsberg and the closure of the Estonian Consulate General in New York—are being brought back. Furthermore, while the board promises to discuss them, nothing actually happens, and they are being illegally forced through.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that he cannot be held responsible for the promises made by the Speaker of the Riigikogu or open the debate, and that decisions remain within the jurisdiction of the committees. Furthermore, if necessary, the committees may request the opinion of the Legal and Analysis Department, although the binding nature of that opinion is not always certain for all committees.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid emphasizes that the existing norms already prohibit minors from accessing pornographic content, and the bill's goal is only the enforcement of existing law, not the changing of the law. He then asks what should be done now, since a majority vote of the membership cannot be required.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chair Toomas Kivimägi stressed that he lacked the authority or mandate to alter the approved agenda or the committee's decision, adding that the discussion should have taken place on Monday before the agenda was confirmed.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that the committee and the board have allowed the 51-vote requirement to pass, which suits the coalition members for avoiding responsibility and for political convenience, and he calls on the board to carefully review the agenda before the next discussion and to adhere to the principles arising from the law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the board respects the committees' right to self-governance, has not individually dissected their viewpoints or thoroughly examined the opinion of the Legal and Analysis Department, and trusts the committees' decisions, even though he agreed with several of the arguments presented.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder stated that the board must draft its decisions in accordance with the constitution and existing laws, rather than relying on the commission's proposals, and suggested that this practice be discontinued going forward.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi emphasized that the mandates of the committees must not be underestimated, and the final decision will be made in the main hall after the agenda has been voted on, not by the management board. If the committee has no decision regarding draft bill 282, the management board will make it, and if the decision is incorrect, they are prepared to review it, asking the session department to pay attention to the reasons.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that to meet climate goals, it is necessary to introduce more biofuels, especially biogas, and to make exemptions in excise duties within biofuel policy and increase support for both producers and users; the car tax must not be the solution, and he invited people to a demonstration in front of the super-ministry on Sunday.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Urmas Reinsalu to speak.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stated that the crisis of the rule of law is extremely serious, and Isamaa is proposing that the Riigikogu establish an investigative committee to clarify the actions of the prosecutor's office and the minister. This is necessary because the minister and the Prosecutor General have presented fundamentally contradictory claims, and confidence in the legal system is now endangered.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This speech is a brief request to Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart submitted an interpellation to the Prime Minister concerning the motor vehicle tax, which, in her assessment, conflicts with European Union law (Article 110). She posed questions regarding the reasons for advancing the tax, the possible withdrawal of the draft bill, and the costs to taxpayers. Furthermore, alongside the interpellation, she invited the public to the demonstration "No to the Car Tax!" and presented the Minister of Finance with an Audi 80 as a gift.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Management Board, it was announced that the summonses are not to be included with the distribution of the draft legislation and interpellations, and they will be returned to the Session Department; at the same time, two interpellations and one draft resolution have been accepted, and we can now proceed with today's sitting.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas welcomes everyone, declares the Thursday sitting of the Third Plenary Session of the Riigikogu open, and conducts the roll call.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas announced that 65 Members of Parliament were present and 36 were absent, meaning it was now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations. He then asked Urmas Reinsalu to come to the speaker's rostrum.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu emphasized that the Russian presidential elections are taking place in the occupied territories of Ukraine, and Estonia must not recognize their democratic nature or Putin’s mandate. He also called on other countries to adopt the same stance in order to strengthen the pressure on Putin’s legitimacy and enhance the potential for future legal proceedings.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Board of the Riigikogu has adopted one draft resolution and will decide on its further processing in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. Furthermore, after the conclusion of the plenary sitting, a meeting for the formation of the Support Group for Estonian Literature will take place here in the session hall, convened by Mart Helme, and we look forward to active participation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar greets the esteemed Riigikogu and declares open the Monday sitting of the 9th working week of the III session, requesting a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced changes to the agenda: Varro Vooglaid, Kert Kingo, and Anti Poolamets have withdrawn interpellations 336 and 503; the Culture Committee requests the third reading of draft bill 338 be added to Wednesday's sitting; the Finance Committee wishes to exclude the third item on the agenda; the EKRE faction wishes to remove the sixth, ninth, 10th, and 11th items from Wednesday's agenda, and the second and seventh items from Thursday's agenda, which are the first readings of 324 OE, 319 SE, 321 SE, 329 SE, 331 OE, and 275 OE; before confirmation, Rain Epler requests to ask questions regarding the conduct of the sitting.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler is demanding a specific explanation as to why the interpellation submitted to the Minister of Climate—the statutory deadline for the response being February 21st, and the information system currently showing March 7th—has not yet been placed on the agenda, and why the ministry has failed to contact him to agree upon a suitable later date for providing the answer.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that when interpellations were added to the agenda, the sequence had shifted from the back to the front, and he hopes that the workload has decreased and Martin Helme's interpellation will soon reach the Riigikogu chamber; Helme is asking about the procedure for conducting the session.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that the 51-vote requirement imposed on draft bills 326 and 218 SE on Thursday's agenda, as well as the fourth item, is unjustified, arguing that these measures neither amend existing legislation nor require budgetary expenditure. He notes that he already raised this specific issue last week.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the agenda included ten draft decisions (two of which had been withdrawn). He noted that most decisions were reached based on the committees' right to self-organization and subsequent discussion—four times by consensus and once by a simple majority vote of the membership. Furthermore, the lead committee should clarify the specific justification for that majority vote during the ongoing debate.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak is demanding specific justifications from the committee as to why they are convinced that the requirement for an absolute majority of the membership applies to these draft bills, emphasizing that there is no impact on the budget and no law is being amended. He further points out that every Riigikogu member can verify that 51 votes are not required, yet the problem has persisted for several weeks without a response.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the leading committee formulated its very clear position primarily by relying on the opinion of the Legal and Analysis Department, and in addition to its own assessment, by basing its decision on that opinion five times, and by deciding on the remaining five occasions that the matter concerns a bill requiring the majority vote of the full Riigikogu composition. In this process, the decision was consensual four times and made based on the majority vote of the committee members once.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo expressed confusion regarding agenda item 6, noting that Decision 273, which had been adopted at the Legal Affairs Committee meeting on March 12, was scheduled to reach the plenary session on Wednesday. However, the agenda now indicates a Thursday slot instead, and she asks whose decision this actually is.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Board decided to discuss the topic by Thursday because all identical draft resolutions are scheduled for Thursday and the matter is on this week's agenda. Furthermore, Varro Vooglaid raised a question concerning the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid criticized the board as unlawful, claiming that they wanted Thursday's decision to be adopted by a majority vote of the entire body, even though the draft resolution does not seek to change any laws and its sole purpose is the implementation of existing legislation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that Bill 326 is under discussion and that, according to the legal department’s position, effective measures must be implemented to reduce minors’ exposure to pornography, including legislative amendments and fines. Furthermore, the authors of the draft legislation are seeking an initiative from the Riigikogu for a corresponding recommendatory bill, regarding which an explanation will be provided to the lead committee on Thursday.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler pointed out the existence of a hierarchy in the responses, and stated that five decisions were made according to the law, while the rest were decided by a majority vote within the commission.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Four decisions were adopted by consensus, but one decision was approved following a committee vote.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler raised the question of how the agenda order is determined, noting that his formal query and his colleagues' queries were submitted on January 17th and 18th, and asked whether the sequence is based on dates or other criteria.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar stated that the process of answering ministers depends on prior agreement, and today the responses will be handled in the manner agreed upon with Madis Kallas and Kalle Laanet. He recalled last spring/summer, when a large volume of interpellations compelled the Board to implement measures aimed at preventing an excessive obstructive barrier, and he hopes that this barrier has been almost entirely dismantled, allowing us to resume the normal work of the Riigikogu, ensuring that all interpellations reach the plenary hall in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas emphasized that all work must be based on laws. He referred to three draft bills (the closing of the consulate in New York, the relocation of the embassy to Jerusalem, and the adoption of the name Königsberg) and confirmed that regarding these two specific matters, a majority of favorable votes in the Riigikogu is not required. However, the board has failed to discuss them, despite having promised to do so, and he views this as both absurd and outright lying.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that the Riigikogu Management Board did not discuss the issue today, but clearly takes the position that the repeatedly postponed bill must be put back on the agenda as foreseen by the committee, and the previous arguments have already been laid out. Martin Helme subsequently asked a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme is accusing the Riigikogu Board of unfairly organizing the agenda in a way that damages constitutionality, asserting that the only draft legislation that moves forward at all belongs to the EKRE faction. Furthermore, he claims the Board is deciding on the 51-vote requirement, which endangers the normal functioning of the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar emphasized that the Riigikogu Board has acted to ensure its operational capacity in accordance with the Constitution and the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. He explained the order of interpellations and decided to schedule the draft resolutions for a single day to prevent the discussion from becoming impossible and to expedite the receipt of answers.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk claims that the debate is impossible due to the absence of members of parliament, and accuses the coalition of ignoring the 51-vote requirement and obstructing the passage of opposition bills, asking that things be discussed as they truly are.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that previously, a minimum requirement of 51 votes applied to OEs, but there have been exceptions. Now, the legal and analysis department, along with the committee, can provide an assessment of the situation. He also recalled a proposal from the previous composition regarding the improvement of political culture, for which the 51-vote requirement was not applied.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo pointed out that the procedural changes related to Thursday’s sitting render the proceedings impossible. Furthermore, the restrictions on representing draft legislation based on the faction’s mandate raised questions, for which she immediately requested clarification and the underlying basis for that position.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained that the representation for the bill submitted by the EKRE faction is currently unresolved because the initiator, Kalle Grünthal, is no longer a member of the faction. It is customary for the initiator himself to represent the bill on behalf of the faction. Tomorrow, the board will discuss whether Grünthal may represent EKRE on this matter, given that a representative from outside the faction is only permitted during negotiations as an exception.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid addressed the definition of the limits of interpellations and the concept of the 'vall' (rampart/barrier), and asked whether removing a paragraph from the explanatory memorandum of the draft decision related to 326 OE would change the voting requirements and mean that only a majority, not the coalition's vote, would be needed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stressed that the handling of decisions and interpellations will be based on the assessment provided by the Legal and Analysis Department and the positions adopted by the committee, and the objective is to ensure that interpellations are processed and the Riigikogu's overall work is completed within 20 sitting days.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar informs Rain Epler that he has a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticizes the minister for failing to agree on a date with him, noting that the handling of the major problem related to the embankment is dragging on because the interpellations are being processed slowly and are being released piecemeal.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that a limit will be imposed on the number of interpellations in the Riigikogu (five to nine per week) to ensure the legislative body's working capacity and the fulfillment of its constitutional duties. Furthermore, the agenda must include initiatives from the factions and the government, as well as other tasks, and must be substantial enough for the Riigikogu to process everything by Thursday.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme asserts that their parliamentary group is being penalized unfairly, emphasizes that introducing bills with a mandate has been standard practice, and demands the removal of the 51-vote requirement for those specific bills on Thursday’s agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar apologizes and asks to repeat which ones.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme mentions the dates for Thursday: the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that he would add the items falling outside the agenda, discuss with the board tomorrow what steps to take if a bill submitted by a faction is presented by a Riigikogu member who is not part of that faction, and take three more questions before moving the sitting to interpellations, as procedural matters have already been addressed for approximately 45 minutes.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller raised procedural questions concerning clarifications related to the embankment and amendments to the agenda. He further claimed that the political culture had immediately changed after the decision was adopted, and now all draft legislation is being voted through with 51 votes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar stated that the total number of inquiries stands at 40, with 31 of those belonging to EKRE, and two having been withdrawn.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal criticized the Riigikogu's procedure, demanding that the bill he submitted on behalf of the EKRE faction—aimed at lowering bailiffs' fees—be allowed to be presented on a suitable day. He accused his opponents of lying and emphasized the need to adhere to established practice.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that they would verify whether the two aforementioned draft bills originated from the faction or from individual faction members. Furthermore, the Riigikogu Board will discuss previous practice at tomorrow's meeting and formulate a position based on that. He noted that he is the designated rapporteur for the draft bill in question and will only take one question today concerning the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo claims that EKRE's draft bills have lapsed due to the impossibility of their deliberation, emphasizes the committee's consensus decision to place item No. 6 on Wednesday's agenda, and asks the presiding officer to call a recess and amend the agenda accordingly.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the advancement of the Wednesday agenda item is only possible if there are no objections, and provided that all factions and members agree and no one challenges it, the sixth item on Thursday’s agenda can be moved to the Wednesday agenda, after which the call to the chamber can be announced.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets complains that the agenda is extremely light, the government is failing to act, and bills are stalled, citing obstruction and asking Kaja Kallas directly whether she is governing through division or simply refusing to govern.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that he could not evaluate the government's actions, as they did not pertain to the procedure for conducting the current session, and requested that Henn Põlluaas submit a question regarding the matter.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Board must ensure the observance of the constitution in all aspects of our work, including within the committees. It raises the question of whether it is permissible for a committee to still make a decision that violates the constitution and the rules of procedure, even after the Legal and Analysis Department has determined that a majority vote of the full membership is not required.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar informed that the Board agrees with the committee's position, and that the committee's representative will appear before the Riigikogu to provide answers. He read out several amendments before the vote, announced the confirmation of the agenda, and inquired about the EKRE faction's proposal regarding whether Thursday's item 273 OE should be moved to Wednesday's agenda and added as the final item on the agenda, which Martin Helme was asked to formulate for the record.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
This is a simple matter, and he requested that agenda item number 6—namely, draft bill 273—be moved from the Thursday agenda to the Wednesday sitting, as the sequence is irrelevant.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced the changes that had been made to the agenda: interpellations have been withdrawn, the third reading of draft bill 338 SE is moving to Wednesday, committees and the EKRE faction have submitted several proposals for amending the agenda items, and he requested a vote on the approval of the agenda for the 9th working week of the Riigikogu plenary session.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Sixty-six members of the Riigikogu supported the approval of the agenda, with one voting against and one abstaining. Draft legislation and interpellations may now be submitted. Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart is invited to the rostrum.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart stated that, in her assessment, the Center Party's interpellation to the Prime Minister regarding the car tax bill is in conflict with the Constitution and European Union law, places vulnerable groups (people with disabilities and large families) in a difficult position, and will generate claims for compensation against the state, coupled with high interest rates. Consequently, she submitted a question, accompanied by an analysis, regarding how such a bill reached the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the previous speaker and invites Henn Põlluaas to the Riigikogu rostrum next.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas announced that the Estonian Conservative People's Party will submit a draft resolution to the Riigikogu to annul the Foreign Ministry’s decision regarding the closure of the San Francisco consulate, as well as the decision to close the Consulate General in New York. He stated that these closures are unjustified and detrimental to citizen services and the development of economic relations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
There are no further requests to speak, and the Riigikogu Board has accepted one draft bill and one interpellation. The Board will decide their further proceedings in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi opened Tuesday's sitting of the Riigikogu plenary session and called for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi informed the chamber that 70 Riigikogu members had registered as present, with 31 being absent. He noted that although there was an opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations, no one wished to do so, and therefore, we may proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes his colleagues, opens the Wednesday plenary session of the Riigikogu, and calls for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Sixty-five members of the Riigikogu have registered their attendance; thirty-six are absent. Now, dear colleagues, you have the opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations. Mr. Tõnis Lukas, please proceed.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
On behalf of the Isamaa parliamentary group, Tõnis Lukas submitted a draft bill amending the Language Act and the Public Transport Act. The bill aims to strengthen the role of the Estonian language in the public sphere and defend it, citing the language's diminishing role and emphasizing that information is also available in other languages in Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls for silence among all colleagues.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas draws attention to the fact that the growing number of economic migrants and the widespread use of the Russian language may pose a threat to the status of the Estonian language, and he promises to present his own draft bill this spring aimed at strengthening it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Board of the Riigikogu explained that for a draft act initiated by a parliamentary group, the rapporteur can only be a member of that group (with the exception of agenda item 8, where Kalle Grünthal may serve as rapporteur, as he was the submitter of the bill at that time). Furthermore, when the agenda is confirmed, the decision is not about the rapporteurs themselves, but rather about the content to be debated, the date, the order of proceedings, and issues requiring a majority vote of the membership.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder posed three clarifying questions concerning the current practice of presenting draft legislation: 1) whether we should change the practice so that the presenter must be a de jure member of the faction (not de facto); 2) whether, upon approving the agenda, a decision must be made regarding which bills require at least 51 votes, and whether this is constitutional; and 3) how to resolve the situation where amendments are often submitted by members of factions who are not the actual initiators.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the current procedure will not change and that the rapporteur representing the faction must be a member of that faction. He stressed the significance of the 51-vote requirement and noted that its confirmation is important for members of the Riigikogu. He further added that the board is flexible, that committees retain the right to make decisions, and that the draft bill will only be presented by a faction member who is among the initiators or by a Riigikogu member who submitted the bill personally.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik asks whether the practice of previous parliamentary compositions regarding the handling of bills submitted by non-affiliated members has been evaluated, and whether each composition should decide independently or if the practice should be uniform.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that while this might appear to be a restriction at first glance, it is not a genuine limitation, and in the future, the initiators of the bill can be various factions—for example, the Social Democratic Party faction and Tanel Kiik—which provides Kiik with the opportunity to serve as the rapporteur for this draft legislation.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal requested that the discussion of the eighth point be postponed, emphasizing that he did not want to break the law or set a precedent, and that the bill should be introduced by an EKRE member, not by him.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi explains why he is using the word "exception" to allow Kalle Grünthal to be the presenter, and why this constitutes a compromise with the general rule, as well as how this affects the approval of the agenda and the EKRE faction's decision regarding postponement.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder emphasized that laws and the Constitution must be followed, and that decisions cannot be made merely by voting in the plenary hall. He then asked whether, in committees, initiated draft legislation may only be introduced by the initiator, and whether this principle also applies to government bills, which would necessitate the presence of a minister instead of officials.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the general rule is that a bill initiated by the Government of the Republic is introduced by a minister, although there are unavoidable exceptions that must not be allowed to become the norm—this is the position of the board.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal clarifies that Section 154 is fundamentally a clarifying provision, and although the interpretation may be both ideological and grammatical, the two provisions must not conflict with one another, and the primary rule must remain binding.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stressed that no exception should be made, noting that there had been an error concerning the bill's presenter being a member of the EKRE faction. Once the agenda is confirmed, it cannot be withdrawn, but due to the inability to hold a discussion, it may be returned to the agenda and processed next week.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk voiced his concern that while it is being claimed that the rapporteur is not important, the established practice has been that the committee chairman has the right to designate and, if necessary, confirm the rapporteur. He then asks how this situation is expected to change now.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the rapporteur is not part of the process of approving the agenda, and should they change, it constitutes an informative change, which the chairman announces at the beginning of the session. Furthermore, when voting on the agenda, only the agenda items are voted upon, not the rapporteur.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas opens the Riigikogu Thursday plenary sitting and announces that a roll call will be conducted first.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas announced that 50 members of the Riigikogu had registered as present (51 were absent). The session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Standing Committee was declared open, and following the plenary session, attendees were asked either to leave good wishes for the NATO PA members on the tables or to take their personal belongings from the drawers. Proceedings continued with the first item on the agenda—the first reading of the EKRE faction's draft bill—and Jaak Valge was invited to give the presentation, but a point of order was raised by Erkki Keldo.
Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo criticized the repeated cancellation of debates on draft legislation initiated by EKRE, which occurred due to the impossibility of holding them, and asked the Presidium whether these bills should no longer be brought to the floor, or if the debate should be organized according to the work schedule.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas noted that the issue has been discussed repeatedly, the Riigikogu Board has already addressed it, and there is both a need and a plan to continue the discussion—perhaps more broadly within the Board, and potentially in the Council of Elders.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme responded to Erkki Keldo’s complaint, stating that coalition MPs should be present in the chamber more frequently and listen to the opposition’s work. He emphasized that until the board makes contact and clarifies whether the presenters of the draft legislation are permitted to be present and make their case, nothing will happen—so show up for work more often.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas explained that in the case of bills initiated at the first reading—where the presenter is a member of the Riigikogu and the bill was initiated by Riigikogu members, a parliamentary group, or a committee—there has never been a one-on-one negotiation. It is assumed that if the committee has made a proposal, the time is suitable for both the presenter and the committee.
Karmen Joller
AI Summary
MP Karmen Joller is complaining that EKRE is dragging its feet and pulling roughly 15 to 20 draft bills off the agenda. This means the backlog is growing, and as a new member, she doesn't know when her own proposals will come up for discussion or when it would be strategic for her to submit them.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas explained that Draft Bill 279 was initially acceptable to Jaak Valge, and that new circumstances might arise. He responded to Karmen Joller, stating that if she is ready and the draft is mature, she can initiate it and should not postpone the work until tomorrow. Finally, he added that a procedural question is expected from Anti Haugas.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas asked the presiding officer of the session whether the EKRE faction’s draft bill could have been presented by Martin Helme or another EKRE MP, adding that Helme had been present but soon disappeared.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas noted that if the initiative comes from the faction, it is possible to find a rapporteur, but due to Jaak Valge's absence, agenda item 279 cannot be discussed, and the sitting is concluded.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar opens the Monday sitting of the 10th working week of the 3rd session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly and conducts the attendance check.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
77 members of the Riigikogu were present, 24 members were absent; before the submission of draft legislation and interpellations, the agenda is confirmed, and if there are no questions, preparations for its confirmation shall commence; Helir-Valdor Seeder posed a question concerning the agenda and requested clarification regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder asserted that Bill 374 does not require an absolute majority vote of the Riigikogu (Parliament) membership, and questioned why the Board was not following the proposal put forth by the Legal and Analysis Department, nor adhering to its own established procedures.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that the decision regarding the agenda was based on information received from the committees, and the committee found by an 8:1 vote that the given draft resolution required a majority vote of the Riigikogu membership, which is why it was placed on the agenda. He emphasized that not all draft resolutions always require 51 votes, and if the committee determines after deliberation that it is unnecessary, then such a requirement does not exist. He recalled one specific vote concerning the topic of political culture and agreed that, in the case of this draft resolution, a majority vote of the Riigikogu membership was not needed, regarding which Aivar Kokk submitted a question concerning the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk asserts that the committee lacks independence and the coalition always holds the majority; the opposition only has the right to speak, and the board should carefully analyze the legal department’s response before making a decision and then make its ruling based on that analysis.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The committee representative addressing the Riigikogu explains the background of the draft decision and answers questions regarding why the committee reached this specific position and why a majority vote was necessary; more detailed justifications can be requested from the lead committee.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Seeder expressed bewilderment and disappointment regarding the state of parliamentary democracy and the rule of law, emphasizing that the differing interpretations from the committees and the analysis department, along with the responsibility of the Board, are causing confusion. He proposed confirming that the draft bill does not require 51 votes, and subsequently moving on to the vote on the Riigikogu agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar noted that the Riigikogu Board adheres to the position of the lead committee, and this bill requires a majority of the full membership, regardless of the differing approaches previously seen in Riigikogu practice.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal emphasized that the competent assessment by the Riigikogu Legal Analysis Committee, according to which the draft bill does not require a majority vote of the Riigikogu membership, is final and must be acted upon accordingly, and he does not support the scenario where the committee could amend the Constitution, because that would constitute a violation of the law.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The agenda for the current session week features four draft decisions addressed to the government, regarding which the committees have submitted information and assessments. In one instance, the opinion was reached by a simple majority vote; in two cases, the committee relied on the assessment provided by the Legal and Analysis Department; and in one case, a consensus was reached that the draft decision requires a majority of the full membership. The final decision, however, still rests with the committee, which has clearly articulated its position. Furthermore, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart raised a question concerning the procedural conduct of the session.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart asks the Presidium whether the draft bill, which grants the Competition Authority the power to impose enormous fines, has been rediscussed, arguing that the Economic Affairs Committee should not be the leading committee, as this alters the operational structure of administrative courts and establishes a new form of offense procedure. She also asks whether the draft bill will move to the Constitutional Committee or the Legal Affairs Committee, and which one will serve as the leading committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Board discussed the draft bill, sought assessments from the Economic Committee, and also reviewed the positions held by representatives of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committees. As it stands, the Economic Committee is the committee processing the draft, but there is a mandatory requirement to solicit input from both the Legal and the Constitutional Affairs Committees.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal emphasized that the procedure must follow the law and that the bill does not require a majority vote of the full composition of the Riigikogu. He criticized the attempts by the presiding officer and the committee to disregard this principle, pointing out that the correct opinion of the Analysis and Legal Department must be acknowledged and the procedure adjusted accordingly, so that the constitution is not overridden.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the board had included information regarding the majority vote requirement in the draft agenda and had based its decision on the information received from the committees, and subsequently called upon the Riigikogu plenary assembly to vote on confirming the agenda for the 10th working week of the Riigikogu's III session.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda with 66 votes in favor, 10 against, and 1 abstention, and then proceeded to the submission of bills and interpellations, after which government representative Heili Tõnisson was invited to the podium.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government announced four draft bills today: the draft law on the crypto-asset market; the draft law concerning the adoption of the euro and the amendment of related legislation; the draft law amending the Motor Insurance Act and other related acts; and the draft law amending the Health Services Organization Act and other acts. The Minister of Finance is the designated representative for the first three of these bills, while the Minister of Health is the representative for the fourth, and all the bills have been submitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [them] and said that before inviting Riina Solman to the podium, Mart Helme has a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme stated that he cast an impartial vote during the confirmation of the agenda and protested the 51-vote requirement, which he claimed was not in compliance with the law and constituted an arbitrary action by the board.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that it was not a procedural question, and subsequently called upon Riina Solman to speak next.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Isamaa faction submitted an interpellation to the Riigikogu addressed to Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets concerning the suspension of voting rights for Russian citizens in Estonian local municipalities. They referenced the pledge made in the coalition agreement and the absence of a legal framework, and inquired whether this situation poses a threat to Estonian security and whether it is morally acceptable.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker invites his colleague Vadim Belobrovtsev to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He is submitting a proposal to designate the second day of Easter—Easter Monday—as a national public holiday and a non-working day, so that Estonia aligns itself with the majority of European Union countries. This initiative has also received the support of the Estonian Council of Churches.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Board accepts five draft acts and one interpellation and decides on their further processing pursuant to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu and announces that Tuesday's plenary session will begin with a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi informed the assembly that 70 members of the Riigikogu were present and 31 were absent. Following this, the opportunity was provided to submit draft legislation and interpellations, after which Evelin Poolamets was called upon.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets filed an interpellation with Climate Minister Kristen Michal regarding the restoration of bogs.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi greets his colleagues and announces that the session is already underway.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Estonia plans to restore at least 25,000 hectares of drained wetlands by 2050, primarily utilizing European Union funding. The work will continue across various regions, including the Kikepera, Tolkuse, Sirtsi, Rubina, and Puhatu bog systems in Ida-Virumaa, despite the EU Nature Restoration Regulation not having been formally approved.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Andrei Korobeinik to take the floor.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik announced that the Finance Committee proposes to appoint Annely Akkermann, the chairwoman of the Finance Committee, as Estonia's representative to the Nordic Investment Bank's Control Committee for two years, replacing the current representative Aivar Kokk, and requested corresponding support for this proposal.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to the stage.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev slammed the government’s planned soda tax as cynical and, together with the Centre Party, put forward a proposal to raise the state subsidy for school lunches from 1 euro to 2 euros per day, in order to ensure children’s school meals are healthier.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party faction submitted a draft bill to restore funding for youth school sports, criticizing the government's sugar tax as a tax burden that does not help children, and promising instead to take concrete steps to improve children's health.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Aleksandr Tšaplõgin to speak.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin criticized the government's sugar tax decision, urged action for the benefit of the people, and submitted a bill to lower the VAT on local fruits and vegetables to five percent, hoping for its support.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Aleksei Yevgrafov was called to the stage to speak.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Center Party faction demands that the government restore the funding for youth hobby activities to its former level of 14.25 million euros per year, because it stood at that level from 2018 to 2021 but was cut to 10.25 million starting in 2022, which complicates the work of local governments. Furthermore, implementing new taxes, such as a bank tax or a Facebook and Google tax, has been considered as a way to find the necessary money.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Andrei Korobeinik.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik proposed implementing a digital services tax, which would generate approximately 7 million euros for the state budget in the first year. He also criticized the impact of the sugar tax and the growth of government expenditure, offering instead to use the revenue from the new tax to support school lunches and school sports, and expressed hope that the government would make a reasonable decision for the benefit of the people, rather than taking money from pensioners or forcing schoolchildren to subsist on a 1-euro lunch.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi simply said "Thank you!" in his speech.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He expresses sincere hope for meaningful cooperation and thanks the listeners.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Board of the Riigikogu, I have received one interpellation, five draft resolutions, and one bill, and we can now proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu, opens Wednesday's plenary session, and conducts the roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Sixty-six members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence, thirty-five are absent, and it is now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid, speaking on behalf of the EKRE faction, announced a proposal calling on the Government of the Republic to implement effective measures to reduce minors' exposure to pornography. He further stated that the draft resolution has been resubmitted following the removal of a previous paragraph, and the explanatory memorandum stresses that this is not a proposal to initiate a new piece of legislation. It is hoped that the matter will be placed on the agenda without requiring a majority vote of the full membership.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi called upon Heljo Pikhof to speak.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Riigikogu Culture Committee has submitted a proposal to the government regarding the construction of an extension for the Estonia Theatre, recalling the century-long discussion surrounding the lack of an opera house and the repeated obstacles related to nature and heritage conservation, and expressed hope that these barriers will be overcome this time and the extension will finally become a reality.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi is appealing to Varro Vooglaid and calling upon Rain Epler to amend the draft resolution submitted on April 3, 2023, noting that much has changed in the meantime, but the amendment is still possible.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler stated that the nature restoration regulation approved by the Council of the European Union did not pass. He emphasized a balanced approach to public life, noting that Estonia will continue restoration efforts, but highlighted the impact of the increasing nature conservation restrictions placed on privately owned forests. He also promised to submit a formal interpellation to Climate Minister Michal, expecting answers soon.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Kalle Grünthal to speak.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal emphasizes the importance of the presumption of innocence and its constant violation by the media and social media. He proposes amendments to the Penal Code which would address situations where a person is knowingly and without legal basis treated as guilty of a crime before a final conviction has entered into force. These actions would be punishable by a monetary penalty or imprisonment for up to one year.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, Rain Epler is requested to correct the date of the interpellation, as April is now upon us. Furthermore, I have accepted two draft resolutions. Under today's agenda items 7 and 9, we will be addressing the second reading of Draft Act 379, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Act on Tax Information Exchange, the Taxation Act, and the Income Tax Act, as well as the first reading of Draft Act 389, the Act amending the 2024 State Budget Act. The committee report for these items will be presented by the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Annely Akkermann.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas opens the Thursday sitting of the 10th working week of the 3rd session of the Riigikogu and conducts the roll call.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
75 members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence; 26 are absent. We now have the opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations. There were no requests to speak. Following the conclusion of the sitting, a meeting to form the Estonian-Mongolian Parliamentary Group will take place here in the session hall. The meeting is convened by Vadim Belobrovtsev, and active participation is expected.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar welcomes the members of the Riigikogu, declares the plenary session open, and first calls for a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker announced that 81 members of the Riigikogu were present and 20 were absent, and asked if we could proceed to the approval of the agenda, while Kalle Grünthal raised a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal states that fundamental changes have taken place in the agenda, and in some matters, a majority vote of the full membership is no longer required, as it was previously.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that if the committee concludes that a majority of the full membership is not required for draft decisions, the decision will be adopted by a simple majority. He added that the establishment of this requirement depends on the views of the Legal and Analysis Department and the committee—views on which both parties were unanimous this week—and Kalle Grünthal then raised a second question concerning the procedure.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal thanked the Presiding Officer and pointed out that the assessments of the Legal and Analysis Department and the committee's support have been adopted. However, he recalled cases processed last week where an absolute majority vote of the Riigikogu membership was required, even though they should have only required a simple majority of the membership, and asked what the next step should be—to revert to history or to move forward.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks his colleague and asks him to specify which draft resolution he is referring to, before handing the microphone over to Kalle Grünthal.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal said that he has supported the issues raised by Helir-Valdor Seeder and plans to file a complaint with the Supreme Court regarding your actions, and he wants to know what has become of that now.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that, regarding the draft resolutions (OEs), a clear majority vote of the Riigikogu membership is secured, and the Board and the presiding officers of the session have explained the procedure for placing the draft resolutions on the agenda, noting that they rely on the standpoints of both the Legal and Analysis Department and the committee.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks which specific bills are being referred to and whether items 15 and 16 are legislative amendments rather than Riigikogu decisions, noting that committees might start interpreting what constitutes a constitutional bill and which bills require 51 votes, which is already a significant step forward.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that he had asked Kalle Grünthal to clarify what he meant, but Grünthal did not clarify, and the agenda would proceed to a vote exactly as written, asking colleagues to be ready and vote on the confirmation of the agenda for the 11th working week of the 3rd session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Seventy-four members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, 2 against, and 2 abstained. The agenda was approved, and now bills and interpellations may be submitted. Tõnis Lukas was then invited to the podium.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas submitted an inquiry to Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas, demanding the swift resolution of the confusion caused by the failure of the state gymnasium admissions information system. He also sought clarification on how future invitations to interviews will be decided—whether based on all 3,840 applicants or only those who listed the school as their first or second preference—and how similar distress for families will be avoided.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar then called his colleague Rain Eppler to the podium.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler emphasizes that, in the name of the green transition, European regulators are attempting to restrict bankers through the implementation of the recommended rules of the Basel Committee, forcing them to finance ideologically suitable projects. This has created a conflict between European and US regulations. Together with Martin Helme, they are calling on the President of the Bank of Estonia to answer an interpellation and explain his positions within the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, as well as the reasons for reinforcing the Basel Committee’s stance.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Thank you. Next, Aleksandr Tšaplõgin will step up to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The draft legislation proposed by the Centre Party faction amends the Riigikogu Election Act and distributes compensatory seats based on the number of votes received by the candidates, asserting that this aligns with the Constitution and the principle of the people's supreme power.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Board has received one draft act and two interpellations and will decide on their further processing pursuant to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomed everyone and announced the start of the Riigikogu plenary sitting for Tuesday, adding that the roll call would be taken first.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Seventy-six members of the Riigikogu are present, and twenty-five are absent. There is an opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations, but as there is no such request, we shall now proceed to today's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Plenary Session is commencing its Wednesday sitting and requests a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
64 members of the Riigikogu are present and 37 are absent; it is now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations, and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart was requested to be called to the rostrum.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He presented the draft amendment to the Security Activities Act, which was initiated in the Legal Affairs Committee. The purpose of the bill is to bring the technical amendments into force simultaneously with the main Security Activities Act on July 1, 2024, while involving stakeholders and reducing the administrative burden.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman called Hanah Lahe to the podium.
Hanah Lahe
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Hanah Lahe announced a bill, initiated by 46 members of the Riigikogu, which seeks to lower the candidacy age for European Parliament elections to 18 and the voting age to 16. She stressed the importance of greater youth inclusion in democracy and politics, adding that the proposed changes would not affect the elections taking place this June.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that there were no further requests for speeches. He noted that the Riigikogu had adopted two bills, and the Management Board would decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. This was followed by the report of Andres Sutt, member of the Economic Affairs Committee, concerning the first reading of Bill 278, and the reports of Mario Kadastik, also a member of the Economic Affairs Committee, concerning Bills 363 (second reading) and 384 (first reading).
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas welcomes his colleagues and the members of the Riigikogu, announces the commencement of Thursday's Riigikogu plenary session, and conducts the roll call.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas announced that 41 Riigikogu members had registered as present and 60 were currently absent. He urged active participation, noting that this was the time to submit draft legislation and interpellations, and invited Heili Tõnisson, the representative of the Government of the Republic, to come to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government submitted five draft acts today: the Draft Act on Amendments to the Penal Code and Related Amendments to Other Acts (increasing the fine unit), the Draft Act on Amendments to the Income Tax Act, the Draft Act on Amendments to the State Fees Act and Related Amendments to Other Acts, the Draft Act on the Sweetened Beverage Tax, and the Draft Act on Pre-primary Education. Furthermore, during the proceedings for each draft act in the Riigikogu, the relevant minister will represent the government, and all the draft acts have been submitted electronically.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas thanked the representative of the Government of the Republic and noted that electronic communication unfortunately replaces the handshake, adding that the Board had adopted five draft acts and would decide on their further processing in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar welcomes the Riigikogu, declares the Monday sitting of the 12th working week of the 3rd session open, and calls for a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that 62 members of the Riigikogu had registered as present and 39 were absent, and informed the body of changes to the agenda: agenda items 4, 10, and 11 through 13 of Wednesday's sitting were dropped pursuant to the proposals made by the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Centre Party, and the EKRE parliamentary groups, respectively. He then invited questions regarding procedure before the vote and asked Erkki Keldo to take the floor.
Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
He explained that if items 11 through 13 are removed on Wednesday, they won't simply disappear, and they will need to be placed back on the agenda and processed during the subsequent work weeks.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that they will not disappear and the Riigikogu Board will put them back on the agenda, but as of now, they have been removed from this week's draft agenda, and Kalle Grünthal is asking about the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He asks if the state budget policy is so completely screwed up that the seats next to him and Jaanus Karilaid have been monetized to cover the budget, and now those spots are just sitting empty.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that chairs were missing from the session, and since these items are protected under heritage conservation, they will be restored gradually, and the Chancellery of the Riigikogu must ascertain precisely what happened to those chairs.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She poses a question concerning Tuesday’s agenda item number 6—the Act amending the Election Act initiated by the Government of the Republic—asking why the proposed amendments were bundled together and what the basis for such consolidation was.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Board discussed the matter thoroughly and unanimously decided to place the draft resolution on the agenda, based on the committee's explanatory memorandum and comprehensive review.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder noted that Bill 344 SE and its proposed amendments are unexplained and incomprehensible, and do not comply with the current Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. He subsequently proposed removing the bill from this week’s agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained that the board put forward the motion at the committee’s suggestion, because the board does not go through every single bill in minute detail—that work is done by the committees. The explanatory memorandum attached to the draft legislation before the second reading clarifies the issue. As for this specific proposal, the situation is that if there are no objections, we can consider it, but if anyone objects, we will not be able to proceed with it differently.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart claims that the explanatory memorandum contains no information about this bundling, and the amendments concerning m-voting are tied to other e-voting issues, which makes separate voting impossible and demonstrates that substantive proposals have been converted into non-substantive ones.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He stresses that he is neither the committee's rapporteur nor its representative, and this draft bill does not include mobile phone voting; specific details regarding e-voting should be sought from the committee's rapporteur.
Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
The Reform Party faction does not agree with Helir-Valdor Seeder's proposal because the bill is very important, and the Supreme Court has stated that e-voting regulations must be elevated to the level of law, which this specific law does exactly. Therefore, it must not be withdrawn, nor should the agenda be changed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the colleagues and announced that Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart would deliver an address in person.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart apologizes and explains that the wrong button was actually pressed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar emphasizes that even if the wrong button is pressed, the correct button must still be pushed.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speech focused primarily on a procedural matter.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that they would proceed, and asked that only procedural questions be raised and that no one press any buttons.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He spoke about the draft bill, which introduces the option of mobile voting and the development of mobile applications for various operating systems, and stressed that this is a procedural matter and asked not to mislead the chamber and the viewers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the discussion would be thorough and that all questions could be addressed to the committee rapporteur. He added that, with the following amendments, the confirmation of the agenda for the 12th working week of the Riigikogu’s third session would be put to a vote: the fourth item on the agenda for the Wednesday sitting (the first reading of Bill 385, initiated by the Government of the Republic) would be removed, as would agenda items 10, 11, 12, and 13 (the first readings of Bills 388, 319, 324, and 329).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the voting result was 49 in favor, 17 against, and 1 abstention. The agenda has been adopted, and we can now submit draft legislation and inquiries. Since there are no requests to speak, we will proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu, announces the commencement of Tuesday's plenary session, and requests a check of attendance.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 71 Riigikogu members were present (30 were absent). Although there was an opportunity to submit bills and interpellations, no such requests were made. Before proceeding to the agenda, Tanel Kiik requested to pose a question regarding the rules governing the conduct of the sitting.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik highlighted the fact that five chairs have gone missing from the Riigikogu chamber, and he is inquiring about the Riigikogu Board's decisions regarding the resolution of this issue.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the important issue must not be left for a single person to decide and is on today's board agenda, adding that Lauri Hussar will likely provide a clarifying answer.
Lauri Hussar
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Lauri Hussar said that two very important chairs are currently at the furniture workshop getting a new covering, meaning that in the near future there will be more of these chairs in the hall, which will add color and ambiance to the room.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks his colleagues, notes that Jürgen Ligi is currently unable to take the floor, and moves on to the agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi welcomed the members of the Riigikogu, declared the start of Wednesday's plenary session, and requested a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi informed the assembly that 65 members of the Riigikogu have registered their attendance (36 are absent). As there are no requests for submitting draft legislation or interpellations, we shall proceed directly to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas greeted his colleagues and the members of the Riigikogu, and announced that the Thursday sitting of the 12th working week of the III session of the Riigikogu was commencing, and an attendance check would be carried out.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Forty-seven members of the Riigikogu registered their attendance, while fifty-four were absent. Jüri Ratas then announced that members now had the opportunity to submit bills and interpellations, and he asked Jaak Aab to approach the rostrum.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab submitted a statement to the Riigikogu condemning the Moscow Patriarchate as an institution that has supported the aggression of the Russian Federation, and calling on congregations to assess the associated risks and dangers and take necessary steps, while emphasizing that this does not concern Estonian Orthodox believers or churches.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Board of the Riigikogu adopted one draft bill, and further proceedings will be decided in accordance with our Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. Following the conclusion of the sitting, we will proceed to announcements. Furthermore, due to Saturday's Open House Day, members are requested to take their personal belongings with them and leave a welcoming note for the guests. After that, we will continue with the processing of the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his pleasure at greeting the esteemed colleagues and says it is good to see them again. He declares the Monday sitting of the 13th working week of the 3rd session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly open, and first calls for an attendance check.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
66 members are present and 35 are absent; changes were made for the confirmation of the agenda: based on the decision No. 398 of the President of the Republic dated April 26, Piret Hartman was appointed Minister of Regional Affairs, and the taking of the oath of office was added as the first item on the agenda, the interpellation No. 576 withdrawn by Martin Helme and other members, and the Legal Affairs Committee recommended excluding the fourth agenda item, namely the second reading of the draft act No. 257 regarding the Act on the Protection of Persons Reporting Breaches of European Union Law in the Workplace; and Urmas Reinsalu submitted a question concerning the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu noted that the quality of the agenda needs improvement, and that two draft bills scheduled for tomorrow—one of which is the sweet drink tax bill—should be removed from the agenda this week. Furthermore, if the coalition does not protect the income tax exemption for the average pension, Isamaa will propose withdrawing the third agenda item from proceedings during this working week.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar reiterates that a proposal was made to exclude Tuesday's fourth agenda item from this week's agenda, and asks that the microphone briefly be handed over to Urmas Reinsalu.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The proposal is to remove agenda items 3 and 4, which are included in the materials, from tomorrow's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He said everything was clear and thanked us.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
This is a bill that abolishes the income tax exemption for the average pension and introduces a new tax, which is called the sweet drink tax.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker/group], invites Toomas Uibo, and asks a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Toomas Uibo
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
The Eesti 200 faction stated that they do not agree with the changes to the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offered his thanks and stated that the amendment could not be taken into account. He then asked if there were any additional questions concerning the agenda, and requested Urmas Reinsalu to pose a second question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu criticized the voluntarism and the consolidation of amendments prevalent in the work of the committees, claiming that this violates the law and disrupts the procedures of the Riigikogu, and asked the chairman why such behavior is permitted.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the handling of amendments must first be conducted in the committee, which has broad rights to address the bill's reports and during the Q&A period, and, if necessary, to evaluate the bundling of obstructive motions, but substantive proposals must reach the floor for a vote, and the committees' right to self-determination and self-regulation is significant, and finally, Urmas Reinsalu raised a point of order regarding the conduct of the sitting.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The tone is reassuring, asking them not to worry, and promising to explain what it means afterwards.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He/She points out that we have a lot of points here to discuss.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that Isamaa's three substantive amendments had been consolidated, and the response he received was that the same procedure had been followed in the Constitutional Committee. He also expressed concern about the smooth passage of the car tax and tax hike package, and asked how the board and the methods for protecting the rights of parliamentary members function, as well as where members should turn for assistance.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar affirmed that the committees possess extensive autonomy regarding self-governance, and the committee itself must decide on the proposed amendments; the Riigikogu Bureau, however, will not assume the committee's role.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu inquired whether the right to hold separate votes on amendments constitutes the common position of the entire board, and whether this right is a subjective entitlement for members of parliament based on the Rules of Procedure Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that when clearly obstructive considerations are put forward, the committee has significant self-regulatory rights, and they have utilized this option of bundling before, which is an established practice in the work of committees. Mart Helme subsequently raised a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme accuses the Riigikogu Board and committees of silencing the opposition, claiming that substantive proposals do not reach debate or the floor because they are bundled together inappropriately, thereby preventing members from taking procedural pauses and asking questions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that the Riigikogu Board does not use voluntaristic tactics, and the Board and committees have repeatedly explained how the rights of self-organization, proposed amendments, and committee work function, and that it is always possible to ask committee representatives about the basis for their decisions, and Urmas Reinsalu presented his fifth question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu asked the Speaker of the Riigikogu how he interprets the Rules of Procedure: whether the amendments proposed by members of parliament must go to a separate vote, and what legal recourse the opposition has if these are consolidated based on obstructive consideration or standard coalition practice.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the board does not pass judgment on the tabling of amendments, and the committee has significant self-regulatory power; after the amendments have been reviewed, it is always possible to interrupt the second reading and assess the situation, and in this specific instance, the board does not hold the view that procedural errors occurred on previous occasions.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid raised two procedural questions concerning the Riigikogu: whether committees are obliged to operate according to the Rules of Procedure Act and in compliance with the Internal Rules and Rules of Procedure Act, and who supervises their activities—the Board or someone else.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar pointed out that committees possess significant autonomy, and should complaints arise concerning a committee's work, members of the Riigikogu may appeal to the Board, which will then formulate its stance on the matters raised by the Riigikogu members. Furthermore, Urmas Reinsalu posed a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu protested and expressed concern that the coalition was using the power of the majority at breakneck speed, referring to the bundling of three amendment proposals in the Legal Committee. He then asked what the Presidium's legal position was regarding the protection of rights, whether the Presidium could bring the bill to the plenary and send it back to the committee for reconsideration, how this affects the appeals of parliament members to the Presidium, and whether representatives of the protests could participate during the discussion.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
It is established practice that, regarding questions concerning the work of the committees, the parliamentary groups approach the Riigikogu Board, where the Board formulates its position and provides notification thereof. This same practice will continue when corresponding applications are submitted.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid asks whether the Riigikogu Board's duty to ensure that committees operate in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act constitutes the Board's responsibility or not.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that it is the duty of every Riigikogu member to ensure compliance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. He then took the final question from Urmas Reinsalu and directed the discussion toward the confirmation of the agenda, noting simultaneously that the focus was on working principles, not the specific agenda items for the current week.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stated that the issue concerns not a mere formality, but fundamental legality and adherence to the provisions of the Rules of Procedure Act. He further noted that the responses came from representatives of the coalition majority, rather than reflecting the impartial position of the Speaker. He is therefore protesting and calls upon members of parliament to vote against confirming the working week's agenda—before clarity is established regarding this flawed interpretation—because these decisions are crucial for people’s lives and the Estonian economy, and the proceedings must be conducted lawfully.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the protest is understandable, but since it does not concern the agenda for the working week, it is not possible to resolve the protest. The protest remains within the usual scope, but his position is completely clear, and he took the final question from Rain Epler regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The address conveys gratitude and understanding, noting that the speaker will take Urmas Reinsalu's final question.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that he saw a hand raised, made a slight allowance, and permitted the question to be asked.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asked for a clear yes-or-no answer as to whether the Riigikogu Board must ensure the work of the committees within the framework of the laws and the Rules of Procedure, and accused the respondent of demagoguery if an answer was not provided.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar emphasized that the Riigikogu Board does not interfere with the work of the committees and that the committees have a very extensive right to self-organization. He informed the body about changes to the agenda (specifically, the oath of office of Regional Minister Piret Hartman, the withdrawal of interpellation No. 576, and the omission of the fourth agenda item) and called the plenary session to a vote to confirm the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda, with 52 votes in favor, 23 against, and there were no abstentions; it is now possible to submit bills and interpellations, and the representative of the Government of the Republic, Heili Tõnisson, is invited to the rostrum.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Today, the government submitted two bills: the first being the draft law amending the Social Welfare Act and other acts (concerning special care services and changes to the address of residence), and the second, the draft law amending the Financial Supervision Authority Act and other acts. Both have been electronically forwarded to the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the previous speaker and announces that the next speaker at the Riigikogu rostrum is Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The interpellation seeks the position of Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise regarding a situation where the coalition has neutralized the opposition and is restricting the last remaining tools of parliamentary democracy, thereby violating constitutional principles and emphasizing that the people are the supreme bearers of state power.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Kalle Grünthal to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal stated that the events that took place in Võru County were the impetus for the bill, and he stressed that the US–Estonia defense cooperation agreement may be in conflict with the constitution because Estonia has relinquished the exercise of criminal jurisdiction based on a discretionary decision. Consequently, the agreement must be brought into compliance with the constitution via this bill.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker called Jaak Valge to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge submitted a query to the Minister of the Interior on behalf of the EKRE parliamentary group concerning the hybrid operation coordinated by the Russian special service against Estonian security, as detailed in the Security Police Board's yearbook. He further inquired whether Andrei Šumakov owns no car at all, or if it belongs to his wife, Darja Saar, and why this fact has been concealed until now.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar called Andrei Korobeinik to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Korobeinik, stressing the necessity of transparent and deliberate decisions as a frontrunner in Estonia's digital economy, has submitted eight questions to the Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology. These questions, posed within the framework of an interpellation, concern the vote on the Platform Work Directive and seek clarification regarding its link to Bolt's lobbying efforts.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Board of the Riigikogu shall decide on the further proceedings for three draft acts and three interpellations pursuant to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu, opens Tuesday's plenary sitting, and calls for an attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Seventy members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence, thirty-one are absent, and it is now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme submitted a motion of no confidence against Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas, signed by 22 members of the Riigikogu, accusing her of the government's catastrophic mismanagement, failures in the examination information system, decisions made during the teachers' strike, and problems associated with the transition to Estonian-language instruction.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi confirmed that Martin Helme is completely correct, adding that the motion of no confidence falls under the format for submitting draft legislation and interpellations.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Center Party faction finds that the Minister of Education and Research has not coped sufficiently over the past year, that the transition to Estonian-language instruction will cause many problems in September, and that the lack of a plan divides the blame between local governments and school leaders. Therefore, an inquiry was submitted to Kaja Kallas regarding why Kristina Kallas continues to serve as the Minister of Education and Research in your government and whether she is competent in fulfilling her duties.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, I have received one motion of no confidence and one interpellation. These will be processed in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas opens the plenary sitting of the Riigikogu for Thursday and conducts the roll call.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Sixty-two members of the Riigikogu have registered as present, and thirty-nine are absent. There is now an opportunity to submit bills and interpellations. Varro Vooglaid, I invite you.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid submitted a draft resolution on behalf of 21 members of the Riigikogu, predominantly from the EKRE and Center Party factions. The aim of the resolution is to ask the Venice Commission for an opinion regarding Estonia's electronic voting system and to emphasize the commission's role in advising on adherence to the standards of democracy and the rule of law.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas called for order in the chamber and requested respect for both the speaker and the audience.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid emphasizes that the Venice Commission is merely an advisory body, and obtaining an independent assessment of the Estonian electronic voting system's compliance with democratic ideals is crucial because trust and legitimacy have declined. He calls on members of the Riigikogu (Parliament) to support the draft legislation so that state power in Estonia is exercised based on democratic ideals and, if necessary, the laws are reviewed.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Speaker of the Riigikogu, Jüri Ratas, announced the further processing of one adopted bill and stated that the continuation of the first reading of the sweet beverage tax law bill would take place. Simultaneously, the Reform Party’s proposal to extend today’s session until the agenda is exhausted, but no later than 2 p.m., will be put to a vote.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The result of the vote was 46 in favor and 15 against, so the proposal was supported.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar opens the Monday sitting of the 14th working week of the third session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly and first calls for a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announced that 76 members of the Riigikogu had registered as present and 25 were absent. He then moved to the approval of the agenda, noting simultaneously that Lauri Laats had submitted a question concerning the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker thanks everyone and mentions that they watched something.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar is asking his colleagues to quiet down a little so that Lauri Laats’s question can be heard.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats pointed out that crucial topics, particularly points 8 and 12, have been pushed into the background, and their debate is likely scheduled for the late hours of the night. He requested that these discussions either take place during the day or be postponed until the following week, ensuring that the Minister of Finance would be able to hear them during daylight hours.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that Wednesday's schedule was planned such that they would first hold the final votes, then the second readings, and only after that would they address the Finance Minister's agenda item. This arrangement follows the standard compilation of the day's agenda, meaning there is no possibility of changing the order, and Kalle Grünthal subsequently raised a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal posed a question regarding how the Riigikogu might declare the Moscow Patriarchate an institution supporting the Russian Federation's military aggression without infringing upon the constitution, and requested a specific legal framework be presented to clarify this.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman emphasized that the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia is not a judicial body, but rather the highest legislative organ, and today we will be discussing and taking a stance on a specific issue regarding the draft statement.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder finds that Draft Law 257, the third item on the agenda, which concerns the Act on the protection of whistleblowers reporting violations of EU employment law, is in conflict with the Rules of Procedure of the Riigikogu and the Constitution. He further states that the three amendments proposed by Isamaa are not insincere, and bundling them together is not legitimate, which is why he makes a clear proposal to remove this item from the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that the representative of the Legal Committee is the best person to answer the question of bundling the amendments, and the board has not assessed the justification for grouping them; if mistakes have been made during the processing of the draft bill, it is possible to interrupt the bill's second reading after the amendments have been reviewed, but the board had no grounds to put this on the agenda, and the board cannot assume the role of the leading committee; Erkki Keldo wishes to respond, please.
Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
The Reform Party faction believes that this week's agenda is perfectly manageable for them and has been adequately drafted, and they are not demanding that it be changed or that anything be removed from it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanked [the previous speaker/the room] and invited Kert Kingo to ask a question concerning the procedure for conducting the session.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo brings up Wednesday’s discussion concerning the Ministry of Finance’s 2024 report on the implementation of the state’s long-term development strategy, "Eesti 2035." She asks why the materials pertaining to such reports are not made available to the deputies in advance, whether the management refused to share them, and what the underlying reason is.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the Riigikogu board had discussed the matter and forwarded its position to the government, requesting that the materials be prepared promptly—preferably tomorrow—for Wednesday's sitting, as preparing them a week in advance might prove challenging based on previous work experience. He then invited Ants Frosh to pose a question concerning the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch inquired about the sequence of agenda items for Wednesday’s sitting, referencing reports of a previous custom to prioritize carried-over items for earlier discussion. He proposed that agenda item 13 be moved up to fifth place, with the remaining items shifted accordingly, and asked how the board intends to resolve the situation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the draft statement left pending from Thursday’s sitting is the first item on today’s agenda, and no new item can be opened until the previous one is concluded. The remaining bills are scheduled for Wednesday’s sitting following the usual order: final votes first, then second readings, and first readings last. Bills 330 and 370 are placed at the very end on Wednesday, as the initiators have failed to show interest in their discussion proceeding and have rendered discussion impossible on three and four occasions, which has made agenda planning extremely difficult for the Board. Following this, Martin Helme raised a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme posed three questions concerning the agenda—what the requirements for sending materials in a timely manner entail, why the same section of the Rules of Procedure Act can be interpreted differently depending on the initiator, and what the fate of Bill 332 will be—and proposed that Wednesday's agenda items 13 and 14 be moved to become today's agenda items No. 2 and No. 3, and that Bill 332 be removed from the agenda and returned to the committee for further proceedings.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Management Board explains that the Riigikogu (Parliament) agenda must ensure operational capacity and four-day deliberation. Unfinished bills are the priority, and materials must be submitted to the government in a timely manner. The Constitutional Committee will evaluate the bundling of amendments, and while the second reading of a bill may be suspended if necessary, the Management Board will not remove them from the agenda.
Eduard Odinets
AI Summary
Eduard Odinets accuses the Isamaa faction on two consecutive Mondays of misleading the public regarding the three amendments to Bill 257, and asks whether such deception of the public is appropriate in the Riigikogu plenary hall.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that, in his capacity as the chair of the sitting, he would not assess the substance of the proposed amendments or take on the role of the committee. He stated that all questions must be resolved during the Q&A round with the committee's rapporteur, and also during the debate round, as the Riigikogu Board cannot offer evaluations on this issue. He then invited Martin Helme to pose a question concerning the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme expressed confusion about why bills that were left unprocessed last week are being taken up first on the agenda, and why a bill signed by coalition MPs is also being prioritized. He questioned in what world the 19th and 20th items on the agenda are the first ones addressed during the working week.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the signatories of the draft declaration cannot be counted as coalition MPs. He stressed that the plural form "as the first ones" does not mean the singular "as the first one," and explained the principles of the Riigikogu Board when compiling the agenda for the current week and previous weeks, noting that Urmas Reinsalu had asked a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu asked what the legal basis is for these documents needing to be submitted not today, but tomorrow, and what members of parliament can expect—specifically, whether the Minister of Finance's report on the government's fiscal and economic policy and the Estonia 2035 strategy will be available today at 5:00 PM.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the timeline for making documents available concerning draft legislation is regulated by law. Based on this, the appeal from the EKRE faction to the government is expected to be addressed, but there is no specific provision concerning the Ministry of Finance's presentation. Furthermore, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart raised a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart stated that she disagrees with the chairman's stance and emphasized that a separate vote on the title of the whistleblower act would be necessary, as it is connected to other substantive amendments. She also requested clear guidance from the Riigikogu Board that the linking of amendments should not be carried out merely for the purpose of linking, but only in extreme circumstances.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that he had already conveyed the position of the Riigikogu Board on this matter and that he currently had nothing further to add, following which Urmas Reinsalu posed a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu noted that the open list contained in Section 62 is not closed, and asked what exactly is required for tomorrow.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
We have forwarded the EKRE faction's position to the Government of the Republic and requested the materials well in advance, and we hope the government will quickly provide them to you. Urmas Reinsalu also inquired about the procedure for conducting the session, and we agree that this will be the final time.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said he would withdraw the agreement, and that depends on the response from the Speaker of the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar makes a request to Urmas Reinsalu.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that the response must be adequate and that the failure to meet the promised deadline is problematic. He therefore proposed moving the presentation of the eighth agenda item from Wednesday to Thursday, making it the last item on the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the assembly and stated that if anyone disagrees with the proposal, we cannot take such a step, and invited Erkki Keldo to speak immediately.
Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
The Reform Party faction reiterated that they do not consent to changing this week's agenda or removing anything from it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the colleagues, informs them that preparations are about to begin for the confirmation and voting of the agenda, and finally addresses the last question to Mart Helme.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks pointedly whether the rules of procedure are dictated solely by the Reform Party's consent and will remain that way, or if a different opinion is still possible in the chamber.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that if any of the factions disagreed with the proposal, it could not be taken into consideration, and he then called for a vote on confirming the agenda for the 14th working week of the Riigikogu's Third Session.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu confirmed the agenda with 58 votes in favor, 25 against, and no abstentions. The submission of draft legislation and interpellations is now possible. To begin, the government representative, Ms. Heili Tõnisson, was invited to the Riigikogu podium.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government submitted five draft acts to the Riigikogu today—the draft act amending the Emergency Act and related amendments to other acts, the draft act amending the Child Protection Act and other acts, the draft act amending the Accounting Act, the draft act amending the Traffic Act and the Police and Border Guard Act, and the draft act amending the Waste Act—during the proceedings of which the government will be represented in the Riigikogu by the respective ministers (the Prime Minister, the Minister of Social Protection, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Climate), and all draft acts have been forwarded electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the Riigikogu Board has adopted five draft acts and will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi greets his colleagues, announces the start of the Riigikogu's Tuesday sitting, and then leads the attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Seventy-three members registered as present at the Riigikogu Plenary Session (28 absent); there is no desire to submit draft legislation or interpellations; following the conclusion of the sitting, a meeting for the formation of the support group for a democratic and free Iran will be held in the session hall, convened by Juku-Kalle Raid, and two representatives of the Iranian government-in-exile are present in the visitors' gallery.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets his colleagues, announces the commencement of the Riigikogu's Wednesday plenary sitting, and first stresses the importance of the roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Sixty-one members of the Riigikogu have registered their attendance; forty are absent. It is now time to submit the draft legislation and interpellations. Mario Kadastik, the floor is yours.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
A decision signed by 55 members of the Riigikogu sets the preparations for the introduction of nuclear energy in Estonia and the creation of a suitable legal framework as the first step. It allows the government to develop legislation regarding nuclear energy and safety and, if necessary, establish an authority and competencies, but it does not grant the right to immediately build a nuclear power plant. Instead, when updating the energy sector development plan, it focuses on assessing market capacity, suitability, and necessity, as well as potential alternative uses.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Kert Kingo to come forward and speak.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo stressed that Estonia must be a rule of law state and that the Prosecutor’s Office must adhere to the laws. Together, on behalf of ten members of the Riigikogu, she submitted a formal query to Minister Madis Timpson to clarify how many violations of law have been processed by the Prosecutor’s Office’s supervisory department, what steps State Prosecutor General Andres Parmas has taken to ensure the Prosecution Service operates strictly on the basis of laws, and what official supervisory proceedings have been initiated during his tenure regarding violations of law by prosecutors.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Urmas Reinsalu to speak.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu emphasized that the country's situation is poor and the government must resign, called for Isamaa to join the government, and presented a specific bill that would postpone the Reform Party's promised tax measure until 2028 in order to cover national defense costs and avoid additional taxes, a proposal which was supported by Eesti 200 and the Social Democrats.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanks Urmas.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu called for parliamentary unity and promised to come to the aid of the weak government, while noting that false promises had been given to the people.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, I have received one draft resolution, one interpellation, and one draft bill. I would also like to specify that the rapporteur for today’s sixth item on the agenda—the second reading of Draft Law 391, the bill amending the State Budget Act, initiated by the Finance Committee—will be Maris Lauri, a member of the Finance Committee. We may now proceed with the handling of the agenda.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas opens the Riigikogu's Thursday sitting and conducts the roll call.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
46 members of the Riigikogu were present (55 absent). There is no possibility to submit bills or interpellations, and following a clarification, the presenter for today's important national issue has changed: Varro Vooglaid, from the Conservative People's Party of Estonia faction, will deliver the report instead of Martin Ehala.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker of the Riigikogu greets everyone and declares open the Monday sitting of the 15th working week of the Third Session, and requests an attendance check.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
75 members of the Riigikogu are present, 26 are absent. The approval of the agenda for the 15th working week of the 3rd session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly is put to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu has confirmed the agenda, and we can now proceed to the submission of bills and interpellations. To begin, we invite the representative of the Government of the Republic, Ms. Heili Tõnisson, to the rostrum.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government is initiating five draft laws today: the Draft Public Health Act (represented by the Minister of Health); the Draft Act amending the Income Tax Act and the Funded Pensions Act (represented by the Minister of Finance); the Draft Act supplementing the Earth's Crust Act and the Draft Act amending the Aviation Act (both of which will be represented during proceedings by the Minister of Climate); and the Draft Act amending the Land Tax Act (represented by the Minister of Regional Affairs). All five draft laws have been submitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that there were no further requests to speak, and the Riigikogu Board has accepted five draft acts, the decision regarding their subsequent proceedings to be made in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greeted the members of the Riigikogu, declared the plenary session open, and conducted a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
65 Riigikogu members are present, and 36 are absent; now is the time for the submission of bills and interpellations. Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, please proceed.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart submitted a motion of no confidence against the Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology, Tiit Riisalo, and accused him and the government of the failure of economic policy, the lack of impact analysis, and links of interest with Eesti 200 sponsors, including Bolt's lobbying behind the decisions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker expresses thanks.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
According to the rapporteur, Bolt, among other things, casts a negative shadow on the integrity of governance within the sector, and following this accumulation of all the aforementioned problems and doubts, we do not see how the minister can continue in office.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Ants Frosch to speak.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch submitted an interpellation concerning the clawback of state support from Otepää Rental Houses, asking when a decision in the proceedings will be issued, whether this case—unique on an Estonian scale—might point to the interests of Pro Kinnisvara OÜ in the utilization of state support provided as an interest-free loan, and how to assess the actions of the Otepää municipal government when encumbering the residential building at Kopli Street 2a with mortgages.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi posed a procedural question to Jüri Ratas and asked whether something had gone wrong.
Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas expresses confusion regarding the motion of no confidence filed by EKRE and the Centre Party, alongside EKRE's interpellation concerning Minister Tiit Riisalo, questioning whether these two actions are mutually exclusive and how the minister is expected to respond in that scenario.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that regardless of the order of business, and even if a motion of no confidence is passed, the interpellation remains valid, and the subsequent minister will respond to the matter. Furthermore, the Presidium is attempting to clarify the procedural rules, having accepted one motion for a vote of no confidence and one interpellation, and now we can proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Riigikogu Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi opened Wednesday’s plenary session, conducted the roll call, and pointed out technical failures with the console, which is apparently outdated and is scheduled for replacement later this year, with the hope that such issues will be less frequent moving forward.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
68 members of the Riigikogu registered their attendance, 33 are absent; it is now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations. Helir-Valdor Seeder, please proceed.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Isamaa faction highlighted the impact of the war in Ukraine and the issue of war refugees, linking it to the 80th anniversary of the Great Escape in Estonian history. They submitted a bill to the Riigikogu proposing that the 80th anniversary of the Great Escape be marked as a flag day on September 19, 2024, requiring flags to be flown at state and local government institutions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi called Mart Maastik to the stage.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The purpose of the draft legislation is to amend the Act on the Implementation of the Code of Civil Procedure and the Code of Enforcement Procedure, and to grant individuals a new opportunity to submit an application for the reopening of proceedings if the Supreme Court did not grant leave to proceed under the law that was in force until January 1, 2006, but the law that entered into force on January 1, 2006, establishes the basis for such an application.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Board has adopted one draft resolution and one draft act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker of the Riigikogu greeted the members, opened the Thursday plenary session of the Riigikogu, and called for a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman informed the assembly that 41 members of the Riigikogu were present and 60 were absent, and that it is possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations. There are no requests for the floor, and today's agenda will be taken up, but the presenter for the important national issue has changed: instead of Sirli Männiksaar, the founder and CEO of DefSecIntel Solutions, Jaanus Tamm, will be the rapporteur.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar welcomed the members of the Riigikogu, announced the commencement of the Monday sitting of the 16th working week of the III session, and first called for a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that 86 members of the Riigikogu have registered as present and 15 are absent, and the confirmation of the agenda will take place after the announcement of an amendment, according to which Martin Helme, Helle-Moonika Helme, and Varro Vooglaid have withdrawn interpellation No. 521 addressed to Signe Riisalo. Since the response to that interpellation would have been the fourth item on the agenda, the item is therefore removed from the agenda. Furthermore, before the confirmation, questions regarding the procedure for conducting the session will be posed — by Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Honorable Chairman, two weeks ago the Centre Party and EKRE factions submitted a motion of no confidence against Minister of Economic Affairs Tiit Riisalo, and they asked why the procedure has not yet been placed on the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar reported sound issues, explained that due to the schedule, the Riisalo no-confidence motion would be discussed next Monday as the first item on the agenda, and stated that everyone would have the opportunity to ask more detailed questions. Following this, Lauri Laats raised a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats proposed amending the draft agenda, specifically moving the Centre Party's Bill 408 from position 3 to position 6, so that its discussion would follow that of Bill 405 OE.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the colleague and announced that Riigikogu Decision 395 OE, submitted by the Isamaa faction, would be added as the fifth item on the agenda, and if there were no objections, we could implement this change, following which Jaak Valge posed a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge proposed removing the agenda item from today's work plan and suggested that all factions refrain from participating in subsequent strategy discussions until the minister has submitted a report, or at least its main theses and statistical material, at least one week before the discussion. He stressed that without a proper overview and sufficient preparation time, a parliamentary debate is not sensible, and that parliamentary honor must be protected.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the Rules of Procedure Act does not mandate the submission of presentation materials, but the Riigikogu Board has approached the Prime Minister with a proposal that members of the government should submit the text of their presentation or their key speaking points to the Riigikogu as early as possible. In this specific instance, the materials have been forwarded to the members of the Riigikogu. The proposal is clear, but if anyone objects to it, it cannot be taken into account, and Martin Helme inquired about the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme raised two issues. Firstly, the Riigikogu Board needs to finalize the agenda materials for next week, and if those materials are unavailable, the standard procedure would be to state that the matter will not be placed on the agenda. Secondly, 21 members of parliament have submitted a motion of no confidence against the minister, yet it is not scheduled for discussion, and he inquired about the next steps.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar announced that the motion of no confidence would be handled next Monday as the first item on the agenda, and regarding the submission of materials, the Riigikogu Board has addressed the Prime Minister in writing, and ministers have started sending materials more actively. However, the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act does not stipulate an obligation to send materials for presentations, and this matter will be discussed further.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker asks how long the no-confidence procedure can be maximally dragged out, noting that the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure only stipulate the earliest possible time, not a final deadline. They further inquire whether, if the minister is abroad, the no-confidence motion can be kept off the agenda for several months, and how these rules should be interpreted.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman confirmed that the minister would not be embarking on a round-the-world trip. He will return here exactly one week from now and answer all the questions posed, including the discussion of the motion of no confidence.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticizes the minister, stating that the materials for the implementation of the development strategy have not been sent in advance, and if they are unavailable, the agenda item must not be taken up for discussion; he emphasizes that the government is failing to react, and this reflects a negative attitude towards the board and the Riigikogu (Parliament).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that if no one objects, the changes can be introduced today, the board continuously discusses all organizational matters, and Martin Helme raised a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme stated that the Riigikogu board should only take up items for which the materials have been submitted five days in advance; otherwise, they should be excluded from the agenda. He also criticized the postponement of the no-confidence vote due to the minister's round-the-world trip, and asked what should be done if the party's motion of no confidence never makes it onto the agenda—should they just wait until the elections?
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Lauri Hussar noted that not all the materials would be ready by Thursday, and the rules of procedure do not mandate their submission. However, the Riigikogu Board is communicating with the government and is striving to find a solution to ensure the materials arrive in good time.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart requests the chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee to postpone the debate on the bill's competition procedure and organize a joint session with the Legal Affairs and Constitutional Committees to avoid formal constitutional issues and ensure the bill is processed properly.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that he would discuss the specific draft legislation with the Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee. Furthermore, the board has mandated the Economic Affairs Committee to seek the opinions of both the Legal Affairs Committee and the Constitutional Committee, which the committee will duly consider.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme criticized the Estonian parliament for the delayed handling of motions of no confidence, citing the cases of Kristina Kallas and Tiit Riisalo, and questioned whether they intend to wait until the elections for the next ministers as well.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that the first item next week is the motion of no confidence in Minister Tiit Riisalo, because the agenda is packed and two major issues cannot fit into a single day.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid posed two questions: whether it would be consistent with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and internal working order if the Board did not place the motion of no confidence on the agenda within the next month, and whether the Speaker intends to stand up for the interests of all Riigikogu members when communicating with the government and ensure the timely receipt of materials.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that they are in contact with the Government of the Republic and are submitting the request once again, asking that the materials be sent well in advance.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder made two proposals regarding the agenda: first, he recommended removing today's first agenda item from this week’s schedule and returning with the necessary materials to ensure that the role of parliament and the inclusion of the opposition are preserved; second, he suggested excluding Bill 437, the Act amending the Land Tax Act, from the debate, as it contradicts the principle of legal certainty. He further added that the discussion of the motion of no confidence in the minister is not required today, since the deadlines for that procedure are not fixed by law.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This body will discuss this next Monday, and the information regarding the submission of materials has already reached the commission, and the proposals are clear, so if no one objects, they can be taken into consideration. Erkki Keldo requested the floor.
Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo, speaking on behalf of the Reform Party, announced that they do not agree with removing the item from the agenda, and that the report by the Minister of Social Protection and the draft act on amending the Land Tax Act will remain on the agenda. Furthermore, they do not agree with the rescheduling of Wednesday's session due to Jürgen Ligi being the co-rapporteur, although the initiators may withdraw the bill or process it again next week.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the colleague for their views and announced that those proposals could not currently be considered. He then proceeded to prepare the vote for the adoption of the agenda, informing the assembly that interpellation No. 521 had been withdrawn, thereby putting to a vote the confirmation of the agenda for the 16th working week of the third session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda: 59 in favor, 24 against, with no abstentions. Following this, it was possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations, and Heili Tõnisson, the representative of the Government of the Republic, was invited to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Government representative Heili Tõnisson announced to the Riigikogu today that the government is initiating one draft resolution of the Riigikogu—the Granting of Consent for the Increase of the Quota of the Republic of Estonia in the International Monetary Fund—and three draft laws: the draft law on amendments to the Penal Code and related acts (sanctions misdemeanors), the draft law on amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act, and the draft law on amendments to the Income Tax Act. The government will be represented during the proceedings by the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Regional Affairs, respectively; all four drafts have been submitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the previous speaker] and invited Kalle Grünthal to the Riigikogu podium next.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal emphasizes that hunters are partners of the state, landowners, and environmental organizations, fulfilling numerous state-delegated tasks and participating in research, monitoring, and the collection of observational data and biomaterials. He also submitted a draft amendment to the Hunting Act to exempt pensioners from paying the hunting fee, similar to the exemption granted for fishing rights.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the previous speaker] and invited Annely Akkermann to the Riigikogu podium next.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Finance Committee is submitting to the Riigikogu the draft resolution titled “Appointment of a Member of the Bank of Estonia Council from among the Members of the Riigikogu,” and I serve as the representative of the initiator during the deliberation of this draft.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Board of the Riigikogu has adopted six draft acts, and the Board will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. Dear colleagues, let us proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the honorable members of the Riigikogu, declares the Tuesday sitting of the Riigikogu Plenary Session open, and requests a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
74 members of the Riigikogu registered their presence, and 27 are absent; there is now an opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations, but no one has expressed that desire; before proceeding to the agenda, Urmas Reinsalu raised a question regarding the rules for conducting the sitting.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu inquired of the chairman whether the board had discussed this week’s motion of no confidence against the Minister of Economic Affairs, and whether the information provided regarding the minister’s presence abroad was accurate, the purpose being to clarify whether Parliament had been misled or if the issue stemmed simply from a lack of information.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that they only learned ten minutes before the sitting that Minister Riisalo was not actually abroad—despite earlier assumptions that he was in Switzerland—and that the board felt it was crucial to send a clear message regarding the date of the no-confidence motion debate and to consider the OTRK on Thursday, but that, based on the initial agreement, it needed to stay scheduled for Monday.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stressed that, in order to maintain the parliament's confidence, it is essential to be aware that Tiit Riisalo is currently abroad, and therefore, it will not be possible to put the motion of no confidence on the agenda during the first half of this working week.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He asserted his complete confidence, saying, "Yes, one hundred percent."
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu asked who misled the parliament regarding Tiit Riisalo's presence abroad—whether it was the information provided by the Speaker or the announcement made by the Minister of Economic Affairs—and whether, given this situation, it is possible to hold the debate on the motion of no confidence during this week, and he requested the Speaker's clarification regarding the information stated yesterday.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that he has not the slightest reason to doubt that the Speaker of the Riigikogu misled Parliament yesterday, and that the minister failed to inform the Presidium about the change in plans, which should have been done in the context of the motion of no confidence. He added that he does not want a lengthy debate, but instead wishes to address three procedural questions.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal asked where the information about Riisalo originated and who provided it, as well as how it was transmitted, in order to check whether the Riigikogu Board was lying or telling the truth.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the board made an exception and postponed the debate on the motion of no confidence until next week because of Riisalo’s foreign trips. He confirmed that he had not lied and that the board stands by its stance that the discussion can proceed next week.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler leveled direct criticism at the minister, specifically referencing the format used when granting the microphone to Hussar. He noted that the minister should have immediately disclosed the motion of no confidence. Epler then recalled the recent history of the Reform Party and suggested that the prime minister take a walk to Kadriorg to resolve the Riisalo concern and allow the agenda to move forward.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that he cannot compel anyone to speak, confirmed that the minister should have notified the Chancellery of the Riigikogu about the cancellation of the foreign mission, which would have allowed the board to consider adding the motion of no confidence to this week's agenda, and then turned to Urmas Reinsalu, asking for his attention.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu posed three questions regarding Riisalo: where he is currently located, who and when reached an agreement concerning the discussion of the motion of no confidence, and whether and how its proceedings and agenda should be handled given the precedent, referencing the existing 30-year practice and the possibility under the Rules of Procedure Act to supplement the agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that there is a lack of clear information regarding Riisalo, and they are considering the option of holding a no-confidence vote at the board meeting. They are currently gathering additional details and verifying the minister's involvement, and they prefer Wednesday, citing the working hours and OTRK.
Lauri Hussar
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riigikogu Deputy Speaker Lauri Hussar apologized for exceeding the procedural limit. He confirmed that Minister Riisalo had been abroad during the first half of the week and that his subsequent trip had been canceled. Hussar added that the discussion of a nationally important issue, which was planned in the Finance Committee, might be added to the week’s agenda. Consequently, Wednesday could prove to be extremely packed, and colleagues were wished strength.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
We agreed not to take any more procedural questions and to move straight to the vote. Urmas Reinsalu apologized to everyone who would also like to exercise that privilege.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu is protesting the absence of an agreement, highlighting the confusion caused by the lack of knowledge regarding the parliament's rules of procedure and Riisalo's location. He immediately demands clarity and answers concerning the accuracy of the minister's information and the procedure for the motion of no confidence.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Board notes that the date for the debate on Tiit Riisalo's motion of no confidence remains uncertain (Monday or Wednesday), as attendance levels and changes to the agenda may cause it to be postponed. The decision will be made today and immediately communicated to the members of the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu, declares the Wednesday plenary session open, and asks for an attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Sixty-three members of the Riigikogu registered their presence, while 38 are absent. There is now an opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations, but there appears to be no interest in doing so. Urmas Reinsalu then inquired about the rules governing the conduct of the sitting.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu took the floor, pointing out that the whereabouts of the Minister of Economic Affairs, Tiit Riisalo, are unknown, and asked whether the vote on the motion of no confidence would happen today. He stressed, however, that they do not want to set a precedent that would cause the debate to drag on, adding that if there is an objective reason for him not being within the territory of the Republic of Estonia, it is possible to proceed with the process.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that the Riigikogu Board decided to hold the debate regarding the demand for a motion of no confidence in Tiit Riisalo on Monday, June 3, taking into account the long agenda, Thursday's OTRK, and the Board's prior agreement.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
At the beginning of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly's Thursday sitting, participants are welcomed and a roll call is conducted.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Forty-eight members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence; fifty-three are absent. We now have the opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations, and Annely Akkermann is invited to the rostrum.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann announced that the Finance Committee will submit a draft resolution to the Riigikogu for the appointment of a member of the Council of the Bank of Estonia, and that she is the representative in the Riigikogu of the initiator of the proceedings for this draft resolution.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas announced that he had accepted a draft bill on behalf of the Board, and the Riigikogu Board will decide on its further handling in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, while simultaneously emphasizing an environmentally sustainable approach.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar welcomed the esteemed Riigikogu and declared open the Monday sitting of the 17th working week of the third session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly, before calling for a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Sixty-nine members of the Riigikogu are registered as present, and thirty-two are absent. Next, we will proceed to the approval of the agenda, and a question will be put to Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticized the fact that all amendments to the motor vehicle tax bill are bundled together and cannot be voted on separately, and she questioned the grounds upon which this decision was made.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar emphasized that the representative of the Finance Committee is best equipped to answer questions regarding the bundling of amendments, and that the explanatory memorandum provides precise details that, should errors be identified during the proceedings, the second reading of the bill can be suspended after the amendments have been reviewed. He further stressed that the management board had no grounds to exclude the bill from the agenda, which is why the bill is scheduled for this week, and Andrei Korobeinik posed a question concerning the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He is asking for guidance on how to vote on a bill when a single amendment proposal contains multiple sub-amendments, and he supports some of them but not others.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained that if the amendment not supported by the committee is adopted, the second reading process will conclude and the bill’s second reading will be suspended, which was followed by Kert Kingo posing a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo asks the presiding officer why the opposition parties' draft legislation is always scheduled last on Wednesdays.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar noted that the agenda had been structured so that the third readings would come first, followed by the second readings, and finally the first readings, concerning which Aivar Kokk raised a procedural question regarding the conduct of the sitting.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk asks about Wednesday's motor vehicle tax bill, specifically whether the second reading should be suspended so that stakeholders can submit amendments based on the ministry's latest changes, arguing that such a large number of changes fundamentally alters the law and these changes have not yet been debated.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that once the draft bill has been debated in the committee, members will have familiarized themselves with it, and should there be further questions, the representative of the Finance Committee and the rapporteur of the bill will present the proposed amendments, after which specific questions may be asked. Following this, Anti Poolamets raised a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets criticized the Economic Affairs Committee's emergency and concealed work schedule, noting that the late-night session did not allow for the discussion of amendment proposals. He stressed that such proposals and summonses must be thoroughly justified so as not to mislead the public.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Lauri Hussar said that the handling of matters must definitely be proper, but I find it very difficult to comment on it in any way, and questions must be directed to the chairman of the committee; Helir-Valdor Seeder asked a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder called for Wednesday's agenda item No. 2—the draft Motor Vehicle Tax Act—to be removed from the agenda, arguing that the bill violates the Rules of Procedure and the materials have not been sufficiently reviewed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked his colleague, affirmed that both the viewpoint and the proposal were clear, and noted that the board had no grounds to place the draft legislation on the agenda. Nevertheless, he acknowledged the specific request to speak and invited Erkki Keldo to address the floor.
Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo thanks, brings up Helir-Valdor Seeder's procedural question, and asks whether it is possible to make a proposal for changing the agenda within the framework of such a question.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He basically did it.
Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo, speaking on behalf of the Reform Party faction, announced that they are not willing to change the week's agenda whatsoever and do not support Helir-Valdor Seeder's proposal to withdraw the draft legislation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the speaker and informed the body that Andrei Korobeinik would next pose a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik thanked the chairman and deemed Helir-Valdor’s proposal to withdraw the draft bill reasonable. However, he did not receive an answer on how to vote in a situation where a single amendment proposal contains multiple sub-proposals, and while one of them suits some deputies, the remaining 20 do not. He requested clarity and a plan by Wednesday or Thursday.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman confirmed that amendments must be submitted to the committee's rapporteur, and if an amendment not supported by the committee gains the support of the main chamber, the result will be the suspension of the second reading—a procedure stipulated in the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo criticizes the work of the Riigikogu, claiming that the draft legislation proposed by opposition parties is always placed at the end of the agenda on Wednesdays, and that for weeks there have only been first readings. She calls for an explanation that actually corresponds to reality.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the bills on the agenda are ordered according to their procedural stages, starting with third readings, then second readings, and finally first readings, while attempting to maintain the sequence of bills originating from the same lead committee and presented by the same rapporteur. Furthermore, if a bill has been repeatedly withdrawn from the agenda or if discussion is not possible, it is added to the very end of the agenda, a practice which makes compiling the Riigikogu’s weekly schedule extremely complicated. Following this, Urmas Reinsalu posed a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu expressed concern over the confusion surrounding the car tax and made two proposals to the Riigikogu Board: the interruption of the second reading if the amendments change the substance of the bill, and a question regarding how to proceed when substantively related yet contradictory amendments have been bundled into a single package.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained that the Riigikogu Board does not evaluate the substance of individual amendments; that task belongs to the committee. He noted that if the goal is for the amendments to pass, members should vote in favor of them, because doing so interrupts the second reading of the bill and gives the committee the opportunity to decide which amendments to retain. Furthermore, if an amendment that was not supported by the committee nevertheless receives support, the second reading of the bill is interrupted.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticized the lack of information regarding the proposed amendments and the fact that they have been bundled together, meaning the Riigikogu doesn't know what exactly it is voting on or how. She also asked when all the information would be made public.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the table of amendments must be submitted by this evening. The Finance Committee, at its session on May 28, adopted a clear position: should any related amendment gain the support of the Riigikogu plenary, a motion will be made to suspend the second reading of the draft bill. This provides a clear indication of the consequences in such an event. Furthermore, today, all information and the table of amendments are available in accordance with RKKTS.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas stated that Bill 396, which seeks to annul the closure of the consulate, does not require an absolute majority of the membership, and a simple majority is sufficient. However, current Riigikogu practice dictates that an absolute majority is needed for this purpose. He called for this requirement to be changed and stressed that all votes must be conducted according to the established procedure.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that the board adheres to the consensus position of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and for the bill to be adopted as a decision of the Riigikogu, it requires a majority vote of the full membership. The final position will be formed based on the decision of that committee.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder criticizes the Riigikogu Board for neglecting its duty of diligence and statutory obligations, accusing them of diminishing the responsibility owed to the leading committee and citing repeated protests that were ignored. He refers to the basis provided by § 107 of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, which allows for the interruption of a bill's second reading. He proposes that this week's agenda be brought into alignment with established practice—first the motion of no confidence in the minister, then the draft decision, and only after that, the interpellations—and asks whether Riisalo would still be required to answer subsequent interpellations if the vote of no confidence is passed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explains that Tiit Riisalo will come to answer the interpellation, allowing us to move forward with the issues. However, he will not answer the second interpellation, and if the motion of no confidence finds support, the second agenda item will not be opened. At the same time, he confirms that § 107 subsection 3 means that the second reading of the bill can only be interrupted after the voting on the proposed amendments.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticized the coalition's rushed handling of the car tax bill proceedings, citing the legal department's analysis. He recommended halting the second reading and asked for a personal assessment regarding the quality of the process.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained that the second reading of the bill may be interrupted only after the proposed amendments have been voted upon. He justified granting the floor to Erkki Keldo within the scope of Helir-Valdor Seeder’s procedural question and emphasized that constant procedural questions can significantly disrupt the course of the sitting, prompting Andrei Korobeinik to submit a question regarding the conduct of the session.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She said we'd only find out if they stop by waiting a little while, because if they're cut off abruptly, we won't ever know.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman noted that there was now reason to provide a brief interim summary.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik discusses how a Riigikogu member should vote on a package that includes both substantive and obstructionist amendments, if he wishes to support only the substantive ones (e.g., tax relief for disabled people or large families) and does not know how to realize the option for a separate vote, since the rules of procedure require that amendments put to a vote must have received at least two affirmative votes in the committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar noted that a large volume of amendments could indicate obstructionist proposals. He recommended voting in favor of any proposal that had not received the support of the Finance Committee. However, if a proposal did find support, the second reading would be interrupted, and the Finance Committee would begin deliberating which proposal would remain on the table. Kalle Grünthal then raised a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal criticizes the coalition’s method of using a committee’s right to self-governance to suppress parliamentary obstruction. He requests concrete, functional ways for Riigikogu members to exercise their right to seek redress when they observe that the committee and its staff are violating the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar noted that following its adoption, the law will be directed to constitutional review, and the decision on this matter will involve the President of the Republic of Estonia and the standpoints of the Supreme Court concerning the review of the package of amendments and the issue of obstruction. There are various solutions, including one court ruling, and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart submitted a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart asserts that the Center Party’s proposed amendments were substantive, not obstructionist, and the new linking system is causing confusion and uncertainty, as it is unclear what exactly will be voted on in the end, and whether the board intends to limit recesses.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the process could become very complicated if the amendment gains the support of the plenary and the committee suspends the second reading of the bill. He also noted that the board has not made a decision regarding the taking of ten-minute recesses, as these are regulated by the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler presented two questions reflecting his personal opinion: whether the procedure for handling the motor vehicle tax bill is good and could serve as a precedent in the future, and whether laws play a significant role or if the primary importance lies with the committees' right to self-regulation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that an overly short deadline for submitting amendments is unwarranted, and the procedural time should always be reasonable. He noted that in this specific instance, there has been sufficient time, the committee is fully abreast of the situation and knows how to proceed, and therefore, he believes the committee has a significant right to self-governance. Kalle Grünthal will now pose the final procedural question, after which the floor will be yielded to Helir-Valdor Seeder.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal specifically asks whether a member of the Riigikogu can challenge a committee's allegedly unlawful activity during the course of parliamentary work, and how this is connected to constitutional review.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that questions concerning the committee's work should be submitted in writing to the board, and then invited Helir-Valdor Seeder to the floor to speak.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder asserted that the ongoing violation of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act is serious and that the board is refusing to debate the matter. He subsequently submitted a procedural motion to restructure the agenda, citing time management concerns, proposing to place the query to the minister second and the draft Riigikogu resolution third. He stressed that the board must consider the time constraints of all 101 Riigikogu members, not solely those of the minister.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the colleague, stating that if no one objected to the proposal, it could be handled as such. He clarified that there was no current proposal concerning the car tax bill and invited Helir-Valdor Seeder to the microphone.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
I submitted a procedural motion concerning the motor vehicle tax bill, but Erkki Keldo immediately blocked it and stated that he disagreed. The current proposal relates to today's agenda and seeks to swap the order of the second and third items on the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo will begin with an address delivered on site.
Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo stated that the faction fundamentally disagrees with changing the agenda whatsoever. He then asked whether the rejection issued on one occasion also applies to subsequent proposed amendments, stressing that the Riigikogu decision is so crucial that no member of parliament may leave before it is finalized, and consequently, he cannot agree to this specific change.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked his colleague and stated that, for the sake of the minutes, it would be better to reiterate his position regarding the proposals that had just been voiced again, although his position was already clear the first time around, and then asked Andrei Korobeinik to take the floor right there.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik stated that the proposal received from Helir came as a surprise and concerns Eesti 200's peculiar backroom politics, adding that the Centre Faction and he personally do not support this proposal.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announces that he will address the final two procedural questions and subsequently approve the agenda, calling upon Rain Epler.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asked the chairman of the session whether he shared the understanding that Erkki Keldo had made a proposal suggesting that if Keldo has said something just once, then that's the final word, and whether the chairman supported the idea that the work should proceed exactly as Keldo says.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman emphasized that for the sake of the protocol, those positions must be reiterated to make the session easier to follow. He noted that he understood Erkki Keldo's position, but he himself held a very clear personal view, and finally invited Helle-Moonika Helme to take the floor.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme believes that changing the order of the agenda items so that more Riigikogu members can participate is a valid consideration, but she criticizes the presidium for prioritizing the motion of no confidence first and Riisalo’s response second, arguing that this sequencing presupposes the minister will continue in his role, even though there are strong reasons for him not to do so.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offered a brief recommendation regarding changing the agenda when using the ‘Sõna’ (Word) button, noted that Erkki Keldo had clearly stated his disagreement with the changes and would not be granted the floor again, mentioned Helle-Moonika Helme’s procedural question, and stated that if the motion of no confidence against the Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology passes, the second agenda item would not be opened. Finally, he called upon the Riigikogu to vote on the adoption of the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar announced the results of the vote (54 in favor, 23 against), approved the agenda, and informed members that they could submit draft legislation and interpellations. He then invited Ms. Heili Tõnisson, the representative of the Government of the Republic, to the Riigikogu podium.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Today, the government is initiating four draft acts: the draft Act on amendments to the Education Act and consequential amendments to other acts (establishing compulsory learning obligation); the draft Act on the ratification of the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation with respect to income taxes and the prevention of tax fraud; the draft Act on amendments to the Medical Devices Act (granting competence to the State Agency of Medicines); and the draft Act on accession to the Convention establishing the European Organization for Nuclear Research, its associated Financial Protocol, and the Protocol on Privileges and Immunities. All four have been submitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the previous speaker and invites Kalle Grünthal to the Riigikogu rostrum to speak next.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal claims that parliament has become something of a laughing stock, and that ministers knowingly provide false statements during information sessions and in responses to interpellations. He is proposing amendments to the Penal Code, under which giving false testimony in the Riigikogu would be punishable by a monetary fine or up to three years of imprisonment. Furthermore, submitting documents necessary for the Riigikogu's work that contain false information would be punishable by up to five years of imprisonment. The goal is to restore the dignity of the good old parliament.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked [the previous speaker/group] and called Martin Helme to the Riigikogu podium.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme has stated that Estonia has too few public holidays and is proposing two changes: adding Easter Monday to the list of official holidays, and establishing a rule that if a national holiday falls on a weekend or if holidays are consecutive, the following Monday (and Tuesday, if needed) will be designated as days off.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked him and invited Eerik-Niiles Kross to the Riigikogu podium.
Eerik-Niiles Kross
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Eerik-Niiles Kross presents a draft resolution supported by 45 members of the Riigikogu, which is titled "On the Crisis of Democracy in Georgia."
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker/group] and invites Igor Taro to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Igor Taro
AI Summary
On behalf of the Environment Committee, Igor Taro submitted two draft resolutions: one concerning the appointment of a member to the Supervisory Board of the State Forest Management Centre, and the other concerning the recall and subsequent appointment of a new member to the Supervisory Board of the Environmental Investment Centre Foundation. Tiit Maran will represent the committee during the processing of these drafts in the Riigikogu, and the texts of the drafts have been submitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Board of the Riigikogu has accepted eight draft acts and will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Following the salutation to the honorable members of the Riigikogu, the Tuesday plenary session of the Riigikogu was declared open and a roll call was conducted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that 63 members of the Riigikogu were present (38 absent), and that the Reform Party faction's proposal to extend today's sitting until the agenda is completed, but no later than 2 p.m., would be put to a vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu supported the proposal with 61 votes in favor, 4 against, and 0 abstentions; today's sitting will be extended until the agenda is exhausted, but no later than 2 PM, and we will continue with the agenda today.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets his colleagues, opens the Riigikogu's Wednesday plenary sitting, and calls for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 71 members of the Riigikogu were present and 30 were absent, and declared the start of the submission of bills and interpellations, first inviting Mrs. Heili Tõnisson, the representative of the Government of the Republic.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Today, the Government is initiating the draft law on the 2024 State Supplementary Budget, and the Minister of Finance will represent the Government during its proceedings. The draft has been forwarded electronically.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that one draft law had been adopted on behalf of the Riigikogu Board, and that before proceeding with the agenda, colleagues had questions for the presiding officer, whereupon he called upon Andrei Korobeinik.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik is confused about the vote on the car tax bill because the proposed amendments have been combined, and he doesn't know whether he should vote yes or no.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The most authoritative answer to your question will come from the representative of the lead committee, Annely Akkermann, the Chair of the Finance Committee, who will deliver a report and explain how to vote.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal stated that a member of the Riigikogu is independent and inviolable, and may not be hindered or directed while carrying out their duties as a representative of the people, stressing the equality of Riigikogu members and the immunity granted by law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the rights of members may be restricted for the sake of the Riigikogu's effective work, because no right is absolute, and the abuse of rights stemming from a mandate cannot be considered a value protected by the Supreme Court.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu emphasized that the law and the house rules must be followed, and that it is not possible to proceed with agenda item No. 2, the motor vehicle tax bill, due to incomplete and untimely submitted documents. He made this statement regarding the independent amendment proposal (No. 9, formerly No. 59) and accused the plan of violating the law, asking the presiding officer to consider suspending or not processing the agenda item until the correct documentation is available, and inquired what the chairman thought of his proposal.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi, presiding over the session, stressed that he lacked the authority to change the agenda approved by the majority of the Riigikogu, and that no proposals had been made to amend the agenda.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart expressed concern that obstructionist and substantive amendments have been bundled together, consolidating proposals from various factions and individual members, and asked how the draft bill could be processed in such a situation, given that this bundling conflicts with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi noted that most of their proposed amendments are obstructionist and the committee has acted in a similar manner, but he will not assess specific amendments because explanations are shared only with the lead committee. Furthermore, there are indications in the explanatory memorandum and the materials for the second reading, and the Supreme Court on February 14 granted Parliament a broader mandate for bundling amendments to ensure effective functioning.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticized the session chairman's justification, noting that significant amendments had been made during the processing of the draft legislation, and the second reading had been expedited at the urgent request of the board, and he asked the deputy chairman for his personal opinion regarding the quality of this process.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He stressed that the preparation of the agenda is a collegial decision made by the Riigikogu Board, and is not based on his personal opinion or the positions of the aforementioned colleagues.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In my presentation, I point out that while some amendments have differing effective dates, which could be a matter of interpretation and even an obstacle, there are many substantive proposals, such as the tax exemption for people with disabilities. Given that the Constitution places people with disabilities under the special care of the state, it is not reasonable to put this specific proposal to a vote along with the others—Mr. Chairman, please draw attention to this. I am absolutely certain that you have reviewed the bills on the agenda and seen what the Finance Committee did to our amendments by a majority vote, and you now have the opportunity to intervene decisively.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stressed that he lacks the authority to change the decisions of the Finance Committee and can only offer assessments, citing the explanations provided by committee chair Annely Akkermann. He further emphasized that the final decision must be made thoughtfully, and the bill should be voted for even if some specific provision is unsuitable.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu accuses the presiding officer of blocking the legislative procedure on behalf of the ruling coalition. He calls on the chairman to take a recess, convene the board members, and discuss whether the processing of the draft bill should be halted, as well as to clarify how recesses and the second reading procedure are organized, citing a letter of protest bearing 80,000 signatures.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the management board formally has the option to suspend the proceedings during the second reading, but he neither sees the necessity for it nor intends to establish such a practice. Furthermore, no decision has been made regarding the limitation of breaks, and if the procedure moves at a normal pace, there will be no need for pauses.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik stated that this is not a formal but a substantive opportunity, which grants Parliament the right to vote on material amendments, and called on the board to make a historical intervention and implement the provision so that the members of parliament could do the work for which the people elected them.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi confirmed that upon opening the debate, the bill can be dropped not only by the Presidium, but by the majority of the Riigikogu, and this possibility persists even if the Presidium does not exercise it, and he stands by his previous position.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder emphasized that the efficiency of the Riigikogu's work must be assessed by quality, not by the sheer number of laws passed. He supported the board's decision to terminate the second reading pursuant to §107 in order to prevent the adoption of a bill that conflicts with the law and its subsequent non-promulgation by the President. He also noted that voting on individual amendments does not provide an adequate comparison to the final vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi noted that the proposal to suspend the second reading of the draft bill was known and did not receive sufficient support in the presidium, and the legality of the law will ultimately be assessed by the President, the Chancellor of Justice, and the court; the transcript will be published, and the procedural question will be directed to Kalle Grünthal.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal queried whether the bundling of draft legislation in the committees was legitimate, referred to numerous complaints lodged with the Riigikogu Board, and emphasized that these should first be resolved before proceeding, while also supporting the positions of Isamaa.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the Supreme Court has clearly stated that the decisions of the committees cannot be challenged under the procedure of constitutional review, and although the board may give the committees general instructions and remarks concerning their work, it is not an appellate body and does not interfere with independent work.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas opened the Thursday sitting of the 17th working week of the 3rd session and announced that first, a roll call would be conducted.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas announced that 48 Riigikogu members were present and 53 were absent. He apologized for the protests and the technical problem, confirmed Aivar Kokk’s registration, and made public the proposal by the Deputy Chairman of the Reform Party to extend the sitting until 2:00 p.m. He then invited Urmas Reinsalu to the podium.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu submitted an official interpellation to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, requesting clarification on the cuts exceeding 100 million euros made to the Ministry of Defence's four-year development plan compared to the ten-year plan, and why security assistance for Ukraine is not budgeted for the 2027–2028 period. He emphasized that the Prime Minister must immediately appear before parliament to provide explanations regarding both the defense spending cuts and the matter of aid to Ukraine.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas announced that the Riigikogu Board will decide on the further processing of one interpellation and will put the Reform Party faction's proposal to a vote, which seeks to extend today's sitting until the agenda is exhausted, but no later than 14:00, and asked [members] to take a stand and vote.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The proposal was supported: 39 in favor, 7 against, and there were no abstentions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Plenary Assembly began its Monday sitting for the 18th working week of the third session and conducted a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Seventy-three members of the Riigikogu registered their attendance, while 28 were absent. They then proceeded to prepare for the confirmation of the agenda, requesting that Urmas Reinsalu present a motion and handing him the microphone.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He said there were proposals, and the recommendation is to drop the land tax and car tax legislation from the agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech is an expression of thanks and a request addressed to Erkki Keldo.
Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
The Reform Party faction disagrees with altering this week's agenda and does not support the withdrawal of the motor vehicle tax and the land tax.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi puts the agenda for the 18th working week of the 3rd session of the Riigikogu to a vote and invites his colleagues to take a position.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda, allowing for the submission of draft legislation and interpellations, in connection with which government representative Heili Tõnisson was invited to address the chamber.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Government representative Heili Tõnisson announced that the government is initiating a draft bill to reorganize the Land Board (Maa-amet) into the Land and Spatial Planning Agency (Maa- ja Ruumiamet) and to amend other laws. This legislation, which has been submitted electronically, will be represented in the Riigikogu by the Regional Minister.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman thanked [the previous speaker/assembly] and invited Urmas Reinsalu to speak.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu presents, on behalf of the Special Committee for State Budget Control, an overview of the activities of this working year.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, I received one draft law and the annual activity overview of the Special Committee on State Budget Control.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu, calls Tuesday's plenary sitting to order, and requests a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Sixty-two members of the Riigikogu registered their attendance, 39 were absent, and now there is an opportunity to submit bills and interpellations.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak announced that the Social Affairs Committee is submitting a draft act amending the Medicinal Products Act and the Health Services Organisation Act. The purpose of this draft act is to ensure the state's healthcare reserve and transfer the responsibility for its formation, management, renewal, and deployment from the Health Board to regional hospitals with state participation, and the draft act has been submitted electronically.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Bureau, I have accepted one draft bill. Following the conclusion of the plenary sitting, a meeting for the formation of the Estonia–North Macedonia parliamentary group will take place here in the session hall. The meeting is convened by our colleague Peeter Tali, after which we will be able to proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the esteemed members of the Riigikogu, declares the Wednesday sitting of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly open, and calls for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
69 members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence, 32 are absent; today's 21st item on the agenda is the first reading of draft bill 402, initiated by the Estonian Centre Party faction, concerning the amendment of Section 2 of the Law on Holidays and Commemorative Dates. The committee report on this matter will be presented by Pipi-Liis Siemann, a member of the Constitutional Committee, and before continuing with the agenda, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart asks, "What is your concern?"
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He expresses concern that the second reading of the supplementary budget is proceeding very quickly—the initial reading took place on Monday, and an additional sitting is being called for Friday—and asks whether this is in compliance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and internal rules, as well as the requirements for the standard minimum ten-day deadline for amendments.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that although it is not good practice, it does not violate the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and this is an urgent bill whose purpose is to improve Estonia's budgetary position.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal claims that the answer given to the question contradicts the Home and Work Order Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi confirmed that this does not violate the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal asks when the Rules of Procedure will come back into effect for us.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
That applies, naturally.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas greets his colleagues and the members of the Riigikogu, and declares open the Thursday sitting of the 18th working week of the third session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar announces the supplementary sitting of the Third Session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly, commemorates the victims of the June Deportations with a moment of silence, and calls for a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that 61 members of the Riigikogu had registered their presence, confirming that the sitting constituted a quorum. He further explained that the agenda for the supplementary sitting needed to be confirmed and put to a vote regarding the approval of the supplementary agenda for the third session on June 14th.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda with 57 votes in favor and 5 against, and opened the floor for the submission of bills and interpellations, while simultaneously inviting Varro Vooglaid to the rostrum.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid submitted a draft bill to the Riigikogu that would prohibit state funding for elective abortions, based on the constitutional right to life and the opinions of the Chancellor of Justice, which hold that life extends to unborn children. He framed this as a test of whether Estonia is truly a rule of law state.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the assembly/previous speaker] and called Urmas Reinsalu to the Riigikogu rostrum to deliver his address.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu accuses the government of lying in connection with the 2023 national defense development plan, and raises questions regarding the requests of the Commander of the Defense Forces and the procurement of ammunition, claiming that the government is reducing national defense expenditures by approximately 400 million euros compared to the plan.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, I have received one draft bill and one interpellation, and the Board will decide on their further procedure in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. We shall now proceed to today's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riigikogu Speaker Lauri Hussar announced the commencement of the supplementary sitting of the Riigikogu's third session and requested an attendance check, stating that the sitting had been convened pursuant to law and the decision of the Board.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker announced that 73 members of the Riigikogu were present, establishing a quorum, and that the approval of the agenda would commence. This included confirming the agenda for an additional sitting as required by law. However, before the approval, the procedure for conducting the sitting would be discussed, and Kalle Grünthal was invited to take the floor.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal thanks the audience and notes that there was discussion here.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar apologizes for the noise in the hall and asks Kalle Grünthal to state his question clearly.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He/She asks whether the session is supplementary or extraordinary, and why these terms are often confused.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announced a supplementary sitting and called upon Helir-Valdor Seeder to speak, noting that the sitting was supplementary according to the time frame.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I understand that this is an additional sitting.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirms that this is an additional session, and that is entirely correct.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He proposes removing the first and second items from the supplementary session's agenda and limiting the proceedings to the third and fourth items.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirms that the proposal is to exclude both the draft act on the state's 2024 supplementary budget, initiated by the Government of the Republic, and the draft act amending the Land Tax Act, also initiated by the Government of the Republic.
Yoko Alender
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Reform Party faction does not support this proposal.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the preceding proposal would not be taken into account, and proceeded to prepare for the vote on confirming the agenda, subsequently putting the agenda for the supplementary sitting of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly's Third Session on June 19 to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda following a vote: 58 in favor, 19 against, with no abstentions recorded. It is now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations, and Lauri Laats was invited to the speaker's podium.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats called on the Riigikogu to form an investigative committee for the Rail Baltic project to clarify the financing and future course of the project in cooperation with Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, and to answer the questions presented by the National Audit Office. He also urged all parliamentary factions to support the bill.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the Riigikogu Board has adopted a draft act and will decide on its further processing pursuant to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that an extraordinary session of the Riigikogu has been convened at the request of 37 members, pursuant to Article 68 of the Constitution and Article 51, subsection 1 of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and the agenda contains two items that have been tabled.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair asks the colleagues to check their presence.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Ninety-three members of the Riigikogu are present and eight are absent, meaning the sitting has a quorum. The proposal by the Presidium to establish the working schedule for the extraordinary session by a simple majority vote is now put to the vote, so that we may work without interruption until the agenda is exhausted.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The proposal received support (87 in favor, 1 against, 1 abstention), and it is now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations. Following this, Heili Tõnisson, the representative of the Government of the Republic, was invited to the podium.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The Government submitted nine draft acts to the Riigikogu, ranging from the draft amendments to the Waste Act, the Traffic Act, and the State Fees Act, up to the draft ratification of ILO Convention 190. During the proceedings for these drafts, the Government will be represented respectively by the Ministers of Climate, Finance, Education and Research, Justice, Defence, and Economic Affairs and Information Technology.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker offers his thanks and invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to the Riigikogu rostrum next.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party faction submitted an interpellation to the Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology, noting that the internet offered in Estonia is expensive and slow, citing examples of the profits made by Telia and Elisa, and asking what steps the state plans to take to remedy the situation and how this affects the country's reputation in the ICT sector.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gives his thanks and invites Helir-Valdor Seeder to the Riigikogu rostrum next.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The draft resolution submitted to the Riigikogu by the Isamaa faction asks the Government of the Republic to hoist Estonian flags on the 80th anniversary of the Great Flight (Suurpõgenemine). This request is made because the government has not yet reached a decision, and the resolution has also received support from the Global Estonian Central Council.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman offered his thanks and invited his colleague, Urmas Reinsalu, to the rostrum.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stated that the Isamaa party recommends postponing the Reform Party's planned tax bulge for four years to cover budget deficits and national defense expenditures. He then called upon members of parliament at an extraordinary session to vote on the matter, assuring them that Isamaa would support the draft legislation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Board received 11 draft acts and one interpellation, and the Board will decide on their further proceedings in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi declares open the extraordinary session of the Riigikogu, which the Speaker of the Riigikogu has convened pursuant to Article 68 of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia and Article 51 (1) of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and whose agenda consists of one item, which has been distributed to your desks and is not subject to a vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
86 members of the Riigikogu were present, and 15 members were absent. The extraordinary session is quorate, and the Presidium recommends working without a break until the agenda is exhausted, and asks for a vote in favor of this.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
78 votes in favor, 0 against, 3 abstentions; the proposal was supported, and work will continue without recess until the agenda is exhausted; there is now an opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations; Urmas Reinsalu, please — there are a total of four interpellations and eight minutes allocated for their introduction.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu announced that the Isamaa party will submit formal inquiries (interpellations) to the President of the Bank of Estonia and the Chairman of its Supervisory Board regarding the impact of tax increases on inflation and the competitiveness of the economy. He also criticized the coalition’s plan to raise taxes, arguing that Estonia has already been in economic decline for three and a half years, and these planned tax hikes will only increase uncertainty and hinder recovery, which he deems the wrong policy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He/She informs the colleague that the two minutes are up, and asks if we could get the first inquiry.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu claims that the 2025 tax hikes will burden the middle class and lower-income individuals, arguing that they are permanent, not temporary, and were implemented without a popular mandate. Therefore, he calls for snap elections and cuts to state spending, labeling the entire situation a "marketing euphemism" used by the Reform Party.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that four interpellations had been accepted on behalf of the Riigikogu Board, confirming that Kristen Michal remains the candidate for prime minister, and noting that some individuals have found a way to twist the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
At the start of the Riigikogu's extraordinary session, the Speaker announced the agenda, which includes two items and has been supplemented by the addition of Madis Timpson's oath of office.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Let's move on to today's agenda, but we have a slight hitch—I requested the presiding officer's card be brought over to the voting console here so we can register attendance, and then we will conduct the roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
63 members of the Riigikogu are present and 38 are absent, meaning the Riigikogu has a quorum; the Presidium presented the work schedule for the extraordinary session, approved by a majority of votes in favor, and submits it for a vote, so that work may continue without recess until the agenda is exhausted.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar announced that 63 members of the Riigikogu voted in favor of the proposal, with no votes against or abstentions. The proposal was thus supported, and it is now possible to submit bills and interpellations. Priit Sibul is now requested to the speaker's podium.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul announced that, inspired by yesterday's address, they would submit an official query (interpellation) to the Minister of Defence concerning the broad-based security tax. The query aims to clarify the tax's collection and utilization, specifically detailing how much of the revenue will be used to realize the need for additional ammunition, and how much will be distributed to which ministries and for what specific objectives.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that there were no further requests to speak, and the Riigikogu Board has received one interpellation and will determine its further procedure in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the extraordinary session of the Riigikogu will be held at the request of 39 members, pursuant to Article 68 of the Constitution and Article 51 (1) of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and will consist of two sittings, with three items on the agenda for the first sitting and two for the second, and that the agenda has been distributed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expressed his pleasure at seeing all members of the Riigikogu, announced the start of the second sitting of the extraordinary session—which had been convened at the proposal of 39 Riigikogu members—and first requested a check of attendance.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
73 members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence, and 28 are absent. Therefore, the Riigikogu has a quorum. The next item is the submission of draft legislation and interpellations, and we now invite Martin Helme to the Riigikogu podium.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme announced that a motion of no confidence, signed by 23 members of the Riigikogu, had been filed against Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Svet. He is accused of advocating pro-Kremlin views and breaking his oath of office. Helme subsequently called on his colleagues to assess how they would cast their vote regarding the minister.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Thank you very much; there are no further requests to speak, and I have accepted one motion of no confidence on behalf of the Riigikogu Board, the further processing of which the Board will decide in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi hereby opens the extraordinary session of the Riigikogu, which was convened by the Speaker of the Riigikogu at the request of the Government of the Republic, pursuant to the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure Act. This session has one item on its agenda and will commence with a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The extraordinary session of the Riigikogu is quorate, with 71 members present and 30 absent. The Presidium's proposal to work without recess until the agenda is exhausted will now be put to a vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Seventy-one members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, zero against, and zero abstained. We will continue working without a recess until the agenda is exhausted. There is now once again an opportunity to submit bills and interpellations, but no such requests have been made.
AI Summary
The national anthem of the Republic of Estonia is being sung.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the esteemed guests and opens the Fourth Session of the 15th Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that we would now move on to today's agenda items, and first requested that attendance be checked.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker announced that 88 Riigikogu members were present and 13 were absent, and proceeded to approve the agenda, giving Martin Helme the opportunity to make a proposal.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme wishes to amend Thursday's agenda and withdraw the draft legislation submitted by the faction, as they are unable to provide a rapporteur for that day, meaning the presentations will not be delivered this week.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman welcomes his colleagues and calls upon Jaak Valge to ask a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge asserted that this week, the deadline for the first reading of several bills has been missed, and the coalition is violating the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure not for any benefit, but simply for the enjoyment of doing so.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the colleague, confirms that the repeatedly discussed draft legislation will soon enter proceedings and that efforts will be made to process them as quickly as possible, and Kalle Grünthal asks a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He thanked the presiding officer, said that Jaak Valge's response had somewhat puzzled him, and asked for the proportion to be read out of cases in that long list that were introduced into proceedings late, where discussion was impossible due to absence.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar introduced the day’s agenda, noting that several bills (e.g., 402 SE in weeks 17 and 18, 412 SE in week 18, 329 SE in weeks 9, 12, 17, and 18, and 404 SE in weeks 15 through 18) could not proceed due to the impossibility of debate. He expressed hope that these restrictions would not be increased and that the bills would be processed, which was immediately followed by a statement from Martin Helme at the venue.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Colleagues pointed out that perhaps I didn't express myself very clearly, and I would like to withdraw the agenda items for Thursday.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that, following a proposal by the EKRE faction, the first and second agenda items scheduled for Thursday would be removed from this week's agenda. Subsequently, a vote would be held on this week's agenda and the confirmation of the agenda for the first working week of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly's Fourth Session.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda (82 in favor, 0 against, 1 abstention), and it is now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations. To begin, Heili Tõnisson, the representative of the Government of the Republic, was invited to the podium.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government announced today that it will submit four bills and ten draft resolutions of the Riigikogu, which amend the Plant Propagation and Variety Protection Act, the Forest Act, the Imprisonment Act, the Act on Responding to Memoranda and Requests for Explanation and Collective Submissions, and the Blood Act, and extend the deadlines for the use of the defense forces in several international operations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and invites his colleague, Andrei Korobeinik, to speak next.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik called on parliament to discuss the budget and economic policy in their entirety, partially agreeing with Kaja Kallas's criticism of the Reform Party's economic policy. He supported the idea of a bank tax as an alternative, estimating it would generate about half a billion euros annually. Korobeinik stressed the necessity of savings and illustrated, using the example of cutting expense compensations, how slow that process would be compared to the effect of the bank tax, expressing hope that the proposal would gain support during the second reading.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the previous speaker and invites his colleague, Urmas Reinsalu, to take the floor next.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu called on the government to abandon its current political style, engage in dialogue with the opposition and entrepreneurs, and announced that the car tax law planned for next year will be repealed, marking the first step toward putting the economy back on a sensible path.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gives his thanks and now invites Aivar Kokk to approach the Riigikogu podium.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk said on behalf of Isamaa that the purpose of the bill is to repeal the part of the Act amending the Land Tax Act, which was adopted by the Riigikogu on June 19, 2024, but has not yet entered into force, and to preclude larger land tax increases and the abolition of the tax exemption for residential land in the future.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and now asks colleague Kalle Grünthal to step up to the podium.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal submitted a draft bill seeking to repeal Section 151¹ of the Penal Code, 'Supporting and justifying an international crime.' He argues that this section has been increasingly and maliciously used against Estonian nationalism, citing examples such as the ESSR flag incident, the case involving Kai Brauer and prohibited symbols, and the confiscation of the August 31 memorial, actions which were justified by the government and the police.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks [the previous speaker] and now invites Jaak Valge to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge submitted a more specific interpellation to the Minister of the Interior in the Riigikogu concerning the granting of international protection to Ukrainian male citizens of mobilization age, asking why they must be protected for the longest possible term and why their numbers are growing; whom they are being protected from (is it the Ukrainian state); why they are unable to return to their homeland, as the Minister of the Interior claimed on April 1st; how they managed to reach our eastern border and ended up in Russia; and whether granting massive international protection undermines Ukraine’s defense capability.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the audience.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The second inquiry asks Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets whether he agrees that classifying or allowing the memory of those who fought for Estonian independence to be forgotten sends a signal to those upon whom Estonia's security and fate currently rely, how such a message affects today's servicemen, how, according to semiotic expertise, a copy of the original (without Nazi symbols) reappeared, how the police determined who took this copy to Lihula and when, and on what basis the surveillance operation was conducted, and whether it is acknowledged that honoring the memory of resistance against the Soviet occupation aligns with Russia's historical narrative, and whether the Minister of the Interior still considers himself suitable for the position of Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Estonia?
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman invited colleague Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
On behalf of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I present the draft resolution amending the Riigikogu decision titled 'Formation of the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,' which has been digitally transmitted.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Board of the Riigikogu has adopted 19 draft bills and two interpellations, and their subsequent processing will be decided in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller welcomes his colleagues and announces the start of the Tuesday sitting of the first working week of the Fourth Session of the Riigikogu, followed by a roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Seventy-six members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence, twenty-five are absent. We will now proceed with the acceptance of draft legislation and interpellations.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party faction is proposing to lower the VAT on food items to 5%, citing that prices have risen by 40% in two years, which is negatively affecting people's health. They provide examples from the European Union: Sweden (12%), Finland (14%), and Spain and Italy (4%).
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Next up is Andre Hanimägi.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi submitted a bill for bringing the regulation of procedural aid in the Code of Civil Procedure and related laws into conformity with the Constitution, and for taking into account unavoidable expenses such as food, medicines, communication, or hygiene supplies, thereby improving people's access to assistance.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller announced on behalf of the Board that two bills have been adopted and their further processing will be decided pursuant to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu Toomas Kivimägi will begin Wednesday's plenary session, conduct the roll call, and suspend it if the voting console is not functioning, after which the session will resume.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
84 members of the Riigikogu are present, 17 are absent. We now have the opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations. Rain Epler, please.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticized the nature conservation plan to place 30% of Estonia's mainland under protection, citing the strict limitations imposed on compensation and mitigation areas. He also requested that the Minister of Climate prepare an analysis detailing the actual extent to which this restricts state and private property.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a brief request for Tõnis Lukas to speak.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
On behalf of the Culture Committee, I hereby present the draft decision concerning the recall and new appointment of the member of the National Opera Council who is also a member of the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi called upon Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme submitted an official inquiry to Liisa-Ly Pakosta, the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, concerning a memo proposing that Estonia begin renting out its vacant prison capacity to other countries. She specifically asks whether negotiations are underway with countries other than the United Kingdom, what Estonia's official stance is regarding the repatriation of prisoners, whether an impact assessment has been carried out for the plan, and whether this venture would actually generate revenue for the state or if it would ultimately prove to be a zero-sum game. She stressed that Estonia has no desire to import criminals.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to the stage.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The inquiry addresses why internet services offered in Estonia are very expensive and slow compared to Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland, what impact this has on the country's IT reputation, whether this is acceptable, and what steps the state should take to improve the situation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that three interpellations and one draft resolution had been accepted on behalf of the Riigikogu Board; the committee report will be delivered by Kadri Tali, a member of the Cultural Affairs Committee. Furthermore, today, the first reading of draft legislation under agenda items 11 and 12 will be addressed—specifically, Draft Act 319 amending § 27 of the Preschool Institutions Act, and Draft Act 404 amending the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act and the Vocational Educational Institutions Act—after which the substantive proceedings of the agenda will continue.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller greets his colleagues, declares the Thursday sitting of the first working week of the Riigikogu's 4th session open, and proceeds to conduct the roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
45 members of the Riigikogu have registered their attendance, 56 are absent, and we will now proceed with the submission of bills and interpellations.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Finance Committee is initiating a draft resolution of the Riigikogu concerning the appointment of an auditor to audit the activities of the State Audit Office for the period 2024–2025, and the draft resolution has been submitted electronically.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Riigikogu Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller announced that there were no further bills or interpellations. One draft resolution had been adopted, and as there were no remaining items on the agenda, the session concluded, and everyone was wished a pleasant weekend.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar welcomed the esteemed Riigikogu and announced the commencement of the Monday sitting of the second working week of the IV session, requesting that a roll call be taken first.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
87 members of the Riigikogu are present (14 are absent), and before the approval of the agenda, questions were raised regarding the procedures for conducting the sitting; Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart requested the floor.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart thanks the esteemed Chairman.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman greets his colleagues, notes that the hall is noisy and we cannot hear the questioner, and calls upon Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart points out that the draft resolution concerning the appeal to the Venice Commission regarding e-voting was scheduled for debate in the main chamber, but the Board decided to remove it from the proceedings because one of the initiators withdrew their signature, meaning the bill no longer has the required 21 signatures. She asks whether this is consistent with the relevant section of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and when the draft resolution will be returned to the agenda, citing Section 95, Subsection 3, which stipulates that the withdrawal of a signature does not remove a bill from the proceedings.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explains that 21 Riigikogu members' signatures are required to submit the draft bill, but on September 12th, one of the presenters withdrew their support, and consequently the bill was left with 20 signatures and dropped out of the proceedings; the board has received the relevant letter and this will be discussed at tomorrow's sitting, and Martin Helme inquired about the procedure for conducting the session.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme emphasizes that Section 95, subsection 3 must not be interpreted in such a way that the initiative would be lost from the proceedings upon the initiator's withdrawal, as the law is clear and must be followed. Furthermore, he requests that the committee discuss the topic tomorrow and that the same draft bill be added to Tuesday's agenda by the EKRE faction.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman confirms that the matter will be discussed tomorrow with the board members, and Õnne Pillak wishes to speak from the floor.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Reform Party faction announced that they do not support supplementing the agenda for this week's plenary session.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman recognizes Helle-Moonika Helme next and asks her to present a question regarding the procedures for conducting the sitting.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She requests clarification and confirmation as to whether the Internal Rules and Working Procedures Act constitutes the same type of legal instrument, legislatively speaking, as the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that he would not allow himself to be drawn into that discussion, and that the Riigikogu Board will discuss Martin Helme's letter at the Board meeting tomorrow, and Helme is asking to submit a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme claims that although we have laws and a constitution, their interpretation tends to rely more on annotated publications and the commentaries of legal experts, which grants them greater authority than the law itself, and he demands an explanation for this or the withdrawal of the bill from the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stressed that pursuant to Section 154, submitting a draft resolution for Riigikogu statements, declarations, and appeals requires at least one-fifth of the membership—21 MPs—and since Martin Helme has raised this issue, the board will discuss it tomorrow, and the exact details will be clear then.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo corrects that there were 21 signatures under Section 154 upon submission, and highlights that Section 95, Subsection 3 stipulates that as a result of withdrawal, the draft bill does not drop out of the Riigikogu proceedings. She then asks what the Riigikogu board will now start discussing — whether the law is invalid and the board is establishing a new norm itself, or what else there is to debate there.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that Martin Helme’s letter would be discussed before the Riigikogu Board tomorrow. He stated that the facts regarding the letter were clear and that a response would be provided. Furthermore, he read out a second legal provision, after which Rain Epler raised his hand and inquired about the procedure for conducting the session.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asks if there were 21 signatures on it at the moment this bill was submitted.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that the draft legislation has 21 signatures and requires the signatures of at least one-fifth of the Riigikogu members for submission. He promised to respond to the letter sent to the board and concluded the question round, but Kalle Grünthal raised a question regarding the conduct of the session.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal stated that the withdrawal of the bill is impermissible and unconstitutional, and he questioned the legal basis upon which they could apply their authority to reject matters that the law explicitly allows.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that Section 154 stipulates that the current draft bill requires more supporting signatures than a standard draft bill. The Riigikogu Board will discuss the letter and respond to it, and before the agenda is confirmed, we will address one more procedural matter.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Esteemed Chair, the matter is already in proceedings, and that ship has already sailed; we are currently invoking Section 95, which stipulates how the draft bill is withdrawn or how it is abandoned, and those principles you are applying there do not correlate with the current stage of the bill—do you follow?
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that 21 Riigikogu members are required to submit the draft bill, and because one of the sponsors withdrew, the bill was dropped from the proceedings. However, the Riigikogu Board will discuss the matter tomorrow, and we will now proceed with confirming the agenda and putting it to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The agenda was approved by 61 votes in favor, 28 against, with no abstentions. Draft legislation and interpellations may now be submitted, and the representative of the Government of the Republic, Heili Tõnisson, is invited to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government representative greets Parliament and announces that the Government of the Republic is initiating a new measure.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks for quiet for a moment so that they can hear which draft laws are being submitted to the Riigikogu for proceedings.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Today, the Government of the Republic is initiating two draft Acts: the first is the draft Act on the amendment of the Social Welfare Act and the Health Services Organization Act (concerning independent nursing care provided as a 24-hour special care service), during the processing of which in the Riigikogu (Parliament), the Minister of Social Protection will represent the government; the second is the draft Act on the amendment of the Identity Documents Act and the amendment of other related Acts, which will be represented in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Foreign Affairs; the draft legislation has been submitted digitally.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar offers his thanks and invites Siim Pohlak to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak submitted an interpellation to the Minister of Finance, expressing concern over the impact of new tax hikes on Estonian business and the economy. He requests clarification regarding the classified tax assessments and impact analyses, as well as the conclusions drawn from them. Furthermore, he refers to the effect of the previous government's economic policy and the increase in borrowing, and asks why the issuance of targeted state bonds is preferred over tax increases for financing national defense investments, and why one in four people has taken out a loan in the last year.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Hussar invites his colleague Lauri Laats to the Riigikogu podium to speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats submitted an interpellation to Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi regarding the addition of the 'AK' designation to Siim Kiisler's letter, and inquired whether the mark was added due to the minister's personal directive or the decision of officials, and whether it would be removed following the provision of explanations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker called Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to the Riigikogu rostrum to speak.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The proposal is that Tallinn completes the construction of the Tallinn Hospital, and the state refunds the taxes collected from the investments, which brings approximately 300 million euros into the state budget for co-financing the project.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Lauri Hussar first announced, on behalf of the Riigikogu Board, that three draft acts and two interpellations had been adopted, and their subsequent handling would be decided in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. Before proceeding to today's agenda, he noted that Kert Kingo had his hand raised and had a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo stresses that, pursuant to the Constitution and the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, the sequence for submitting draft legislation is: members of the Riigikogu, then parliamentary groups, then committees, and only after that, the government. She asks whether these rules actually apply here in the chamber.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that all Riigikogu members have submitted their draft legislation, and although Mrs. Heili Tõnisson was previously granted the floor first, he recalled times when he had to wait a long time to be allowed to the podium, noting that this was impolite and unjustified. He emphasized that the work is progressing smoothly, adding that Helir-Valdor Seeder has a question regarding the conduct of the sitting.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder expressed concern regarding why Heili Tõnisson is unable to have her name displayed on the board with the designation "government," and called upon the management board to discuss the matter and instruct the technical staff so that she, too, can register herself and everyone can be in the same information space.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the submission of the draft legislation to the Riigikogu floor would happen quickly and enter proceedings, adding that the discussion was already concluded and raising the issue again would not move them forward. Rain Epler then asked a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler claims that the opposition's criticism is more of a distraction than a serious attack, because there was actually no attack against Heili Tõnisson, and the government submits the draft legislation through her, while attempts are being made to divert focus from the substantive side of the discussion through strong "steamroller politics."
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that this could in no way be considered a procedural matter, and it was not related to the procedure for conducting the sitting, even though Helir-Valdor Seeder posed a question regarding it.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder proposed granting Heili Tõnisson the right to the screen and the opportunity to present government bills, noting that this would be a courteous and substantive procedural arrangement, and would only function if her registration order was visible in the chamber.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Esteemed colleague, I have answered the question and I thank you for the proposal; we will certainly discuss the proposals made by the members of the Riigikogu, but I would now like to move on to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi opened the Riigikogu plenary session. He began the attendance check, but interrupted it due to a technical fault, which caused Kalev's hand to be raised. He recalled the Chancellery Director's promise to replace the consoles, expressed hope that similar faults would not occur next year, and then proceeded to conduct the attendance check again.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the roll call would be counted until the end, votes would be confirmed with a strike of the gavel, previous registrations were invalid, and he asked his colleagues to submit bills and inquiries.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Center Party faction submitted an inquiry to Minister of Social Affairs Signe Riisalo regarding the funding of the care reform, highlighting that the 2023 reform created obligations that could lead local municipalities to sue the state. The Supreme Court has stated that in the absence of sufficient funds, a local government may demand additional money through the courts, and many municipalities intend to pursue this route, which is why they are asking whether the government truly wishes to initiate prolonged litigation with local representatives.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He announced that, on behalf of the Riigikogu Bureau, he had accepted one interpellation, and we can now proceed to today’s agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the esteemed members of the Riigikogu, opens the Wednesday plenary sitting, and calls for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
81 members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence, 20 are absent, and now there is an opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik submitted a formal query to Health Minister Riina Sikkut regarding Estonia's drug policy, noting that the situation has deteriorated over the past year, with both drug use among young people and the number of related deaths increasing. He subsequently presented a request containing four questions, asking for the answers to be provided during the Riigikogu session.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The moderator invites Lauri Laats to the stage.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats, on behalf of the Center Party faction, submitted a formal query (interpellation) to Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi regarding the planned excise duty changes. He highlighted the impact of consumption taxes on low-income individuals, the viability of businesses, and cross-border trade, while requesting the economic analysis and data concerning the impact on consumption. Laats specifically emphasized that only five days had been allocated for the coordination round.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that the Riigikogu Board had accepted two interpellations, and before continuing the agenda, he addressed Helir-Valdor Seeder.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder raised a procedural question regarding how to interpret the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act in the context of excluding the leading committee's initiatives and the draft legislation from the proceedings. Furthermore, he inquired why the board intervened as an exception, whether the removal from the agenda was lawful, and what conclusions should be drawn from the situation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Board discussed Martin Helme's letter yesterday and emphasized that the draft bill dropped out of the proceedings due to the unfulfilled minimum requirement of 21 signatures, not due to anyone's withdrawal. Furthermore, this formalization was carried out by the Session Department, not as a decision of the Board. Two Board members, Toomas Kivimägi and Lauri Hussar, agreed with this view, while Arvo Aller dissented.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid criticizes the interpretation of §95 subsection 3 of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, emphasizing that the withdrawal of a draft bill does not cause it to drop out of the proceedings (with the exception of a draft bill to amend the Constitution, which requires at least 21 Riigikogu members to have signed the bill throughout the entire proceedings). He then questions how such a clear statutory provision could yield a contrary interpretation, and whether existing commentaries are effectively rewriting the law without enacting an actual amendment.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi explained that a general rule applies to addresses and motions within the Riigikogu, which mandates a minimum of 21 signatures (one-fifth of the membership). If an initiator subsequently withdraws, causing the signature count to drop below that threshold, the draft legislation is deemed withdrawn and the proceedings are terminated.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo criticizes the arbitrary interpretation and demands exact dates concerning the submission of the draft bill and the withdrawal of Alar Laneman’s signature, noting that there were 21 signatures on the day of submission and the bill was referred to the leading committee.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi explains that although the draft bill was submitted with the minimum required 21 signatures, Ants Frosch withdrew his signature after it had been taken into proceedings, which left the minimum requirement unfulfilled and resulted in the bill being removed from deliberation, and this was not a board decision.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder accuses his opponents, claiming they refuse to discuss the matter, that legal grounds are lacking, and that Section 154 has been incorrectly cited.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi emphasizes the importance of submission.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder asserts that the notion that a bill must maintain at least 21 signatures throughout the Riigikogu proceedings is incorrect, because Section 95 clarifies the procedure for withdrawal, and the draft legislation does not vanish from the process. He agrees with Varro Vooglaid, stressing that this interpretation is inconsistent with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act (such a continuous requirement applies only when amending the constitution), and raises the question of whether Laneman's signature can be retracted and which specific section governs this.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that he had not intervened in the process and the decision was made by the Sittings Department. It had not been discussed with him or the board members beforehand. Later joining or withdrawing from the initiators is impossible, and the number of signatures must remain the same during the deliberation of the draft bill (Section 154), especially concerning a constitutional amendment bill, from which one cannot withdraw.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid states that the explanations presented are arbitrary and untrue, emphasizing that subsection 3 of §95 contains an exception specifically for the draft bill amending the constitution, and that for other draft bills, a decrease in the number of signatures below 21 does not result in their exclusion from the proceedings. He further asks who the mysterious commentator is who amended the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and whether comments can supersede the law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that comments and explanatory notes do not possess legal effect, but they are used to clarify unresolved issues. He asked that their authors not be blamed, and confirmed that a minimum of 21 signatures must be present throughout the entire proceedings, adding that the draft bill is considered withdrawn in the event of withdrawal. He also referred to §154, subsection 11, which stipulates the requirement for submitting draft bills, and promised to continue the discussion regarding procedural questions with Rain Epler tomorrow.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticized the cooperation between the Session Department and the Board, pointing to procedural shortcomings and amendments made to EKRE’s proposals, and stating that the dismantling of the Riigikogu institution has reached a new level. He questioned whether the Board or the Session Department is actually driving the decisions, and emphasized the need for better relations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi explained that the decision was made by the proceedings department, and it was neither within the board's competence nor was the board authorized to participate. He apologized, asked to move on to the agenda, and promised to continue the discussion tomorrow.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch is once again raising the question of whether the number 21 can recover, noting that if it decreases, it might recover during the process, and he is very interested in the specific reasons why it nevertheless cannot.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The bill can only be sponsored once, precisely at the moment it is introduced on the floor and taken into proceedings; it is not possible to join afterward.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere stressed that a comment does not constitute legal force, and the matter must be processed and voted upon, rather than allowing oneself to be distracted by interpretations of those comments.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi emphasized that comments hold significance and that the interpretation of the law must take into account the signature requirement of Sections 154 and 21. He also defended the decision of the hearing division as having been correctly interpreted, thereby avoiding their condemnation.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik thanks the Chair and says that he rarely takes the floor, but he still wanted to say something, even though people are talking in the hall.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls for silence and rings the bell.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Maastik urged that state affairs be handled with statesmanship, labeled the current proceedings a farce, stressed that the law cannot be amended based on additions drafted by an unauthorized party, and requested the Riigikogu Board and the Session Department to introduce the bills for debate, and, if necessary, to discuss and vote on them in the plenary hall, stating he was prepared to provide the missing signature and re-submit the legislation, thereby ending the time-wasting and allowing for statesmanlike action.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that they wish to avoid debate and defended the decision of the hearing division as justified, emphasizing that there was no political pressure and that we must not set a precedent, even though the Supreme Court has confirmed the opposite on several occasions.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul raises the point that the yellow book mentions decisions made by both the session department and the board, but the board's decision is missing. He therefore asks under which specific paragraph the main chamber should comply with the session department's decision, and which paragraphs in the Rules of Procedure Act regulate these decisions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that if the draft resolution has been withdrawn, the board will not make a decision regarding it, and if the draft resolution does not meet the minimum requirements stipulated by the Yellow Book, it automatically lapses, and there is no reason to burden the board unnecessarily. Colleagues, however, have the right to challenge it. The letter concerning Martin's appeal will be signed today, and the debate was civil and well-founded.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He/She greets the colleagues and declares the Thursday plenary session of the Riigikogu open, and requests a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
65 members of the Riigikogu have registered as present, 36 are absent, and it is now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev, in his query, highlights Estonia’s conduct at the UN General Assembly, where Estonia supported a resolution aimed at ending the occupation of Palestinian territories. He asks how Estonia’s position at the UN is determined and whether Parliament’s opinion is solicited prior to the vote. He also notes that the minister confirmed that the vote would not alter Estonia’s fundamental stance, but the declaration itself remained ambiguous.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He believes that if something hasn't been taken into account, it would be wiser and more logical not to vote than to vote in favor of this resolution.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that one interpellation had been received on behalf of the Riigikogu Board, and we can now proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greeted the members of the Riigikogu, announced the start of the third working week of the IV session, and called for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
82 members of the Riigikogu registered as present; 19 are absent (Rain Epler). They are arriving sequentially, and a question was posed to the Chairman of the session.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Chairman of the session asked a very simple question, noting that the agenda was missing, and said that while the colleagues had something on their tables, he himself was lacking it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi requests the support staff to provide assistance and addresses Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats voiced his concern regarding why members of the Riigikogu are not permitted to ask questions about such a crucial document during the discussion of the Prime Minister's political statement and the draft 2025 budget scheduled for Thursday. He further inquired whether this was a decision made by the Riigikogu Board and what the reasoning behind it was.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that while it has been customary not to pose questions regarding the budget or a political declaration, the Prime Minister's stance can actually be ascertained through written inquiries, information hours, and interpellations. Furthermore, negotiations between parliamentary factions are permitted, allowing each faction to express its initial positions on the draft legislation.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme requests that, during the confirmation of the agenda, they consult with the initiator and remove the second item scheduled for Thursday, since the initiator cannot give the presentation. He also notes that the board will agree upon the number of questions following the presentation, and asks whether the board wished for Riigikogu members to be allowed to take the floor, referencing Jüri Ratas's experience.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi recalled that certain practices functioned effectively during Jüri Ratas’s government, and the procedure for submitting draft legislation needs consideration. He further stressed that the three readings offer various opportunities to pose questions to the prime minister.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder stated that in an extraordinary situation, members of the Riigikogu must have the right to question the Prime Minister, and requested, on behalf of the board and the Isamaa faction, that a sensible position be found regarding the submission of the state budget and taxes, in line with the current situation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the 2025 state budget will be passed by members of the Riigikogu, not by the prime minister, and that the board and the session department can influence the agenda. In this instance, they decided to remove the draft bill from the agenda, meaning it will not reach a vote.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme accuses the Prime Minister of presenting a political statement without a draft bill or debate, refers to the economic crisis and IMF assessments, and asks the Presidium to convey to the Prime Minister the urgent desire of Riigikogu members to question him.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the Riigikogu Board addressed the question and request submitted by Arvo Aller during its Thursday session, citing tradition. He stressed that it is currently not suitable to make an immediate decision, and the matter will be brought up for further discussion at the Board's session tomorrow.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stated that the discussion was not moving in the right direction. He emphasized the protection of parliamentary rights following the statement and asked the Presidium to send a signal to the Prime Minister and, if necessary, to adjust the working culture practices of the parliament. He further added that the second topic concerns the position of the Estonian representative to the European Commission, and inquired whether the Presidium has discussed the implementation of Section 155¹ of the Rules of Procedure Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the board had not discussed the matter, and consequently, he could not present the board's perspective. He added that he is conservative regarding changes to established practices. He stressed the availability of the prime minister and the opportunity to ask questions, noting further that budget negotiations are currently underway and that all factions are allotted eight minutes of speaking time.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu says that this is a new practice where the last one is taken.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He emphasizes that things are no longer simple.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu poses two questions: what was the Prime Minister’s request regarding answering the parliamentary questions and whether he expressed a willingness to answer, and why the board believes that the PM answering or discussing the matter might disrupt the work of the parliament.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the Prime Minister is generally prepared to answer questions, but concerning the specific declaration, the motion is that the presentation and answering of questions is not considered necessary; the board adopted this, and thus the questions are dropped, and the agenda is confirmed with amendments, whereby agenda item No. 2, planned for Thursday, September 26, was left out.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda for this working week with 65 votes in favor, 17 against, and 0 abstentions. Following this, draft legislation and interpellations may be submitted, during which the representative of the Government of the Republic, Ms. Heili Tõnisson, will take the floor.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The Government announced today the submission of five pieces of draft legislation to the Riigikogu: four draft laws (the draft act amending the Public Transport Act; the draft act amending the Social Welfare Act and the Value-Added Tax Act – mental health service; the draft act amending the Medicinal Products Act; and the draft act amending the State Fees Act and the Act on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors – state fees in the health and social sectors) and one draft resolution of the Riigikogu for the approval of the State's 2023 consolidated annual report. These drafts are being processed respectively by the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, the Minister of Social Protection, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Finance, and all of them have been submitted electronically.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman thanks everyone and asks to give the floor to Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats proposed changing the sickness benefit system so that the employee covers the first day, the employer covers the second through fourth day, and the Health Insurance Fund pays starting from the fifth day. Furthermore, the benefit rate would be increased from 70% to 80%, with the aim of reducing the burden incurred during the period of illness and taking into account the economic capacity of employers.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Board of the Riigikogu, I have accepted five draft laws and one draft resolution.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu Toomas Kivimägi opened Tuesday's plenary session and attempted to conduct a roll call, but the noise in the chamber forced him to interrupt the process, and he announced that they would need to start over.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
74 Riigikogu members are present, 27 are absent; there is now an opportunity to submit bills and interpellations, but there is no such request.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets the honorable members of the Riigikogu, announces the start of Wednesday's plenary session of the Riigikogu, and requests that attendance be checked.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Seventy-seven members of the Riigikogu registered their presence, and twenty-four were absent; guests present in the rear balcony of the chamber are members of the Armenia-Estonia friendship group of the Armenian Parliament; under agenda item 7, the first reading of Draft Act 469, which ratifies ILO Convention No. 190, will be debated, and this will be presented by the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, followed by a question from Helir-Valdor Seeder directed to the presiding officer.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder emphasized that members of the Riigikogu must be able to ask questions of the Prime Minister, and asked whether parliamentary democracy would be restored within these walls or if the existing order would continue.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the board, at yesterday's meeting, adhered to the position it had taken on Thursday, emphasizing that breaking with established customs would harm the work of the parliament. He recalled the 20-year tradition of not posing questions and asked Urmas Reinsalu to follow the existing practice.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu recalls the deviation from the usual parliamentary procedure that occurred in November 2018 regarding the vote on the UN Migration Pact, which was carried out at the request of the Reform Party. He emphasizes that the responses were provided in a flexible dialogue format within the scope of the parliament's prerogative, and that ultimately, a 1:1 gentlemen's agreement was discussed with Toomas.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He stresses that the exception does not confirm the rule, and then addresses Helir-Valdor Seeder.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder expresses disappointment that we are unable to keep pace with reality and be flexible, and that every situation is unique to its time, and asks the Chair whether the Prime Minister is afraid of us and refuses to answer questions or participate in parliamentary debates.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the Prime Minister is the most accessible to questions from Riigikogu members and has provided the most answers, noting that this is a practice consistent with long-standing tradition, not the result of fear, and that he will now take the final two questions.
Eerik-Niiles Kross
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Eerik-Niiles Kross gave a speech, but the audience didn't hear a thing.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Eerik-Niiles Kross if he wishes to participate or if he has any other proposal.
Eerik-Niiles Kross
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
We have no control over the remote, and the device operates completely autonomously.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announces that this will be entered into the record, and calls upon Mart Helme to speak.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme claimed that the coalition is ignoring parliamentary responsibility and the prime minister refuses to answer questions, adding that the opposition wants specific answers from the prime minister and a change to the format suitable for submitting questions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi confirmed that during the debate on the 2025 budget, all factions will be able to submit their statements, and the customary three readings will take place. He values the existing practice and does not consider any slight modification to be warranted.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu claimed that he did not receive answers from the Prime Minister regarding the draft budget during the information sessions, and following Hussar’s direction, he asked what that other format is and where, within the parliamentary format, specific questions about nominal sums can be presented in a dialogue form.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The information hour is the quickest way to get answers, but written questions take time. Therefore, Toomas Kivimägi asks that a very specific and precise question be submitted for the next information hour, because the Prime Minister is not a computer and requires preparation, and in this manner, the answer will meet expectations both in substance and in form.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Landscape proposed a compromise under which questions could be put to the Prime Minister, but he would not be required to answer them.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi praises the good humor and thanks Helle-Moonika Helme.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme said she wanted concrete answers from the Prime Minister about the state budget. She didn't want just repeated slogans like "getting the country in order," but rather requested that the issues be explained in the context of next year's budget.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the budget is still being finalized, and the main presentation will be delivered by the Minister of Finance, accompanied by the Prime Minister's views. Following that, you will have the opportunity to pose questions and receive responses, and if specific answers cannot be provided immediately, a formal interpellation may be used, although ministers are not required to answer every question right away.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stressed the importance of a substantive approach and maximizing quality. However, he questioned the finance minister's capacity to provide answers regarding budget issues, citing the State Audit Office's observations concerning the growing volume of carried-over funds. He then inquired about the total amount of these funds and the current state budget available for use this year, suggesting that the prime minister's responses would likely be more informative than those provided by the finance minister.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He makes a counter-proposal: first, listen to the Minister of Finance’s presentation of the 2025 state budget draft, see what is missing from it, and only then try to secure it from the Prime Minister.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme criticizes the opposition's ideas, according to which the constitution should not be considered when drafting laws and the authors of the bills should be classified. She then asks whether her detailed question would have yielded different answers, and requests the viewers' assessment.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that he had not followed the information session and would review it at home in the evening, but the more specific the question is, the more likely one is to receive a specific answer. He will take the final question from Rain Epler and will not accept any more procedural questions.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler noted that the answers offered a glimmer of hope, and asked for clarification on the procedure: whether the Minister of Finance would be heard first, and if there were still gaps, the Prime Minister would then be given the opportunity to respond regarding the budget, as well as to receive a concrete format and an agreement on the next steps.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi emphasized that the information session, written questions, and formal inquiries are the methods available for questioning the Prime Minister, noting that the PM is present almost every week. Therefore, the skill and active participation of colleagues in posing these questions is crucial, and he then concluded the acceptance of procedural questions for the session.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Riigikogu Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller welcomed attendees, declared the Thursday sitting of the third working week of the Riigikogu's IV session open, and conducted a roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Fifty-four members were present, forty-seven were absent; before moving on to the agenda, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart raised a question regarding the conduct of the session.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks whether the Riigikogu Board has managed to communicate with the Prime Minister in the interim, and whether the Prime Minister has changed her mind and wishes to answer questions related to the state budget today.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Board acted upon the Prime Minister’s letter, in which he stated that he would be making a political statement today and that the question-and-answer session would be omitted this time.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats notes that the minister is in the chamber and asks the Chair to inquire whether he would be prepared to answer our questions, since it would not impede us.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Board has accepted the letter stating that the Prime Minister will appear only to deliver a political address, and the decision regarding answering questions will be made during the course of that address.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder criticized the organization of the sitting, questioning why the Prime Minister could not be asked questions and arguing that the presiding officer should maintain dialogue and ensure that answers are provided. He noted that previous restrictions are void if the Prime Minister is prepared to engage in dialogue with the chamber, and further asked how [the person he was addressing], as an opposition representative on the board, had agreed to such nonsense.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller stated that the matter was discussed at Tuesday's board meeting, and the board's position remains unchanged: the Prime Minister's wish was that questions not be asked here in this chamber, and every faction can present its political position regarding the state budget within the framework of the negotiations, and Andrei Korobeinik asked a question about the conduct of the session.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker notes that the deputies have several questions regarding the budget, and asks for clarification on whether the Prime Minister mentioned in the letter that he does not wish to answer the questions, or how the conclusion was reached that he does not want to answer in the chamber.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Prime Minister wishes to deliver a political statement and does not plan to take questions at the end of the address; that was the summary of the letter, and Urmas Reinsalu subsequently raised a question regarding the conduct of the session.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu requested that the session chairman, Aller, consider a proposal for the prime minister to answer questions in parliament. He referenced a previous precedent set during the debate on the migration pact, arguing that this move would improve the quality of the budget discussion and clarify the government's political stance.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller stated that following the submission of the draft legislation today, a political statement will be presented, during which all factions will have the opportunity to speak during the ensuing debate, and currently there is no information indicating that the Prime Minister is prepared to answer questions from Riigikogu members.
Toomas Kivimägi
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi called for the continuation of an open dialogue to hear the prime minister and give all parliamentary groups the opportunity to state their positions, emphasizing that the three customary readings and the budget presentation are still a viable option.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller briefly touched upon the conduct of the session in his speech, promised to give the floor to Priit Sibul, and said he would raise a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul discusses, following the information hour, how the KAPO investigation concerning Defense Minister Pevkur raises the issue of responsibility and transparency, and he refers to the Prime Minister's words that adults must organize their own lives sensibly and that she/he always starts with a clean slate.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The report will clarify whether the presenter is prepared to answer questions, and if they do not confirm this, the presentation will be heard simply as a political statement concerning the 2025 budget. Furthermore, Andrei Korobeinik raised a question regarding the procedure of the session.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He stressed, for clarity, that if the Prime Minister does not state that he does not want questions, then it can be assumed that he does want them, and he asked whether they could proceed based on that understanding at the end of the presentation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
We are currently proceeding solely on the basis that the board was explicitly told the Prime Minister would deliver a report and no questions would be asked.
Enn Eesmaa
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Enn Eesmaa sincerely regretted that the session he chaired failed to establish a new tradition for answering questions. He noted that since both the media representative and the members of the Riigikogu already knew what the Prime Minister was going to discuss, it would have been a good opportunity to ask questions and engage in dialogue.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller stated that this was a historical truth unrelated to the items on today’s session agenda. He then directed the focus back to the agenda and asked government representative Heili Tõnisson to present the draft legislation and interpellations.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The Government today submitted nine legislative drafts, which include the Draft Act on Amendments to the Government of the Republic Act and Related Amendments to Other Acts; the Draft Act on Amendments to the Imprisonment Act; the Draft Act on Amendments to the Family Benefits Act and Other Acts; the Draft Act on Amendments to the Social Welfare Act (pensioner allowance); the Draft Act on Amendments to the Income Tax Act and the Military Service Act, and the Draft Act on Amendments to the Income Tax Act; the Draft Act on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel, and Electricity Excise Duty Act and Other Acts; the Draft Act on Amendments to the State Budget Act; the Draft Security Tax Act; and the Draft State Budget Act for 2025. During the processing of these drafts, the government will be represented by the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, the Minister of Social Protection, and the Minister of Finance, respectively, and all drafts have been transmitted digitally.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker thanked the audience and invited Heljo Pikhof to speak next.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof, on behalf of the Cultural Committee, submitted a draft bill to amend the Estonian Academy of Sciences Act. The proposed changes aim to modernize and simplify the Act, repeal obsolete provisions, remove sections that describe the internal structure and decision-making processes in excessive detail, and harmonize the legal terminology with generally accepted concepts.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
On behalf of the Board of the Riigikogu, Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller announced that there are no further bills or interpellations, and that ten draft acts have been adopted, the further processing of which will be decided pursuant to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. He also added that next Monday, the closing event of the Model European Parliament Forum will take place in the Riigikogu Session Hall, and that following the plenary session, attendees are requested to take important materials and valuables from their desks and drawers. Following this, we will proceed with today's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar greets the esteemed Riigikogu and declares the Monday sitting of the fourth working week of the 4th session open, and calls for an attendance check.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that 87 members of the Riigikogu were present and 14 members were absent. The matter was then moved to a vote on confirming the agenda, which passed unanimously.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda (86 in favor, 0 against, 2 abstentions), and the procedure for conducting the sitting will now be addressed. Martin Helme, you have the floor.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme criticized the bureaucracy and the chaos of the election process, muttering the line, “Nothing works when the socialists are in charge.” He complained that he had to wait for the summons, only to arrive and find that the attendance check had already been completed and they were moving straight to the vote. He finally asked, “What the hell is this mess that’s going on here?”
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained that before the roll call, the chamber summons sounded for exactly two minutes, starting at 14:58. Although some members did not hear it, the summons concluded at 15:00, and the session commenced with the attendance check.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He confirms that nothing can be fixed here because this wing lacked the required signal, and nothing works.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked his colleague, asked the Session Department to verify whether the division bell had sounded in the room where members usually convene, noted that it was difficult to assess the situation from the presiding officer's position, announced the opportunity to submit bills and interpellations, and invited Ms. Heili Tõnisson to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government submitted five draft bills today: the draft amendment to the Customs Act; the draft amendment to the Accounting Act and amendments to other resulting acts; the draft amendment to the 2024 State Budget Act; the draft amendment to the Sports Act; and the draft amendment to the Unemployment Insurance Act and amendments to other related acts. In the Riigikogu (Parliament), these will be represented by the Minister of Finance (three bills), the Minister of Culture (the Sports Act bill), and the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry (the Unemployment Insurance bill); and all bills have been forwarded electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the previous speaker and invites Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to the Riigikogu rostrum next.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The report emphasizes that the state budget is opaque, and expenditure lines are not clearly visible and can be altered after adoption. Consequently, the Centre Party faction is submitting a draft bill to amend the State Budget Act so that all spending items starting from 500,000 euros are publicly and precisely detailed, making the budget transparent, having gained support from both the opposition and the coalition.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Board has adopted six draft acts, and the Board will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes all colleagues and announces the start of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly’s Tuesday sitting, requesting a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Riigikogu Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi announced that 73 members were present and 28 were absent. Following this, they discussed the lack of a procedural summons/call due to a technical problem. A three-minute summons period was proposed (with the possibility of two calls or a four-minute period), as well as the alternative option of monitoring the proceedings via television. It was agreed that today there would be a three-minute summons before the vote, in the hope that the issue would be resolved by tomorrow.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid noted that although Martin Helme said that the call is not heard in his corridor, the call is never heard on the first floor of the same wing near his office, and he wishes that it would someday be heard there too.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Riigikogu Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi recalled how call systems were once in every office, but they were reduced and spaces were cut back at the request of the members. He is now attempting to restore the corridor call system to working order, apologizes for the technical failures, and confirms that the remark Martin Helme made yesterday was relevant.
Urmas Kruuse
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
I am not very willing to specifically extend the call time in the hall, as we have a live broadcast and plenty of opportunities to hear the announcement, and people must manage that themselves.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked his colleague, noting that his comment regarding the TV option was pertinent; although he does not wish to hear the call signal in the offices, the usual listening in the corridors is taken into account, and some Riigikogu members may follow it. And although many do not have their televisions switched on all the time, the plan is to restore the previous mode of operation shortly and not expand it. Now they will move on to the submission of bills and interpellations, and first, he invites Marko Mihkelson to the podium.
Marko Mihkelson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
54 members of the Riigikogu submitted a statement recognizing the forced deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944 as an act of genocide, recalling the deportation of over 200,000 Crimean Tatars to Central Asia, where over 46% perished during the first year, and noting that they were only able to return home in 1989. The statement further emphasizes that since 2014, due to Russia’s occupation and annexation, the suffering has once again reached the dimensions of genocide, an assessment with which Estonia aligns itself alongside other countries that have issued similar declarations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Lauri Laats to the stage.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats submitted an official inquiry to Piret Hartman regarding regional policy, expressing concern both about the placement of state institutions in the counties following the 2018 State Houses concept and due to institutions leaving Põlva. He also asked why the Social Democrats' position on remote work and the location of state institutions has changed, referencing their 2023 election program.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder is invited to open the address.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Isamaa faction is introducing a draft amendment to the Citizenship Act, the aim of which is to standardize and clearly stipulate that Estonian citizenship shall not be granted to persons who have repeatedly committed intentional criminal offenses, taking into account the recent circuit court decision and existing government practice.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, I have accepted one draft statement, one interpellation, and one bill, and we can now proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu, opens the Wednesday plenary session, and calls for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi informed the assembly that 67 Riigikogu members are present and 34 are absent. Although the chamber call system in the L-wing is currently non-functional, the standard two-minute call before votes will be maintained. He requested that the voting time be monitored via other channels and by the secretariats of the factions, expressing hope that the issue would be resolved by Monday. Furthermore, bills and interpellations may now be handed over. Lauri Laats, you have the floor.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats, on behalf of the Center Party faction, submitted a draft bill aimed at standardizing the calculation of expense allowances for government members with those of the Riigikogu, and increasing transparency. This move would likely reduce the utilization of expense allowances and consequently increase the funds remaining in the state treasury.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi informed that under the third item on the agenda, the draft resolution by the EKRE faction regarding the formation of the Ad Hoc Committee for Solving the Demographic Crisis is up for its first reading. The committee report will be presented by Pipi-Liis Siemann, a member of the Constitutional Committee, and the agenda will continue.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller welcomed all colleagues and guests and announced the commencement of the sitting for the Thursday working week of the Riigikogu's Fourth Session, along with the checking of attendance.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Fifty-nine members of the Riigikogu have registered as present; 42 are absent. At this time, there are no requests to submit bills or interpellations, and we shall proceed with the agenda for Thursday, October 10th.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Plenary Assembly of the Riigikogu is commencing the Monday sitting of the 5th working week of the 4th session, and we will begin with a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
72 members of the Riigikogu have registered as present, 29 are absent; we will now proceed with the confirmation of the agenda, and Urmas Reinsalu is called upon to speak from his seat.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu made a proposal regarding the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his readiness and consent to continue.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu announced that it would not be practical to discuss several pieces of legislation this week. He stated that the focus must instead be on Estonia’s interests, particularly the demographic crisis and strengthening the safety net for families, and recommended dropping Monday’s first agenda item from the schedule.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman, before Õnne Pillak took the floor, announced that pursuant to § 54, subsection 4 of the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, a draft bill may be removed from the agenda after the agenda has been announced, upon the request of the initiator, the submitter of the bill, or the leading committee, and subsequently invited Õnne Pillak to speak.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak said that the Reform Party does not agree with changing this week's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker announces the preparations for the adoption of the agenda and submits the adoption of the agenda for the fifth working week of the IV session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The agenda was approved with 54 votes in favor, 20 against, and no abstentions; colleagues may now submit draft legislation and interpellations, and Rain Epler is invited to the podium.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler stated that the debate held in the chamber on Thursday regarding the draft bill on permits for workers with children demonstrated how dangerously the proposed amendment could affect children's safety. This is because it would allow permits for working with children to be granted even to those who have committed child-related crimes. Consequently, they submitted an interpellation to Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo to gain a clearer overview of the bill's origins and the background of its submitters, and they are now awaiting answers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the assembly] and called Martin Helme to the Riigikogu podium.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme asserts that there is a lack of equal treatment in Estonia regarding expense reimbursements: While the expense accounts of Riigikogu members are public and subject to scrutiny, the Prosecutor's Office, the Prosecutor General, and the Chancellor of Justice fail to provide accountability. He is therefore demanding a legislative amendment that would increase the transparency of these officials and account for every single cent spent.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Hussar thanked the assembly and called upon his colleague Lauri Laats to take the Riigikogu rostrum and deliver his speech.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Center Party faction has filed an interpellation with Erkki Keldo, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, concerning the future of Tartu Agro and the protection of Estonia's food security, and is demanding comprehensive answers on how to guarantee the sustainable future of the company and our food industry.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Board of the Riigikogu has accepted one draft bill and two interpellations, and the Board will decide on their further proceedings in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu, Toomas Kivimägi, greeted the members, announced the start of Tuesday's plenary session and the roll call, suspended it, and stated that the attendance check would be restarted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Seventy members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence; 31 are absent. We now have the opportunity to submit bills and interpellations, but as no one wishes to do so, we shall proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomed the esteemed members of the Riigikogu, declared the Wednesday plenary session open, and called for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 77 members of the Riigikogu are present and 24 are absent, and now there is an opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats, on behalf of the Center Party faction, submitted an interpellation to the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, Erkki Keldo, in order to clarify the reasons for the approximately 6% decline in Estonian industry compared to Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland, and to receive a future vision of how Estonia could return to growth and hold a constructive debate.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Aivar Kokk has been invited to speak.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
On behalf of the Isamaa party, Aivar Kokk submitted the draft state budget law and its explanatory memorandum for the coming year, highlighting the hidden provisions and earmarks. He noted that Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise and Auditor General Janar Holm would likely find that the draft does not comply with the Constitution. Finally, the draft was handed over to the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Urmas Reinsalu to speak.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu, representing the Isamaa faction, submitted two interpellations to Prime Minister Kristen Michal, in which he accuses the government of causing the economic downturn and diminishing business confidence, and asks why new tax increases were planned without involving entrepreneurs, and what the financial impact of these plans will be through 2027.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, I accepted three interpellations and one bill. Regarding today's second agenda item—the first reading of Bill 506 on amendments to the Imprisonment Act—the Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee, Andre Hanimägi, will deliver the committee's report, after which we can proceed with the agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi greets the honorable members of the Riigikogu, declares the Thursday plenary session of the Riigikogu open, and calls for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that 47 Riigikogu members were present (54 absent) and that today there would be no opportunity to submit draft legislation or interpellations. We can now proceed with today's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar welcomed the members of the Riigikogu and announced the commencement of the sitting, while simultaneously requesting a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that 68 members of the Riigikogu were present and 33 were absent, and confirmed the agenda clarifications: two amendments, according to which the Finance Committee wishes to exclude Draft Law 488 (the motor vehicle tax bill) from Tuesday’s sitting agenda, and the Social Affairs Committee wishes to exclude Draft Law 433 (the public health law bill) from Wednesday’s sitting agenda. He also noted that the procedure for conducting the sitting would be discussed before the vote.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speech was merely a thank you.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar greets his colleagues and signals the start with the ringing of a bell.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He thanks the manager.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announces that there are no questions and invites Ando Kiviberg to speak.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ando Kiviberg recalls how he gave his deskmate, Juku-Kalle Raid, an apple that subsequently disappeared, and he asks whether the board knows about the fate of that apple.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked Ando Kiviberg, stressed that no food or drink should be brought into the hall, and asked Ants Frosch to pose a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session, but due to the buzzing, he did not hear the question.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He said that the technical problem was resolved, but he didn't hear a single word that colleague Kiviberg said, nor what you said either.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the noise level in the hall was disruptive to listening, requested colleagues to continue the sitting by listening to one another, and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart subsequently raised a question regarding the procedural conduct of the session.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks whether the commission withdrew the draft legislation to repeal the motor vehicle tax law from the agenda, and what the grounds for this decision are, especially given that the bill was already on the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that, pursuant to § 54 of the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, the committee is entitled to act, and the decision was made unanimously, and he invited Lauri Laats to pose a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats asks how culture and order are ensured in the Riigikogu, and to what extent ministers will be permitted to engage in the rude behavior and constant nagging witnessed in their speeches last week, and whether the session chairman and the Speaker of the Riigikogu will call him to order if this recurs, and how this week's session should proceed regarding this matter.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that, pursuant to the House Rules and Rules of Procedure Act, the presiding officer intervenes when necessary. He noted that he himself had issued a remark to the speaker, and that other presiding officers had made similar interventions last week when questions or presentations exceeded the boundaries deemed essential for civil debate. He then asked Vadim Belobrovtsev to pose a question concerning the procedure for conducting the session.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev inquired regarding Bill 488, asking why the Finance Committee unanimously removed the item from the agenda and whether we are entitled to know the reasons behind that decision.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that he does not know the reason, but the representative of the Finance Committee has the opportunity to inquire who took the corresponding steps and why. He encouraged everyone to actively participate in the committee's work and stay informed on the issues, aiming to reduce the number of procedural questions raised in the chamber. He also mentioned that Helir-Valdor Seeder raised a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder inquired why the bill initiated by the Isamaa party, which sought to repeal the motor vehicle tax, had been removed from this week’s agenda, and requested an explanation for this from the presidium and the steering committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asserts that the decision is within the committee's prerogative and was adopted unanimously. He adds that he does not know the reasons, and directs Martin Helme to pose a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme pointed out that if a situation arises during the defense of the draft legislation where a participant is not capable (or adequate) or requires time and assistance, the board could suspend the proceedings until they are ready to continue speaking.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar emphasized that several situations must be regulated, including instances where a noise machine is brought into the chamber. The presiding officer must ensure order in the hall and on the balconies and, if necessary, call both the questioner and the presenter to order.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats pointed out that, according to the latest survey, support for the Riigikogu has fallen to 27 percent, and he called for the submission of concrete proposals for improving the rules of procedure, warning that otherwise, confidence could drop even further, especially due to the statements made by ministers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that he would not delve into the timing of the survey or the events that took place in public, as they occurred before the previous budget debate and linking the two is complicated. He confirmed that the chairpersons of the session have adhered to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and have intervened regarding the presentations and questions posed by speakers, adding that they will continue to do so in the future to ensure order, finally asking Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to present a question concerning procedure.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticized the process, stating that the bill to annul the motor vehicle tax was secretly taken off the agenda by a decision made in the absence of opposition members, which she called a bad precedent.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar noted that this was a unanimous decision made by the committee, according to which the draft legislation would be discussed at the November 5 session because the rapporteur was away on assignment. He added that the board could not view the situation differently, leaving the faction the opportunity to ask Andrei Korobeinik for a more detailed explanation, after which Belobrovtsev raised a point of order.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev raises the question of whether the Rules of Procedure are flawed or if this constitutes disrespect toward the Board, given that the initiator, his representative, and even the Riigikogu Board do not know why a specific item was withdrawn.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirms that the committees possess a strong right to self-regulation, allowing them to jointly submit proposals concerning the agenda and inform the Board with proper justifications. He emphasizes that playing on one’s phone during the session is not productive, and this specific recommendation is currently more pertinent.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk stated that it is very regrettable when members of the Center Party fail to communicate with one another. However, the reason is simple: Mart Võrklaev, under whose leadership this law was adopted, will not be in the Riigikogu tomorrow. Therefore, it was deemed reasonable to question him, given his role as a strong proponent of the law and the committee rapporteur. Consequently, the bill was postponed until next week's Tuesday session, a decision which all committee members, including the Center Party member, adopted consensually.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar informed of a change to two agenda items – draft bill 488 on the motor vehicle tax act and draft bill 433 on the public health act would be removed from the agenda – and asked the Riigikogu to confirm the agenda for the 6th working week of the IV session by vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
71 members of the Riigikogu supported the approval of the agenda, no one voted against, and there was one abstention; subsequently, Vadim Belobrovtsev was invited to the Riigikogu rostrum to present bills and interpellations.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev emphasizes that scam calls are a significant and growing problem in Estonia, citing the figures presented by Minister Lauri Läänemets, and asks what steps the Ministry of the Interior and the police have taken, how the situation has changed since 2020, whether the involvement of banks and telecom operators has increased, and whether legislation needs to be amended to reduce the number of victims and protect the reputation of banks and telecom operators.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and invites Jaak Aab to the Riigikogu rostrum next.
AI Summary
The Economic Affairs Committee is initiating draft legislation to amend the Maritime Safety Act, which will reduce the waterway fee for all vessels entering Estonian ports by 14% during 2025. The aim is to strengthen support for international maritime transport through Estonian ports and to incentivize the redirection of cargo flows, taking into account the 2025 state budget draft. The materials for this draft legislation have been digitally submitted to the Riigikogu Board.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked the colleague and invited Jaak Valge to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge submitted an interpellation to the Madam Minister of Climate regarding phosphorite mining in the Toolse deposit, together with four co-signatories, and raised questions concerning the concession mechanism established for the utilization of critical mineral resources and the secrecy of the negotiations being held with two foreign laboratories.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked [the previous speaker] and invited colleague Helir-Valdor Seeder to the Riigikogu rostrum next.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder, acting on behalf of 28 members of the Riigikogu, submitted an initiative to amend the constitution, which seeks to prevent citizens of third countries and stateless persons from exercising political power in local elections.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, I have accepted two draft acts and two interpellations, and the Board will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. Now, esteemed colleagues, let us proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets the members of the Riigikogu, declares the Wednesday sitting of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly open, and calls for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
76 members of the Riigikogu have registered their attendance; 25 are absent. We now have the opportunity to submit draft legislation, interpellations, and other matters. Lauri Laats, please proceed.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Twenty-nine members of the Riigikogu filed a motion of no confidence against Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi, accusing him of humiliating the Parliament, belittling the questions posed by female politicians, and failing to ensure transparency in the state budget, while expressing hope that the remaining Riigikogu members would also support their position.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi invites Evelin Poolamets to the stage.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets, Helle-Moonika Helme, and Arvo Aller submitted an interpellation concerning the activities of the Government Commission on Population Policy, emphasizing the exceptionally low birth rate and the need to create a systematic scientific analysis and an optimal strategy. They also posed questions regarding ensuring the commission's regular operation, the involvement of more scientists, and the avoidance of duplication with existing work.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, one motion of no confidence and one interpellation were accepted, and Kalle Grünthal presumably asked a question regarding the rules for conducting the sitting.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal announced that he had submitted a draft bill to terminate the work of the European Union Affairs Committee, arguing that the committee has taken over the parliament's duties. He also inquired why the bill, and its subsequent introduction into proceedings, had been delayed over the past year and a half.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi noted that while this has sounded quite impressive over the course of 16 years, there is a lack of information; the secretariat will take note of this and provide notification, and he asked for clarification regarding which specific draft law you are referring to.
Juku-Kalle Raid
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
He is debating whether, procedurally, all members of the Riigikogu can take the floor to object regarding the matter of offense, and adds plainly that he personally has not been insulted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that a right to reply is only possible during a round of negotiations. Currently, a negotiation round is not underway, but these topics will soon be placed on the agenda so that we can discuss them reciprocally.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid is inquiring about the process for directing questions during the information hour, asking whether the individual decision of each member holds sway, or if there is a mechanism or quota that determines to whom the questions are addressed, and whether the remark made by the Chairman of the Riigikogu was appropriate.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi expressed the pragmatic view that while any Riigikogu member can address a question to anyone, if there are at least 10 questions in total, and some ministers have no questions directed at them, then two ministers shouldn't be kept waiting here for two hours, and the ministers should be allowed to continue their work. However, this requires an agreement, as the 'yellow book' (the standing orders/rulebook) does not permit it.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats raised the issue of the relevance of the Riigikogu's agenda, compared the danger of political arbitrariness, and pointed to the impact of comments made by Ligi and Raid. He also posed questions regarding how it is decided whether the Minister of the Interior is given the floor, and what criteria determine the importance of a topic.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks his colleague, notes that he is slightly ahead of schedule, promises to provide an explanation immediately, and hopes to take the final procedural question during this phase—Mart Helme, please.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme said that the coalition is creatively interpreting existing customs, as well as the rules of procedure and internal regulations. They are regulating everything, arbitrarily banning things, and reorganizing matters, while the opposition has every right to boycott someone and refrain from asking questions, and such regulation is childish.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets has the right to present a political declaration regarding internal security, and the Speaker of the Riigikogu decides whether to approve or reject it, which is why he added it to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller welcomed everyone, opened the Thursday sitting in the sixth week of the Riigikogu's fourth session, and carried out an attendance check.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
53 Riigikogu members registered as present, and 48 are absent; next, it is possible to hand over bills and interpellations.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Estonian Centre Party faction submitted a parliamentary inquiry to the Minister of Health Riina Sikkut, expressing concern about the availability of free dental care for children and asking how this works in the current situation, what impact it will have on the Health Insurance Fund, whether the necessary funding will be found, and how sustainable this system is.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invited Leo Kunnas onto the stage.
Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Leo Kunnas submitted a draft amendment to § 5(2) of the Local Government Council Elections Act, adding point 3: "a citizen of a country that has not been designated by the Estonian Parliament as a state with a terrorist regime," noting that similar amendments have previously existed and have remained with the Constitutional Committee, emphasizing cooperation with the Right-wingers and Lavly Perling, and expressing hope for swift processing of the amendment, since he himself is not a lawyer.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Arvo Aller, asks Urmas Reinsalu to take the floor.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Isamaa calls on Parliament to form a clear position and to compel the government to implement a 1.6-billion-euro ammunition procurement plan for 2025–2028, and to begin negotiations with the European Commission to use some of the European Union's Multiannual Financial Framework funds and revenues from the emissions trading scheme for national defense investments.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller announced that there is no desire to submit any more interpellations and draft laws, and two draft laws and one interpellation have been adopted, with the further proceedings to be decided in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure; the first item on Thursday's agenda, 24 October, the EKRE faction-initiated draft amendment to the Holidays and Public Holidays Act No. 453, first reading, is postponed, because the faction's representatives were not present, and Priit Lomp asked a question about how the sitting would be conducted.
Priit Lomp
AI Summary
Priit Lomp criticized the frequent absence of EKRE MPs on Thursdays, noted that one MP is present, and proposed inviting someone else to preside over the session and letting him go to the podium to handle the bills on the Thursday agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller emphasizes that there is no nonsense here, notes that people may have different reasons why they could not come, and then he turns to Tanel Kiik.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik recommends finding a colleague to chair the meeting so that the discussion of the draft can be advanced, because the current situation comes across as game-playing.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The rapporteur Evelin Poolamets is not in the chamber, and unfortunately we do not have any more members of the faction, therefore it is not possible to move it quickly; Lauri Laats, please.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that the Riigikogu does not discuss it and that it is worthy of condemnation, and he recommended that the chair declare a recess in the session and contact the proposer of the bill to find out whether he is present or will arrive shortly.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller said that he does not plan to take a recess at the moment, and that proceedings are impossible without a presenter or a representative of the faction, and he turned to Züleyxa Izmailova.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova criticizes the fact that members of the Parliament of the Republic of Estonia are summoned to assemble in the hall, but they themselves do not show up, which is shameful and a waste of resources.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller said that we gathered here in the hall exactly as usual, but due to the absence of representatives of the factions, he cannot comment on the reasons at the moment.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He notes that at least one EKRE member is present, and he points out that there is a technical possibility to replace the chair during the break and to let the faction present its own draft bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller thanked them for the offer, announced that he was currently presiding over the session, and that at that moment the proceedings were impossible, and asked Karmen Joller.
Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Karmen Joller states that one party repeatedly mocks members of the Riigikogu, and asks about ethics, why bills are often removed from the agenda, and why some parties schedule meetings during working hours when the parliament's work is underway.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller said that the bills that have been on the agenda 16 times are not certain, and the aim is for the deputies to be present and to submit their own bills, and he pledged to respond next week or the week after next about what happened with the rapporteur, because there will be no sitting next week.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik asks whether the entire EKRE faction had planned ten days in advance so that not a single MP could participate, and suggests finding a solution for discussing the draft bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller said that the question of adding the 24th item to the agenda, which was discussed on October 14, has by today passed ten days, and during that time various things may have happened; he cannot comment at the moment, but he stressed that there are very dignified leaders here and all of them have already had their chance, and many will have more in the future.
Priit Lomp
AI Summary
Priit Lomp posed three questions: whether after last night he is still a member of the EKRE parliamentary faction, whether misconduct is discussed in the leadership and, if necessary, a reprimand is given and the EKRE parliamentary faction chairman is called aside for a talk, and whether for the next hour and 44 minutes one should continue only with procedural questions.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller confirmed his status as an EKRE member and as a member of the faction, and discussed the board's agenda and the arrangement of a two-hour meeting, noting that after the chair's replacement it would be possible to proceed with the proceedings and that he cannot read the content right now, and added that the presentation was by Evelin Poolamets and asked Anti Haugast.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas asks what in our Domestic and Working-Order Act currently prevents the draft bill from being introduced, and whether the chair of the meeting has the right to introduce the draft bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller informs that the chair of the meeting cannot present this from the podium, and asks Lauri Laats for help.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticized the lack of attendance in the Riigikogu, noting that the bill presented by the Centre Party faction, which pays salaries according to attendance, would be very timely at the moment, and offered the support of his own faction if the bill's proposer is absent.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller reported that, according to the latest attendance check, 53 deputies were present and 48 were absent, and he stressed that there is a similar draft bill, and going forward they can process them in a mutually supportive manner, and he invited Karmen Joller to speak.
Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Karmen Joller criticizes the Center Party faction's repeated exits and lack of presence in the committee, notes that she herself recently presented the bill they submitted, and that it has reached the chamber for the sixth time with the entire faction not present, which is a waste of taxpayers' money, and finally asks the chair of the meeting which paragraph of the house rules exactly forbids presenting the bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller said that the work of the commissions and the postponements would be reviewed immediately; the agenda will be discussed again at the board so that the days are covered and the draft proposals are processed in proper order, be it Thursday, Wednesday, Tuesday, or Monday.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Zuleyxa Izmailova asks the chair of the meeting whether EKRE's sole member has only just learned today that the bill's rapporteur Evelin Poolamets cannot attend the session, and where she is at the moment — whether there are holidays somewhere and that's why she couldn't come to work.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Unfortunately I do not have any information about Evelin Poolamets's attendance, and since this is a faction's draft, the faction decides the rapporteur, and the current decision is Evelin Poolamets.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev claims that, because of the Centre Party faction, the Riigikogu's working day has never really been canceled, and the accusations are unfounded or hypocritical, and he offers a solution: if EKRE gives him authority, he could be the rapporteur for their bill, because on September 10 the Centre Party presented an almost identical bill and he was its rapporteur.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
As I mentioned earlier, this is the EKRE faction's bill, and the bill's proposer will be decided on Monday during the sitting week.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik asks whether anything has happened to Mrs. Poolamets that she didn't manage to make it to the hall, and he recommends taking a break and making phone calls.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller said that Parliament is interested in handling this matter, expressed concern in connection with Evelin Poolametsa and Rene Kokaga, and announced that the rapporteur will be appointed by the faction at its meeting; Karmen Joller, please.
Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Karmen Joller thanks and acknowledges the fatigue of night shifts, shares with the hospital a good working principle that when fatigue becomes very strong, the entire hospital staff walks out, but that does not mean the end of the workday (this is sarcasm), and addresses directly to her colleague Aller: which paragraph forbids the chair from presenting to the floor a bill submitted by the chair's own faction, and can the Work and House Rules Act be amended so that if a bill has been on the agenda three times, but the faction has not found a presenter, it will no longer be placed on the agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller said that the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and Working Order Act contains a provision regarding the presiding officer's remarks from the podium, but the opportunity to submit draft bills to the presiding officer is not provided; therefore the presiding officer cannot come forward to present them; this amendment is welcome and many members have expressed a desire to amend the law.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas said that they have no real desire to actually resolve the situation, and they are putting on a serious-faced circus, which is embarrassing, and they have the option to take a break, to find the faction's representative, or even the chair of a second session.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The faction decided that Evelin Poolamets would be the presenter, but she is not currently present.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
During the meeting, Lauri Laats proposed expediting the Centre Party faction's draft bill, by which a Riigikogu member's contribution would be tied to his salary, and asked the Constitutional Committee to process it quickly in order to prevent similar situations.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy speaker Arvo Aller informed that he must deliver this speech after the end of the board's meeting, and that Riigikogu members are concerned about the proposer of the EKRE faction's bill.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik recommends a 15-minute break to make phone calls to absent faction members or to take on the presentation of the bill himself.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller confirmed that Evelin Poolamets is the faction's designated rapporteur, but she is not in the chamber, and he pledged to investigate the situation and to adjust the board's agendas so that such unpleasant situations do not arise next time.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova criticized the quality of the chair of the meeting, noting that a fellow party member does not show up and the situation is not being resolved, and asked whether in the future it would be possible to be informed before the start of the meeting if the faction cannot attend, so that the other members of the Riigikogu would be informed.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
He says that attendance is known only when entering the hall, and after the speech ends it must be clarified what happened, and then you can move on.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arhipov said that he came to the Riigikogu in good faith to support a bill and proposed to convene the leadership together with the chairmen of the factions to discuss changing the House's rules of procedure and the working order, so that such situations where we come to work but cannot discuss an important issue would no longer arise.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chair Arvo Aller said that the Parents' Council will meet after the week without sessions, and there one can raise and discuss the House Rules and Working Order Act item, by asking Lauri Laats to take the floor.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats asks the chair of the meeting, in accordance with the Home and Work Rules Act, whether it is currently possible to take a break and whether he may take ten minutes of a break on behalf of his faction.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Members of the Riigikogu, including the chair and the deputy chair of the parliamentary group, cannot currently take a recess, because no vote is taking place; however, a recess may be taken before the vote.
Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Karmen Joller emphasized the EKRE faction's communication problems and the leadership's uncertainty, and asked that such situations be known in advance, and that if a bill is on the agenda for the umpteenth time, but the presenter does not appear and the faction is absent, it should be taken as a sign that the bill is not important to the faction.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller said that the amendment to the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and Working Order Act can be initiated, and that the discussion may begin even after a week without sittings, and that regarding the appointment of the faction's rapporteur everyone has been informed in advance; EKRE MPs will do the work and clarifications will be provided after the sitting.
Irja Lutsar
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Irja Lutsar stated that the discussion brought forward good proposals for taking a break and making a call, and she stressed the need to clarify the situation, to organize substitutions if necessary, and, if the interference was deliberate, to apologize and not repeat it.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller noted that the faction is not fully present today and that the presenter Evelin Poolametsa is absent, and asked Hanah Lahet to intervene.
Hanah Lahe
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Hanah Lahe thanks the chair of the meeting and asks why the work won't continue today, although colleagues have given many good suggestions on how the work could continue.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller announced that, as chair, he cannot present the faction's draft, because the presenter has been appointed Evelin Poolametsa, and he invited Vadim Belobrovtsev.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev proposed to the chair of the meeting that a short break be taken in order to try to contact the presenter, and, after a few minutes, decide whether this item will be brought up for discussion today.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller notes that taking a recess would leave the following questions unasked and unanswered, and asks Anti Haugas whether he has anything to clarify.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas asks directly whether you had prior knowledge that today, from the EKRE faction, no one besides you would be present at the session.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
During registration I saw that Rene Kokk was present.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats suggested taking a break and trying to reach the person, or directing them to the support staff, so that the staff would call and explain why he was absent and whether the meeting would continue.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The proposal has been written down and its author is Priit Lomp.
Priit Lomp
AI Summary
Priit Lomp said that the deputies' recommendations would not be taken into account and that a yellow card would be issued, suggested taking a break and calling a colleague in real time, and promised that if the same situation occurs again it will be resolved live on air, emphasizing cooperation and noting that the opposition is harmful to the Riigikogu's reputation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman thanked and announced that the proposal has been received in writing.
Madis Timpson
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
I referred to the law and to the duties of a representative of the people, affirmed Evelin Poolametsa's conscience and dedication, and expressed concern for her well-being, requesting that during the break she be called and that someone check on her to see if she was all right.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chair thanks and informs that the proposal is in writing, and asks Karmen Joller.
Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Karmen Joller accuses EKRE MPs of lying and of taking part in recurring Thursday meetings, and notes that they know where all EKRE members are currently, including Evelin Poolamets, and asks them to take a break, to call and find out what is going on, and to report back so that the next questioners could wait ten minutes or even withdraw their questions.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Arvo Aller thanked and announced that there is a ten-minute break, after which a short round of applause followed.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller said that the session continues with interim information; he has recently received information, and the phone remained in the cabinet; the faction’s presenter is out for health reasons, and the faction members did not attend due to isolation or to prevent infection.
Jüri Jaanson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
I thank you for the information and for the break, and I would like to ask how long this break will last and whether at the next session the chair could appoint a new EKRE rapporteur during the chair’s tenure, given that the EKRE faction is absent and Evelin Poolametsa's health problems may affect the process.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The presenter designates the faction, and at present there is no information that the presenter has been replaced.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
During the break, Mario Kadastik announced that Toomas Kivimägi is ready to chair the presentation of the draft bill if the EKRE faction takes about 5–10 minutes to familiarize themselves with the draft bill, and in this way the proceedings could move forward.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Replacing the rapporteur is one option, but the faction still decides, and in this case Evelin Poolamets has been appointed as the rapporteur for this bill in the Riigikogu.
Priit Lomp
AI Summary
Priit Lomp thanked the chair of the meeting for the cooperative atmosphere and for listening to the advice from the lesson, and asked whether EKRE members' meetings during recess weeks, including Moonika Helme in Southern Estonia, will be cancelled because of fears about the spread of diseases, or what guidance has been given.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Information about when the meetings will take place will come in as updates arrive, and unfortunately I can't comment.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He asks how long the EKRE faction must remain in isolation and whether he himself must as well, and adds that if he must, he would go home to protect his health.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller said that he does not know these health data or whether he should stay in isolation, but people decided to stay home today.
Irja Lutsar
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Irja Lutsar said that there is currently no disease spreading in Estonia that would require people to stay in isolation as close contacts, and although she, together with Riina Solman, Vadim Belobrovtsev and Evelin Poolamets, was at an event yesterday and does not have to stay in isolation, the Health Board does not recommend isolating close contacts, and all of this seems very strange to her.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller said that he does not know how to speculate with health data and asked that an expert, Vadim Belobrovtsev, provide an assessment on the matter.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
On behalf of the faction I thank you for consulting and for calling Evelin Poolamets; if Evelin Poolamets is indeed ill, then of course we wish her a speedy recovery, and next time we ask her to inform us in advance so that people do not think that the discussion of this item is taking place here, because the center faction regards this matter as important, and on September 10 we presented an almost identical draft bill and we would like to participate in the discussion.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller wished Evelin a speedy recovery and confirmed that he would be present during the presentation of the next bills, and the meeting has ended.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker greets the Riigikogu and declares the start of the Monday sitting of the seventh week of the fourth session, and first requests an attendance check.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approves the agenda for the working week after amendments, during which the fourth item of today’s session and the 19th item of the Wednesday session will be removed for the first reading of bills 497 and 489.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
77 members of the Riigikogu supported the adoption of the agenda; there were no votes against and one abstained. The agenda has been adopted, and now it is possible to table draft bills and interpellations. First to be invited to the Riigikogu's speaking stand was the representative of the Government of the Republic, Mrs Heili Tõnisson.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government presents four bills today: the first is the draft law to amend the Construction Act, the Administrative Cooperation Act, and the Water Act; the second is the draft law amending the Treatment Act (in the case of hospital exemptions); the third is the draft law amending the Product Requirements Conformity Act; the fourth is the draft law on joining the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a complaints procedure; they are represented in the Riigikogu by the Infrastructure Minister, the Health Minister, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications, and the Minister of Social Protection, and all these draft laws have been transmitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairperson thanks the audience and now gives the floor to his colleague Vadim Belobrovtsevi.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev said that Estonia has recently undergone a noticeable shift in United Nations General Assembly voting, and on September 18, 2024 Estonia voted in favor of a resolution together with, for example, Russia, Belarus and Iran, which differs from the United States’ and often also the EU’s usual stance, and he submitted eight inquiries asking questions about the reasons for this change.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair requests that the floor be given to his colleague Jaak Valge.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge and his colleagues submitted to the Minister of Climate again the inquiry about plans for phosphate mining, supplemented it with references to laws and with one additional question to the three mayors of Lääne-Viru County, and they ask which are the two foreign laboratories with whom negotiations are being conducted, what is their initial task and the scope of work, whether the local community is ready for changes, and whether the ministry intends to take the mayors' opinions into account.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and then invites Andrei Korobeinik to speak at the Riigikogu rostrum.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik urged the Riigikogu to use the taxation of banks' windfall profits (€400 million) as a funding source for the Centre Party faction's budget amendment proposals, in order to finance upcoming tax increases and wage freezes next year and to demonstrate statesmanship.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, five bills and two inquiries have been adopted, and their further processing will be decided by the Presidium in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure; now we can proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy speaker of the Riigikogu, Toomas Kivimägi, greets all members and distinguished guests and announces the start of the Tuesday plenary session and requests a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu has 71 members present, 30 are absent; the submission of bills and interpellations has not been requested, thank you and we can proceed to today’s agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy speaker Toomas Kivimägi greeted colleagues, announced the start of the Riigikogu's Wednesday plenary session, and conducted an attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
There were 76 Riigikogu members present, 25 were absent; now is the time and opportunity to submit bills and interpellations, but there is no such desire, and the fourth item on the agenda will be discussed as the second reading of the Government-initiated draft law No. 467 amending the Land Register Act, for which the committee's report will be prepared by Andre Hanimägi, the chair of the Legal Committee.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller greets and declares open the Thursday sitting of the seventh working week of the Riigikogu's fourth session, and conducts the attendance check.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
There were 66 Riigikogu MPs present and 35 were absent; it is now possible to submit bills and interpellations.
Eerik-Niiles Kross
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
A draft bill to amend the Constitution, submitted on behalf of 61 Riigikogu members, is, in the opinion of the majority of the members, a good compromise that satisfies everyone's interests.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech is merely a plea addressed to Raimond Kaljulaid.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid announced that to reduce the risk of dog attacks, a draft bill has been prepared, which gives local governments the authority to proactively establish and enforce clear rules, and it has been digitally submitted to the Riigikogu for discussion.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller informed that there are no further requests to speak, and the Riigikogu's leadership has adopted two draft bills, the further processing of which will be decided in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu plenary starts Monday's sitting of the eighth week of the IV session and requests that attendance be checked.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
There are 74 members of the Riigikogu present and 27 are absent; in finalising the agenda, it was decided to exclude the inquiries No. 648 and No. 651 submitted to Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi from today's fifth and sixth items on the agenda, and before their adoption the procedure for conducting the meeting must be discussed, Lauri Laats, please.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats proposed trimming the scope of the Wednesday agenda, saying that 13 points are too many and that an overnight session would probably be necessary, and suggested postponing some points (e.g., 506 SE, 511 SE and 517 SE) to Thursday or the following week, in order to preserve the quality of legislation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanked a colleague, noting that the agenda has already been agreed with the presenters and changes can be made only if no one objects, and invited Õnne Pillaku to speak.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak said that the Reform Party faction does not agree with the changes made by the Centre Party faction.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
As an amendment to the agenda, the fifth and sixth items will be omitted (inquiries 648 and 651), and a vote will be taken on approving the agenda for the Riigikogu's 4th session's 8th working week.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The agenda has been approved; now draft bills and interpellations may be submitted, and Lauri Laats will submit two interpellations.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats thanked the esteemed Speaker of the Riigikogu and his colleagues and informed them that he has two parliamentary inquiries today, although three were planned.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair asks for silence in the hall so that inquiries can be forwarded; if it is necessary to discuss topics, he recommends doing so outside the hall.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats asks if he can get back his four minutes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman, Lauri Hussar, asks that you would have time to submit inquiries.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Today, Lauri Laats submitted two parliamentary inquiries regarding the establishment of a Rail Baltica investigative committee and the closing of the Jõhvi courthouse, and added that the second inquiry is directed at Prime Minister Kristen Michal on the topic of suspending the tax festival, while the Ministry of Justice's draft bill plans to raise notarial fees by up to 30% (11.5 million euros in total), which would affect the real estate market, and he stresses the duration of not raising taxes until 2027 and expects answers to eight questions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar thanked and asked that his colleague Jaak Valge be given the floor.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge emphasizes that they wanted to submit to the Riigikogu a draft decision, but MPs without a faction do not have this opportunity, and therefore the content was formalized as a parliamentary inquiry to obtain a response from the minister, and he highlights the importance of the family under §27 of the Constitution, Estonia's birth-rate decline, and the results of studies on the positive impact on children raised in natural families, while the campaigns of the Ministry of Social Affairs do not support natural families and families with many children, which requires explanations and action from the minister.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks and yields the floor to his Riigikogu colleague Urmas Reinsalu.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
According to Urmas Reinsalu, last week the full parliamentary majority rejected Isamaa's proposal to repeal the draft motor vehicle tax law, which was due to come into force on January 1, but the Isamaa faction intends to re-submit a proposal to declare it invalid, citing the lack of arguments and the PwC analyst's statement that the motor tax may be greater than the value of the car, and draws attention that the tax worsens livelihoods, increases inflation and slows economic growth.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, I thank my colleagues. I have accepted three interpellations and one draft bill, and the Presidium decides on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi greets the members of parliament and announces the start of the Riigikogu's Tuesday plenary session, and asks that attendance be checked.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
64 Riigikogu members registered as present; 37 are absent, and now it's time to hand over the draft bills and interpellations — Siim Pohlak, please.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak says that during Reform Party governments in Estonia the country has reached the top of European rankings in both the depth of the economic downturn and the level of the value-added tax on food, and he submitted a bill to lower the food VAT to 5%.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Urmas Reinsalu to speak.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu emphasizes that the government must immediately make a decision and fund an ammunition purchase totaling 1.6 billion euros, because although the Defence Forces' commanders have signaled this need, it is not feasible within the 2025–2028 budget strategy; the Isamaa faction submitted a corresponding Riigikogu resolution, which the leadership rejected, and therefore the parliament must make its principled choice on the question of existential national defense capability.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The board has adopted one draft bill and one draft decision.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu, declares the start of the Wednesday plenary session, and asks for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
73 members of the Riigikogu registered as present; 28 are absent. Now there is an opportunity to file draft bills and interpellations, and as is customary, Lauri Laats was asked.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party faction submitted a parliamentary inquiry to the Prime Minister regarding the Recovery and Resilience Plan and the use of oil shale, noting the confusion surrounding the exit dates and urging the Riigikogu to debate and reconsider decisions about the future of oil shale.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu leadership, I took up an interpellation and asked Helir-Valdor Seeder to comment on it or to present another question—this is a procedural matter.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder raised a procedural question regarding the second reading of the 2025 state budget bill, emphasizing that there is an error in the distributed materials and that before the proceedings continue the Riigikogu must receive adequate information about the proposed amendments.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the inaccuracy of one amendment proposal is obvious and that the committee will provide explanations, and although the discussion has not yet reached the plenary, substantive amendments that meet the requirements must not be brought to the floor, and this is not a big mistake that would hinder the processing of the agenda item.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They note that they would like to speak, but the chair of the meeting has not given them the floor.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi said: "Andrei Korobeinik, please."
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik asked the chair of the Riigikogu session why the committee cannot bring Isamaa's amendment proposals to the chamber, and stressed that the debate must take place in the parliament's chamber, not in a closed committee meeting, and asked the chair to express his own opinion.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that today's debate is the largest in Parliament and that the 2025 draft state budget bill will be considered, and he added that not all of the committee's proposed amendments will reach the chamber due to the long-standing 30-year tradition and technical reasons.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder emphasizes that all amendment proposals that are not subject to a vote must be marked in the table and brought into line with the Rules of Procedure and the Working Order Act, and the material must be made available to the members of the Riigikogu in the form in which it was submitted, before the question is considered.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that most of the questions have been answered in the explanatory memorandum, where it is stated that the Isamaa faction's first amendment proposal to the 2025 state budget was presented as a holistic alternative budget and contained eight different proposals, and the committee treated them as substantively related proposals; there is a corresponding mark on the bill's chart about this, Urmas Reinsalu, please.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that in the budgeting process for 2025 and 2024, the government has ignored Isamaa's proposals and did not allow them to be considered in Parliament, and he stressed that the opposition has the right to submit and discuss its proposals, and that the procedure must be constitutional and transparent.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi confirmed that there is no panic in the panic coalition, and the discussion of the 2025 state budget will proceed as planned, because amendment proposals are not considered obstructions and the committees have broad discretion.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme asked whether the Riigikogu leadership has discussed the recent incident in which a Riigikogu member brandished a weapon in a public place and frightened people, and whether measures are being taken to ensure the safety of the members.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They thanked and said that they did not know who you were talking about, and asked Helir-Valdor Seeder.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Honorable Chair, I call for a good-faith dialogue and emphasize that the process for next year's state budget must be conducted in accordance with the law and avoid the risk of it being sent back to the President, because amendments are an important part of the process, and in line with established practice related amendments should go to the table and to voting as a single amendment; however, in this case even this minimal practice has not been followed, and one related amendment has not reached the table or the vote, which is in violation of both the House Rules Act and the established practice; it is better to pause it if the agenda cannot be changed, so that we do not have to return to it later, and please explain why this related amendment has not been entered on the table.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked his colleague for the good-faith dialogue, noted that earlier warnings about the promulgation of the law or the abolition of the Supreme Court had not been appropriate, explained philologically that the amendment proposal regarding the draft bill and the alternative draft are two different things, and found that what was presented was more of a parallel budget, for which the committee's rapporteur Annely Akkermann provides explanations, and he promised to take up the last two procedural questions, inviting Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme refers to yesterday's harsh news about Jaak Valge and asks whether the Riigikogu leadership plans to discuss his public conduct and the accompanying consequences.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He explained that although the humor was inappropriate and mistakes may happen, the board has not taken a position on this case, and the incident does not damage the reputation of the Riigikogu, because Jaak Valge has condemned it and security is guaranteed.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that the governing coalition had made a fundamental error due to excessive self-confidence, and Isamaa presented a principled alternative budget whose aim is financially sustainable operation in the 2025–2028 budget years without tax increases, but the coalition's majority took it to the Riigikogu Finance Committee autonomously, without bringing it to the plenary, which he regards as something that should be subjected to critical analysis and impartial examination.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He notes that they are already approaching the Q&A round and the negotiation round, and those things lie ahead.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu accused the Finance Committee and the coalition's majority of acting in a majoritarian way in violation of the principles of democracy, arguing that they have no right to deprive Parliament of the opportunity to vote on tax issues, and he proposed not to proceed with the 2024 and 2025 budgets until the procedural requirements are met.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi firmly states that 60–70 amendment proposals are normal and not an obstruction, and that the coalition and the Finance Committee do not veto any suitable amendment proposals; in addition, he promises to bring to the floor all qualifying amendments and invites colleagues to continue with today’s agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu begins the Thursday session of the eighth working week and conducts attendance checks.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
59 members of the Riigikogu registered as present; 42 are absent. Now it is possible to submit draft bills and interpellations, but there is no desire to do so.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar opens the Riigikogu plenary session of the IV session, the Monday sitting of the ninth working week, and requests a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
80 members of the Riigikogu are present and 21 are absent; thereafter the agenda is clarified and approved, the changes made are announced, and Aivar Kokk asks a question about the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
During the voting, the screens went dark and I could only see the logo; I don't know whether I was listed as present from the start of the meeting.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair announced that 80 members of the Riigikogu were present and 21 were absent, and suggested that, if necessary, the card be taken out and reinserted to register attendance or to perform a new attendance check.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that 81 Riigikogu members have still registered to attend and 20 members are absent, and the agenda will be clarified: the Finance Committee wishes to strike item 15 from the agenda of the Wednesday session, and the Economic Committee to strike item 17, and proposals regarding the agenda are still awaited.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats announced that the Estonian Centre Party faction would submit amendments and swap interpellation points 3 and 4 with each other, so that point 3 would become 4 and point 4 would become 3, and the corresponding agreements with the rapporteurs have been concluded.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
They clarified that if no one objects and the amendment has been negotiated with the speakers, we can do it.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats asks the Center Party faction to drop for now Wednesday's item 504 SE and Thursday's item 498 OE, because on Thursday there won't be time to process them and we would not want to process them during the night hours.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirms understanding, thanks, and then asks Priit Sibul to provide additional information.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
I propose to swap the order of Wednesday's agenda items 8 and 9, so that item 9 is considered under item 8, and item 8 under item 9.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairperson asks Lauri Laats to present his own proposal.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats proposed reorganizing the structure of the Wednesday agenda: to start with the third readings, continue with the other readings, and finish with the first readings.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked, confirmed the understandability of both yours and Priit Sibula's proposals, and said that if no one objects, a modification can be made, and the floor has been requested by Õnne Pillakul.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Reform Party faction does not support swapping the eighth and ninth items on the agenda on Wednesday, nor moving them to the end of the meeting.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, said that these amendment proposals regarding the agenda cannot be taken into account, and invited Varro Vooglaid to present a question about the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid asks on behalf of the board for an explanation as to why two constitutional amendment bills on the same topic were not placed on the agenda in the order they were submitted, but their order was reversed, and with what justification such a move was made.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The board unanimously adopted a decision and noted that one draft has more than twice as many sponsors as the other, after which Kalle Grünthal was asked to pose a question about the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal asks why, at the moment, bills with the same content are not being combined in the usual way.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, said that amendments can be made after the first reading, and that the first readings must still be completed beforehand, and he asked Priit Sibul to raise a question about the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
I thank you, jokester, and I ask whether the board discussed this seriously and why the decision was made unanimously, how the discussion arose and why it wasn’t known beforehand how many initiators are planned, whether in the future a table could be prepared showing the number of signatories, and how this discussion took place within the board and whether the minutes or the petition determined the making of the final decision?
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The board unanimously approved the draft of this week's agenda, and Martin Helme asked a question about the procedure for holding the meeting.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme asks whether points eight and nine remain the same, and whether Lauri Laatsi's proposal to raise points 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19 and 20 after the seventh point is in effect, and how the weight of the signatories is calculated — whether it is the sum of their body weights or a double weight for coalition MPs.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, thanks a colleague and confirms that the weight of the decision depends on the number of signatories, recommends looking at the commentary on our Home- and Work-Order Act, and understands Õnne Pillaku's wish to further clarify her position.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak announced that the Reform Party faction does not support moving items 8 and 9 to the end of Wednesday's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked and announced that he would take one more question regarding the procedure for conducting the session, and invited Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid asked whether, going forward, it could be taken into account that the board's general practice is such that the more sponsors a draft proposal has, the earlier it is placed on the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The board's practice clearly follows the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and Working Order Act and its commentary, and draws on previous practice, and Urmas Reinsalu also makes a proposal regarding it.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu says that they have ended up in a collective bind, and given that the process of deliberating the Constitution has constitutional significance, it would be appropriate to move the draft constitutional amendment bills to the first and second items on Wednesday's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that changes to the agenda items would not be accepted, he heard yet another proposal and it was said that there would be more proposals — Helle-Moonika Helme, please.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They would propose changing the agenda so that Item 21 (first reading) is moved into the group of other first readings after Item 9 and is set as the 10th agenda item, after which there would be, first, the third readings, then the first readings, and finally the second readings.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar said that the proposal is very creative, and asked Õnne Pillakul, who still has her hand up, to express her position on those amendment proposals.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Reform Party faction does not support Urmas Reinsalu's and Helle-Moonika Helme's proposals to change the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, said that one faction does not support certain amendments, and therefore the draft agenda cannot include additional amendment proposals, and after the last two procedural questions, a vote will be held on approving the agenda.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo says that he gets the impression that it was not the Riigikogu leadership that decided the agenda, but Õnne Pillak, and he asks whether Pillak is an external board member or how exactly the order of the agenda is determined.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu leadership submitted a draft of the agenda, but Õnne Pillak did not support the added amendments, and their introduction is not possible, and Kalle Grünthal posed a question about the procedure for conducting the session.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal notes that the session is muddled between Õnne Pillaki's non-approvals and the agenda items, emphasizes that several proposals have been approved, but the final result is unclear, and requests a ten-minute pause and for the agenda items to be laid out on the table again, so that all members of the Riigikogu understand what will be final.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair notes that Õnne Pillak did not oppose Lauri Laatsa's proposal to swap the third and fourth items, and promises to present, before the vote, all amendments to the draft agenda.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that in answering his colleagues' questions it becomes clear which of his proposals have passed: for the first one, Õnne Pillak had no objections; with the second proposal we asked to remove the Estonian Centre Party faction's bill and draft decision from Wednesday's agenda item no. 22 and Thursday's no. 2; no one had objections, but now it is unclear whether Õnne Pillak supported the processing of Wednesday's agenda items 8 and 9 among the latest ones.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Regarding the latest proposal, Õnne Pillak has clearly expressed her position, and Helle-Moonika Helme asked a question about the procedure for conducting the session.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme said that their faction decided to reject point 21 and to withdraw point 22; the process will probably continue with full attendance up to point 21, and perhaps it would be wise to place it after the ninth agenda item.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked, noting that a proposal has been made and that Õnne Pillak has responded to it, and at present there is no reason to discuss the topic again, since Pillak has clearly expressed her position.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The position of the Reform Party faction is that the Wednesday agenda items 8 and 9 will remain where they are, and item 21 will also remain the last item.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair announces in advance all amendments and, together with their omissions and the Centre Party's proposals, puts to a vote the Riigikogu's fourth session ninth working week agenda for approval, including the omission of Wednesday's points 15 and 17 (bills 510 and 499, second reading), the omission of point 22 (bill 504, first reading) and the second point of Thursday's sitting (bill 498, first reading), and the swapping of the third and fourth agenda points.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda with 61 in favor, 20 against, and there were no abstentions; draft laws and interpellations may now be submitted, and it was requested that Mrs. Heili Tõnisson, a representative of the Government of the Republic, come to the Riigikogu's rostrum.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government presents today two draft bills: the first is the draft law implementing the Construction Act and Planning Act, the Environmental Fees Act, and the Planning Act amendment law (accelerating the deployment of renewable energy), and the second is a Riigikogu draft resolution to increase Estonia's participation in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Both have been transmitted electronically and they are being processed in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Climate and the Minister of Finance.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker of the Riigikogu, Lauri Hussar, informed that the Riigikogu leadership has adopted two draft bills, and their further processing will be decided by the leadership in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure, and they proceeded to today’s agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu, Toomas Kivimägi, greets the members, is pleased with their attendance, notes that they have arrived safely, and declares that the plenary session will begin on Tuesday, and asks for an attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
There were 65 Riigikogu members present and 36 were absent; now there is an opportunity to submit draft bills and parliamentary inquiries, but there is no desire to do so; after the plenary session ends, a meeting to form the Estonia–Bhutan parliamentary group will take place here in the plenary hall, the convener is Juku-Kalle Raid.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets and proclaims the start of the Riigikogu plenary session on Wednesday, and requests a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
74 members of the Riigikogu registered as present; 27 were absent, and now it is time to hand over the draft bills and interpellations. Martin Helme, please.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme calls on the Riigikogu to submit a draft resolution establishing an investigative committee to examine the circumstances related to Nordica's cessation of operations, in order to determine the lack of state oversight and management errors, identify those responsible and the costs incurred by the taxpayer, and to prepare with experts a plan for Nordica's termination, taking into account Estonia's interests, the implementation of which is by 1 March next year.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker offers heartfelt thanks and turns to Arvo Alleri with a plea.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller submitted a parliamentary inquiry to the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, addressing the plan to cut the courts, particularly the importance of the Jõhvi courthouse as a regional symbol, and submitted five questions with the aim of obtaining answers regarding the 5% cuts in 2025 and the servicing of the Ida-Viru region.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Helir-Valdor Seeder.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Isamaa submitted a draft amendment to the Local Government Council Elections Act, because the current legal framework does not allow hurried changes to the Constitution, and for such changes to take effect the legal framework must first be changed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, asks Lauri Hussarit.
Lauri Hussar
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Lauri Hussar announced that a bill will be brought into the Riigikogu for consideration, by which the cap on the reimbursement of work-related expenses for a Riigikogu member will be reduced by one sixth, in order to show solidarity together with the other factions and to save about 400,000 euros in the state budget per year.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, I announce that I have adopted one draft resolution, one interpellation, and two draft laws, and we may proceed to today’s agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Arvo Aller greets his colleagues and announces the start of the Thursday sitting of the ninth week of the 4th session of the Riigikogu, and begins with an attendance check.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Forty-four Riigikogu members registered as present; 57 are absent. Now there is an opportunity to submit bills and interpellations, but there is no desire.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker greets the Riigikogu and the guests and declares open the Monday sitting of the 10th week of the IV session of the Riigikogu, and asks first that a roll call be taken.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
79 members of the Riigikogu are present, 22 are absent, and before the agenda is adopted the same agenda and the procedure for conducting the session will presumably be discussed; Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, please.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticizes that finance minister Jürgen Ligi refuses, for the umpteenth time in a row, to attend the anti-corruption special committee meeting not because of a lack of time but because of his principled stance, emphasizing that the committee deals with prevention and not only corruption-related matters, and asks how to proceed in the future and whether we should send an appeal.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked a colleague, and confirmed that the topic would be discussed in the Riigikogu leadership in accordance with the Home and Working Order Act, and that no immediate answer would be given, but the discussion would take place with colleagues in the leadership, and Martin Helme's question about the procedure for conducting the session would be left to the leadership for discussion.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme recalls Jürgen Ligi's fits of hysteria and the time when Ligi was the chairman of the anti-corruption committee, and Helme, as finance minister, did not attend on several occasions due to the lack of agreement on the agenda items, emphasizing the importance of parliamentary oversight of ministers and suggesting to the board to take the stories that had appeared on Delfi at that time and read aloud to Ligi what he said back then.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks a colleague, confirms the board's willingness to discuss these questions, hears the question submitted about the procedure for conducting the Laats meeting, and notes that there is now a substantive proposal regarding the agenda.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats, on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party faction, submitted a proposal to remove item No. 3, i.e. 504 SE, from Thursday's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the initiator wishes to exclude Thursday's third item from this week's agenda, and Martin Helme asked a question about the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme recalls the initial Riigikogu training, where they were taught to sit, to behave, and to dress; he notes that among the male members there was a custom to carry a flag, and as the chairman of the session he often demanded it, and finally asks what the current standard is regarding this.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that he would not answer Mart Helme's question due to his personal medical reasons and would not wear a tie today, while also requesting that the cited comments not be presented and emphasizing that health is not always under a person's own control.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme asked about the limits of the authority of the Riigikogu leadership and the police in maintaining public order, and whether the leadership can ensure the principles of equal treatment for everyone, regardless of their conduct in the chamber or violations of the traffic rules.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that the issue is not about the protocol for conducting the session, emphasized that noisemakers must not be brought into the hall, and confirmed that the Riigikogu leadership desires a respectful and well-reasoned discussion, noting at the same time that the presiding officers of the session have intervened in a breach on one occasion.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler points out that the emotion arising from the flag issue and the prime minister's comment on it remained two-faced, and he recalls what was signified by wearing the Trump 2024 hat, while at the same time asking how the prime minister feels in this situation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar said that head coverings are not allowed in the hall, and there are no rules about wearing a tie, but a demonstration with a hat was, in his opinion, inappropriate, and he took up the last procedural question and invited Heljo Pikhof.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof thanks for the opportunity to raise a procedural question, notes that she has been interrupted previously, and asks that women be treated no differently.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chair Lauri Hussar claims that the chair of the meeting always intervenes when a procedural question is raised in the context of a rebuttal, emphasizes the persistence of the pattern, and calls on Heljo Pikhofi to pose a question about the protocol for conducting the meeting.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof said that, although the line of questioning so far has been procedural, it is interesting to listen to, and if anyone hears something slip out and still has to treat it as procedural, his hearing is distorted.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar emphasizes that procedural questions, both before the agenda is approved and during negotiations already taking place on the specific topic, are two different things, and if a very specific objection to the topic is raised, it does not qualify as a procedural question and the chairs will intervene.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid proposed establishing a common dress code for members of the Riigikogu in order to avoid discussions about appropriate attire (hat, sandals, shorts, T-shirt, etc.).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the listeners.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He, in his capacity as Speaker of the Riigikogu, stresses that this matter must be regulated somehow.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, announced that the topic is outside the procedural framework of the meeting and cannot be dealt with here, asking to send a letter to the board or to discuss it in the Riigikogu's Council of Elders, and noting that the discussion is already ridiculous, presenting Helir-Valdor Seeder with a proposal regarding the agenda.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder proposes to remove from this week's agenda items 19 and 20 of the Wednesday session (bills 510 and 512).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
They thank.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder's speech focuses on Wednesday's agenda items 19 and 20 and on topics 510 and 512 SE.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Isamaa faction wants to remove from the agenda the Government of the Republic's draft bill No. 510 amending the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Tax Act and other laws, and the draft bill No. 512 on the Security Tax Act.
Mihkel Lees
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Reform Party faction does not agree with Isamaa's proposals.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar invited Martin Helme to speak.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme said that EKRE wants to remove Tuesday's fourth item, 427 SE, i.e., the second reading of the Child Protection Act, from the agenda and refer it back to the committee for further discussion, because the committee did not fix anything with it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and asks Mihkel Lees to speak.
Mihkel Lees
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mihkel Lees said that the Reform Party's faction cannot agree to this proposal.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, announced that changes to the agenda could not be introduced, and asked Mart Helme to present a question about the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme proposed excluding Wednesday’s agenda item 18 (486 OE) because it concerns Estonia’s fulfillment of international obligations in the post-conflict peacekeeping operation in Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, and there is no post-conflict situation in Lebanon and Syria, therefore it should be reworded and brought up for discussion as a new draft proposal; he is not against the mission as such, but against the wording.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair recalls the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and explains that after the agenda has been announced the draft is withdrawn from the agenda on the initiative of the initiator, the person presenting the draft, or at the request of the lead committee, and then the floor is given to Mihkel Lees.
Mihkel Lees
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mihkel Lees said that the Reform Party faction could not agree with this proposal either.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, announced that these amendments could not be introduced in any way, and invited Helle-Moonika Helme to ask a question about the procedure for conducting the session.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme draws attention to the fact that some items on the agenda have been removed, and the draft amendment to the Child Protection Act leaves in a permit to work with pedophiles’ children, which has not been changed, and she asks whether such a way of organizing work is appropriate, when one side presents a long justification and the other merely proclaims the answer like the Wicked Witch in a cartoon.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar closes the question period and announces that a vote on approving the agenda will begin, during which, at the Centre Party faction's proposal, the third item on this week's Thursday agenda will be omitted, and the approval of the Riigikogu's Fourth Session tenth working week agenda will be put to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda with 53 in favor, 20 against, and there were no abstentions; next, it will be possible to submit bills and interpellations, and Heili Tõnisson, the Government's representative, was invited to the podium.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government today initiates four bills that address amendments to the implementation of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy and to the Feed Act, amendments to the Family Benefits Act and other laws, amendments related to strengthening the Aliens Act and migration procedures, and amendments to the Maritime Safety Act and other laws, and all the bills have been transmitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He thanks and invites his colleague Lauri Laatsi to the podium next.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
A parliamentary inquiry is addressed to the Prime Minister on the topic of the stability of electricity production and its price, and the deficiencies reflected in Eesti Energia's audit, the promises of the Estonian Environment Agency and the owners' directives, and the issues of dispatchable capacities and the export of oil shale.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks and invites the next speaker, Evelin Poolametsa, to the Riigikogu's speaking podium.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets, on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People's Party, submitted to the Minister of the Interior a parliamentary inquiry regarding the draft Constitutional Amendment Law No. 536, the aim of which is to enable stateless persons to have the right to vote in local government elections, and asks for answers to questions about the criteria for issuing a foreigner’s passport, the prevention of the gray passport, the number of foreigner’s passports issued annually, the steps to reduce them, the reasons for and the frequency of passport cancellations, and possible changes to the process.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Presidium of the Riigikogu has adopted four draft bills and two interpellations, and it will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and Internal Regulation Act, and we now turn to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu and announces that the plenary session on Tuesday will begin, and asks that attendance be taken.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
There were 69 Riigikogu members present and 32 were absent; there was no desire to transmit draft bills and interpellations, so we can proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi greets the members of the Riigikogu, announces the opening of the Riigikogu plenary session, and conducts the roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Seventy-six members of the Riigikogu registered as present (including Rain Epler), and twenty-five are absent, and now there is an opportunity to submit draft bills and inquiries; Anti Poolamets, please!
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets submitted a parliamentary inquiry to the Minister of Education and Science about textbooks used in schools, citing the treatment of gender identity in the primary-school life-education workbook and the alleged over 20 different definitions of gender, and asks what the criteria for selection are, whether incorporating extremist ideology into the curriculum makes a school politicized, and how many social gender concepts the minister himself acknowledges.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu's leadership, Toomas Kivimägi said that one parliamentary inquiry had been adopted and could proceed to the consideration of today's agenda, but before that the presenter needs to be clarified, and at the second reading of item 23 on the agenda the draft Public Health Act No. 433 will be presented by the chair of the Social Committee, Madis Timpson.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker greets the Riigikogu, opens the Thursday sitting of the tenth week of the fourth session, expresses pleasure at the strong attendance, and requests a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair announced that 53 Members of the Riigikogu were present and 48 were absent, and that it is now possible to submit bills and interpellations; there are no requests to speak, and we will proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi opens the Riigikogu IV session's eleventh working-week Monday session and organizes attendance checks.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi informed that 79 Riigikogu members registered as present and 22 were absent, and he announced the start of the agenda’s approval and invited Lauri Laatsi to speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats, as a member of the Estonian Centre Party faction, proposed withdrawing item No. 2, 520 SE from Thursday's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Since this is a bill initiated by the Estonian Centre Party faction, we accept it.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Isamaa faction wishes to strike out items 3 and 4 (510 SE and 512 SE) from the Wednesday agenda and asks that their involvement in the development of these items be taken into account.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman thanks and asks Mihkel Leesi to speak.
Mihkel Lees
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Reform Party faction does not agree with the proposal, and the opposition seems tired of Estonia's security concerns and wants to remove the draft security tax bill from the agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chair thanked and announced that Isamaa's proposal could not be accepted, and directed his colleagues to prepare for the adoption of the agenda, asking Helir-Valdor Seeder to chair.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder made a clarification that these are tax policy proposals, not security-related ones, and he remains committed to his proposal.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that the Reform Party faction did not agree with the proposal to strike it from the agenda, and that from the Thursday agenda project, item No. 2, draft bill No. 520 at the Centre Party's request, would be left out, and together with the amendments, will be put to a vote on the Riigikogu’s IV session’s 11th working week agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the IV session's eleventh working-week agenda with a vote of 54 in favour, 26 against and 1 abstention, and there is now the opportunity to submit draft bills and interpellations; Vadim Belobrovtsev, please!
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev, on behalf of the Centre Party faction, submitted an inquiry to Prime Minister Kristen Michal on the topic of a bank tax, citing the experiences of Lithuania and Latvia and asking whether such a tax could also be introduced in Estonia, and why or why not.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Lauri Laats to take the floor.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party faction in the Riigikogu wishes to submit a proposal to conduct an analysis of the impact of young people's use of social media, to commission a study, and within 12 months, based on the results, decide on the next steps.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a request to invite Heili Tõnisson, a representative of the Government of the Republic, onto the stage.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The Government of the Republic is initiating a bill to amend the Livestock Breeding Act, which is being processed in Parliament by the Minister for Regional Development and Agriculture representing the Government, and the bill has been transmitted electronically.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu presidium, I thank and inform you that one parliamentary inquiry, one draft of a decision and one draft law have been adopted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi greets the esteemed members of the Riigikogu, expresses pleasure at seeing them, declares Tuesday's Riigikogu plenary session to begin, and asks to check attendance.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Sixty members of the Riigikogu registered as present; 41 are absent, and it is now possible to submit bills and parliamentary questions.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler proposed amending the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and Internal Order Act so that committees could clearly summon government members to appear, require them to submit documents, and establish consequences for their failure to appear.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, we have adopted a bill and we can proceed to today’s agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets the Riigikogu, declares the Wednesday plenary session open, and calls for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 71 Riigikogu members were present and 30 were absent, and that bills and interpellations were submitted; Andrei Korobeinik, please!
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik raised the issue that nearly a million euros were spent on cooperation with Ukraine's state app, but Estonia's result falls noticeably short of Ukraine's, and he asked who did this work, what happens next, and whether anyone will take political responsibility for it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, I have accepted one parliamentary inquiry and we will place it on the agenda of today's sitting.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller greets the members of the Riigikogu and announces that the Thursday sitting of the 11th week of the IV session will begin, and that an attendance check will be conducted.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Fifty-eight Riigikogu members registered their presence; forty-three are absent, and it is now possible to submit draft bills and interpellations; Lauri Laats, please.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party faction submitted a parliamentary inquiry to Prime Minister Kristen Michal about the deepening gap in local government revenues, referring to the Development Monitoring Center's short report "Trends in Local Government Revenues," which shows a growing gap caused by out-migration and shrinking funding for small municipalities, and emphasizes the need for a stronger regional policy and a fruitful debate in the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament).
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
At the beginning of the speech, Andres Metsoja is invited to perform.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja submitted a bill to amend the Hunting Act on behalf of the Isamaa parliamentary group, which aims to resolve the confusion arising from the topic of wolf hunting and to allow the hunting of nuisance specimens outside the season, since the current law does not permit it and court intervention has led to the cessation of hunting.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, I have adopted one draft bill and one written inquiry, and the Presidium will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure, and we will proceed to the agenda for today, Thursday.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu will begin Monday's sitting in the 12th working week of the 4th session and requests that attendance be checked.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair announced that 71 Riigikogu members had registered to be present and that 30 were absent, and proceeded to confirm the agenda, inviting Martin Helmet.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme proposed changing the agenda and asked that the penultimate item on Wednesday's agenda be withdrawn, because the proposer of that draft cannot present it in Tallinn on Wednesday, and no one else may present it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirms that the picture is clear.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme asked to remove from the agenda the draft amendment No. 435 to the Subsoil Resources Act, because the Riigikogu's Legal and Analysis Department has written that it is unconstitutional, and he does not understand why such matters are placed on the agenda and why this is being pushed forward now.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair announced that no proposal could be made regarding the third item on the agenda, because after the agenda had been announced the draft would be withdrawn from the agenda at the initiative of the initiator, the proposer, or the chair of the leading committee, and first the proposals would be discussed and then the floor would be given to Martin Helme.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that the Estonian Centre Party faction wants to remove from the agenda precisely our initiated bills 524 and 498.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar requests clarification, and the microphone will be handed back to Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that on Wednesday there would be the tenth item, but then he corrected himself and apologized.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar says that the tenth point is EKRE's.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
This is simply the eleventh point, the 504 SE reference, and it does not contain a speech that can be summarized.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speech contains only one word "Just!", which expresses a clear affirmation.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The sixth item on Wednesday's agenda, i.e., 498 OE, will be discussed in the speech.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
As of now, there have been proposals to remove from this week's agenda the sixth item on Wednesday's agenda and the eleventh item, and the Estonian Conservative People's Party has proposed removing the tenth item from the agenda.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak said that the Reform Party faction does not agree with removing the third item from Wednesday's agenda in order to avoid later misunderstandings.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair confirms understanding, gives thanks, and invites Siim Pohlak to speak.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak asks whether the chair of the Reform Party faction ordered or advised ignoring information from the Parliament's Legal and Analytical Department, and emphasizes that the draft is not ready for parliamentary proceedings and that one faction cannot decide on its assessment.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar said that the Reform Party faction does not support the amendment, explained the mechanism for removing items from the agenda and for checking constitutional compliance, and stressed that he has no information indicating that the present draft would be unconstitutional.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme criticizes the Riigikogu leadership's handling of the processing of bills, arguing that although the leadership has in recent years followed bottom-up analyses, this time an analysis that found a constitutional conflict in one bill was ignored, and he asks why the advice from legal consultations is not followed consistently.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, said that the agenda is prepared on the basis of proposals from the committees, and the committee has analyzed it, and if questions arise about the discussion of a specific draft, the committee's position could be voiced, but he lacks information about the referenced matter and the discussion is currently outside the framework of the entire procedure.
Igor Taro
AI Summary
Igor Taro proposed to move the discussion under the relevant agenda item, because the steering committee confirmed that the commission will not bring to this chamber for a third reading any bills that are incompatible with the Constitution, and the Legal and Analysis Department's analysis found a constitutional infringement, which shows that infringement and unconstitutionality are not the same concepts, therefore it will be discussed on Wednesday under the corresponding item.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks, notes that the discussion is no longer procedural, takes up three procedural questions and invites Kalle Grünthal.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal emphasized that, in accordance with the Constitution's requirements, a draft should not be processed if there is a clear defect or a suspicion of unconstitutionality, but the material should be returned and the draft taken off the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, said that in the given form the bill cannot be advanced, stressed that it is not an unconstitutional bill, and that as the chair of the session he has no grounds to think that the bill should be removed from the agenda. Kert Kingo posed a question about the procedure for conducting the session.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo expresses concern that, despite the alleged constitutional intrusion, the processing of the draft bill continues, and, in his view, this reflects a dangerously normal political culture where the constitution does not count.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, notes that this is not a procedural matter, refers to the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure, explains how to strike draft bills from the agenda, and directs Martin Helme's question about the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme noted that the adoption of the agenda is inconsistent and procedural, and that the board uses broad interpretive discretion, which has caused several committees' proposals to fail to reach the floor; he emphasized the role of the Legal and Analysis Department and called the board's policy inconsistent and voluntaristic, and that the agenda does not actually change in response to protests.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar announced that items 6, 10 and 11 on Wednesday will be omitted from this week's agenda, and together with these changes the approval of the Riigikogu's IV session's 12th working week agenda will be put to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda with 57 votes in favor, 22 against, and there were no abstentions; now it is possible to submit draft bills and parliamentary inquiries, and Ms. Heili Tõnisson, representative of the Government of the Republic, was invited to take the floor of the Riigikogu.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government announced today the initiation of three bills: the first is a bill on the organization of research and development activities and innovation, and two are amendments to the Electricity Market Act. In the Riigikogu they are represented by the Minister of Education and Science and the Minister of Climate, respectively, wishing you a peaceful Christmas.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu leadership I accepted three draft bills, and the board will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and Working Order Act; after today's plenary session ends, there will be a meeting here to form the Estonia–Syria parliamentary group, the meeting being convened by Eerik-Niiles Kross.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greeted the members of the Riigikogu, announced the start of the plenary session on Tuesday, and requested a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
57 Riigikogu members registered as present; 44 are absent, and now there is an opportunity to submit bills and parliamentary inquiries.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The MPs from the Centre Party faction submitted an interpellation to the prime minister concerning the termination of funding for the 1226 school psychologists' advisory helpline, expressed regret about it, and asked questions for which they hope to receive appropriate answers.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, I accepted a parliamentary inquiry.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the Riigikogu members for this year and noted that, despite differences of opinion, the work culture of the sessions has been dignified and respectful of one another.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Seventy-one members of the Riigikogu registered as present; thirty are absent. Now there is an opportunity to submit bills and inquiries, Varro Vooglaid, please!
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid submitted, on behalf of the EKRE faction, a draft bill to establish a Riigikogu inquiry committee to assess the dangers of COVID-19-modified mRNA vaccines, calling for a halt to their use and for organizing an independent, transparent investigation with scientific evidence confirming that there is no damage to human DNA.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Riina Solmani onto the stage.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman submitted an inquiry to the Minister of Education and Science concerning the Estonian Academy of Arts' decision to terminate cooperation with Israeli universities, the resulting delay in the information request, and the cancellation of the masterclass by an Israeli guest lecturer, and she seeks answers to four questions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, one draft decision and one interpellation were adopted, and we can move on to today’s agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chair Arvo Aller opens the Riigikogu plenary session of the IV convocation, the Thursday sitting of the 12th working week, and calls for a roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
57 members of the Riigikogu were present, and 44 were absent; there were no items on the agenda nor any interpellations, and the session ended.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar greeted his colleagues, announced that the Riigikogu's fifth plenary session's first working week would begin on Monday, and organized an attendance check that had to be redone due to a technical fault.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
81 members of the Riigikogu have registered as present, 20 are absent. We hereby confirm the agenda of the Riigikogu plenary for the fifth session’s first week of sittings, and there were no clarifications or proposals, with a request that everyone vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda unanimously (81 in favour, 0 against, 1 abstention) and signalled the submission of draft bills and parliamentary inquiries, and the chair invited Kalle Grünthal to take the floor.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal submitted to the Riigikogu a draft law to amend the Defence Service Act, the aim of which is to index and raise the training allowance for reservists, because the current €37-per-day wage does not reflect the rise in the cost of living and is unfair.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, gives the floor to his colleague Vadim Belobrovtsevi.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party faction submitted to the prime minister a parliamentary inquiry about the closure of the Kopli command, arguing that funds were available and that the closure did not stem from a lack of money, referring to the fire that occurred in North Tallinn, and asking whether the prime minister agrees with Mart Võrklaev's assertion and whether he trusts the Minister of the Interior.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and now asks Riina Solman to deliver a speech.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman submitted a parliamentary inquiry from the Isamaa faction to the Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo, in which she highlights the impact of changes to pensioners' income taxation in 2025 (20%→22%, the ending of the tax exemption for the average old-age pension, and the retention of the exemption that was in force last year), presents five questions, and asks that Prime Minister Kristen Michal monitor the situation to protect the livelihoods of the older population and assess the impact on rural areas.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and now asks his colleague Urmas Reinsalu to speak.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Isamaa faction submits to the Riigikogu a decision that recommends the government to temporarily close the Estonia–Russia land border for security reasons, citing attacks by Russian intelligence services and the risk of sabotage, the large-scale terrorist attack that occurred in the Gulf of Finland, and the removal of border-marking posts on the Narva River, referring to Section 17(1)(1) of the State Border Act, under which crossing the state border may be halted, with the aim of responding to Russia's growing hostility and ensuring cost savings in police operations with short notice.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He asks the Riigikogu to grant the floor to his colleague Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party faction submitted to Prime Minister Kristen Michal a parliamentary inquiry aimed at ensuring the Baltic states' energy security, regarding Lithuania's proposal for a joint power plant, asking whether the proposal has reached the government and whether it can be rejected, what discussions have been held about constructing additional power plants, and whether cooperation with Latvia and Lithuania is being considered, what impact a rejection would have on Estonia's relations with Latvia and Lithuania, and how the 100 million euros for Eesti Energia to build a new power plant has entered the state budget.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks and invites his colleague Ants Froschi to address the Riigikogu from the rostrum.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch submitted an interpellation directed at Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi, in which three questions about the increase in income tax are asked: how much income tax was collected in January 2025 in absolute terms compared with January 2024, how much more did individuals pay in January 2025 than in January 2024, and how many people received the January 2025 salary in December 2024.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair has now invited his colleague Jaak Valge to speak.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge filed an inquiry with the Minister of Climate about the planned giant offshore wind farm off Saaremaa's western coast, drawing attention to transparency and compliance with the Planning Act, and asking why it is being built so close to the coastline and whether it is a neocolonialist project for Saaremaa and Estonia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The central message of the speech is that it's time for the listeners to take action.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
In this speech, the climate minister is asked why he has not submitted to the government a proposal to suspend this project.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This text is merely words of thanks and an invitation for Mrs Heili Tõnisson to deliver a speech from the Riigikogu's podium; the actual speech is absent.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Today the government initiates four bills: the first bill is for approving amendments to the charter of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the second bill is for acceding to the charter of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, the third bill is for amending the Criminal Procedure Code and other laws (streamlining court proceedings and public access to court judgments), and the fourth bill is for amending the Disability Benefits Act and, accordingly, amendments to other laws; all bills have been transmitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Thank you very much. On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium I have accepted six bills and five inquiries, and the Presidium will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi greets the members of the Riigikogu, opens Tuesday's Riigikogu plenary session, and requests a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy speaker of the Riigikogu, Toomas Kivimägi, announced that 72 members are present and 29 are absent, and that there is now an opportunity to submit draft bills and interpellations, Tõnis Lukas, please.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
On behalf of Tõnis Lukas and his colleagues, an inquiry was submitted to the Minister of Education and Science, Kristina Kallas, noting that changes under the banner of inclusive education are ongoing and that the plan is to merge seven schools for children with special needs located in different counties into a single institution and to transfer their governance from the Ministry of Education and Science's remit to the remit of the Ministry of Social Affairs, which will bring changes for both students and teachers, and it poses four questions about the purpose of this merger, the fate of the school buildings, the impact on teaching, and the current accusations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Lauri Laatsi to speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats announced that the Estonian Centre Party faction will submit to Education and Science Minister Kristina Kallas a parliamentary inquiry regarding the termination of funding for the school psychologists' advisory line 1226, emphasizing the line's important role and the need for 30,000 euros, and asking why funding could not be found and why the prime minister's attitude withheld a response, referring to reports about 100 million euros.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu's Presidium, I have taken up two interpellations addressed to Kristina Kallas, the Minister of Education and Science.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Members of the Riigikogu were greeted, and Wednesday's plenary session began with a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that 80 Riigikogu members were present and 21 were absent, and now there is an opportunity to hand over bills and interpellations; he invited Eerik-Niiles Kross and asked his colleagues to keep quiet and to respect one another.
Eerik-Niiles Kross
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Eerik-Niiles Kross joyfully announced that he will hand over to the Riigikogu a draft declaration titled 'In Support of the Georgian People,' which, during the current constitutional crisis in Georgia, is urgently needed for both Georgia and Estonia, and will be submitted on behalf of 49 members of the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Rain Epler and emphasizes that everything must be done one by one, piece by piece.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler announced that he will submit parliamentary inquiries on changes to the Climate Ministry's Nature Protection Act and on compensation and mitigation areas, and to increase transparency in the use of representational expenses, criticizing Hussari's interference and inviting the ministers, the State Comptroller, and the Chancellor of Justice to come to the chamber and provide answers about the expenditures.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, I have accepted 17 inquiries regarding the use of representational expenses (Rain Epler submitted 16 of them in writing, and one was received electronically) and one draft of a declaration, and now we can proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller opened Thursday's sitting of the Riigikogu plenary in the first working week of the fifth session and requested a roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
55 members of the Riigikogu have registered, 46 are absent, and it is now possible to submit bills and inquiries.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu pointed out that Lauri Läänemets admitted alternatives to tax increases, that the car tax was not the Social Democrats' program and the money went to the Reform Party's tax burden rather than to national defense, and the VAT increase reduces the amount allocated for ammunition, showing pre-election deception, and he asked the prime minister whether Võrklaev has spoken the truth or whether Läänemets and Reform have erred.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Arvo Aller confirmed that it was a parliamentary inquiry, and asked Riina Solman.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman, in her capacity as the deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu, submitted to the Prime Minister a parliamentary inquiry in which she asks what the Reform Party's plans are to cope with Estonia's record decline in birth rates, and which services and types of family allowances will be introduced, taking into account the number of births and deaths in 2024 and the negative natural increase, and whether a tax increase is planned, including car tax in rural areas, and whether the establishment of home-near kindergartens or other forms of family support is planned.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Bureau, two parliamentary inquiries were adopted, and their handling will be carried out in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure; before addressing today’s agenda, a procedural question regarding the sittings will be raised.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats asks about the Riigikogu's political culture and the maintenance of workplace peace, when the prime minister used an insulting expression toward a colleague and the chair did not pay attention to it.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller said that the Speaker of the Riigikogu should have intervened, because the prime minister's statement was not polite, and that topic is being discussed by the board.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks the leadership of the Riigikogu to discuss the matter in order to prevent such incidents in the future and to express his opinion about yesterday's incident.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller announced that a request had been submitted to the board to discuss this topic, and how to behave in such a situation and how to respond to such statements, and he asked Lauri Laats to present a procedural question about the conduct of the meeting.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasizes that the conduct of Reform Party ministers toward Riigikogu members is not a precedent, and the Speaker of the Riigikogu's reaction in this situation, where he actually did not react, is noteworthy, and it is good that the issue is raised in the leadership and discussed, because the leadership has sufficient power to summon the Prime Minister before the Riigikogu and to ask him to apologize for his statement.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Today at the board meeting we will discuss the next steps and see whether the prime minister will come to an information session or appear within the framework of some draft—he will decide that himself.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They ask whether the code of conduct, i.e., the yellow book, contains instructions for dealing with offensive behavior and what can be done in such a situation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Here in this large hall, the chair of the meeting can make a remark to a person who expresses themselves in such a way, and the subsequent conduct and what actions they undertake are a matter of the speaker's conscience.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that the prime minister's statement was inappropriate, asked Mr. Aller to form a clear position at the board meeting and to request a public apology from the prime minister, and stressed that in Estonia it is not the prime ministers who determine the Parliament, but the Parliament determines the prime minister.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller expresses a clear position, and the request has been placed on the board's agenda for today. Riina Solman asks about how the meeting will be conducted.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman expressed concern about the incident that occurred during yesterday's information hour and about the underrepresentation of women in the Riigikogu chamber, referred to the prime minister's evident contempt, and mentioned Jürgen Ligi's previous insults to female MPs, and asked whether the leadership could initiate a draft bill after the discussion to improve political culture in the Government of the Republic.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller noted that at some point Isamaa's bill to improve political culture was adopted, which was backed by a majority in the chamber, and he recommended that the Government of the Republic withdraw that decision and begin to follow this good practice.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets asks why ministers from the Reform Party treat female MPs with a condescending and belittling attitude, and what female MPs could do to defend themselves, or whether a separate point should be added to the house rules.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller said that for now the rules of procedure would not be changed, because the issue is more a matter of the minister's dignity, how he answers questions, and he emphasized respect for female MPs and for all MPs, since the Riigikogu is the government’s employer.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk criticized yesterday's prime minister's comment for its indecency, asked the Speaker of the Riigikogu to boldly intervene in the affairs of ministers and members and to review their roles and powers, reminding that the Riigikogu is the government's employer, and emphasized the media's thorough scrutiny.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller said that the message has been transmitted and is recorded in the stenogram, and Lauri Laats asked a question about the conduct of the meeting.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats asks at the Riigikogu presidium meeting to be informed of the presidium's opinion and of the outcome of today's decision regarding the insult that occurred in the Riigikogu chamber in the presence of the Prime Minister, so that they can act on that basis and determine the next steps.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller proposed adding to today's agenda an item to discuss the procedural non-interference that occurred at yesterday's information briefing, and to take a position on the prime minister's statement; the minutes will be prepared tomorrow and will be publicly available to all members of the Riigikogu.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He proposes to amend the regulation so that the chair of the meeting must make a remark, not merely may make one, while protecting female members, and is considering creating a more effective mechanism and involving the prime minister in the next meeting with representatives of the Riigikogu leadership, so that he can explain what he meant.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Thank you for the proposals; at today’s board meeting the topic will be discussed in depth, and the measures on how to proceed will be recorded in the minutes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair greets the Riigikogu and informs that the Riigikogu plenary session V is starting the Monday sitting of the second working week, and asks that attendance be taken first.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, announced that 83 members of the Riigikogu were present and 18 were absent, and before the agenda is adopted, the procedure for conducting the meeting must be discussed.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
They thank the esteemed Speaker of the Riigikogu and ask a question about the conduct of the session.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, announced that there was noise in the hall and that he could not hear the question well, and asked Alexander Chaplygin for help.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
They are asking a question about the conduct of the session and inquiring whether, according to the regulations, there should have been a reaction when, at the previous briefing, the prime minister called a colleague stupid, and why it was not done.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker, Lauri Hussar, confirms that the Riigikogu leadership's manner of presiding over Riigikogu sittings is similar, and that such a way of speaking does not suit the chamber; he believes that other members of the leadership share the same principles, and then asks Lauri Laats to pose a question about the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats asks how to improve the Riigikogu's political culture and its popularity, what to do so that such rude expressions do not recur in the future, and whether the prime minister should publicly apologize in front of the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chair Lauri Hussar said that although he cannot speak on behalf of the prime minister, the presiding officers' conduct at Riigikogu sessions is very clear, and the chair intervenes in cases of personal attacks or rude expressions. According to the latest polls, the Riigikogu's credibility has improved by 5 percent, for which he thanks his colleagues and invites them to continue in the same spirit the joint effort to raise credibility, in response to Vadim Belobrovtsev about the procedure for conducting the session.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev asks what conclusion was reached regarding the incident discussed at the Riigikogu board meeting last Thursday, and whether its outcome has been published.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that when presiding over the Riigikogu session, the board's manner of conduct is very clearly defined, and he is of one mind with Arvo Alleri and Toomas Kivimäe, and he has already been given explanations; Kalle Grünthal asks about the procedure for conducting the session.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal asks whether Estonia has reached a banana republic, because Prime Minister Kristen Michal insulted Anastassia Kõlvart, an extraordinary corruption meeting was canceled, and now Kovalenko‑Kõlvart is threatened with removal from his post if he dares to speak.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks his colleague and says that as the chair of the meeting it is not appropriate to comment on rumors, and he cannot do that, and asks Lauri Laats to present a question about the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The focus of the speech is the procedure for conducting the meeting and political culture; it emphasizes the Speaker of the Riigikogu's important and stronger position, and raises the question of whether the prime minister should directly apologize for his statement.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the prime minister will appear before the Riigikogu in the near future, and that all Riigikogu members will have the opportunity to ask him questions, and he stressed that he does not take positions on behalf of the prime minister, I have read his positions in the media, and he remains with his very clear stance on the wording used in the chamber.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk submits a procedural question, referring to the 2023 proposal approved by an overwhelming majority to improve the general political culture, and asks how far the procedure has progressed and how the government has progressed with the implementation of the bill.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker, Lauri Hussar, said that he could not answer this question and noted that it concerned Kaja Kallas's government, but urged those questions raised in the Riigikogu chamber to be directed to both the government ministers and the prime minister, and to actively use the opportunity, adding that Lauri Laats had submitted a question about the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats asks the Speaker of the Riigikogu whether now is the time to submit amendments to the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speech explains that a proposal to change the agenda can be submitted by pressing the 'Sõna' button, and it is a completely substantive proposal, not merely procedural, in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and Internal Working Order Act.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party faction wishes to strike from consideration Thursday's agenda item 535 OE and, as its first proposal, that it could be processed on Monday (today) or Wednesday, moving Georgia's application to the Thursday session.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar clarified that two proposals were made: to postpone Georgia's statement from Wednesday to Thursday, and to move Thursday's first agenda item to today as the second item on the agenda. Is that right?
Liina Kersna
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Liina Kersna said that the Reform Party faction is not in agreement with the proposal and expresses astonishment as to why the Centre Party is not prepared to work in the Riigikogu's main hall on Thursday.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker, Lauri Hussar, explained that, according to the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure, changing the agenda requires the consent of all factions, and otherwise no changes can be made, and he invited Lauri Laats to present his question, saying that he has a concrete proposal.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats announced that the committee decided to deal with this item on Tuesday; our faction opposed it being dealt with on Thursday, but the item was placed on the Thursday agenda, and therefore a proposal is made that if the first proposal does not fit or does not align with the committee's decisions, the item will be withdrawn from the Thursday agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, announced that, on the proposal of the Center Party faction, the first Thursday item on this week's agenda will be removed, and two questions related to the procedure for conducting the meeting will be raised, to which Andrei Korobeinik will be asked to respond next.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik expressed sincere sadness that coalition MPs are not participating in Thursday's discussion and vote, and although the faction did not want to change the agenda, a very important item regarding the bank tax was placed on the Thursday agenda for discussion, and he asked a board member how and why this decision came about and how the discussion unfolded.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar said that the Riigikogu's work must take place on four sitting days per week (Monday–Thursday), and each day it is necessary to process draft bills, and Thursday is not a day when coalition MPs do not participate – on the contrary, last Thursday both the opposition and the coalition were actively participating.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder asked how the board actually prepares the agenda, noting that although the committee proposals and the initiators' possibilities should be taken into account, Tuesday's agenda item was included despite the initiator's wish, and this is unprecedented, and he suggested that Thursday could be suitable for the government's draft bills.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that continuing with four items on Tuesday's agenda and adding a fifth will probably force some Tuesday items to be moved to Wednesday, and the board, in drafting the agenda, adhered to the principle of expediency, and he asked Andrei Korobeinik to pose a question about the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik says that he is ready by Thursday to defend the agenda item and will come, but he asks about the board's decision-making process, why the other proposals were rejected and why the only one left was the Centre faction's draft, noting that there was no representative of the Centre faction on the board.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
In the presentation, the background of the proposal to remove the item from this week's agenda will be explained, the reasons why the bills are distributed over the week will be justified, Thursday will be the sitting day, and Lauri Laats will pose a question about the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats pointed out that their draft decision No. 535 is lower-numbered than the Tuesday drafts, which means that it was brought into the proceedings earlier, and although the Riigikogu leadership decided to add certain points for Tuesday, their draft had already been submitted for Thursday's session, which, in his view, is illogical.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar said that OE proposals are somewhat different and that 535 OE is the first proposal on Thursday, but the debate won't go anywhere, because the Riigikogu will meet on four sitting days and on all of those days the members have work, after which Vadim Belobrovtsev raised a question about the procedure for conducting the session.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He proposed officially to designate Thursday as the Centre Party Day, arguing that it is precisely on Thursdays that the most Centre Party bills are introduced, and that the current informal practice needs an official designation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanked his colleague, said that Thursday is also a sitting day in the week of sessions, and this is completely obvious, and he mentioned Helir-Valdor Seeder's question about the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder comments on the idea of dividing working days between the parties and emphasizes that, for them, the working days are Thursday and Friday, and if necessary also Saturday and Sunday.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar said that the meetings take place on Thursdays, not on Fridays.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder claims that dispersing the bullet points over several days is not a wise use of time, and that the discussion should be focused on a single working day in order to address the matters substantively, not formally, and to reduce time and costs.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu leadership takes up for consideration all bills and inquiries that comply with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Order Act, and Andrei Korobeinik has submitted a question about the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik criticizes the board's placement of political draft bills according to party affiliation and asks why the Centre Party's bills are ignored or moved, and how this, in turn, affects the economic downturn.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, explains the principle of compiling the agenda, according to which final votes and other procedures are placed at the top and, if necessary with exceptions, moved forward; he provides as an example a draft constitutional amendment proposed to the Riigikogu by the leadership, and emphasizes that the sessions run from Monday to Thursday, and on Thursday it is still possible to submit bills and interpellations; he then takes the last two questions and subsequently directs attention to approving the agenda, where Urmas Reinsalu asks about the protocol of conducting the meeting.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu's speech included criticism that the parliament's work is at the level of imitation: on Thursdays the coalition puts only one item on the agenda, there has been no approval of the government's work plan for half a year, interpellations and draft decisions are returned, and the board restricts discussion of pensioners' additional taxation and the car tax, which undermines the Riigikogu's efficient work and the opposition's oversight.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that he did not agree with the claim, and that the substantive debate held at the Riigikogu session last Thursday was serious, and he stated that all bills and inquiries that conform to the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and Working Order Act will be taken up for consideration.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik asks the question as to why the choice fell in favor of the Centre Party faction's draft bill, and whether the leadership acted unilaterally, and how to prevent similar situations in the future.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, explained the principles of Thursday's agenda, informed about the Centre Party's proposal to omit draft Bill 535 ('A proposal to establish a temporary solidarity tax on the banking sector') from Thursday's agenda, and preparations for the vote to approve the agenda began.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Approval of the agenda received 56 votes in favor, 17 against and 2 abstentions, and the agenda was approved. Next, it will be possible to hand over draft bills and interpellations, and I would like to invite Riigikogu colleague Vadim Belobrovtsev to the rostrum.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev submitted an inquiry about the failure of the education agreement and stressed that only nine of the 79 municipalities have signed it and that there are no financial guarantees, therefore the education agreement's success is questionable.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker asked Jaak Valge to come to the Riigikogu's podium.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge and Leo Kunnas submitted an inquiry regarding border crossings and the border regime, asking for clarification as to why the PPA cannot merge the lists of people entering and leaving Estonia through the eastern border, why Ukrainian refugees are entering from Russia, why there is no arrangement at border crossing points, and why Estonia has kept a temporary border-control line open toward Russia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked and invited Riina Solman to speak.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman submitted to the Prime Minister a parliamentary inquiry regarding the impact of car tax on families with children, highlighting the worsening of the demographic crisis, the reduction of support for large families, and the harmful effect of tax increases, where there is no special tax relief for cars and for many families a car is essential.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speaker thanked and gave the floor to his colleague Helir-Valdor Seeder at the Riigikogu's speaking podium.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Isamaa parliamentary group does not support the creation of artificial regions in Estonia, emphasizes the historical division between parishes, municipalities and counties, and asks the minister for explanations as to why it is necessary to eliminate disparities with the help of regional leaders and to develop the regional economies.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The leadership of the Riigikogu has accepted four inquiries and decides on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu plenary begins on Tuesday of the second working week of the fifth session, and first requests that attendance be checked.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
There are 73 Riigikogu members present and 28 are absent; it is now possible to submit bills and interpellations, and the government representative, Mrs. Kaire Karbi, was asked to take the floor.
Valitsuse esindaja Kaire Karp
AI Summary
The government is initiating a draft bill to amend the Defence Forces Organization Act and the Economic Zone Act for the purpose of strengthening maritime security, a draft that is represented in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Defence and that has been digitally transmitted to the information system for draft bills.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
One bill has been adopted on behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, and the Presidium decides on its further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Working Order Act.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller welcomed the members of the Riigikogu, announced that the Riigikogu’s plenary for the fifth session would begin with the Wednesday session of the second week, requested silence, and conducted a roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller announced that 75 members of the Riigikogu have registered as present, that item 26 is missing, and he declared that it is now time to hand over the draft bills and interpellations; Rain Epler, please.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler announced that he has two draft bills and would like to hand them over.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invites his colleagues to listen attentively to the presenter, despite the noise spreading through the hall.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler spoke about a banking tax that would limit extraordinary bank profits and would tax only the growth above 50% relative to the usual level, if the simultaneous pass-through of the interest rate increase to depositors does not generate excess profit, and at the same time he presented a draft amendment to the Hunting Act, according to which a hunting license would not be required if a game animal damages a person's property or poses a direct threat to human life.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invited Evelin Poolametsa to speak.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets submitted a draft amendment to the Electricity Market Act on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People's Party, by which subsidies for renewable energy to wind energy producers would be terminated, in order to reduce consumers' electricity bills and direct resources to more innovative and cost-effective renewable energy solutions, taking into account the sector's maturity, efficiency and independent operation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
To begin the presentation, Aivar Kokk is invited to speak.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk, a member of the Riigikogu, submitted a parliamentary inquiry to the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Piret Hartman, regarding the impact of Elron's ticket prices on regional policy, and asks about the impact on Elron's costs and revenues of differences in price increases, competition from bus traffic, and delays in the Tallinn–Tartu reconstruction and electrification.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Presidium has adopted three bills and one interpellation, and the Presidium will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller greets the esteemed members of the Riigikogu, announces that in the second working week of the Riigikogu's fifth session the Thursday sitting will begin, and that first an attendance check will be carried out.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Fifty-three members registered as present in the Riigikogu; 48 are absent, and now there is an opportunity to submit bills and inquiries. Priit Sibul is coming up to the podium.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller takes the floor and admits that something went a little wrong.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul noted that the coalition and the prime minister do not plan to submit a no-confidence motion yet and are dealing with national defense issues, including a plan to purchase an additional 1.6 billion euros' worth of ammunition over four years and questions about its funding, and he asked about the impact of a VAT increase on the Ministry of Defense's budget and how much ammunition we would lose for that reason.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu leadership announced that no more draft laws or inquiries will be accepted, and it was decided to commence the handling of one inquiry in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure; tomorrow there will be the Model Estonia Foundation's Youth Parliament simulation, and the sitting has ended.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar welcomes the Riigikogu and announces that the Riigikogu plenary will begin with the Monday sitting of the third working week of the fifth session, and first requests an attendance check.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chair Hussar announced that 76 Riigikogu members were present and 25 were absent, and before the agenda was adopted, they turned to their colleague Lauri Laatsi and asked him to pose a question.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party faction requests that agenda item 3 be struck from the agenda today, because it was agreed in the committee that its reading and discussion should take place on Tuesday and Monday had not been taken into account.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, announced that since this is your faction's proposal, the third item on today's agenda will be dropped, and he invited Helir-Valdor Seeder to speak.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
They thank, present a question about the agenda, note that it may be procedural, and ask whether they have understood it correctly.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, confirms that everything has been done correctly.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
They’re asking whether you’re removing the bill from the agenda at all this week.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The proposal addressed changing this week's agenda and removing Centre Party's Bill 550 from this week's agenda.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder asks why the draft was not initially postponed to Tuesday for discussion and why it was removed from the work week altogether.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker, Lauri Hussar, said that the decision to withdraw this week's agenda item is not for the chair or the plenary to change, and that the faction always has the right to withdraw its own draft from the agenda, and he invited Mart Helme to submit a question about the conduct of the meeting.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme raised that the question is prudent and related to desynchronization from Russian networks, and asked whether the Riigikogu leadership has drawn up a Plan B for power outages and how the work of the Riigikogu and its members would continue in such a situation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, said that there would be no power outage and that the Riigikogu could continue its work, and he proposed to vote on the approval of the agenda with a small amendment, by which today's third item on the agenda (draft bill 550) would be removed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda with 74 affirmative votes; there were no votes against or abstentions, and henceforth one may submit bills and inquiries, and Anti Poolametsa was invited to the rostrum.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets proposed to temporarily suspend the processing of all planning procedures initiated in connection with wind farms until the updated infrasound measurement methodology and the limit values for sound pressure levels are established, because the standards are outdated or incomplete, and the preventive and precautionary principle should be followed to protect people’s health.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks the audience, greets colleagues, and now invites fellow MP Helle-Moonika Helme to the floor of the Riigikogu.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In short, the speaker expressed concern about the Ministry of Education and Science's plan to unite seven special-needs schools under one roof within the framework of Maarjamaa Union School, where 264 students study, and to submit 11 questions to the Minister of Education and Science as an inquiry, in the hope of receiving answers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked and invited his colleague Jaak Valge to the next speaking turn at the Riigikogu's podium.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge claims that the sharp narrowing of Estonian-language usage in public spaces is demonstrable, and he provides the example that from 2019 to 2023 more than 78,000 adults immigrated into the country, of whom none were born in Estonia, and from 2020 to 2024 only 19,000 adults have passed the Estonian-language exam, which, in his view, shows the severity of language-use problems.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked and invited colleague Mart Maastik to speak next.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik submitted to the Riigikogu an interpellation addressed to the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta regarding Telia's new pricing policy, asking about its legality and the protection of consumers' rights, the effectiveness of the Competition Authority's work and the need to improve it, the functioning of cross-use of the state's fibre-optic network, the further realization of EU-funded projects, and the improvement of the availability of telecommunications services across Estonia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman thanks and asks Riina Solman to take the floor.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman stressed the deepening regional inequality and criticized the government for the fact that although regional development and a good living environment are important, tax increases and closures of state and municipal institutions and shops in rural areas increase residents' ability to cope and the accessibility of public services, which is illustrated by the closure of two Põlva Coop stores in Leevakul and Verioral.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speech calls on listeners to take action and emphasizes that the time is theirs.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman emphasizes that the plan is to relocate more state institutions, and she asks questions to the regional minister about why one policy is being pursued with one hand and another with the other.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks that his colleague Priit Sibul take the floor.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul filed a parliamentary inquiry, asking the Minister of Defence why he said last autumn that the purchase of long-range ammunition could not be accelerated within seven years, but now claims that at a price of 1.6 billion it would be possible by 2027, and whether he will present to the government a new accelerated ammunition procurement proposal and when.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked and invited the government representative Mrs. Kaire Karbi to speak at the Riigikogu's podium.
Valitsuse esindaja Kaire Karp
AI Summary
The government has initiated a draft amendment to the Law on Churches and Congregations, which in the Riigikogu is represented during proceedings by the Minister of the Interior, and the draft has been digitally transmitted through the bill information system.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu leadership, I have accepted two bills and five parliamentary inquiries, and the leadership will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy speaker, Toomas Kivimägi, greets the members of the Riigikogu and declares the upcoming Tuesday plenary session open, and requests a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Sixty-two Riigikogu members managed to register as attendees; 39 are absent; it is now possible to hand over draft bills and parliamentary questions.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The bill submitted on behalf of the Isamaa faction seeks to declare the Motor Vehicle Tax Act invalid retroactively from January 1, 2025, because a car is often a necessity for families with children and residents of rural areas, and the car tax poses major problems, as shown by a tax notice of 875 euros for a six-child family and 864 euros for a parent of a child with a disability, and the impacts of the government have not been analyzed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, I inform you that one bill has been adopted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu, declares the Wednesday plenary session open, and requests a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
There are 76 members of the Riigikogu present; 25 are absent, and now is the time to submit draft bills and interpellations; Kert Kingo, please.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
An inquiry submitted on behalf of six EKRE MPs asks Prime Minister Kristen Michal about funding for the Russian-language Delfi and ETV+, and points out the inconsistency that the government wants to revoke the voting rights of citizens of the Russian Federation in Estonia while funding their media, whose leaders are Russian citizens, and requests answers.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, I have accepted one interpellation, and we will proceed to today’s agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy speaker, Arvo Aller, greeted the members of the Riigikogu, announced the start of the Riigikogu plenary's Thursday sitting in the third week of the fifth session, and first carried out an attendance check.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chair Arvo Aller announced that 51 Riigikogu members have registered to attend (50 are absent) and that bills and interpellations may now be handed in, inviting the Government's representative Heili Tõnisson to the rostrum.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Today the Government initiated two bills: firstly, a draft law amending the Identity Documents Act and, in connection with that, a draft law amending other laws, which in its processing in the Riigikogu is represented by the Minister of the Interior on behalf of the Government of the Republic; secondly, a draft law amending the Radiation Act and thereby amending other laws, which in its processing is represented by the Minister of Climate; both drafts have been transmitted electronically.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu leadership, I inform you that two draft bills have been adopted, and the leadership will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar greets the members of the Riigikogu, declares the session open, and requests a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar informed that 88 members of the Riigikogu were present and 13 were absent, and during the refinement of Wednesday's agenda it was decided to withdraw, on the proposal of the Social Committee and the Culture Committee, the Government-initiated draft amendments to the Medicines Act (Draft Bill No. 501) for the second reading and the draft Law on the Organization of Research, Development and Innovation (Draft Bill No. 554) for the first reading, and before the agenda was confirmed he asked Rain Epler to explain the procedure, because there is noise in the hall.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticizes the Riigikogu's workflow and information restrictions, providing an example of how ministries are unable to adequately model the impact of the Nature Conservation Act on the economy and why information requests are restricted, for instance in relation to questions concerning 267 plots.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, explained that the question does not concern the protocol for conducting the session but the procedure for submitting a written question, and confirmed the requirement of § 147 of the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure Act, according to which the question must be short and allow for a brief answer, and noted that the described scale would not have allowed a brief answer and that this was also the reason for its being returned, offered ways to clarify the questions, and said that these questions can be posed at an information hour or in the form of inquiries to ministers, and finally invited Martin Helme to continue with his question at the sitting.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that the Speaker of the Riigikogu, Hussar, does not forward written questions and inquiries to ministers and does not put them on the agenda, thereby causing the opposition to lose control over the executive branch; this is not obstruction or trolling.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that all interpellations that conform to the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure have entered the procedure and have been answered, and today Prime Minister Kristen Michal is answering four interpellations, so all questions will reach the addressees and receive an answer.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticizes the fact that clear answers are not given to parliamentary inquiries, and that returning them does not show which legally mandated duties the ministers have left unfulfilled or have acted unlawfully in the matter of travel allowances, and he invites the ministers here to report and explain what has remained unfulfilled.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair of the meeting, Lauri Hussar, said that an information inquiry does not align with the idea of the interpellation form or with the sitting's procedure, and only interpellations that conform to the form reach the Riigikogu's proceedings, because the purpose of the interpellation is to draw attention to the problem.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stressed the need to clarify which questions fall within the prime minister's remit and about which it is permissible to ask questions about government policy, citing the car tax initiative and opposing claims about Läänemetsa and Võrklaeva, and asking for a short answer that is understandable to a layperson.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman Lauri Hussar stressed that first the written questions are to be considered, and the question and answer must be brief in accordance with §147 RKKTS; the answer related to the inquiry concerns the minister's powers, and he asked that the received answer be read thoroughly and invited Martin Helme to submit a question about the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme accuses totalitarianism of capriciousness and claims that the Riigikogu's democracy has been undermined, because written questions and interpellations are being restricted, and the opposition cannot hold the government to account.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, said that he did not agree with the assertion that in the past the grass was greener and the sky bluer, reminded that even then inquiries and written questions were returned, and asked Rain Epler for clarification on the procedure for conducting the session.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler said that he did not claim anything and quoted himself, emphasised that interpellations had reached the chamber and the possibility to question the prime minister, and asked for clarification why, in some interpellations, it had not become clear which tasks imposed by law on the ministers had been left unfulfilled or had not fulfilled properly, and why his question was not answered on the topic of the use of representational expenses.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar confirmed that he relied on the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and its commentary, and that today's parliamentary inquiries comply with that procedure, and he thanked his colleagues.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that the Centre Party's Thursday day has been moved to Monday, where there are six Centre Party faction items on the agenda, and he suggested removing item No. 5 from today's agenda and handling it later.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
A proposal is put forward before the Riigikogu to exclude three draft bills (501, 554 and 535) from this week's agenda, and then to vote on approving the agenda for the fourth working week with these amendments.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved agenda item 78 with 78 votes in favour, 6 against and 1 abstention, and next it will be possible to submit draft bills and interpellations, and Urmas Reinsalu was invited to the podium.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Isamaa faction submitted to the Riigikogu a draft resolution to plan a long-term action plan for the development of Estonia's electricity production and grids to ensure energy security, emphasising reliability of supply, clarity of future energy policy, an assessment of lifecycle costs, and the achievement of a competitive price, and criticised the government's haste and called for parliamentary discussion and the formation of a position.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks and invites his colleague Kalle Grünthal to the Riigikogu's speaking podium.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal announced that he would submit a draft of the Public Transport Act, by which the taxi fleet will be regulated, the preference for electronic devices will be ended, and equal conditions will be established for all taxi drivers, including proficiency in the Estonian language at the B1 level, in accordance with Section 12 of the Constitution.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman announces that next up on stage is his colleague Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats announced, as part of the Centre Party faction's draft bill, the formation of a Riigikogu inquiry committee to investigate e‑voting security and transparency issues, and noted that although the committee should provide answers, it is his personal opinion that e‑voting is not secure, and he hopes that the committee will be convened.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Thank you, next up on stage is our colleague Jaak Valge.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge believes that the development of the Estonian scientific language is in danger, because at universities today only about 7% of doctoral dissertations are written in Estonian, foreign students do not master the language and leave, which makes their training a waste of taxpayers' money, and the spread of English does not enhance the universities' reputation, and the development of artificial intelligence will soon make the languages equal in international competition, about which he has submitted questions to the Minister of Education and Science as to whether this is normal or constitutional and what he intends to do.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker requests next that the floor be given to his colleague Mart Maastik at the Riigikogu's speaking chair.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik submitted an inquiry asking for the total cost of the government coalition's energy policy plans and investment estimates, the final price for 2035, the basis of input data and analysis, the model for the 2035 electricity consumption forecast, and the justification for all published numbers, the planned 1000 MW of dispatchability by 2030, the supply of electricity during peak times, imports, and why energy security has been weakened and why the plus 10% of peak load principle has been abandoned.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker, Lauri Hussar, thanks his colleague and confirms that if the inquiry complies with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure Act, it will be processed; next, Marko Mihkelson takes the floor.
Marko Mihkelson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Foreign Affairs Committee has submitted to the Riigikogu a draft act to amend the decision on the formation of the Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian parliamentary delegation, and the document has been digitally transmitted.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked and now invited his colleague Priit Sibul to speak at the podium.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul said that the frequency is fine, but due to energy prices the pressure remains, and the Isamaa faction wants the 2030 target of delivering 100% renewable energy to be amended and brought back to the 2022 level.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu leadership, the Speaker Lauri Hussar announced that he has taken up five bills and two parliamentary inquiries, and the leadership will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Working Order Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi, the Deputy Speaker, warmly greets the highly esteemed members of the Riigikogu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the ambassadors and the diplomatic corps, expresses to them great honor and joy, and declares the start of the Riigikogu plenary session, requesting a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 66 Riigikogu members are present and 35 are absent, and now is the time and opportunity to submit bills and parliamentary inquiries.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
29 members of the Riigikogu submitted a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Kristen Michal, accusing him of corruption and of harmful energy policy, tax policy, and of creating confusion in economic and educational policy, which threatens consumers and Estonia's energy security, damages the independence of state institutions, and includes lies about money for Nordica, as well as the avoidance of giving explanations to the special committee and a condescending attitude toward Riigikogu members.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu Toomas Kivimägi announced that he had accepted a request to publish a vote of no confidence, and two proposals to extend the sitting until the agenda is exhausted, but not later than 14:00, were submitted; and the vote will first be held on the Reform Party faction's proposal, which includes the Foreign Affairs Committee's proposal, asking colleagues to take a position.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
65 members of the Riigikogu supported the proposal; 5 were against and there were no abstentions; the session was extended until the agenda was exhausted, but not past 2 p.m.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greeted the members of the Riigikogu and the esteemed Prime Minister, declared the Riigikogu plenary session open, and requested an attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Seventy-seven members of the Riigikogu registered as present; twenty-four are absent, and it is now possible to submit draft bills and inquiries.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats submitted a parliamentary interpellation to Justice and Digital Minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta regarding Chinese intelligence access to the data of Estonian residents through applications and technology, and asked how Estonia plans to protect its cyberspace, what measures are planned, and what the current state of affairs is on this topic.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu leadership, I have taken up an interpellation, and we can now proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Arvo Aller greeted the members of the Riigikogu, declared the plenary session open, and announced the roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
58 members of the Riigikogu registered as present; 43 are absent; now there is an opportunity to submit draft bills and parliamentary inquiries.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
A parliamentary inquiry submitted by four members of the Riigikogu to Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo regarding the care reform highlights the lack of funding, the limited capacity of local municipalities, and the problems of accessibility of general care services and home care for many families, and promises a constructive dialogue.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Next up is Riina Solman, please.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman submitted a parliamentary inquiry to Social Protection Minister Signe Riisalo regarding the implementation of the social welfare reform, emphasizing the role of home care and the family in dignified aging and the need for national support systems and a legal framework, while criticizing the accessibility of nursing-home places for the price of an average pension, the National Audit Office's latest conclusions and the ministry's communications, which raise questions about increases in nursing-home prices and a conflict of interest related to nursing homes owned by members of the Reform Party.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu leadership has adopted two interpellations and will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Regulations; today after the plenary session here in the plenary hall there will be meetings to form the Republic of Georgia Friendship Group, convened by Lauri Laats, and to form the Estonian Language Friendship Group, convened by Ando Kiviberg.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar greeted the Riigikogu, announced the start of a new work week, and asked that attendance be checked first.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, informed that 70 Riigikogu members have registered and 31 are absent, and he called for a vote on the approval of the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda and 70 members supported the proposal (4 against, 1 abstained), therefore it is now possible to submit draft bills and inquiries.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats submitted, on behalf of the Centre Party faction, a proposal to the Riigikogu to reduce the value-added tax on food products to 9%, arguing that this is due to the rising prices of food products, and finally he promised to hand over the eggs to the Social Democrats today.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, asks Jaak Valge to the podium and calms the hall's excitement, saying that Valge is expected.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge submitted to Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets a parliamentary inquiry, in which he asks whether Estonia has responded to the Ukrainian president's proposal to support Ukrainians living abroad from the Ukrainian budget, whether Estonia is not abusing the status of international protection, and whether, since spring 2023, people who have received international protection in Estonia have previously lived in illegal conditions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks and invites Urmas Reinsalu to the Riigikogu's speaking podium.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Isamaa faction is initiating a bill that would bring the state budget into line with the Constitution, increase budget transparency, and reduce governance costs, because independent watchdogs have pointed out that the current budget does not comply with the Constitution and has become unmanageable at both the parliamentary and government levels.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Presidium of the Riigikogu has adopted two draft acts and one interpellation, and has decided on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure. After that, it proceeds to today's agenda, and today there are a total of seven interpellations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi welcomed the members of the Riigikogu, announced the start of the Tuesday plenary session, and requested a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 66 Riigikogu members registered as present and 35 were absent, and declared that now is the time and opportunity to hand over bills and interpellations, asking Lauri Laats to present them.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party faction proposes organizing a referendum on August 1, 2025, in which the question will be: “Should Estonia abandon the use of oil shale in energy production by 2040?”, because the Riigikogu and the government lack a mandate to make such decisions, and it is right to ask for the people's opinion.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They announced that a draft resolution was adopted on behalf of the Riigikogu's leadership.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They greet the members of the Riigikogu and guests, declare the Wednesday plenary session open, and conduct an attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
64 Riigikogu members registered as present, and 37 are absent; now it is possible to submit draft bills and interpellations, Aivar Kokk, please.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Isamaa submits an amendment to the Land Tax Act, which reinstates a cap of 10% on the annual increase and preserves the tax exemption for land under the home, because the current government coalition forces municipalities to raise the land tax by at least 10% every year and will remove this exemption from 2026, which will cause a tax shock for both individuals and businesses.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, I have adopted a draft bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller opened Thursday's sitting of the Riigikogu plenary in the fifth week of the fifth term and carried out an attendance check.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Fifty members are present at the Riigikogu session; the 51st member is absent, and it is now possible to submit bills and parliamentary inquiries.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats, on behalf of the Centre Party faction, submitted an inquiry to the climate minister Yoko Alender regarding a 2.6 billion euro subsidy for offshore wind farms, criticizing the withholding of underlying data publication and the uncertainty arising from the promised price, and asking where the money goes and why the price does not fall as promised.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The next speaker is Riina Solman.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman and MPs from the Isamaa faction submitted to the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Piret Hartman, an inquiry in which they ask about the impact of the proposed regulation on entrepreneurs—the administrative burden, additional obligations and cost increases, and the possibilities for monitoring them—emphasizing that domestic raw materials are to be preferred, but not through additional burdens.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu leadership, Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller announced that two parliamentary inquiries have been adopted, and their further processing will be decided in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and Internal Working Order. After the session, a meeting in the plenary hall will be held to form the Estonian Wolves Support Group, the convener of which is Eerik-Niiles Kross.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi welcomed the members of the Riigikogu, saying that Estonia's Independence Day has passed and that the week of plenary sessions will begin with Tuesday's session, and he asked for attendance verification.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu had 73 members present, 28 were absent; the confirmation of the agenda follows, the agenda has been sent to everyone, and the first speaker is Helir-Valdor Seeder.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder proposed to immediately extend the Riigikogu's working hours and to process the constitutional amendment to completion today, in order to avoid delaying the third reading and a timetable that would stretch to the end of March.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked and said that the proposal is understandable and substantive, and asked Urmas Reinsalu to speak.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu explains the Isamaa faction's proposal to change the working schedule and the work of the committees, emphasizing that changing the plan must be done in accordance with the applicable Rules of Procedure and requires a two-thirds majority, and asks the chair whether to take a five-minute break and discuss it with the board members before forming a position.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks his colleagues for their help with matters concerning committee meetings, goes through the proposals and decides whether to take a short chair’s recess, and the draft bill is handed over.
Toomas Uibo
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
The Eesti 200 faction supported Isamaa's proposal to work today until the agenda is exhausted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asked Õnne Pillak to speak.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak said that the Reform Party faction finds the proposal reasonable, emphasizing that this is an important point, and that extending the meeting shows unity and a willingness to discuss the topic and bring today’s discussion to a close.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi emphasized that although the committee meetings held after the plenary are routine, exceptions arise and the no-confidence procedure takes up all of the committees' working time and lasts until the agenda item is exhausted, although there are also other opinions.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid wants to move the agenda item to Wednesday in order to avoid problems and irregular decisions and to stay within the allotted timeframes.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi explains that the debate on the draft bill may be moved to 27 March (Thursday) together with an additional session, or concluded today, and the third reading would take place on 26 March, given that there are board elections on 27 March.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They ask what this means for today’s agenda, especially in the context of committees, and how committees operate when the meeting runs until two o’clock and beyond.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that ultimately the decision on how the committee meeting is organized will be up to the chair, and as an initial option he suggested that committee meetings could begin about 15 minutes after the plenary ends, while emphasizing at the same time that the plenary prevails over the committees, and that if any committee decides not to hold a meeting today, it is not a catastrophe, because extending due to the third reading would be a much bigger problem.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme noted that the EKRE faction does not agree with extending the sitting time to two o'clock, and the discussion of the extension is currently taking place, although normally it should take place later at the plenary session.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi apologized and said that he did not hear Helle-Moonika's final position.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The EKRE faction refuses to extend today's sitting.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that, although in principle the meeting's work programme could be approved after the agenda is approved, the current approval is appropriate to avoid a situation where the Isamaa faction could move the extension item to the second day, and in general the agenda is approved first and then the extension proposals are voted on.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder explained that the proposal is not an extension of working hours to two o’clock, but a change to the Riigikogu’s working-time schedule, which means that work will continue until the agenda is exhausted regardless of the time, even if it takes until three or four o’clock.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi emphasized that first the agenda must be approved, and only after that should a vote be taken on changing the meeting's work timetable.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo notes that the agenda item has not yet been approved, and its extension is being discussed, although it has not been approved; for him this legal maneuver is absurd, and he wants an explanation of how one can discuss something that has not yet been approved.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the agenda item cannot be removed from the agenda simply without the initiators' proposal, since no one has made such a proposal; however, the discussion is relevant and may influence the Isamaa faction's vote, and it is customary to first approve the agenda and only then discuss extending the working time, which Belobrovtsev added by saying that if it suits, we will approve the agenda and continue with questions if necessary.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev notes that one proposal has already been made and, although he agrees that it was not made at the most appropriate legal moment, he would like to extend the session until the agenda is exhausted and asks whether, in the current case, an alternative proposal will be made to first vote on the agenda and only then present proposals.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
First, there will be a vote on adopting the agenda; then there will be another opportunity to propose changing the meeting time, and the last item of business will be taken up.
Eduard Odinets
AI Summary
Eduard Odinets posed a procedural question as to whether it would be possible to end the discussion at the level of the first agenda item only, rather than going through the entire agenda, noting that some topics, such as agricultural products and the Hunting Act, are not as critical.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The main message is that for today's meeting agenda there are two formal options: to extend the meeting and handle all three items, or to start with the first agenda item and end the meeting, continuing later, and colleagues are asked for suggestions regarding the agenda.
Toomas Uibo
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Toomas Uibo proposed moving the second and third items on today’s agenda to tomorrow, and said that it would be sensible.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi states that such a proposal can be made, and he addresses Helle-Moonika Helme.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme made a proposal on behalf of the EKRE faction to move the first item on today’s agenda to Wednesday.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Toomas Kivimägi announced that two proposals have come in, and invited Õnne Pillak to speak.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Reform Party faction does not support the plan to turn today's first point into tomorrow's first point.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Everything is clear, and no one objects to Toomas Uibo's proposal; now Helle-Moonika Helme is asked to take the floor.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme notes that the Culture Committee has a large public session today, and she is not aware that it will be cancelled, and they discuss how long they will work today and that also her committee meeting should take place, and she asks how she should behave.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the plenary session still prevails over the committee sessions, and before the plenary decision a committee session cannot be finally decided, but once the plenary decision is made, the committee chairs inform the members whether their meeting will start, for example, 15 minutes after the plenary ends or the points will be postponed, and it may happen that the committee meeting will not be held at all today, and he noted that if there are questions about the agenda, they should be discussed, and Toomas Uibo proposed moving two items from Monday.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The EKRE faction opposes the proposal submitted by Toomas Uibo.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi confirms that the draft agenda to be put to a vote is exactly the same as the one that has just been distributed.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They raise a procedural question about the need for a larger majority, if the work may continue until two o'clock, and they ask whether the vote may extend to one, to two, or to infinity, and whether this requires more than a 51% majority.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He explains from the yellow book that in order to extend the meeting, the usual voting margin is required — the number of 'for' votes must be twice as many as the number of 'against' votes (for example, if there are 20 against, at least 41 for are needed) and then preparations will begin for the agenda vote.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme expresses a sense of anticipation, saying that she has been waiting to hear that the matter will be put to a vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Saalikutsung precedes the vote.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The EKRE faction will take a ten-minute break before the vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The presenter announces that the break lasts ten minutes.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the EKRE faction for the recess and announced that the approval of the agenda for the Riigikogu plenary's fifth session's sixth working week would be put to a vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Riigikogu approved the agenda for the sixth working week of the fifth session: 76 in favor, 6 against and 1 abstention; Helle-Moonika Helme submitted a question to the chair of the meeting.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They apologize and say that something has probably entered by accident.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi explained the Isamaa faction's proposal to extend the Riigikogu plenary session until February 25, 2025, and to work on agenda item No. 1 until it is exhausted, emphasizing the requirement of a two-thirds majority and calling colleagues to vote in favor of the proposal.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Proposal adopted with 77 votes for, 5 against and 0 abstentions; the plenary session has been extended until agenda item No. 1 is exhausted, and the joint decision of the chairs and vice-chairs of the committees is to monitor the course of the meeting and decide whether the committee meeting will begin about 15 minutes after the plenary ends, or, if it continues longer, it will be cancelled.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler submitted a procedural question about the organization of the Riigikogu's work, asking whether the sitting would end and the remaining items would be taken up tomorrow, or what would happen if the proceedings ended early, and noted that today’s sitting was extended to complete the first item.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu has changed the sitting's working hours and the result of the vote already taken remains in effect; today points 2 and 3 will not be discussed (they begin tomorrow), and colleagues now have the opportunity to submit draft bills and parliamentary inquiries to Heili Tõnisson, the Government of the Republic's representative.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government submitted at today's session three bills: the first bill on joining the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and on an amendment to Article 20(1) of the Convention, represented by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry; the second bill on the protection of whistleblowers reporting breaches of EU law in the field of employment and on amendments to the laws on international sanctions, represented by the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs; and the third bill amending the Political Parties Act and the Credit Institutions Act; all bills have been transmitted electronically.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Many thanks to you — Kalle Grünthal has waited a long time for his turn, but now he has the opportunity and the time to do so.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal publicly announced that he is requesting the Riigikogu's leadership to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Ulla Saar, the deputy secretary-general of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, for lying, stressing that the reputation of the Riigikogu is at risk and that an end to the lying is necessary.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman of the Riigikogu, Toomas Kivimägi, said that the bill does not meet the requirements and, in its current form, cannot be adopted, and it should be returned or forwarded to the leadership, emphasising that this is not a bill or a decision in its present form, and he added that, on behalf of the Riigikogu's leadership, he has taken up three bills, namely those submitted by the Government's representative.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik noted that the discussion stemming from the topic of the deep state was smoothly steered toward the agenda, accused Epler of misleading, reminded that we voted on the extension, not on a change to the agenda, and asked why the last items might be left out if the discussion ends, for example, at 12, and on what his opinion is based.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the Riigikogu extended the sitting and changed the working timetable until agenda item no. 1 is exhausted, stressing that this is the will of the Riigikogu and not a matter of disagreement, and added that after Andrei Korobeiniku's question they will proceed to the agenda.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik explains that the word "pikendamine" means the lengthening of working time, and if it does not become longer, the other points should simply fit in — the previous practice has been exactly like that.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the Riigikogu's working hours will not be extended, but the work schedule will be changed, which could mean both an extension and a shortening under § 48; today's session ends with the exhaustion of the first item on the agenda, and items 2 and 3 on the agenda will probably be the first two items tomorrow.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He wants a procedural clarification regarding the committees: do the committees’ meetings start 15 minutes after the end of the meeting, and does this apply if the meeting ends at 12 o’clock, or do the committees resume at 2:00 PM?
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi emphasized that the start and end of the committee meeting are decided by the committee's chairs together with the vice-chairs; if the meeting ends before two o'clock, the meetings begin at two o'clock, but it is also possible to cancel the meeting or to start about 15 minutes after the plenary ends, but not before two o'clock.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Speaking raises more and more questions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He promises to break it down into bite-sized pieces so the listener can understand.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He says that every answer makes him noticeably smarter.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, thanked and said that it was a compliment.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They express surprise and ask whether, after the committee's agenda has been distributed, the chair of the committee may simply cancel the meeting, and they would like to know more precisely how this works, because people come to the meeting and then go home.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi noted that this week's work programme has not been approved, and even if it is approved, their decision remains superior to the commission's, and therefore regulation is necessary, because the chair has the power to postpone the start time of the meeting or to set the meeting for another time or to cancel it.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal expresses confusion, says that he can no longer understand the matter, and notes that commissions have been talked about all along.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-speaker, Toomas Kivimägi, simply said "Exactly!" and laughed.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speech debates the right to autonomous self-organization and asks whether the Riigikogu leadership is really the most powerful body and who is supposed to carry out the second command—the committee or the Riigikogu leadership.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They emphasize that the decision was made by the Riigikogu plenary session, not by the leadership, and that the plenary is supreme even over the committees.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu and announces the start of the Wednesday plenary session, asking for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
65 members of the Riigikogu are present, and 36 are absent; the deadline for submitting bills and written inquiries has passed, the presentation of the first reading of two bills is taking place (Rene Kokk and Kert Kingo), and at the end it is checked whether anyone wishes to submit another bill or inquiry.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu called on Parliament to form an accelerated investigative committee to clarify the corruption risk, professionalism, and competence in offshore wind farm auctions, and stressed that before the committee's results are published, long-term energy policy decisions affecting billions of euros must not be made, and that the development plan is unfinished.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
They do not tolerate even the slightest criticism and they hope for the cooperation of all forces on this issue.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, the draft decision was adopted, and now we can proceed to today's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar greets the esteemed colleagues and announces that the Thursday sitting of the Riigikogu plenary in the sixth working week of the fifth session begins, and requests an attendance verification.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair announced that 56 Riigikogu members have registered as present and that 45 are absent, and informed that it is now possible to submit bills and parliamentary questions, and invited Martin Helme to the podium.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme announced a motion of no confidence against climate minister Yoko Alender, accusing her and the government of lying, confusion and concealment regarding the 2.6-billion-euro offshore wind farm subsidy plan, and he demanded a thorough investigation and her resignation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and asks his colleague at the Riigikogu's speaking desk, Urmas Reinsalu, to speak.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu called the Parliament's attention to the energy chaos, accused the government and the prime minister of corruption and lack of transparency, demanded an extraordinary briefing on the developing energy chaos, and the formation of a Riigikogu inquiry committee in connection with the wind farm subsidy scandal, and to consider a moratorium on energy policy financial decisions until the truth is established.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, I have adopted one bill and one interpellation, and further proceedings will be decided in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure; however, considering that an important petition has been submitted for consideration, I will now take a half-hour recess as chair.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar announced that the Riigikogu has amended today's session agenda with a no-confidence motion against climate minister Yoko Alender, and the debate will take place at the earliest opportunity; this is the first item on the agenda, and Andrei Korobeinik, please!
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik thanked them for the opportunity, asked about the reasons for the break, and noted that the session went smoothly and there were no concerns, requesting an explanation of why the break occurred.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar explains that, although according to the manual decisions do not have to be justified during a recess, he does so out of the need to discuss an important statement and, in cooperation with government members, to convene the first possible session, while referring to Vadim Belobrovtsev's question about the organization of the session.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He raises a procedural question as to why today's session is being chaired personally by the Speaker of the Riigikogu, breaking Thursday's tradition, where Arvo Aller is usually at the podium.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This is a summary with a note of thanks that confirms the mutual agreement with Arvo Aller: today Arvo Aller chairs the meeting, because on Thursdays we chair the meeting together, and Andrei Korobeinik asks about the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik asks how the procedure for changing the agenda is carried out, whether the Riigikogu leadership has gathered for this or whether it will be put to a vote in the chamber now, and refers to the commentary in the Yellow Book, which he does not remember off the top of his head.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar explains that the Yellow Book § 134 regulates that the Government of the Republic may require faster decision-making, and the motion for a vote of no confidence is placed on the agenda the next day after submission, if the government does not demand faster proceedings, and the government has asked to discuss this issue at the earliest opportunity.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev notes that over the last two years there have been several no-confidence motions in the Riigikogu, and they are often added to the end of the agenda or listed as separate items; he recalls the example of the no-confidence in the Minister of Infrastructure and asks why today’s agenda is different and why EKRE expected that their only item would be considered first.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The government asked that the topic be discussed at the earliest opportunity, as confirmed by § 134 of the RKKTS, and therefore it is the first item on the agenda for today's meeting; Mart Helme asks about the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme first expresses concern that Arvo Aller may not be able to chair the session, but that concern was dismissed, and next he fears that Yoko Alender will recognize her own incompetence during the act of voicing distrust and will step back, so that Toomas Kivimägi would not be able to chair the session, and he asks for consolation and reassurance that Kivimägi can still chair.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Lauri Hussar states that his rapport with Arvo Aller is excellent and that they are able to chair the meeting very well, and adds that Toomas Kivimägi is also a very good chair of the meeting, after which Andrei Korobeinik's question about the procedure for conducting the meeting follows.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik thanked them for the opportunity and explained why the formation of Nordica's investigative committee was quickly undertaken, saying that it could save the state budget, although the amounts are not as large as Minister Yoko Alender's plans.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar announced that the debate on a motion of no confidence has been on the agenda for weeks, and although it was desired to discuss it at the earliest opportunity, it must be carried through to completion in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and Internal Working Order, and today three more procedural questions will be considered in order to reach a substantive discussion.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev emphasizes that the motion of no confidence was placed on today’s agenda as the first item, which is extraordinary and contrary to the usual weekly planning, and asks whether such a practice is customary and which paragraph regulates it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks a colleague, reiterates that Section 134 has already been read in advance and should be thoroughly reviewed together with the comments, confirms that the question has been answered, and asks Andrei Korobeinik to pose a question about the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik expressed sadness and concern that the coalition is restricting procedural questions and silencing Parliament, and asked why the topic had not been the first item on the agenda for the discussion of the no-confidence motion and what prevented him from giving an answer.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that the government wants to discuss the topic at the earliest opportunity, read § 56 aloud and amended the agenda so that an important discussion would take place before the recess week, and he promised to take up three questions, the last of which is Rain Epler.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler discusses the suitability of Minister Yoko Alender and asks whether his written question to the Prime Minister would be short enough and whether it would reach the Prime Minister or whether there would be a reason to prevent its transmission.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar announced that he has sent a thorough response detailing how the Speaker of the Riigikogu and the board handle written questions and inquiries, and that so far not a single written question has been sent back, since all of them comply with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure, which are the basis for their proceedings, and they are moving on to today's first item on the agenda.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev asks for clarification about the government's procedure, asking who decided and who said that it had to be the first item, what happened during the break, and how the whole procedure actually works.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar described a very concrete procedural sequence: at 10:02 a motion of no confidence against the climate minister was brought before the Riigikogu, at 10:16 it was forwarded to the government, and he amended today's agenda accordingly in accordance with Section 56 of the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets the esteemed members of the Riigikogu, declares the Monday sitting of the Riigikogu plenary session in the seventh week of the fifth session to commence, and requests a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
77 members of the Riigikogu are present, 24 are absent; the Steering Committee decided to strike from today's meeting agenda the first reading of Draft Bill 572 and thereby approve the Riigikogu's seventh working-week agenda and to put it to a vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda with 77 votes in favour, 0 against, and 0 abstentions; the next item is the submission of draft acts and interpellations, and first to the rostrum will be the representative of the Government of the Republic, Mrs Heili Tõnisson.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The Government of the Republic today initiates four draft laws: the first draft law on ratifying amendments to the International Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft, represented in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Infrastructure; the second draft law to amend the Securities Market Act and, accordingly, other laws related thereto, represented by the Minister of Finance; the third draft law to amend the Emergency Situations Act, represented by the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs; and the fourth draft law on ratifying the instrument amending the Constitution of the International Labour Organization (ILO), represented by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry; all draft laws have been transmitted electronically.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks you and informs you that we will continue delivering bills and parliamentary inquiries, and he invites Urmas Reinsalu to speak.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu accused the current government of indecisiveness and announced Isamaa's intention to submit a bill to Parliament for consideration, by which to further postpone the burden of sustainability reporting requirements on companies exceeding 30 million euros, and to force the government to open a dialogue with the European Union, so that this obligation would essentially be removed from EU law and entrepreneurs would have a clear legal position.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman thanks and asks Rene Kokkil to take the floor.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk submitted a parliamentary inquiry on behalf of the EKRE faction to the Minister of Climate due to the explosive growth of the cormorant population and its impact on fish stocks, asking which regions have been most affected and what measures the ministry has taken to protect fish stocks and what measures against the damage caused by cormorants have been implemented in the context of food security.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu leadership, five bills and one parliamentary inquiry were adopted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets the members of the Riigikogu and announces the roll call at the start of the Riigikogu plenary session.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi informed that 73 members of the Riigikogu are present and 28 are absent, and that it is now possible to submit bills and interpellations, but there is no such desire.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi greets the members of the Riigikogu, announces the start of the upcoming Wednesday plenary session, and asks for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
There are 80 Riigikogu members present, 21 are absent, and now it is time to hand over the draft bills and interpellations; Martin Helme, please.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme promised that the new right-wing government would bring tax reliefs, would submit a bill to abolish the car tax, and hopes for their swift processing, while at the same time accusing the Reform Party of tax increases and saying that Estonian journalists have been fooling the public.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
At the start of the speech, thanks are given, it is clarified that the topic is the motor vehicle tax, and Urmas Reinsalu is invited to speak.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu found yesterday's leak embarrassing and stressed that Deputy Defense Minister Jürgen Ligi lacks a NATO secret clearance, and therefore he must not be in his cabinet room when discussing decisions related to national defense, and the clearance must be issued promptly and the matter clarified.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, thanked Mr. Reinsalu and said that his time was up.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stresses that people must be placed in the right place without authorization, and in serious matters one must not joke, asking Mr. Kivimäe whether that is not so.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This concerns an interpellation about the lack of NATO security clearance, and going forward colleagues could present the content of the interpellation or the draft bill.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
After the state government reform, Helle-Moonika Helme will submit a bill to amend the Value-Added Tax Act, which will ensure the availability of domestic potatoes, fruits and vegetables, and other food products, increase the freedom of rural micro- and small enterprises to operate in the market, and raise revenue to the state budget; the bill contains no new or foreign-language terms, is not related to EU law, and does not incur additional costs, and asks for its full approval by both the new and the old government as well as the opposition.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asks Rene Kokk to come and perform.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk announced a government reshuffle and, on behalf of EKRE, submitted a bill to lower the alcohol, tobacco, fuel, electricity excise taxes and VAT, hoping that the coalition would immediately put it into procedure and begin lowering the taxes before the government is fully up and running.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asked Mart Helme to take the floor.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme called for abolishing the security tax, because it is not a real tax, and proposed concrete measures as a replacement, for example to immediately allocate 2.8 billion euros for the development of wind farms to strengthen Estonia's defense capability.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks everyone.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The proposal is to use this money right away to buy yourself enough technology.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a thank-you note addressed to a good colleague.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He emphasizes that Estonia must be defended, and calls for an end to the nonsense where officials talk about Trump and his cabal.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks his colleague and confirms that we understood.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speech states that the President of the United States is Donald J. Trump.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Evelin Poolametsa onto the stage.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The bill provides for lowering the personal income tax rate to 20% so that people have more money left, to increase purchasing power and quality of life, and to enable families to spend more on education and health care, while at the same time motivating people to work and companies to invest, creating jobs and improving tax revenues in the future, and increasing Estonia's national competitiveness and the fairness of the tax environment.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech includes a note that the draft bill to declare the Security Tax Act invalid does not bear Martin Helme's signature, and he may come during the session to sign it here.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets criticizes the Socialists and their iron-handed grip on power, promises tax cuts, and recalls the March 12 arrests and the role of August Rei, warning that democracy is in danger.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech is merely a plea to invite Riina Solman to perform.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman posed a question to the Minister of Social Protection about whether the Reform Party intends to stop indexing the average pension, and she critically addressed the government's honesty, referring to the issues surrounding the second pillar and to earlier promises.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, thanks the audience.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman jokes that she can't tell you the truth, because otherwise you wouldn't vote for her in the elections.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, six bills and two parliamentary inquiries have been adopted.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu opens Thursday's sitting in the seventh working week of the fifth session, and first, attendance is checked.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
A total of 61 Riigikogu members have registered as present; 40 members are absent. There is an opportunity to submit draft bills and interpellations, but there is no desire to do so, so we will proceed to today's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar greeted the Riigikogu and informed that the Monday session of the 8th working week begins, and asked that attendance be checked first.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, informed that the answer to inquiry No. 712 will be withdrawn and the second item on the agenda of the Thursday session will be removed, namely the first reading of the draft law No. 572 amending the Identity Documents Act and related amendments to other laws, initiated by the Government of the Republic; and before continuing, Andre Hanimägi asked a question about the procedure for conducting the session.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
André Hanimägi thanks the chair and asks whether the Riigikogu leadership intends to discuss merging, splitting and altering committees, and asks for confirmation that there has been no such ill‑intentioned idea.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar noted that the organization of committees is laid down by the Act on the Rules of Procedure and Internal Order, and the issue of the procedure for conducting the sitting is not within the competence of the Riigikogu's leadership, but a broader topic, and he asked Lauri Laats to submit a question about it.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker gives thanks and continues to discuss a good colleague's question.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, announced that he could not hear Lauri Laats, and asked those in the hall to be a little quieter so that the procedural questions could be carried out.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He stated that, with regard to committees, these have been specified in the Act on Home and Working Rules, and he asked whether the Riigikogu intends to begin amending that law.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and Internal Order Act has stood the test of time and has functioned well, and should continue to operate in the future, and he invited Kalle Grünthal to pose a question about the procedure for conducting the session.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal asks the Speaker of the Riigikogu why he allows his colleague to send out messages that are contrary to the law, and why he does not intervene in their actions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Hussar stressed that no one is censored and that members of the Riigikogu may freely express their positions, but the discussion has gone beyond the procedural framework and he cannot develop it further, while at the same time Toomas Kivimägi kept his hand raised and asked about the procedure for conducting the session.
Toomas Kivimägi
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi emphasized the Speaker of the Riigikogu's stance on preserving freedom of speech and the free expression of all opinions, noting that restricting opinions would create problems, and stating that cost savings could come from reducing the number of committees, but such a change would require amending the law and 51 votes, which means that panic is not justified.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar greets his colleagues and begins a speech.
Toomas Kivimägi
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
I really hope that the good practice continues, whereby the chairs of standing committees belong to the coalition, and if any faction does not wish to uphold this practice, it is a matter of conscience.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speaker Lauri Hussar laughs and thanks.
Toomas Kivimägi
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He says that this practice applies this time as well, and if it does not apply, other measures must be taken.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar noted that the discussion at the session on the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and Working Order Act had dragged on, asked to end the discussion touching on a broader context, and gave Tanel Kiik the opportunity to pose a question about the procedure for conducting the session.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik asks the Speaker of the Riigikogu whether the reorganization of committees corresponds to parliamentary practice and whether all committee chairs must be representatives of coalition parties.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked his colleague and noted that this goes beyond the framework of the current sitting's procedure, will not begin a cordial and principled dispute at the moment, and will take up Helir-Valdor Seeder's question about the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Seeder notes that Kivimägi was mistaken in saying that the chairpersons of the commissions should resign; it indicates that the issue will become clear whether this concerns a change of ministers or a change of government; it emphasizes that reducing the number of commissions does not require changing the law, since the Supreme Court has stated that we have a broad right to self-organization; and it asks whether he has understood correctly.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar's speech contained only one word: "no".
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
This is a short, rhetorical question "Isn't there?", which refers to the absence of something.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, ends the discussion and refers to § 18 of the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and Internal Regulations Act, which clearly lists the Riigikogu's standing committees.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo expressed surprise at the vice-chairman's use of the phrase “good practice” and asked for clarification on when these good practices apply and when the majority's power applies, in order to better orient oneself in the chamber.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, proposed that the chamber bell be rung and then that the agenda for the current week be approved, taking into account the withdrawal of Inquiry No. 712 and the amendments related to the first reading of Draft Law No. 572, and to put these amendments to a vote for approving the agenda for the Riigikogu's 5th session, 8th working week.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The agenda was approved by 85 in favour; no one voted against, and there was 1 abstention; now it is possible to hand over bills and written questions, and it was requested that colleague Tõnis Lukas take the floor at the Riigikogu's rostrum.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Isamaa faction has submitted to the Riigikogu for consideration a draft law aimed at codifying in law the tradition of song and dance festivals in the future, taking as a model the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Latvia's 2005 and Lithuania's 2007 Song Festival laws, so that the tradition would continue for future generations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker, Lauri Hussar, thanks and asks his colleague Lauri Laats to deliver a speech from the Riigikogu podium.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
An inquiry submitted on behalf of the Centre Party faction in the Riigikogu calls on Prime Minister Kristen Michal to resign and come before the Riigikogu with a new mandate, because the events that took place on March 10, 2025 broke apart the coalition, and this concerns three main objectives—reviving the economy, avoiding the implementation of corporate income tax, and reducing the size of the civil service—and they are seeking swift and concrete answers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chair Lauri Hussar announced that there are no further requests to speak, and the leadership of the Riigikogu has adopted one draft bill and one interpellation, and will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes everyone, declares the Riigikogu's Tuesday session open, and requests attendance verification.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 83 Riigikogu members registered as present and 18 are absent, and that it is now possible to submit bills and interpellations.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid said that Bill 585, submitted by the Estonian Conservative People's Party, aims to replace the Commission for the Supervision of Party Funding with the National Audit Office in order to ensure transparency of party funding and reliable supervision, since the National Audit Office is a professional and nonpartisan body, and he also emphasized that the issue of the Equality Commissioner requires a separate bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, I have adopted a draft bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
At the start of the Riigikogu plenary session on Wednesday of the eighth working week, attendees are greeted and attendance is taken.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
87 members of the Riigikogu registered as present; 14 members are absent, and it is now possible to submit bills and inquiries.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler said that a study by the University of Tartu published in 2023 shows the worsening of problems in the border areas of southeastern Estonia, and together with his colleagues a parliamentary inquiry is being submitted to the Prime Minister to ask whether the government has addressed these security-relevant issues.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Next up on stage is Mart Maastik.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik submitted two parliamentary inquiries aimed at reducing bureaucracy: the first seeks to declare the EU-level sustainability reporting obligation invalid, and the second to amend the Accounting Act.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is merely the broadcast arrangement: the next speaker is Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats submitted, on behalf of the Riigikogu faction, an inquiry to Prime Minister Kristen Michal regarding the future of Estonia's agriculture in connection with the possible disbandment of the Regional- and Agricultural Ministry and the transfer of the sector under the Ministry of Economic Affairs or the Ministry of Climate, and asks who will be the agriculture's spokesperson and whether the office of the Minister of Agriculture will remain.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu leadership, I have accepted two draft laws and two parliamentary inquiries, and the leadership will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure; before moving to the agenda, procedural questions are presented to the chair of the session, Andrei Korobeinik, please.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik said that the situation is becoming increasingly critical, and asked whether the Finance Committee has already formed an opinion on sending draft bills to the floor, pointing out that today the same committee was convened with the same agenda and on the same impulse, and that the leadership must decide whether to send the drafts to the floor, and whether the committees operate according to the house rules and working procedures, or whether a Reform Party MP would like to convene a meeting, and whether they have already formed an opinion.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman confirmed that the letter sent has been received by the board and forwarded for forming an opinion, and said that tomorrow at around four o'clock a board meeting will take place, during which an opinion will be formed and the board will decide.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that the questions posed by Korobeinik are very important and that the session must not proceed until concrete answers are obtained, and he noted that the extraordinary session was legal, but what is interesting is that officials did not participate as auxiliary staff, and he asked why this happened and why the officials did not fulfill their duties.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Unfortunately I can't say anything about the Finance Committee's internal procedures, because they regulate themselves; we have in hand a letter from Andrei Korobeinik, and tomorrow there is a board meeting at which the agenda items will be discussed, and that is exactly the place where this matter will be clarified, which Andrei Korobeinik submitted to the chair of the meeting.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik asks whether we should be guided by the Home and Work Order Act or by the board's official position, and whether decisions regarding the holding and the convening of a committee meeting should be made according to the law or based on the board's opinion.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman stressed that we should base our actions on the law, and there is no need to take the book to waste-paper recycling.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev asks why the three-member board of directors did not find an opportunity to discuss earlier the acute problem that arose yesterday, and why it could not take place yesterday or today, but only tomorrow.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller said that the topic is not related to the conduct of today's meeting, but more broadly it may concern the work of the board; no extraordinary board meeting will be convened, tomorrow there will be a regular meeting, and Andrei Korobeiniku's letter will be discussed then.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik expresses concern about an illegal extraordinary session of the Finance Committee and asks whether the board should be proactive or simply react when a random person convenes such a session and proclaims that it was a Finance Committee session.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
We can only respond to events that have occurred: yesterday morning there was a meeting, which we learned about and with which we are dealing, this morning there was a committee meeting, the outcome of which is not yet known to us and which we will discuss tomorrow.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They express concern about the Riigikogu's internal rules and working procedures being interpreted differently, and ask what it means when the leadership cannot reach a consensus and decisions go to a vote — could this happen in the Riigikogu chamber as well, and are such questions, such as the legitimacy of a Finance Committee meeting or putting bills on the agenda, ultimately decided here in this chamber.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller said that the holding of the vote in the main hall depends on the board's agreement; the board will meet tomorrow and the materials are on the table, and he will take up the last procedural question in order to proceed with the procedure and the agenda.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik expresses confusion in the context of the coalition's excitement and questions whether yesterday's session took place or not, referring to the official protocol according to which six members of an eleven-member body attended yesterday's session, and asks whether the protocol has been destroyed or why there is doubt about the session taking place.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller confirmed that the meeting will take place, and tomorrow the minutes and the decisions will be on the table, and the board will decide everything.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller greets his colleagues and proclaims the opening of the Thursday sitting of the Riigikogu plenary in the eighth week of its fifth session, beginning with the attendance check.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Seventy members of the Riigikogu registered as present; 31 are absent, and now there is an opportunity to submit draft bills and parliamentary inquiries, but there is no desire to do so.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker, Lauri Hussar, greets the Riigikogu and proclaims the start of Monday's sitting of the Riigikogu's plenary session for the ninth week of the fifth term, and requests a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
There are 80 Riigikogu members present (21 are absent); in accordance with changes made to clarify the agenda, the response to inquiry no. 717 was postponed, and the seventh agenda item—the draft amendments to the Tobacco Act, second reading—was removed from this week's agenda, and before continuing the procedure for conducting the session will be discussed.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik has raised the concern that the board has not responded to the arrangements for the finance committee's meeting, and has asked how the decisions related to the cancellation of the car tax are progressing and whether a reply will be given to the letter.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The board has discussed your letter, and you will receive a reply shortly; please bear with us a little longer, and Rain Epler will also receive a response regarding the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler discusses a broader procedure, confirms that the board has discussed it and that a letter is on the way, and urges providing an indication of the contours of where the discussion has reached, in order to say what it is.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair announces that the topic of the current meeting's implementation procedure is not on the agenda, and he will not discuss it at this time, and he directs the second question to Andrei Korobeinik regarding the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
This speech aims to clarify whether the committee's decisions affect the plenary's agenda, what procedure applies if there is no consensus in the board, and whether such a decision ultimately goes to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair announced that the board is unanimous on this issue, but it does not concern this week's agenda; the response to inquiry no. 717 will be postponed to the first item on the agenda, and on the proposal of the Social Committee the seventh item on this week's agenda will be removed (the second reading of the Tobacco Act amendment bill, draft no. 223), and with these amendments the approval of this week's agenda will be put to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The agenda was approved by 82 votes in favour, 1 against, with no abstentions; now it is possible to submit draft bills and interpellations, and at the Riigikogu's rostrum the Government's representative, Mrs Heili Tõnisson, will be called to speak first.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government today presents three draft laws: a draft to amend the Employment Contracts Act and related laws, a draft to amend the Aliens Act, the Administrative Procedure Act and the State Fees Act (appeal of a visa decision), and a draft to amend the Health Care Services Organization Act (the patient's end-of-life directive), which in the Riigikogu are represented by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, the Minister of the Interior, and the Minister of Health, respectively, and all drafts have been transmitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairperson thanked and invited his colleague Urmas Reinsalu to the podium.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that the Estonian Parliament must re-examine the issue of purchasing ammunition without delay and adopt the necessary decision that would provide the executive with financial and administrative frameworks and speed up the Defence Forces' procurement of the necessary ammunition.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and invites his colleague from the Riigikogu's speaking podium, Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, to speak.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
With a parliamentary inquiry submitted in his own name, the speaker asks the prime minister whether annually the funding allocated to Russian-language privately owned media up to one million euros corresponds to Estonian values, and whether the coverage of Delfi and Postimees, their owners’ connections, and examples from their public lives do not raise questions about independence and appropriate values.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks, notes a hearing problem in the chamber, turns to Varro Vooglaid, whose hand is raised, and explains that the issue concerns the procedure for conducting the session and the insufficiency of the sound.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid confirms that he hears well now, but at the beginning it was very quiet, and he does not know whether the volume has been turned up.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks that during speeches microphones be placed as close to the mouth as possible so that the sound is heard more clearly, and he promises to do the same himself before he calls his colleague Reili Ranna to the chair.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
To summarize, Reili Rand said that the people of Läänemaa and Hiiumaa are waiting for the Haapsalu–Rohuküla train, and although the preparations and funding are in place, the termination of funding for the Turba–Risti section and changes of government have made the prospect of reaching Rohuküla uncertain, and the new minister is asked how to proceed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks and asks Priit Sibul to step down from the Riigikogu's speaking chair.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul announced, on behalf of the Isamaa faction, the submission of a draft decision to the Riigikogu, by which it is proposed to raise the allowance paid for time spent in reserve service to a level that would motivate service members, because the allowance is insufficient, the Chancellor of Justice has drawn attention to this issue, and Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur has promised to deal with it, and in the committee it was found that the issue is important and must be addressed, although last week the draft did not receive broad support.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar informed, on behalf of the Riigikogu leadership, that five draft bills and one interpellation were adopted, and the further procedure will be decided in accordance with the Riigikogu’s Rules of Procedure, and he urged Helle-Moonika Helme to submit a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker highlighted the issue of the microphone not working and the funding of the Haapsalu railway, recalled how the Social Democrats' ministers allocated funds to the Haapsalu railway, and asked whether the EKREIKE government had also allocated substantial sums to the Haapsalu railway back then.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, thanks a colleague and notes that he is able to do this.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks whether the others heard, and adds that he himself did not hear.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that Reili Randi's words cannot be regarded as a procedural question and they do not pertain to the conduct of the meeting, and he does not follow the speech verbatim.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi proposed starting the session with a one-minute mourning pause in memory of the victims of the March deportations, because today is the anniversary of the March deportations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets the members of the Riigikogu and announces the start of the Wednesday plenary session.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chair Arvo Aller greets the members of the Riigikogu, declares the start of the Thursday sitting of the ninth working week of the Riigikogu’s fifth plenary session, and conducts a roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
According to Arvo Alleri, 90 members of the Riigikogu registered as present and 11 are absent, and now it is possible to submit draft bills and interpellations.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Isamaa faction calls for an end to playing with taxes, to repeal the VAT increase, the income tax increase, the corporate income tax and the high-earner income tax exemption, and to keep the budget balanced, and hopes that the majority in this chamber will support the removal of these taxes, which are planned to be repealed from July and from next year.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invites Reili Rand onto the stage.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand emphasizes that island residents depend on the ferry connection and should be treated as an extension of the road network, not as an additional cost, and she submits a parliamentary inquiry by six Riigikogu MPs to Minister Hendrik Johannes Terras to explain its impact on the state budget, the density of routes, and the quality of life.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller addresses the audience, emphasizing the importance of their time and thanks you all.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They point out that the ferry Regula on the route does not meet current needs, and ask how things will proceed with the new ship procurement.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman thanks and invites Urmas Reinsalu to take the floor.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu says that although Aivar Kokk presented the Tax Peace Act and the government promised to reduce costs by 2025, the State Audit Office's baseline comparison shows that governing costs will rise by 155 million euros, and Isamaa wants to submit to the Riigikogu a negative supplementary budget of 300 million euros to cover the VAT increase that will take effect from 1 July 2025 and to make Estonia the champion of European indirect taxes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chairman, Arvo Aller, presents a short prayer to Anti Allas.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
This inquiry seeks to obtain an explanation as to why, over the last year and a half, illegal changes to the protection regime of protected areas initiated by the Ministry of Climate and Environment and the Estonian Environment Agency have been made without involving landowners, altering the protection regime of forests in restricted and special-protection zones, and halting or restricting logging, even though the legislation remained the same, and how the ministry plans to resolve the situation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invites Priit Sibul to speak.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
To the esteemed Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu, with thanks, Priit Sibul together with his colleagues asks Igor Tarole to review with a fresh look the Ministry of the Interior's investment line and to clarify the status of establishing the Võru shooting range – why specifically Võru and not Põlva, how far along the project is, whether similar shooting ranges could be opened more widely like in Finland, and whether 9 million euros are reflected in the 2026 budget.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, two draft laws and three interpellations have been adopted, and their further processing will be decided by the Presidium in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure (the Home and Work Regulations). Notice: this Sunday, in the Riigikogu Chamber, within the 20 August Club reception, the event marking the 35th anniversary of the start of the Supreme Council's activities will take place, and after the plenary session ends you are asked to take from the desks and drawers the valuable and important items and materials.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker of the Riigikogu, Lauri Hussar, opens the Monday sitting of the 10th week of the Riigikogu's Plenary Session V and greets in the hall the representatives of the Iranian exile government, who are on the balcony of the plenary hall.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-speaker Toomas Kivimägi greeted the members of the Riigikogu, announced the start of the plenary session on Tuesday, and requested an attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
80 members of the Riigikogu registered as present; 21 are absent. Now there is an opportunity to hand over draft bills and interpellations, Reili Rand, please!
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand emphasizes that youth workers are the everyday supporters of youth development and mental well-being, and funding for the sector needs to be developed, but due to the topic of qualification requirements and the comments made about the Minister of Education's regulatory leadership, the community has mobilized and a parliamentary inquiry has been prepared to the Minister of Education and Science to clarify the future of youth work.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, asks Jaak Aab to take the floor.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab submitted in the Riigikogu a parliamentary inquiry to the Minister of Energy and the Environment, emphasizing that Estonia has a shortage of electricity generation capacity and that energy security and electricity prices are at risk, pointing to delays in the construction of wind farms and other capacities and the overdue nuclear power plant plan, and asking which legislative initiatives and amendments should reach the Riigikogu and when the Riigikogu will see the Energy Sector Development Plan, in order to find out in the near future which electricity generation capacities will come to Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This speech is simply a plea to invite Riina Solman onto the stage.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman announced, on behalf of the Isamaa faction, a proposal to initiate a bill to amend the Traffic Act, which would give local governments the right to restrict or prohibit the use of rentable light vehicles, i.e., rental scooters and micro-mopeds, because in larger cities the number of these rental services has grown in recent times and an uncontrolled amount of rental devices has appeared on streets and sidewalks.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi apologizes to the presenter, greets his colleagues, and asks for quiet in the hall, because it is very uncomfortable to speak when there is noise in the hall.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman said that she didn't feel uncomfortable, but she was very grateful for the remark.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They feel uncomfortable.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman said that a proposal would be submitted to the government to present to the Riigikogu an amendment to the Traffic Act that would give local governments the right to restrict or prohibit the use of rental vehicles in order to reduce traffic load and improve driving safety.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Dear colleagues, on behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium I have accepted two parliamentary inquiries and one draft decision, and we can proceed to today’s agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu begins the Wednesday sitting of the 10th working week of the 5th session and requests a roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
70 members of the Riigikogu are present, 31 are absent, and it is now possible to submit bills and interpellations — Rain Epler, please.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
EKRE faction submits a bill proposing to quickly start negotiations with Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland and to submit to the European Commission a joint appeal concerning the obligation of energy producers to purchase an exceptional quota under Article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, in order to improve Estonia's energy security and economy, and to direct the government to act in the name of real, useful measures, rather than talking about wind and solar.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invited Vadim Belobrovtsev to speak.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev proposed increasing the state's contribution to school meals by two euros per school day per student, because the current one euro has remained unchanged for seven years and does not cover rising food costs, which municipalities and parents must cover.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is merely a short plea to give Anti Poolamets a word.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets submitted to the Riigikogu a parliamentary inquiry about the impact of wind energy and wind farms on Estonia's defense capability and security, emphasizing disruptions to radio signals and a decrease in surveillance capability both on land and at sea, and asking about the financial impact and possibilities for cooperation with allies, referring to Sweden as an example.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller announced that there are no requests to speak, and the Riigikogu leadership has adopted two draft bills and one interpellation, and their processing will be decided in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller opens the Riigikogu plenary session of the Fifth Session, the Thursday sitting of the tenth working week, and conducts an attendance check.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
There are 62 Riigikogu members present, of whom 39 are absent, and now there is an opportunity to hand over draft bills and parliamentary inquiries.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that the Centre Party faction will submit a draft bill to amend the Law of Obligations Act, by which § 411 subsection 4 would be amended, so that a consumer could transfer a mortgage loan to another bank without paying three months’ interest, thereby increasing competition in the banking market and making loans to consumers more affordable.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Presidium has adopted one draft law and decides on its further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Regulations Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar welcomed the Riigikogu and announced that the Riigikogu's plenary session of the Fifth Session's 11th working week, the Monday sitting, would begin, and he requested an attendance check.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
79 members of the Riigikogu are present and 22 are absent; clarifying and approving the agenda will bring changes: the parliamentary inquiry no. 727 has been withdrawn and the Social Committee wishes to strike from the Wednesday session's agenda the fourth item, which is the Government-initiated draft law on amending the Social Benefits Act for people with disabilities and, accordingly, amendments to other laws, No. 561, second reading; thus these items will be removed from the agenda; now there are two proposals regarding the agenda, Helle-Moonika Helme, please!
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Conservative People's Party of Estonia requests that item 3 be removed from Thursday's agenda, which is the EKRE faction-initiated draft law No. 596 to amend the Value-Added Tax Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks, invites Lauri Laatsi, and makes a proposal regarding the agenda.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Estonian Centre Party faction proposes to remove from this week's agenda item number 9 on Wednesday, i.e., 576 OE.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, announced that item No. 9 would be removed from this week's agenda, and Helir-Valdor Seeder asked a question about the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder submitted a procedural question asking why the Riigikogu's draft decision for the third item on the agenda, No. 575, requires an absolute majority of its membership, when it concerns only a government plan to ensure energy security that does not amend the law, and he asked for a clear reference to the relevant legal act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that the committee is of the view that the bill requires an absolute majority of the Riigikogu's membership, and that the leadership will base its position on the lead committee's view, and that the reasons for the absolute majority requirement should be asked more precisely from the representative of the lead committee; Anti Allas asked a question about the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas asks why on the Riigikogu's official website April 17 appears to be a day without a session, even though the agenda exists, and whether other colleagues have taken this into account.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar confirmed that April 17 is a working day and that the two draft bills on the Thursday Riigikogu agenda (579 OE and 593 SE) are scheduled for discussion, and even if EKRE removes one item from the agenda, two items will remain for discussion, and Helir-Valdor Seeder submitted a question about the procedure for conducting the session.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder accuses the board of abusing power, because they draft the plenary agenda behind the backs of the committees, referring to the leading committee's position, which is contrary to Article 103 of the Constitution and to the Home and Work Order Act and to prior practice, and asks on what basis the agenda is prepared.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chair Lauri Hussar stressed that the justification for a majority must be obtained from the representative of the leading committee, and the final decision will still be made by the leading committee. He recalled that until 2021, a majority of the membership was required for all proposals submitted to the Government of the Republic, and that the wording does not always make clear whether implementing something requires a change to the law.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
As a representative of the Steering Committee, Mario Kadastik said that the request is based on the considerations of the Legal and Analysis Department, because, in view of the proposal’s content and the government’s action plan and deadlines, it is comparable to the need to amend the law, and therefore the commission decided so.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that if no further proposals are forthcoming, the adoption of the Riigikogu plenary session agenda for the fifth session, in the 11th working week, will be put to a vote, together with the withdrawal of Parliamentary Inquiry No. 727, and with the three factions’ proposals to exclude from consideration the draft laws 561 (second reading), 576 (first reading) and 596 (first reading).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, announced that the agenda had been approved with 77 votes in favor, with no one voting against and 1 abstention, and we will proceed with the submission of bills and interpellations, and Mrs. Heili Tõnisson, representative of the Government of the Republic, was invited to the Riigikogu's rostrum.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government announced today the initiation of three draft laws: a draft amendment to the Liquid Fuel Act, which will be represented in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Energy and the Environment; a draft amendment to the State Secrets and Classified External Information Act, the Public Procurement Act, and the State Fees Act, which will be represented in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs; and a draft amendment to Section 4 of the Consumer Protection Act, which will be represented in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, and all drafts have been transmitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and now invites his colleague Andrei Korobeiniku to speak.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party does not support car tax, but they will introduce two bills to grant tax exemptions for people with disabilities and for large families, and hope to support the Chancellor of Justice's proposal to the Riigikogu, since the Chancellor has raised questions about the constitutionality of the car tax.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked and invited his colleague Züleyxa Izmailovat to take the floor.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The briefing expresses concern about the prosecutor's view that not every rape may cause harm to the victim, in light of the tragic cases at Pihlakodu, and raises questions about whether the minister agrees with that view, how the rights of vulnerable persons are protected, and which internal control measures the Ministry of Justice will implement next to prevent similar claims in the future.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speaker then invited Evelin Poolametsa to speak next and gave her the floor.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets submitted an inquiry to the Minister of Energy and the Environment, Andreas Sutile, noting that in Estonia wind energy development has grown rapidly, but there is no up-to-date and scientifically based legal framework to protect the health of residents, the environment and nature, and the 2024 state procurement No. 280536 and the resulting guide show regulatory deficiencies, particularly in the areas of calculating low-frequency noise, measuring shadow flicker, assessing cumulative effects, and monitoring and supervisory methods for assessing the environmental impacts of wind farms.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
They thank you from the bottom of their hearts and ask that Tanel Kiik take the floor.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik, on behalf of the Social Democrats, submits a parliamentary inquiry to the Minister of Social Affairs regarding the Pihlakodu case, asking for measures to ensure the safety of nursing homes and for the Prosecutor's Office's position on rape.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman thanks his colleague Urmas Reinsalu and asks him for something.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Isamaa put forward a proposal that the government would abandon Reformierakonna's tax calendar and would do away with the increases in car tax, land tax, and energy-, diesel-, and petrol-excise duties, and would at the same time reduce government operating costs in order to curb Estonia's record inflation and the rise in energy prices.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Presidium of the Riigikogu has adopted six bills and three interpellations, and their further processing will be decided in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Working Order Act; let us turn to today’s agenda, which includes five items and an open microphone.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi opened the Riigikogu plenary session, interrupted the attendance check due to a technical problem (the lectern did not work), asked to check Pipi-Liis Siemanni's lectern, and noted that the training will probably have to be conducted and will start again.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Sixty-seven members of the Riigikogu have registered as present; about 34 are absent. Dear colleagues, there is now an opportunity to submit bills and parliamentary inquiries, but there is no desire to do so, and we can proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
At the beginning of the speech, members of the Riigikogu were greeted, there was joy at seeing them again, and they were asked to verify attendance.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
79 Riigikogu members registered as present, and 22 are absent, and now it is possible to hand over draft bills and parliamentary inquiries, Andres Metsoja, please.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Isamaa faction presents a bill to amend the Industrial Emissions Act so that renewable energy—especially wind farms—would not be excluded from the scope of the complex permitting procedure, and their impact would be measured regularly and the best available technology would be applied, and the bill is to be fast-tracked.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Lauri Laatsit to come on stage.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party faction submitted a parliamentary inquiry to the Minister of the Interior regarding problems with Tallinn's public transport lanes, noting that cars drive in the bus lanes and that this disrupts the accuracy of the timetables, and asking how the new minister intends to fix this in the sector.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker asks Jaak Valge to take the stage.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge submitted an interpellation to the Minister of Defence regarding the Tallinn Defence Forces Cemetery, noting that the cemetery's central visible feature is the monument to the Soviet soldier, which is maintained at a much higher standard with funding from Russia than the graves of Estonian soldiers, and that there is no unified development plan, and the Ministry of Defence's repeated inquiries have yielded no results.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu leadership, I have adopted one bill and two interpellations, and I announce that today after the plenary session ends a meeting to form the Science and Innovation Support Group will be held in this chamber's meeting room; the convener is Peeter Ernits, and we can proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller greets the members of the Riigikogu, declares the Thursday sitting of the 11th week of the 5th session of the Riigikogu open, and begins with a roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
58 Riigikogu members registered as present; 43 are absent, and now there is an opportunity to hand over bills and interpellations to Annely Akkermann.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Finance Committee, I represent and hand over the draft "Appointment of Riigikogu Members to the Bank of Estonia Council," in the proceedings of which the proposer is represented by Aivar Sõerd.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invited Andre Hanimägi to speak.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Social Democrats are calling on the government to draft an anti-fraud action plan to reduce people's financial losses and the difficulties families face in making ends meet, because the number and amounts involved in fraud are increasing, and due to artificial intelligence they are becoming increasingly convincing, and the plan should coordinate ministries and law enforcement agencies and implement best practices from abroad.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invited Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvarti onto the stage.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart submits a draft bill that would extend the obligation to carry motor vehicle liability insurance to all rental companies, because the current requirement applies only to scooters weighing more than 25 kilograms and leaves Bolt's 24 kg scooters uninsured in an unequal manner, which increases the risks to victims and taxpayers in light of the 2024 statistics on 422 light-traffic incidents, and the draft reflects the recommendations of the police, the Health Insurance Fund, the Ministry of Finance, and the Competition Authority.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech calls on listeners to take action, saying that it is their time.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
This bill ends the unequal treatment of entrepreneurs in the market and guarantees people better health protection.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks that Lauri Laats be invited to speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Members of the Riigikogu Centre Party faction submitted to the prime minister a parliamentary inquiry concerning the severance payment paid to the adviser to the former minister Signe Riisalo, which was granted despite him continuing to work at the ministry, and they demand that a sense of justice be safeguarded and that such practices be ended.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is a brief plea by Vice-Chairman Arvo Alleri to give Helle-Moonika Helmele the opportunity to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme submitted to the Minister of the Interior an inquiry about the practice of changing names in the Population Register, in which case employees of the Civil Status Office have given instructions to change a person's first name on the basis of their gender nonconformity, although the law does not permit this, and she posed four specific questions.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
There are no further requests for handover; on behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium I have accepted three draft bills and two inquiries, and their further processing will be decided by the board in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar opens Monday's session of the Riigikogu plenary in the 12th working week and requests a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, informs that 81 members of the Riigikogu are registered as present and 20 are absent, and next the adoption of the agenda will be discussed, with proposals concerning the agenda to be presented.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder asks that item 9 on the Wednesday agenda be removed, because it is Draft Bill 580.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
On the initiator's proposal, this will be left off the agenda for this week.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Estonian Centre Party faction proposes omitting item No. 10, 581 OE from the Wednesday agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, made two proposals: the 9th and 10th items on the Wednesday agenda are to be struck from the agenda, and then a question regarding the procedure for conducting the meeting will be considered.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas criticizes the unequal distribution of the agenda items for the 12th working week, noting that today there is one item and on Wednesday there are ten, and asks that they be distributed more evenly.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar informed that the board had tried to move the Wednesday motions to Monday, but this did not suit all presenters, and they are trying to cover the weekdays evenly, which is why Wednesday's items 9 and 10 (the first readings of motions 580 and 581) are omitted from this week's agenda, and a vote will be held on approving this week's agenda with these amendments.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The agenda item was approved by 84 votes in favor, 1 against, and there were no abstentions; after that it is possible to submit draft bills and inquiries, and the chair invited to the floor of the Riigikogu the representative of the Government of the Republic, Mrs. Heili Tõnisson.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government today initiates three draft laws: the draft law amending the Courts Act and, in connection with it, the draft law amending other laws (strengthening court administration); the draft law amending the Securities Market Act and, consequently, the draft law amending other laws (regulation of derivatives and repo transactions); and the draft law amending the Payments Institutions and Electronic Money Institutions Act and the Payments and Settlement Systems Act; during their consideration the Government of the Republic is represented in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs and the Minister of Finance; all three draft laws have been transmitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and now asks that Riigikogu colleague Lauri Läänemets deliver Lauri Läänemets's speech from the rostrum.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets said that the Social Democratic Party will submit a draft bill by which shelters would be mandatory in all new buildings, basements would also serve as shelter locations, the hazard-warning system would be improved, and civilian defense training would be established for about 135,000 public sector employees and providers of essential services, in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and to be submitted to the government before the summer, but due to the prime minister's indecisiveness the process is dragging on; the Social Democrats are ready to come to the government's aid, and the Minister of the Interior may come to the podium at the first reading; thank you.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and asks for colleague Heljo Pikhofi's lectern.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof emphasizes that the Social Democrats would like, if a public holiday falls on a weekend, to grant an extra day off on the next working day so that people would have a breathing space, and notes that this proposal has already repeatedly been on the agenda and has the support of three parties, taking a cue from other European countries, and that it does not threaten Estonia's economy or labor productivity.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked and invited his Riigikogu colleague Vadim Belobrovtsev to speak.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The proposal is to declare Easter Monday a national holiday, so that Estonia would belong to a larger European club, would provide more holidays, and would bring Estonia's working time to the EU average level.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks and asks Lauri Laats to speak from the Riigikogu's rostrum.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party faction submits to the Riigikogu a draft bill, the aim of which is to establish a special social tax rate of 20% for employees up to 19 years old and to reduce the accompanying health insurance rate by 13%, in order to promote young people’s first work experience and reduce the 22% youth unemployment in Estonia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The leadership of the Riigikogu has adopted seven draft bills, and it decides on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets the members of the Riigikogu and the minister and begins the meeting with a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Sixty Riigikogu members registered as present; 41 are absent, and now it is possible to submit draft bills and interpellations; Andre Hanimägi, please.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi expresses concern that although gun violence in Estonia is very low thanks to strong regulation, the proposed changes could increase the number of firearms in civilian circulation and the accidents and crimes associated with them, and he submits to the Minister of the Interior a six-question parliamentary inquiry about whether it is necessary to increase the number of firearms, why that would be reasonable, and how to ensure that accidents and crime continue to be very low.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the leadership of the Riigikogu I have taken up one interpellation, and today after the plenary session ends here in the meeting hall there will be a meeting to form the Estonia–Chile Parliamentary Group, convened by Helmen Kütt, and a meeting to form the support group for making the state budget understandable, convened by Peeter Ernits.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greeted the members of the Riigikogu, expressed pleasure at seeing them again, and announced the start of the Wednesday sitting with an attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
There are 80 Riigikogu members present, 21 are absent, and now there is an opportunity to submit bills and inquiries, Martin Helme, please.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that Estonia has developed a total surveillance society, where about 250 license-plate recognition cameras (228 in working order) take more than 20 million pictures a month and monitor traffic across the country, but there is no regulation governing their operation, and there has been no debate about it in the Riigikogu, and the prime minister, the interior minister and the justice minister say that they do not know and have not approved it, which points to two possibilities — either the government is lying or they do not know what the security authorities are doing — and he submits questions to the prime minister in the form of a parliamentary inquiry.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Riina Solman is asked to take the floor.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman submitted a parliamentary inquiry from the Isamaa faction about the prevalence of poverty, and asked the Prime Minister why the removal of the Reform Party's tax burden would not enable freeing up more than 500 million euros and thereby reducing poverty.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Lauri Laatsi onto the stage.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats, as a member of the Centre Party faction, submitted two interpellations on population decline and the sustainability and accessibility of the health care system, highlighting the population decline and the problems of health care financing and access, and submitted questions to Prime Minister Kristen Michal and Social Minister Karmen Joller.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi said that Lauri Laats was correct, but going forward it may be possible to submit several interpellations at once in succession, with two minutes for each interpellation, and their time does not add up.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Isamaa faction filed a parliamentary inquiry asking about the planned separation of gymnasia from primary schools and their transfer into state ownership, which were planned during coalition negotiations, and they want to know the impact of these changes on the school network, on the costs to the state budget, on the legal questions surrounding the transfer of ownership, on the fulfillment of the pledge to raise teachers' salaries, and on the situation in rural areas.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks you from the bottom of his heart.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The focus of the speech is the answer given by Kristina Kallas to those questions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Evelin Poolametsa to perform.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets criticizes the Reform Party government, saying that because of their plans subsidies intended for smallholders were withdrawn, which forces them to refrain from registering with PRIA and may cause problems for bee protection and disease control, and she raises related questions to regional and agricultural Minister Terrase.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, I have accepted six interpellations; today, after the plenary session ends, a meeting to form the Intermarium support group will take place here in the plenary hall, the convener is Anti Poolamets.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller, vice-chairman, welcomed the members of the Riigikogu and guests and announced that the Riigikogu's Thursday session of the 12th working week would begin and that a roll call would be conducted.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Forty-nine members registered as present in the Riigikogu; 52 are absent, and it is now possible to submit draft bills and interpellations; Martin Helme, please.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme emphasizes that, due to court rulings, local government leaders will decide for themselves who can run and who may sit on the council, based on residence, and he recommends resolving the issue of residency registration before the autumn elections in order to avoid voluntarism.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The central message of the speech was inviting Tanel Kiik to speak.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik presented the Social Democrats' parliamentary inquiry into the establishment of Tallinn Hospital, explaining that it is a decision that improves the well-being of patients and health care workers, for which thorough preparatory work has been carried out over the years.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This sentence invites the audience to listen to the presenter.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik handed over a parliamentary inquiry about the construction of Tallinn Hospital to the Minister of Social Affairs, asking questions about the government's position, the financing model, and the timetable.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Arvo Aller turned to Lauri Laatsi and submitted a petition.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
During an interpellation by the Centre Party faction in the Riigikogu, the question is asked whether international experience of the economic sustainability of wind energy has been taken into account in Estonia's energy policy, citing examples from Sweden, Norway and Finland, and recalling that the plan to provide support for wind energy amounting to 2.6 billion did not materialize.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech emphasizes that now is your time to take action.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They point out that there are doubts about whether they still want to go ahead with it.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium, I have adopted one draft bill and two inquiries, and the Presidium will decide the further proceedings in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure; I announce Saturday Open Doors Day at the Riigikogu, and please, after the plenary session ends, take with you from the desks and drawers your personal valuables and materials.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker greets esteemed colleagues and proclaims the start of the Riigikogu plenary’s Monday session in the 13th working week, and begins with an attendance check.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, informed that 79 Riigikogu members had registered and 22 were absent; the agenda confirmation followed, and Helir-Valdor Seeder submitted a proposal.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Isamaa faction wants to remove from the Wednesday agenda item the draft bill initiated by the Isamaa faction to bring the Budget Act into conformity with the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairperson announced that item 7 on this week's Wednesday agenda will be omitted, and together with this amendment the approval of the agenda will be put to a vote during the first reading of Draft Bill 580.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda unanimously (82 in favour), and now it is possible to submit draft bills and interpellations, and first of all the Riigikogu asked the representative of the Government of the Republic, Mrs Heili Tõnisson, to take the floor.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government today submitted to the Riigikogu three draft laws: a draft amendment to the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing; a draft law to ratify the income tax avoidance treaty and its protocol between the Republic of Estonia and the Republic of Botswana; and a draft law withdrawing from the Convention prohibiting the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of landmines and requiring their destruction. In proceedings, the government will be represented by the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and all drafts have been transmitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked and asked his colleague at the Riigikogu's speaking desk, Jaak Valge, to speak.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge pointed out that the use of Estonian as the language of science remains constrained, and the expansion of English in Estonian universities continues; in 2024 only 7% of defended doctoral theses were in Estonian, and he submitted a new inquiry with 11 questions aimed at slowing the English-language expansion and protecting taxpayers' money, because Estonian-language instruction for international students and the inadequate implementation of administrative contracts and ministerial attitudes do not promote language protection, and two-thirds of international students leave.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar announced that there were no requests to speak, and the Riigikogu Bureau had adopted three bills and one interpellation, with further proceedings to be decided in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets members of the Estonian Parliament, opens the Tuesday plenary session, and asks that attendance be taken.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
70 members of the Riigikogu registered as present; 31 are absent, and now it is possible to submit bills and interpellations.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman submitted an inquiry to the Minister of the Interior, in which she asks why information about the possibility that Russian special services were behind a hybrid operation has remained secret from the public, during which former Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets and Andrei Šumakov were attacked, and why it is not known who the other potential targets were.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks the listeners and announces that their time has unfortunately run out.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman emphasizes that the public should receive information about facts that have hitherto been unknown.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu leadership adopted an inquiry and noted that yesterday's session could be followed from cabinet rooms or via the web, not only by those in the chamber, and after the plenary session ends a meeting to form the Saaremaa support group will take place here in the chamber; the convener is Marek Reinaas.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi greets the members of the Riigikogu, announces the start of the Wednesday plenary session, and asks for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
75 Riigikogu members registered as present; 26 are absent, and now there is an opportunity to submit bills and parliamentary inquiries.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi raises that Estonia lacks direct regulation of means of suicide and that a broader discussion is needed about euthanasia, assisted suicide, and the possibilities for a dignified exit from life, as well as the legal and ethical questions raised in light of the Supreme Court's decision.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Peeter Ernits to speak.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The briefing states that in Estonia it was decided to provide beekeeping subsidies only to large beekeeping operations (16 hives or more), leaving 77.6% of small operations (up to 15 hives) without support, and it submits a parliamentary inquiry asking how such a decision came about and whether the majority of beekeepers are not engaged in food security.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Jaanus Karilaidi onto the stage.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid submitted a parliamentary inquiry to the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo, emphasizing that the businesses in Lääne County and other regions cannot expand or create jobs if energy capacities are insufficient, and he posed three substantive questions to overcome this bottleneck so that regional well-being and prosperity would not remain merely slogans.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chair, Toomas Kivimägi, presents a brief plea to invite Liina Kersna onto the stage.
Liina Kersna
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Culture Committee submitted a draft decision to the Riigikogu and, from among 13 candidates, selected two new experts for the Public Broadcasting Council (Raul Rebane and Paavo Nõgene), and next week they hope to discuss this in more detail; the documents have been submitted electronically.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi, vice-chairman, thanks and presents to his colleague Jaanus Karilaiu a question about the date of his interpellation, asking whether May 8 is not too early or perhaps the right moment, and then asks Urmas Kruuse to continue.
Urmas Kruuse
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Kruuse announced that the Rural Affairs Committee will submit to the Riigikogu a draft to amend the Basic Education Act and the Education Act, as well as related laws, in which the introduction of a compulsory learning obligation is planned, and that the initiator of the draft in the Riigikogu is the chair of the Rural Affairs Committee; all documents have been digitally signed and submitted to the board.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Presidium I have accepted three parliamentary inquiries, one draft decision and one draft law; today, after the plenary session ends, a meeting to form the Estonia–Indonesia parliamentary group will take place here in the chamber, the convener of which is Peeter Ernits, and we can proceed to the agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Arvo Aller welcomed and announced that the Riigikogu plenary session of the fifth session's 13th working week, the Thursday sitting, would begin, and that attendance would be checked first.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller informed that 46 members of the Riigikogu registered as present and 55 are absent, and although it is possible to submit draft laws and interpellations, there is no desire to do so, and therefore we move on to the agenda for today, Thursday, 8 May.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Toomas Kivimägi greets the members of the Riigikogu, declares the new sitting week open, and asks that attendance be taken.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
72 members of the Riigikogu were present and 29 were absent; when the agenda was being confirmed, the Speaker of the Riigikogu informed that the week's agenda had been supplemented with the fourth item, namely the reconsideration of the Law on Amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act (570 UA), which will be discussed again during the Wednesday session; the addition is at the Speaker's prerogative, and the Secretariat's quick work in printing it on yellow paper was praised; at the end, Vadim Belobrovtsev asked the chair a question.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi noted that the topic may be related to the agenda, and said that he cannot address it in that sense, but nevertheless asked to move on.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker thanks and adds that he has a question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They ask how the extraordinary bill came onto the agenda and how the proceedings proceed, including the first, second, and third readings.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the Riigikogu must decide whether to place this issue on the agenda in its unchanged form or by amending the law, which would mean a second reading and a new opportunity to submit amendment proposals, and that the chair has decided to add a supplementary item to the agenda.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik asks whether there was information at the board meeting that would allow this agenda item to be placed on the agenda, whether the Speaker of the Riigikogu received this information today through some channel, and what has changed between the board meeting and the present moment.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that previously there was no position from the leading committee and, therefore, the topic could not be discussed, but now that position exists and the committee is ready to discuss it this week, and the Speaker of the Riigikogu added to the agenda what falls within his remit, and no one has the right to interfere.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid emphasized that the phrase "at the earliest opportunity" is ambiguous and can mean either immediately or the next week, which affects the meeting's agenda and the pace of negotiations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the discussion should be held at the earliest possible opportunity, therefore Monday is reserved for inquiries, and the plan is to hold the discussion on Wednesday, when the committee is ready and the agenda has been deemed suitable.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev asks about the exact course of Wednesday's proceedings: will the vote take place in its current form and go to the president's desk, or will it be voted in favor of amendments and then the matters will be sent back to the committees to draft amendment proposals.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi noted that, based on the reports of two committees, a final decision will be made on whether the law will be adopted in its unchanged form or not, and if it is adopted in its unchanged form, the law will remain in force and the president may decide whether to go to court or not; if the law is to be amended, no further amendments will be made to this bill and they must be submitted later, and the last question was posed by Andrei Korobeinik.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They emphasize that the main committee is the Constitutional Committee in the event that the president returns the law due to a dispute, and they ask why they waited for the Legal Affairs Committee meeting when the information was already available at the board meeting.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the leading committee remains the Legal Affairs Committee, and if a constitutional conflict arises, its compatibility with the Constitution will be assessed by the Constitutional Committee and its rapporteur; Martin Helmel has no procedural question at the moment, and a recess can be requested before the vote.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme said that there is a right to add items to the agenda and to shape the agenda, but the faction needs to discuss it, and we are now holding a vote on the agenda, asking for 10 minutes.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech deals with a ten-minute break.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Speaker of the Riigikogu informed that on Wednesday the fourth item on this week's agenda was added for the discussion of the law amending the Churches and Congregations Act, and he asked the plenary to vote on approving the agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that the voting result was 53 in favor, 12 against and 1 abstention; the agenda for this working week was approved, and next there will be an opportunity to submit draft bills and inquiries, with Mrs Heili Tõnisson, representative of the Government of the Republic, to speak first.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government is initiating a draft bill to simplify the taxation of entrepreneurial income, to introduce the security tax, and to amend the Income Tax Act, which is represented in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Finance, and the draft has been transmitted electronically.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman thanks and invites Marko Mihkelson to speak.
Marko Mihkelson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Foreign Affairs Committee submitted to the Riigikogu a draft amendment to the decision on forming the Estonian delegation to the Baltic Assembly, by which a new delegation member from the Social Committee, Irja Lutsar, was proposed in place of Hele Everaus.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, thanks the audience and asks Vadim Belobrovtsev.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev submitted a parliamentary inquiry to the Minister of Education and Science, Kristina Kallas, concerning school meals and meals for preschool children, emphasizing a plan to make the menu healthier (vegetables, berries and fish, less salt and added sugar and processed foods) and reminding that the state contribution to school meals has been only 1 euro per day since 2018, and that there is no funding for kindergartens, and asking whether the state would increase support and compensate the costs of catering also for kindergartens, and whether the 2018 level is sufficient.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The presented speech contains only the question '16?', so it is not possible to provide a substantive summary.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that he looked and asked Peeter Ernits.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits submitted to Prime Minister Kristen Michal two parliamentary inquiries, highlighting the way Jaak Pihlaki was treated and Kertu Saksi's 5,000-euro prize, and asking whether this is normal and whether merging the Ministry of Culture with the Ministry of Education and Science would be expedient, because the culture budget is only about 1.8%.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, thanks and adds that there is a second one as well.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits notes the existence of double standards in relations with Russia, points to the flow of LNG shipments at border crossings, and speculates about a secret plan to drain Russia's LNG dry, and emphasizes that although commercial relations with neighbors are necessary, rhetoric must not lead to stricter sanctions on oil and gas — this is a serious, but small, concern for Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
A short speech expressed gratitude and ended with a sincere word of thanks: 'thank you'.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits claims that gas is cheap, asks questions, and is waiting for a response from the prime minister.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi informed that the authors of the first interpellation are Peeter Ernits and Riina Solman, and the authors of the second interpellation are Peeter Ernits and Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Members of the Centre Party faction of the Riigikogu submitted an interpellation to the Prime Minister regarding problems with pension disbursements, which stem from the obsolescence of the Social Insurance Board's information system and the 11 months of disruptions experienced in 2024, due to which pensions were sometimes paid late. They further inquire whether the matter has been discussed at a government session, what measures have been taken to eliminate the failures, and what the future of the system entails.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu leadership, Toomas Kivimägi informed that one bill, one draft of a decision and four interpellations have been adopted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomed the members of the Riigikogu, opened Tuesday’s plenary session, and called for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Seventy-one members of the Riigikogu have registered their attendance, and 30 are absent. We now have the opportunity to submit bills and interpellations.
Ester Karuse
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ester Karuse submitted an interpellation to the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, in which she notes that bank branches are absent in Valga and Põlva counties, leaving tens of thousands of people without physical banking services. She emphasized the state's role in preserving vital services in county centers.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called upon Vadim Belobrovtsev to speak.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
This inquiry addresses the justification for closing the Kopli rescue station and the resulting impact of the annual savings of 800,000 euros. It brings up the fire that occurred in Põhja-Tallinn on December 25, 2024, and references Finance Minister Mart Võrklaev’s claim that roughly 3.5 million euros in the Ministry of the Interior’s budget went unused. It then asks Igor Taro whether the decision was warranted and if the Kopli station should be reopened.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi calls Lauri Laats and informs him that the initial inquiry must be submitted first.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Center Party faction is submitting an interpellation to Andres Sutt, the Minister of Energy and Environment in the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament), concerning the Uikala landfill. This action is prompted by concerns raised by the Rescue Board and the Environmental Board, as 11 fires have occurred at the Uikala landfill this year, including a massive blaze in May 2024. Two hundred rescuers were involved in extinguishing that fire, and several rescuers were injured during the operation. Furthermore, the company operating the landfill has a significant tax debt, along with unpaid pollution charges and VAT, which suggests serious difficulties regarding control and safety measures.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi gives thanks and mentions the second interpellation.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats submitted an inquiry regarding the problems at the Uikala landfill, highlighting the 11 fires this year and last year's major blaze, which required 200 rescuers and lasted nine days. He asks how waste management policy will be changed so that the burden on the system decreases, the fires do not recur, and the company is sustainable, ensuring that unpaid taxes and pollution charges owed to the state are collected.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, I accepted four interpellations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that the attendance check would be redone and voided the previous check, stating that the system had incorrectly registered some attendees and that presence is crucial for voting.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This yielded a significantly better result, and several colleagues are grateful to you; 81 members of the Riigikogu were present (20 were absent), and now it is time to submit the draft legislation and interpellations, Urmas Reinsalu begins.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stated that the Isamaa party is initiating the full repeal of the motor vehicle tax because the sale of new passenger cars in April has dropped by nearly 50%, and the justifications for the tax—the arguments concerning climate policy and bicycle paths—are substantively flawed. He also requested that the Finance Committee process the bill in a timely manner so that it could be adopted before June 15th.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech is simply a request to Anti Poolamets.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets submits a draft law on the ratification of the International Labour Organization's Convention No. 169 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, and emphasizes that indigenous peoples warn us about the dangers, and Estonia must protect both its own language and culture, as well as the rights of other small nations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Andres Metsoja is invited to the stage.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Isamaa faction believes that compulsory motor insurance for O1 and O2 category light trailers should be terminated in Estonia, because the trailer never moves independently and any claim must be handled as a whole together with the vehicle combination (road train).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Lauri Laats to speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats, on behalf of the Centre Party, submitted an interpellation to Hendrik Terras, the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture of the Riigikogu, regarding the increase in discretion concerning land tax rates, and asks three questions: whether the Ministry acknowledges the problem that has arisen due to the reduction of local governments' decision-making power, whether local governments should once again have the right to distinguish between arable land used for agriculture and natural grassland from other types of commercial land, and additionally, a third important question, in order to receive clarification and facilitate the consideration of local specificities.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to the stage.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party faction has addressed the Minister of Education and Research with an interpellation, inquiring whether the minimum gross salary floor of 1,820 euros for teachers is sufficient, what the plans are concerning teacher wages, whether the minimum rate will rise in 2026, and whether the coalition agreement to reach 120% of the Estonian average salary by 2027 remains valid and seriously achievable.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, three bills and two interpellations have been received, and we can now proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller welcomes everyone and opens the Riigikogu Plenary Session for Thursday, proceeding to the roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
At the Riigikogu sitting, 47 members of the Riigikogu registered their presence, 54 are absent, and Jaak Valge posed a question to the presiding officer of the sitting.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge thanks them for the opportunity and notes that although this is an important annual report, the material arrived at the last minute, making preparation virtually impossible. He promises to ask the same question throughout his brilliant political career until order is finally established.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller stated that the presentation text should probably be submitted earlier next time, as thirty minutes is insufficient. However, we now have the opportunity to hand over draft bills and interpellations; Lauri Laats will begin.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats highlighted concerns regarding unemployment and the decline in employment, criticized the late arrival of the materials for the sitting, and announced that six interpellation questions would be submitted to the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, Erkki Keldo, in order to facilitate a serious discussion.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller asks Rain Epler to come forward.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler stated that during a memorable special committee meeting discussing matters related to Rail Baltica, funding uncertainty and various risks were revealed, and the faction will submit a proposal to the government to terminate the major international project and withdraw from all associated international agreements, although the rail connection with Pärnu and Haapsalu could be restored at the local level.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to take the floor.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The address highlights the inadequacy of the salaries of police officers, rescuers, and border guards against the backdrop of inflation. It references the commitments made in the 2023 memorandum and asks the Minister of the Interior whether salaries will increase by 2026 and what specific promises he can make.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
There are no further requests for referral. The Riigikogu Board has accepted one draft bill and two interpellations, and will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. Today, after the plenary session concludes, a meeting will take place here in the session hall to form the support group for healthy and local school food, convened by Reili Rand.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offers his welcome and announces the commencement of the Monday sitting of the 15th working week of the V session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly, and first requests a check of attendance.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Seventy-four members of the Riigikogu are present and twenty-seven are absent. The EKRE faction submitted a proposal to exclude agenda items 9 and 10 from the agenda of this working week's Wednesday sitting. These items are: draft bill 615, initiated by the EKRE faction, concerning amendments to the Environmental Charges Act, and the first reading of draft bill 599 concerning amendments to the State Audit Office Act, the Political Parties Act, and other acts.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats thanks his esteemed listeners.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar called for quiet in the hall so that Lauri Laats's question could be heard.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats asks whether Wednesday’s agenda is too packed and suggests moving the important Item No. 6 to Thursday so there would be more time for its discussion.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks which agenda item they would like to move to Thursday.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The presentation addressed how to implement the long-term development strategy "Estonia 2035," which was drafted by the 2025 Minister of Energy and Environment.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman explained that two items on Wednesday's agenda would be withdrawn at the proposer's suggestion, and that if everyone agreed, this was possible, and then invited Õnne Pillak to take the floor.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Reform Party faction does not support the proposal because the government is holding an off-site session in Ida-Viru County that day, and the minister cannot present here on Thursday.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the proposal could not be taken into consideration, and asked Tanel Kiik to pose a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik asked about the organization of the agenda, questioning why a "rosolje-like" situation—a chaotic mix where interpellations and draft bills alternate—had developed, and requested an explanation for the board's change of heart.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explains that today they will begin with interpellations to the Prime Minister, as he has other commitments this afternoon and will answer those first. Following that, two draft bills will be taken up due to the minister's request, and the minister, along with the Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt, will answer the interpellations. The agenda has been compiled according to the schedule and the committee's wishes, and Lauri Laats asks about the procedure for conducting the session.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats proposed changing the agenda and withdrawing item No. 9, Interpellation No. 741, so that the matter could be discussed at a different sitting, thereby making Minister Andres Sutt’s life a little easier.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that the ninth agenda item, an interpellation to the Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt, would be removed from today's session agenda and added to the proposals, after which Tanel Kiik asked to present a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik questioned whether the Riigikogu agenda had been set according to the interests of cabinet members, and recommended holding interpellations before draft legislation, in the interests of the members of parliament.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that they reviewed the proceedings concerning both interpellations and draft legislation and decided to allow the Prime Minister, who has other duties today, to first answer questions, then proceed with the draft legislation, and finally address the other interpellations. They also propose changes to the agenda: to remove item 9 from the agenda of Monday's sitting, and items 9 and 10 (draft legislation 615 and 599, first reading) from the agenda of Wednesday's sitting, and to put the confirmation of the Riigikogu's 15th working week agenda to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu adopted the agenda with 75 votes in favor, 1 against, and 1 abstention. The next item is the submission of draft legislation and interpellations, after which the representative of the Government of the Republic, Ms. Heili Tõnisson, will be invited to the floor.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government is initiating seven pieces of draft legislation today: the draft supplementary budget for 2025, the draft law on sharing credit information, the draft law amending the Basic School and Gymnasium Act and the Vocational Educational Institutions Act (concerning the certification of principals and the career model for teachers), the draft law supplementing the Competition Act, the draft law amending the Building Code and other acts, the draft law amending the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure (regarding criminal jurisdiction and the destruction of underwater infrastructure), and the draft law amending the Waste Act. The proceedings for these drafts in the Riigikogu will be represented by the Minister of Finance for two drafts, the Minister of Education and Research for one draft, the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs for three drafts, and the Minister of Infrastructure for one draft, and all drafts have been submitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks [the previous speaker] and now invites colleague Raimond Kaljulaid to the rostrum here in the Riigikogu.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid submitted an inquiry to the Minister of Defense regarding the delay of the implementing acts of the Arms Act and the postponement of the defense industry park, and he is seeking answers and an explanation as to who is responsible for this delay.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks that the floor be given to his colleague Peeter Ernits at the Riigikogu rostrum.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits noted that the destruction of state forest that took place at the Iisaku nursery caused great concern among employees and the community, and he described the situation as akin to mass devastation. However, he announced that the issue was resolved following discussions held with the head of RMK and the minister, and he thanked the support received, adding at the same time that felling has decreased due to nature conservation restrictions, and he is awaiting the broader picture for subsequent steps.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman invited Vadim Belobrovtsev to speak.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev submitted an inquiry to the Minister of Culture regarding the salaries of cultural workers, recalling that the last raises took place in 2019, 2021, and 2023, and noting that inflation has been over 40%. He highlighted that the minimum gross monthly salary for cultural workers with higher education is 1,600 euros, and asked when the next salary increase would occur—whether in 2026, or if cultural workers would once again have to resort to demonstrations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar gives thanks and invites Varro Vooglaid to take the floor.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid submitted an interpellation to Prime Minister Kristen Michal regarding the incident that took place in the Baltic Sea last week, which culminated in the threat of a military confrontation. He also posed critical questions concerning the political approval of the operation, the necessity of cooperation, the information blackout, and the lessons learned and risk analyses that were conducted.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman invites Lauri Laats to speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats, on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party faction, submitted a draft bill to the Riigikogu aimed at increasing competition in the mobile communications market and speeding up number portability. He emphasized that communication costs and prices are rising, noting that the service in Estonia is 30–35% more expensive than in neighboring countries Latvia and Lithuania, and that stimulating competition and accelerating number portability could lead to cheaper offers for consumers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Board has adopted eight draft bills and four interpellations and will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar greets his colleagues, declares the Tuesday sitting of the 15th working week of the Fifth Session of the Riigikogu Plenary open, and conducts the roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that 71 members of the Riigikogu were present (30 absent), and that it was now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations. Aivar Kok was then invited to the rostrum.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
On behalf of the signatories of the Isamaa party, I filed an interpellation with Social Minister Karmen Joller.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announces that there is noise in the hall and the speaker cannot be heard, and asks Aivar Kokk to continue.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The report expresses concern that the Minister of Social Affairs intends to discontinue the quarterly meetings with the Estonian Chamber of Disabled People, justifying this by citing a need to focus on the healthcare sector. It is emphasized that the most vulnerable groups fall precisely within the realm of social protection, and six questions are being put to the Minister.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked [the previous speaker/person] and confirmed that Riina's signature was digital, before inviting Jaak Aab to the Riigikogu rostrum.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab is submitting an inquiry regarding the development of nuclear energy, noting that Canada has launched a plan for a nuclear power plant based on small modular reactors, and Estonia has a similar approach with Fermi Energia, whose estimated investment would be about seven billion euros. The state is initiating the national special planning process, and the Riigikogu wants to know what data, scenarios, and analyses the government's plans are based upon.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman called his colleague Tiit Maran to the Riigikogu rostrum to speak.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran addressed an interpellation to the esteemed Minister of Energy and Environment, noting that the government’s decision to classify approximately 70% of forests as manageable under the Forest Act is causing confusion, and that the terms "commercial forests" and "managed forests" are unclear. He further inquired whether the Entrepreneurs’ Council had exceeded its mandate, which development plan and analyses supported this decision, and what the situation regarding LULUCF fines would be if forest land were managed even more intensively.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman of the Riigikogu Board, Lauri Hussar, announced that three interpellations have been accepted and their further procedure will be decided in accordance with the law. Furthermore, today, after the plenary session, meetings will be held here in the session hall for the formation of the Fishermen's Support Group and the Estonia-Botswana Parliamentary Group.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi greeted the members of the Riigikogu, said that he had already missed them for two days, and announced that they would begin the Wednesday attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Seventy-nine members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence; 22 are absent. The floor is now open for the submission of bills and interpellations.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Today, the Social Democrats are introducing a bill that will raise the child allowance for the first and second child to 100 euros per month, bringing it in line with the level that has already been in effect for the third and subsequent children for some time.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi informed Mr. Randpere that an important bill is currently being introduced.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand emphasizes that single parents and families with three or more children deserve the same practical support. Therefore, the single parent allowance must be raised to 100 euros per month, and support for the first two children in families with three or more children should be increased—for example, an additional 40 euros of support per month for a five-member family. At the same time, the state must not increase the financial burden on parents against the backdrop of rising prices and the cost of living.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
At the end of the speech, thanks are expressed to the audience.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand expressed hope that the equal treatment of children, support for single parents, and ensuring the well-being of families are issues on which it is possible to reach agreement across party lines.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman expresses his thanks and invites Tiit Maran to take the floor.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran submitted an inquiry, raising questions about how the new Economic Growth Council, which is comprised of entrepreneurs, was formed, what the criteria for selecting its members were, and how the avoidance of conflicts of interest and the inclusion of broader societal interests would be ensured, all in pursuit of the goal of reducing bureaucracy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech expresses gratitude.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The talk focuses on the idea of continuation, and gratitude is expressed to the listeners at the end.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Lauri Laats to speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The query submitted by the Center Party members of the Riigikogu addresses the transparency and fairness of pricing for island ferry services. It emphasizes that a state-owned enterprise operates these routes and adds an 8% profit margin to the ticket price, which unfairly impacts competition. Furthermore, the query raises questions regarding the reasons for the cancellation of the fifth ferry procurement tender and the progress made concerning the new tender.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Board of the Riigikogu, I accepted one draft bill and two interpellations, and I posed a question to Helir-Valdor Seeder, the chairman of yesterday's sitting.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder criticized the chair of the information hour for announcing that ministers did not have to answer, stressing that the law obligates ministers to respond within the limits of their abilities and knowledge. He then asked whether the conduct of the information hour was now changing in such a way that ministers could simply remain silent.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that, to my knowledge, the board has not changed its position, and therefore the minister must answer the questions posed by the members of the Riigikogu during the information session. He also noted that the questions and answers tend to miss the point, adding that Lauri Hussar also has a procedural question for the chair of the session, and apparently I'm not the only one.
Lauri Hussar
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Lauri Hussar raised the issue of the rules governing the information hour, asking whether a minister is obligated to answer an off-topic question or if they have the discretion to do so, and how the presiding officer applies this interpretation of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act in light of Helir-Valdor Seeder’s question.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Kivimägi stressed that in order to receive an accurate answer, the question needs to be posed as concretely and clearly defined as possible, because when dealing with abstract topics, the minister might not provide a substantive response, and the answer will depend on their preparation.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme accuses the Riigikogu Board and the chair of the information session of failing to provide concrete answers regarding the individuals responsible for the incident that occurred in the Baltic Sea, and asks whether security means war with Russia or restraint.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the Riigikogu Board is unanimous: ministers' responses must be as specific as possible, questions need to be posed very clearly, and, if necessary, answers will also be provided in writing.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid explained that the question asked during the information session was completely off-topic—the “Incident in the Gulf of Finland” concerned a different subject than the supplementary question regarding the Weapons Act—and noted that § 146 subsection 9 allows a member of the government to reasonably refuse to answer if the question does not relate to the issue specified in the application.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that there are differing interpretations among the members of the Riigikogu and that questions should remain within the scope of the specific topic. He emphasized that, as a leader, he does not interfere with the substance or the answers, and he called for the submission of questions that are as specific as possible.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits raised the issue of whether answers to questions posed to the minister are actually relevant to the topic, and discussed the need for an amendment to the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act so that the presiding officer could organize a new round if the answer is off-topic.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi emphasizes that assessing the relevance of the questions to the topic is highly subjective, and as the presiding officer, he will not take a stand or create unnecessary bureaucracy. The entire matter will ultimately be summarized by the Speaker of the Riigikogu, Lauri Hussar.
Lauri Hussar
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Lauri Hussar sincerely thanked the presiding officer and all colleagues who finally understood that questions must remain on topic, noting that it took slightly over two years to adopt this principle.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Thank you very much, dear colleagues—we have reached a consensus.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker, Arvo Aller, welcomed the members, announced the commencement of the sitting for the 15th working week of the Fifth Session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly, and an attendance check was conducted.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Sixty-two members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence, and thirty-nine are absent. Now is the opportunity to submit bills and interpellations.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The parliamentary group of the Social Democrats submitted a draft bill to amend the Value Added Tax Act, which proposes lowering the VAT on basic foodstuffs—including root and regular vegetables, dairy, meat, grain, and fish products—to 9%. The aim is to improve people's livelihoods, support Estonian farmers, and stimulate the economy.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
There are no further requests for submission; on behalf of the Riigikogu Board, I have accepted one draft act, and the Board will decide on its further proceedings in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act; today, after the conclusion of the plenary sitting, a meeting will be held here in the session hall to form the support group for people with ADHD and autism spectrum. The convener is Züleyxa Izmailova.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker welcomes the honourable Riigikogu and announces the commencement of the Monday sitting of the 16th working week of the Fifth Session, and calls for the roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Seventy-four members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence, with 27 being absent. The clarification and confirmation of the agenda were carried out. The questioners requested the removal of interpellations No. 761 and 773, addressed to Hendrik Johannes Terras, from the agenda—the responses to which were scheduled as the 11th and 13th items of today's sitting. Following this, Vadim Belobrovtsev made a proposal concerning the agenda.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Center Party faction wishes to withdraw items 4 and 9 from today's agenda, corresponding respectively to interpellations No. 741 and 759.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announced that, at the proposal of the Centre Party, agenda items 4 and 9 (interpellations No. 741 and 759) would be excluded from this week's agenda, and the members who submitted the interpellations also wished to exclude items 11 and 13 (No. 761 and 773), and with these amendments, the approval of the agenda for the 16th working week of the V session of the Riigikogu will be put to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The agenda was confirmed with 77 votes in favor, 1 abstention, and zero votes against; draft legislation and interpellations may now be submitted, and Heili Tõnisson, the representative of the Government of the Republic, was invited to the rostrum.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Today, the government submitted seven draft bills to the Riigikogu, which are respectively represented by the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Infrastructure, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Energy and Environment, and the Minister of Defence (supported by the Government Office). All the bills have been transmitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman expresses his sincere thanks and invites colleague Madis Kallas to speak next.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Based on the interpellation filed by six Social Democrats, inequality is increasing within the Estonian school network, alongside growing disparities in teacher salaries. This occurs even though local municipalities supplement state funding, yet salaries frequently do not reach 1.1–1.2 times the national average. Moreover, despite the relatively better standing of Harju County and Ida-Viru County, larger discrepancies are emerging in sparsely populated and remote centers. Consequently, six questions are being posed to the minister regarding the continued rise in salary differences and overall inequality.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar invited his colleague, Vadim Belobrovtsev, to the Riigikogu rostrum to deliver a speech.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev announced that a draft bill would be submitted to declare June 1st, Children's Protection Day, a public holiday and a day off, arguing that a flag day does not allow families to spend time together. He added that while similar proposals have been under consideration for years, he is prepared to withdraw his own bill if another proposal is adopted before it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Board has received eight government bills and one interpellation and will decide on their further processing in the manner prescribed by law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu, declares the Tuesday sitting of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly open, and requests a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Sixty-two members of the Riigikogu have registered as present, and 39 are absent; there is no desire to submit bills or interpellations, and only one announcement will be forwarded; after the conclusion of the plenary session, a meeting will be held to form the Estonia-Kenya parliamentary group, convened by Vadim Belobrovtsev, and now we move on to the agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu, announces the start of Wednesday's plenary session, and conducts the roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 73 members of the Riigikogu were present and 28 were absent, and that it was now possible to submit bills and interpellations; he apologized and invited Peeter Tali to the floor.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali submitted a draft act on supplementing the Police and Border Guard Act on behalf of four members of the Riigikogu, stating that it is better and more comprehensive than all previous drafts.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi informed his colleagues that I have accepted one draft bill on behalf of the Riigikogu Board, and we can now proceed to today’s agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller welcomes the members of the Riigikogu and declares the Thursday sitting of the 16th working week of the 5th session of the Riigikogu Plenary open, beginning with the roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
46 members of the Riigikogu are present, 55 are absent; it is now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations, and the first address will be given by Ms. Heili Tõnisson, representing the Government of the Republic.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Today, the Government initiated the draft Act on the amendment of the Credit Union Act and related amendments to other Acts, which will be represented in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Finance, and the draft has been transmitted electronically.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Vice-Chair thanks [the previous speaker] and invites Riina Sikkut to take the floor.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut pointed out during the foreign labor discussion on May 19 that the topics of integration, productivity, and learning mobility were left unaddressed. On behalf of the Social Democrats, she submitted a formal inquiry (interpellation) to the government regarding its plans to increase immigration, asking how adaptation and integration, as well as the impact of families, are being considered; how productivity can be improved through wage mitigation; and how the skill shortages described in the OSKA reports are being addressed through other means. Furthermore, she requested data concerning the departure and continued stay of workers from third countries and their families over the past few years.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
It's all clear, and the second one is coming right away.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut criticized the plan to bring Swedish prisoners to Estonia, highlighting the necessity of security and background checks for inmates originating from third countries, the increased burden on Estonian healthcare and the need for mental health services due to the addition of 600 prisoners, and the importance of teaching English to Estonian workers and its connection to creating higher value-added jobs. She requested answers from the Prime Minister due to the lack of public information.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Andre Hanimägi to speak.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi criticizes the lack of order and the confusion surrounding the suspension of the number plate recognition system in recent weeks, recalling that on May 14, the Minister of the Interior suspended the system due to legal issues and to alleviate pressure on the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA). However, the Legal Affairs Committee did not initiate a draft bill because of the Ministry of Justice's response, and following the submission of a new draft bill by coalition MPs, he now questions why the committee is failing to move forward before the second reading.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The message of the speech is that it is your time and you must act.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi called the situation odd and said they would ask the Minister of the Interior why the use of the system was halted, adding that the minister would take political responsibility if the system isn't fixed by summer.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
There are no further requests to speak. On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, one draft act and three interpellations have been received, and their further processing will be decided in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu opens the Monday sitting of the 17th working week of the 5th plenary session and conducts a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
71 members of the Riigikogu have registered their attendance, 30 are absent; following the confirmation of the agenda and the submission of a series of proposals, Helle-Moonika Helme is invited to take the floor.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Wednesday agenda item—the first reading of the draft act amending the Employment Contracts Act and other legislation—is highly controversial in society and has generated a lot of critical opinions. He/she asked why it was placed on the agenda so late, making it difficult for people to follow the discussion.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that Tuesday’s agenda is so extensive that the first reading of any specific bill will only be reached toward the end of the week, and they aim to process all the bills this week, asking their colleagues for sufficient effort.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Estonian Centre Party Faction wishes to withdraw agenda items 21–620 SE and 22–621 SE from Wednesday's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik submitted a proposal regarding the weekly agenda.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik explains that Monday’s Item No. 5, which is a draft bill, is currently placed amidst the inquiries, and he asks why this draft bill isn't at the beginning of the agenda, as has been the practice for decades.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that due to the Prime Minister's tight schedule, the fifth item was taken up, and dealing with four interpellations is standard previous practice. He added that both the fifth item and the first four items will certainly receive attention, and Riigikogu members will actively participate in the interpellation and the handling of the relevant draft bill. Furthermore, Tõnis Lukas submitted a proposal regarding the week's agenda.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas asks how the final agenda will be shaped concerning Bill 598, the Song Festival Law, initiated by the Isamaa faction. He also asks whether the committee should contact the rapporteurs before making a decision, whether there will be a preliminary vote or if the decision will be taken immediately, and what the resulting outcome will be.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the agenda for this week includes very substantial topics, and the hearing of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may be time-consuming. Consequently, certain draft bills were moved from Tuesday to Wednesday to allow for the commencement of other readings. He further pledged to maintain the same level of efficiency and to provide guidance on procedural matters and proposed changes to the agenda.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits, a member of the Rural Affairs Committee, said that the initiated bill is a purely technical correction of errors and is therefore not very important.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that he was currently accepting proposals for the agenda and would then hear procedural questions, noting that Anti Poolamets also had a procedural question concerning the agenda.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets accused the Riigikogu Board of obstruction, criticized the organization of night sessions, and stated that a law of fundamental importance affecting hundreds of thousands of employees should not be left for discussion overnight; instead, priorities must be set correctly.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the participants for the substantive discussion, noting that night sessions have been rare. He mentioned the proposal to withdraw two items and explained the procedure for drawing up the agenda: third readings and final votes, followed by second readings, and finally first readings, referencing Helir-Valdor Seeder’s proposal on how the sitting should be conducted.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder proposed moving agenda item No. 20, Draft Bill 598, which was scheduled for Wednesday, to the fourth spot on Tuesday's agenda, stating that Tuesday is busy and the move aligns with both current practice and the Rules of Procedure.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that if no one objects to the proposal, it will be moved to the fourth item on the agenda on Tuesday, and he clarified that this is a proposal concerning the agenda, not a question from Kalle Grünthal.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal proposed moving the item concerning the Employment Contracts Act into the first ten draft bills on the agenda so that the majority of Estonians could follow the proceedings in the chamber, arguing that Tuesday's demonstration revolves around this specific topic and such a crucial point should not be left to be debated late into the night.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The core of the speech was a specific proposal detailing where to move the draft bill, and Õnne Pillak submitted a proposal concerning the agenda.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Reform Party faction does not support changes to the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explains the procedure for the session and asks Tõnis Lukas for the floor.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Emphasizing the need for procedural transparency, Tõnis Lukas, as a member of the Riigikogu, asks whether the suitability and availability of the rapporteurs and ministers were taken into account when the recent decisions were made—for instance, was the rapporteur for Item 19, Erkki Keldo, consulted beforehand regarding whether shifting the agenda and moving Item 20 to Wednesday was acceptable to him.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the assembly] and informed them that Erkki Keldot’s item had been moved from Tuesday to Wednesday, and Jüri Jaanson raised a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Jüri Jaanson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Jüri Jaanson is requesting clarification and a more comprehensive overview regarding the schedule for the debate on the draft bill, as two members of parliament have indicated that the discussion is set for a specific time, roughly between one and two in the morning.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar confirmed that the timetable is stipulated in the law, indicating the start and end times of Wednesday’s sitting and the time for Thursday’s sitting, and then asked Heljo Pikhof to pose a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
According to Heljo Pikhof, the Legal Committee decided that the first reading of the draft Employment Contracts Act will take place on Tuesday, June 10th, because a midnight date assigned to Wednesday would be incorrect, and the board's resolution cannot be deemed proper in that form.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained the board's deliberations when preparing the draft agenda and why it was not possible to schedule the first reading for Tuesday, and requested Varro Vooglaid to pose a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid criticized the situation, noting that although the Legal Affairs Committee had proposed placing the issue on Tuesday's agenda, no substantive explanation was provided for the failure to follow through. He then requested a justification as to whether Helir-Valdor Seeder's proposal to move the topic to the last item on Tuesday's agenda, and the subsequent intention to reduce attention during the night between Wednesday and Thursday, was deliberate.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar stated that Tuesday’s agenda is already packed with draft legislation, making it unreasonable to add anything further. He stressed the necessity of efficient work and assured members that working late into the night should not inconvenience anyone. He reminded the chamber that the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act provides a clear framework, and concluded by saying he would take three final procedural questions and two proposals concerning the agenda.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal emphasizes that committees have a very high degree of self-regulatory power, and the Riigikogu Board should follow their decisions. He argues that the processing of the bill should proceed according to the decision of the Legal Affairs Committee and should not be moved to a night session, citing the demonstration held that same day, and requesting that the bill be withdrawn and replaced with the draft Competition Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained that the committee does not have the right to draft the agenda proposal, because the agenda is compiled by the Riigikogu Board in accordance with established principles and the timeframe. Therefore, this specific agenda proposal was provided, regarding which Varro Vooglaid raised a procedural question concerning the conduct of the sitting.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vooglaid raises a single question: Why was the committee's proposal disregarded, and why was the draft bill, which affects hundreds of thousands of people, scheduled for the weekly agenda on Wednesday after the second readings, instead of Tuesday?
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the agenda has been structured to be manageable for the Riigikogu from Monday through Wednesday. Wednesday will be the longest working day, and this involves the first reading. He will address three points: Jaak Valge's procedural question, followed by a discussion of the proposals put forward by Priit Sibul and Heljo Pikhof, and finally, the confirmation of the agenda.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He asks whether the Riigikogu Board could agree with the ministers that the interpellation procedure would last the entire sitting, and that the ministers would remain in the chamber until the closing statement is delivered, so that the questioner could see if the answer is satisfactory.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker of the Riigikogu, Lauri Hussar, thanked his colleague, noting that although it is not a direct obligation, it is nevertheless good practice, and said he would definitely support the proposal, before inviting Priit Sibul and Heljo Pikhof to ask questions.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The faction proposes moving the handling of the draft law on the Song and Dance Celebration, currently the 20th item on Wednesday's agenda, to Thursday morning as the first item on the agenda, because the Presidium was not obliged to take the committee's proposal into account.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that if there were no objections, the item could be moved to the first point on Thursday's agenda, and he then asked Heljo Pikhof to present a proposal concerning the agenda.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof criticized the assertion that the Riigikogu's work on Wednesdays is effective when bills are rushed through without discussion and the opposition is silenced. She stressed the necessity of involving trade unions and external parties outside the Riigikogu, and proposed that the first reading of a bill should take place on Tuesday, provided there is a unanimous agreement from the committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Lauri Hussar said that, according to the chairman of the Reform Party faction, the change could only have been made if no one had opposed it, and therefore, we are unable to do it.
Mihkel Lees
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Reform Party faction does not support the most recently submitted amendments concerning the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that, in order to approve this week's agenda, an amendment will be put to a vote which excludes agenda items 21 and 22 (first readings of Bills 620 and 621) from the Wednesday agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The approval of the agenda passed with a result of 44 votes in favor, 34 against, and 1 abstention. We may now proceed to submit draft legislation and interpellations, and I invite colleague Lauri Laats to the podium.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats, representing the Centre Party faction, submitted a draft resolution to the Riigikogu aimed at lowering the VAT on foodstuffs to nine percent. He stressed that rising food prices and inflation have severely impacted people's daily cost of living, noting that while he has made this proposal six times, the government has consistently rejected it. He concluded by urging the Prime Minister to take the issue seriously.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the speaker and next gives the floor to colleague Jaak Valge.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge submitted an interpellation to the Minister of the Interior, claiming that the temporary international protection offered to those arriving from Ukraine is primarily directed at men of mobilization age (their number has risen to approximately 12,000, making up to 30% of those granted protection). He further asks whether Estonia's refugee policy, which favors young and middle-aged white men, undermines Ukraine's struggle against Russia, and whether this policy violates the status of international protection.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar informed the assembly that there were no further requests to speak, that one draft bill and one interpellation had been adopted, and that the board would decide on their further processing in the manner prescribed by law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomed the members of the Riigikogu, declared the Tuesday plenary session open, and called for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that 63 members of the Riigikogu have registered as present, and 38 are absent, and now is the opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations; Raimond Kaljulaid, you have the floor.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid, on behalf of the SDE faction, submitted a draft bill to amend the laws concerning the status of a Riigikogu member, state secrets, and classified foreign information. This proposal stipulates that access to state secrets and classified foreign information would only be permitted to members of parliament who have passed a security clearance check. The justification cited for this change was a conflict arising from the existing law, the ongoing debate regarding Russia's policy, and the fact that not all MPs share common fundamental values.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi turns to Lauri Laats and asks him to come.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats announced that their parliamentary group will submit a draft amendment to the Riigikogu Member Status Act. This amendment guarantees that a member of the Riigikogu receives a salary only for work performed—if work is done during the session, they get paid; otherwise, they do not.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman of the Riigikogu, Toomas Kivimägi, announced that two draft bills had been passed, and that following the conclusion of the plenary session, meetings for the formation of two groups would take place here in the session hall: the support group for elite sports and coaches (convener Jüri Jaanson) and the Estonia-Vietnam parliamentary group (convener Valdo Randpere). He then requested that we proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets the honorable members of the Riigikogu, declares the Wednesday plenary sitting open, and requests a roll call, as is customary.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 75 members of the Riigikogu were present and 26 were absent, and he now called for the submission of draft legislation, interpellations, and other documents. Vadim Belobrovtsev, please.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The motion of no confidence presented before the Riigikogu accuses the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, regarding her plan to import 600 male prisoners from Sweden to Tartu Prison and her and the Prosecutor's Office's inaction concerning the Pihlakodu rape cases, issues which threaten the country's security, public safety, and the credibility of the rule of law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi expresses thanks.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker, Vadim Belobrovtsev, unfortunately says that we cannot be trusted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech is simply a request directed at Heljo Pikhof.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof, on behalf of the Social Democrats, submitted a bill to abolish the kindergarten attendance fee, aiming to ensure all children have the opportunity to attend kindergarten and to reduce the educational stratification and inequality caused by rising prices and the varying fees set by local municipalities. She also emphasized the need for rapid implementation, given that the programs of the government's leading party and the Reform Party already support this measure.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi delivered a brief statement of thanks.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof stressed that in the city of Tartu, this figure is over 80 euros, and according to the draft bill, the state must compensate local municipalities for the lost revenue.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker thanks the colleague and notes that the two minutes are up and time has passed.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Compensation means an additional expenditure of 66 million euros for the state budget.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asks Marek Reinaas whether he has a question regarding the adoption of bills or interpellations, or any other procedural matter.
Marek Reinaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speech focused primarily on other procedural questions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Board of the Riigikogu, I have received a motion for a vote of no confidence and one draft bill, and now Marek Reinaas will pose a question to the Presiding Officer.
Marek Reinaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Reinaas describes a peculiar post-session episode where Liisa Pakosta had to answer the final question, which the chairman of the sitting allowed to run into overtime. Lauri Läänemets then stood up, walked out of the chamber, and stated that he needed to process an important committee draft bill concerning cats and dogs. The questions being asked are whether the chairman's action was correct, whether Läänemets behaved properly, and whether this constituted parliamentary bullying.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the conduct of the session chairman was improper, but due to pragmatic considerations and the fact that Lauri Läänemets had to attend a committee meeting, he adjourned the session at 2 PM and requested that the minister be recalled to the chamber today to address that question.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets emphasizes that the entire Riigikogu should be allowed to participate in the committee starting from the first reading, and the minister must remain present throughout the entire proceedings, including the second reading and subsequent discussions, because questions were left unanswered and clarification is needed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi explained that the minister's participation in the second reading is standard practice and poses no problem, but the primary role belongs to the committee's report, and three procedural questions will be addressed before proceeding with the agenda.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits asks whether his colleague Reinaas’s behavior is politically correct, citing as an example Reinaas’s meeting at a gas station with two respected ladies who inquired about Eesti 200’s long-term plan immediately before the Riigikogu elections.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker emphasizes that this is not a procedural question, calls Lauri Läänemets, and congratulates Peeter Ernits on his birthday.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets stresses that the minister must participate in and remain in the chamber for the duration of the entire parliamentary debate, fully addressing the concerns raised by MPs, rather than restricting their involvement solely to the first reading.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi noted that, although the board has not discussed the topic and this is his personal opinion, the minister's obligation to participate until the very end during the second reading is significantly less strict than during the first reading. Furthermore, the opportunities for listening, asking questions, and receiving answers are substantially greater during the second reading, a point on which he is somewhat in disagreement.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas recommended that the board consider holding an additional sitting to avoid an all-night session and make the mammoth agenda scheduled for next Wednesday physically and mentally less taxing — although this might not be to everyone's liking.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stressed that the sitting must be conducted efficiently and in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and requested that they proceed to the handling of the agenda, noting that the three-minute extension is not mandatory, although the presiding officer may grant it.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He emphasizes that the original problem is Lauri Läänemets, who lied to you, and this concerns the rules of procedure and internal order of the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The waitress notes that this topic is exhausted.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He claims that the defense of the dogs and cats bill was not actually proposed by him, but by the Social Democrats, and that it was submitted by Tiit Maran and Raimond Kaljulaid, and Lauri Läänemets would not have been able to defend it even in the best case scenario.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi says that we have sorted this out.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Kovalenko-Kõlvart stresses that the problem is a lack of respect and the necessity of showing respect to representatives of both the coalition and the opposition. Furthermore, the minister’s presence at the second reading is not always essential, as commission representatives usually attend, which would help maintain proper decorum.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi made it clear that he was in full agreement with the latter, confirmed the validity of Lauri Läänemets’s request, and said that he would be willing to violate the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules in order to extend the session by a few minutes, and then addressed Peeter Ernits.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits, addressing the esteemed Speaker, asks whether night is better than day, referencing the problem of the Riigikogu's highly erratic work schedule.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Overall, it depends on the activity: night is better for sleeping than day, but the daytime is more suitable for work.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi confirmed that Estonian-Polish relations are stronger than ever before, and the countries will continue close defense and trade cooperation, as well as joint support for Ukraine.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomed the Speaker of the lower house of the Polish Parliament, Mr. Szymon Hołownia, to the Riigikogu, emphasizing that Estonian-Polish bilateral relations are stronger than ever before, and affirming the continuation of close cooperation in defense and trade, as well as joint support for Ukraine.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi called upon his colleagues to begin the Riigikogu sitting with a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Forty-seven members of the Riigikogu have registered their attendance; fifty-four are absent. Now is the opportunity to submit bills and interpellations. Heljo Pikhof, please.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof submitted a query to the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, asking for clarification on how the ministry intends to reduce educational inequality in Estonia—through inclusive education, narrowing the regional gap, increasing funding, and ensuring access to extracurricular activities—and what specific steps are planned, drawing inspiration from the Nordic countries, Canada, and Ireland (e.g., additional funding, free tutoring, and restrictions on early selection for elite schools).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Board of the Riigikogu added the motion of no confidence against Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta, submitted by 42 members of the Riigikogu, for discussion as the first item on today's sitting agenda, and amended the agenda to accommodate its debate.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Reinsalu highlighted the Polish Sejm Speaker’s lively address, noted that the government plans to sign the prison lease agreement next week, thereby incurring obligations for the state, recalled that he had previously requested the public release of confidential documents and economic materials from the Security Police Board and the Police and Border Guard Board, and inquired about their current status, availability, and the location where these documents could be reviewed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi confirmed that the sessions division does not deal with requesting documents or investigations from KAPO or the Police and Border Guard Board, nor does it supplement the materials of the bill's initiator or demand new documents, and the same applies to the motion for a vote of no confidence.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker of the Riigikogu, Lauri Hussar, offers his greetings and announces the commencement of the Monday sitting of the 18th working week of the 5th Plenary Session of the Riigikogu, and asks that attendance be checked first.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar welcomed the members of the Riigikogu, declared open the Monday sitting of the 18th working week of the Fifth Session, and requested that a roll call be conducted to begin the proceedings.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Seventy-two members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence, and twenty-nine are absent. Next, the agenda will be approved, and Lauri Läänemets announces that they will first address the proposals, followed by Tanel Kiik’s procedural question.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets proposed removing the first item from Tuesday's agenda due to concerns regarding the Competition Act, and giving Parliament time to review the draft bill. The goal was for them to conclude that a new bill is necessary and that Parliament should represent the public interest, not narrow business interests.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that after the agenda has been announced, a draft bill can only be removed from the agenda upon the request of the bill's initiator or the leading committee. However, since this request has not currently been submitted, removal is not possible. The only remaining option is to reschedule the bill within the agenda, provided that no faction objects.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats, on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party faction, made a proposal to remove interpellation number 776 from today’s, Monday’s agenda.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats, on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party faction, proposed removing interpellation No. 776 from today's Monday agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This is an interpellation to Infrastructure Minister Kuldar Leis (No. 776), and Lauri Laats submitted a second proposal regarding the agenda.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The second proposal is to remove items 20, 21, and 22 from Wednesday's agenda (631 SE, 625 SE, and 626 SE).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar, on behalf of the Center Party faction, submitted a proposal to amend the agenda by removing the interpellation addressed to the Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis from today's sitting (point 6), and points 20, 21, and 22 from Wednesday's agenda. He concluded by noting that Raimond Kaljulaid also has a proposal regarding the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Centre Party faction proposes that the sixth item on today’s agenda—which is an interpellation directed at Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis—be removed, and that the 20th, 21st, and 22nd items be removed from Wednesday’s agenda. Furthermore, Raimond Kaljulaid also submitted a proposal concerning the agenda.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
I would like to raise the issue of the Competition Act, and I mentioned that former Prime Minister Kaja Kallas of the Reform Party has contacted law enforcement agencies regarding the pressure applied during the handling of the bill.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that there was too much noise in the hall and he couldn't hear Raimond Kaljulaid's specific proposal, asking him to proceed.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid said that this was an important proposal and asked if he should start over.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The introduction stated that we had heard, and we were asked to continue.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid finds the situation curious—where Prime Minister Kaja Kallas was forced to appeal to law enforcement authorities regarding the handling of the Competition Act—and demands the immediate suspension of the bill's proceedings in the Riigikogu until the Security Authorities Surveillance Committee has urgently clarified the status of the Prime Minister's appeal related to the suspected violation of law.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid stated that before the draft bill is processed, it is necessary to clarify the status and results of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas's referral to the police. He added that the processing of the bill should be temporarily suspended until the circumstances are clarified at the extraordinary session of the Security Authorities Surveillance Committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained that the draft bill in question cannot currently be removed from the agenda, as requests to do so must have been received according to § 54, subsection 4 (which they had not been at that time). He also indicated what steps could be taken regarding this draft bill within the scope of the agenda, and mentioned that Kalle Grünthal had a proposal concerning the agenda. To initiate the discussion, he asked Grünthal to speak before they proceeded to address procedural matters.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal acknowledges that the proposal put forth by Lauri Läänemets and Raimond Kaljulaid is very serious, and the Chancellor of Justice has criticized us three times this year for poor work. If the draft bill cannot be withdrawn, it should be postponed or deferred to avoid a situation where the resulting law violates the constitution.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal supports Lauri Läänemets and Raimond Kaljulaid’s proposal to postpone the processing of the bill or to drop it entirely, as there are fears that it does not comply with the constitution. He also refers to the Chancellor of Justice’s repeated remarks concerning the poor quality of the parliament’s legislative work, emphasizing the desire to avoid the embarrassing situation of adopting yet another unconstitutional law.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar explained that the motion cannot be deferred until next week, nor is it possible to strike it from the agenda. He promised, however, to hear Kalle Grünthal’s proposal before taking any procedural steps.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal proposes moving it to the last item on Thursday’s agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
On Thursday, it will be moved to the third item on the agenda, provided no one objects, and Õnne Pillak will present a proposal regarding the agenda.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak said that the Reform Party does not support moving Tuesday's agenda items to Wednesday.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announces that he is now taking procedural questions and invites Tanel Kiik to respond.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik is asking the Speaker of the Riigikogu whether the government has proposed withdrawing the draft Competition Act, and whether the Speaker has approached the government for clarification.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the Government of the Republic has not made a formal appeal, nor has the article revealed sufficient grounds that would necessitate the Chairman of the Riigikogu addressing the Government. The vote on the specific draft bill will take place tomorrow, and everyone has time to consider how to proceed with the bill, allowing Riigikogu members to make a very clear and well-considered decision. Furthermore, Andrei Korobeinik raised a question concerning the procedures for conducting the session.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The report examines the potential trading of legislation and asks whether a politician’s selective memory—as demonstrated by Lauri Läänemets following the publication of the Ekspress article—threatens Estonia’s parliamentary democracy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar said he would not answer a question that did not concern the procedure for conducting the session, emphasizing that a member of the Riigikogu is free in their mandate and may express themselves as they see fit.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid stresses that the reputation of the Riigikogu is in serious jeopardy if the bill is brought to a final vote in a situation where the Prime Minister has approached law enforcement agencies regarding serious suspected violations related to it, and calls on the Speaker of the Riigikogu to halt the process to avoid the impression that there is a deliberate attempt to cover up suspicions of legislative corruption.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid warned that the prime minister’s appeal to law enforcement, along with the secret proceedings that accompany it, makes sending the draft bill to its third reading dangerous for the reputation of the Riigikogu, and he urged the board to consider an alternative decision or consult with the Reform Party faction.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that he is guided by the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, which clearly stipulates how it is possible to exclude items from an agenda that has already been announced, and that he lacks discretionary power; he asked Peeter Ernits to submit a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar responded to his colleague, stating that although the preceding discussion was speculative, as the chair of the session, he does not have the right to alter the agenda that has already been announced, because the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act clearly stipulates when and how items can be excluded from the notified agenda, and therefore, he lacks discretionary power in this specific situation.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits expresses concern that an article published by a single media outlet at just the right time can influence the state so powerfully, and asks whether this is disproportionate and if it has been challenged before.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stressed the importance of free and fact-based journalism in Estonia and stated that the topic was outside the procedural framework of the sitting, adding that the discussion would continue later after the board had departed, regarding which Lauri Läänemets raised a question about the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets asked how to refute the false claims made against him and proposed that the Chair of the session take a recess to discuss the matter with the coalition, and, if necessary, remove the draft bill from the agenda.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets refuted his colleague’s assertions that he had not previously addressed the draft bill in question, reminding the chamber of his earlier statement concerning the Reform Party’s 100-percent shift in position. He subsequently asked the session chair how a member of parliament could refute or have false claims recorded in the minutes deleted. Furthermore, he proposed to the chair that a lengthy recess be taken so that the coalition could discuss the possibility of withdrawing the draft bill from the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar emphasized that the procedure must be adhered to and non-procedural questions will not be taken up for discussion. Furthermore, if the government or the leading committee wishes to remove the draft legislation from the agenda, they may do so until tomorrow without a recess. The agenda is clear, and we will proceed to a vote.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik expresses his puzzlement over the Riigikogu Speaker's answers and asks when the Speaker deems it necessary to intervene so that the draft legislation does not serve the business interests of individual companies.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the final vote had not taken place, and the bills are subject to clear constitutional review; if the bill's presenter, the leading committee, or the initiator does not make a request for the bill's removal, it will remain on the agenda, and while it is possible to generate various procedural options during the sitting, the bill will ultimately proceed to the final vote, and every Riigikogu member may vote against it, whereupon Andrei Korobeinik inquired about the conduct of the session.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar, responding to procedural questions, affirmed that as Speaker of the Riigikogu, he saw no reason to remove the bill from the agenda. He stressed that the final vote had not yet taken place, constitutional oversight was guaranteed, and while members of parliament had the right to propose the bill's rejection if they opposed it, they did not have the right to illegally obstruct the conduct of the session.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik asserted that the deletion of items from the transcript is impermissible, arguing that parliamentary democracy necessitates strict intervention by the presidium. He made this claim while referencing the same party's intention to utilize police cameras and facial recognition technology.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that Lauri Läänemets's objection must not be removed from the transcript, and the transcript will not be altered in its current form. He added that if the objections were submitted as procedural matters, then that specific issue should be considered resolved.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova thanks the chairperson, points out that there are other ways to suspend or discontinue the third reading, mentions the impossibility of discussion, and asks for clarification on exactly how these options function.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said he had corrected himself.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speech asks what other options are still available.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that members of the Riigikogu are free to take their stance based on materials published in the press and will vote tomorrow either for or against the draft legislation. Following this, there will be two procedural points, Lauri Läänemets has one further proposal, and then the agenda will be approved.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab trusts the facts published in the journalistic outlet and asks the Speaker of the Riigikogu, considering his position within the governing coalition, to use his influence to approach the Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee or the Prime Minister with a proposal to thoroughly consider whether it is still sensible to proceed with the given bill when serious doubts about its handling remain.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab stated that he does not doubt the facts presented in the article, but recommended thoroughly considering procedural matters before advancing the draft bill, and reaching out to the chairman of your party's economic committee or the Reform Party Prime Minister to fully discuss these circumstances and determine whether it is sensible to proceed with the bill while doubts exist.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that the chairman of the committee and the Prime Minister's office are closely monitoring the discussion, and the proposal has already reached them, giving them the constant opportunity to consider it. Kalle Grünthal asks a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal criticizes the Riigikogu Board, which has taken sole responsibility yet remained inactive regarding the handling of a bill of questionable merit, and urgently insists that the Board use its powers (referencing Section 13 of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act) and convene representatives of the parliamentary factions to discuss the matter, thereby easing tensions and upholding the good practice of the Riigikogu.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal requests that the Riigikogu Presidium convene faction representatives, if necessary, to discuss this questionable piece of legislation. The aim is to ease tensions that have arisen in the work of the Riigikogu and prevent the bill from proceeding to a third reading.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar noted that the Council of Elders is an advisory body to the Board, but when approving the agenda and excluding a draft bill from the agenda, the decision rests with the initiator of the bill or the lead committee, not the Board. Furthermore, even a meeting of the Council of Elders does not change the situation, as RKKTS Section 54 imposes restrictions. Anti Haugas can now conclude the last procedural question, and Lauri Läänemets can submit the next proposal.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas discusses the proposal for interruption, noting, in light of Jaak Aab’s question, that the fault lies rather with the emphasis of the article, which he sees as favoring the Social Democrats, and asks when the right moment for them to interrupt would be—perhaps tomorrow during the proceedings.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The final vote will take place tomorrow. Members can vote either for or against the draft bill, and the proceedings can no longer be suspended. Lauri Läänemets has a proposal regarding the agenda.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets submitted a proposal for the agenda, pointed out the prevailing confusion in the hall, and recalled Mr. Korobeinik’s speech, where he claimed that the Social Democrats didn't know what they wanted and had lied about those cameras, all while the chamber was abuzz.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets weighed in on the discussion of the agenda, emphasizing the ignorance and misinformation prevailing in the chamber, specifically referencing Mr. Korobeinik's misleading claims regarding the goals of the Social Democrats and the issue of cameras.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman apologized, stating that he could not hear Lauri Läänemets’s question or proposal, and invited Lauri Läänemets to speak.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets requests a ten-minute recess before the vote so that there is time to read the article and consider it, because Mr. Haugas has not read it and is misunderstanding it, and the request received no response.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announced that the Social Democratic Party faction is requesting a ten-minute recess before the vote and the approval of this week's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that Query No. 776 will be removed from this week's agenda, along with the first readings of Wednesday's agenda items 20, 21, and 22 (Drafts 631, 625, and 626). Following these amendments, the confirmation of the agenda for the 18th working week of the Riigikogu's V Session will be put to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that, following the proposer's suggestion, several items would be dropped from this week's agenda, including Interpellation No. 776 and the first readings of three bills, and he then called for a vote on confirming the amended agenda for the Riigikogu plenary session.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda with 62 votes in favor, 13 against, and no abstentions. Bills and interpellations may now be submitted, and we first invite the representative of the Government of the Republic, Ms. Heili Tõnisson, to the rostrum.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Today, the Government is initiating a draft Act to amend the Waste Act. The Minister of Infrastructure will process this bill in the Riigikogu, and it has been submitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speaker gives thanks and invites their colleague, Annely Akkermann, to speak next.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Finance Committee jointly decided to initiate a draft amendment to the Motor Vehicle Tax Act, which shortens the taxation period in situations where the vehicle is no longer usable (for example, in case of damage or theft), and temporarily suspends the tax liability if the vehicle has been declared wanted by the Police and Border Guard Board due to theft, in order to ensure the compliance of the law with the constitution and the proportionality of the restriction on the fundamental right to property.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann, on behalf of the Finance Committee, submitted the draft act amending the Motor Vehicle Tax Act, which establishes the basis for shortening the taxation period or suspending the tax liability in the event of a vehicle's destruction, theft, or temporary removal from the register, thereby ensuring the act's compliance with the Constitution and the proportionality of the fundamental right to property.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar made an electronic announcement, offered his thanks, and then invited his colleague Arvo Aller to speak next.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller submitted a query to Hendrik Johannes Terras, the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, regarding red deer migrating in Lääne-Virumaa that bear Latvian ear tags. These deer are objectionable to locals and have caused confusion regarding the responsibilities of state institutions (the Agriculture and Food Board and the Environmental Board). Aller demanded clarification from the minister to identify the responsible party and improve inter-agency cooperation with the local government and businesses.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller brought attention to the case of migrating red deer in Lääne-Virumaa, where animals bearing Latvian ear tags have caused local concern and administrative confusion, noting that clear responsibility is currently lacking. He called for cooperation between the Agriculture and Food Board and the Environmental Board, along with the involvement of local entrepreneurs and municipalities, to clarify both the responsibility and the origin of the animals.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
There are no further requests for the floor. The Board of the Riigikogu has adopted two bills and one interpellation, and their further processing will be decided in the manner prescribed by law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu, declares the Tuesday plenary session open, and calls for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Seventy members of the Riigikogu have registered their attendance; 31 are absent. It is now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations. Mr. Lauri Laats, please proceed.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Center Party faction submitted a bill to the Riigikogu, according to which the government would develop a procedure for paying pensioners an additional annual one-off pension supplement, and 100 euros of extra pension would be distributed to the elderly nationwide during their birthday month.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Reili Rand to speak.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand argues that state funding for school meals is inadequate and exacerbates inequality during inflation. She is submitting questions to the Minister of Education concerning the state budget negotiation plans for school meal support, the impact of this support on inflation and rising food prices, the capacity of local governments, and the assessment of inter-ministerial coordination.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speech noted that the Ministry of Social Affairs is making health requirements stricter, and questions were also asked about the plans of the Ministry of Regional Affairs.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech is only a request directed at Madis Kallas.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas submitted an inquiry to Hendrik Terras, the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture. The topic of the inquiry is improving the accessibility of education, and it addresses two main areas: first, a review of the impact of six-grade rural schools, followed by the possibility of considering measures for four-grade and nine-grade rural schools; and second, the funding needs of regional colleges and better ensuring the accessibility of higher education institutions throughout Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
It's just a request, addressed to Ester Karus.
Ester Karuse
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ester Karuse submitted an interpellation, highlighting that the accessibility of gymnasium education in Estonia is critically challenging due to intense competition, waiting lists, and limited capacity and space restrictions. Furthermore, in the context of compulsory schooling and the closure of small gymnasiums, the minister is requested to provide answers and improvement plans for the coming year.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanks them and accepts it.
Ester Karuse
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
This means that there will be further information.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi notes that there is still something else coming up and requests the audience's attention.
Ester Karuse
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ester Karuse highlighted the concern regarding the failure of basic school final exams, citing the Valga case and emphasizing that the result of a single exam can shatter years of effort, causing stress and a drop in self-esteem. She requested answers from the Minister of Education and assurance that students would be able to reach high school and feel valued.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech was short and included thanks and a request to Riina Solman.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman noted that the Isamaa faction submitted an interpellation to Minister of Education Kristina Kallas regarding the early timing of basic school final exams and the organization of gymnasium admissions. The faction requests that the acceptance of applications take place after the basic school final exams and make-up exams have been completed, in order to reduce the burden on students and prevent them from losing application opportunities.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman says that some are desperate, and she is submitting Isamaa's interpellation to Education Minister Kristina Kallas.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, one draft resolution and five interpellations were adopted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi welcomed the esteemed members of the Riigikogu and announced the commencement of Wednesday's plenary session, asking for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 76 members of the Riigikogu had registered as present and 25 were absent. He added that now is the time and opportunity to submit bills and interpellations, addressing Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats announced that the Estonian Centre Party faction will submit a proposal to the Riigikogu to urgently draft legislation suspending e-voting. The justification for this is the OSCE report, which, while acknowledging progress, highlights serious deficiencies in trustworthiness and transparency and demands that these issues be rectified before voting continues.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asks Andre Hanimägi to come and perform.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi voiced concerns regarding the security implications of the prisoner transfer agreement concluded in Sweden. He submitted a formal inquiry (interpellation) to the Minister of the Interior, asking whether the assessments provided by the Ministry of the Interior, the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA), and the Security Police (Kaitsepolitsei) had been taken into account, whether these agencies were consulted, what was stated regarding the threats and risks, the actual extent of the PPA's staffing shortage, and whether the competition between the PPA and the prison service might affect the safety of the Estonian people.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi raised concerns regarding the prisoner transfer agreement signed in Sweden, emphasizing that security is the primary issue, and submitted an interpellation to Minister of the Interior Igor Taro to ascertain the assessments of the Ministry of the Interior, the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA), and the Security Police (Kaitsepolitsei) regarding the threats and risks accompanying the agreement. Furthermore, he addressed the topic of PPA personnel shortages and its impact on the security of the Estonian people.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi pointed out that Lauri Laats had been so quick in submitting the draft decision that the date had been omitted. He requested that the date be added and confirmed that the drafts would be presented individually—first one, and then the second.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu submitted the work reports of the Special Committee for State Budget Control, but subsequently shifted his focus to the government's tax policy. He sharply criticized the VAT increase set to take effect on July 1 and other indirect taxes, arguing that they position the government as the primary driver of inflation. On behalf of the Isamaa party, he demanded the immediate revocation of the tax hike and the establishment of genuine tax peace to halt the spiral of 26 planned tax increases.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that the work reports of the special committee for state budget control for this year will be handed over, and Isamaa demands the cancellation of the VAT increase and other tax hikes taking effect before July 1st, as well as the establishment of a real tax truce both this year and next. Otherwise, 26 tax increases are expected in 2026.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker expresses hope that the bill will be processed by the Finance Committee without delay.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi expressed his thanks and said that there was no need to doubt it.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Therefore, this is in the interests of the Estonian economy and society, and we may also take extraordinary measures.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker answered yes, thanked everyone, and invited Anti Allas to present.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas, on behalf of three members of the Social Democratic Party faction, submitted an interpellation to Hendrik Johannes Terras, the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, concerning the revenue base of local governments. The questions addressed the impact of the "Robin Hood measure," the veracity of claims regarding the raising of land tax, future plans for financing local governments, the beneficiaries (winners), and measures for reducing disparities in the revenue base.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Board of the Riigikogu adopted one draft resolution, two interpellations, one report, and one bill, and clarified the agenda: Anti Allas will present the report for the first reading of Draft 630 (Agenda Item 19), and Anti Haugas will present the report for the first reading of Draft 670 (Agenda Item 21).
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller opens the Thursday sitting of the 18th working week of the V Session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly and conducts the roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
63 members of the Riigikogu are present, 38 are absent; bills and interpellations may now be submitted, and first, the representative of the Government of the Republic, Heili Tõnisson, is called upon.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The Government of the Republic is initiating three bills today.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller asks the chamber to be silent and listen for a moment, despite the noise, and he offers his thanks.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Firstly, the draft law on the accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance will be addressed, and secondly, topics concerning cooperation between the Republic of Estonia and the Kingdom of Sweden.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller asked the gentlemen sitting in the first row to listen carefully.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The representative resumes and speaks about the cooperation between the Republic of Estonia and the Kingdom of Sweden.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller thanks Mr. Jaanson.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Three bills are currently under deliberation in the Riigikogu: the draft legislation concerning the ratification of the agreement on the execution of prison sentences of the Kingdom of Sweden is sponsored by the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs; the draft legislation amending the Planning Act and other related acts is sponsored by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry; and all these bills have been submitted electronically.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is a thank you, and next up on stage is Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The overview provided by the Riigikogu Special Committee Against Corruption shows that the committee has been highly active, focusing on corruption prevention and ensuring transparency by analyzing systemic and environmental risks, monitoring major projects and the use of state assets, and addressing significant cases such as the Nordica bankruptcy, Rail Baltic, the issue of offshore wind farms, Eesti Energia, and the secret agreements involving Enefit Green and RMK.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman thanks everyone.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Thank you all, and we will actively continue our work in the fall.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
In short, the request is to invite Züleyxa Izmailova to the stage.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova submitted an interpellation to the Minister of Climate and Environment, asking whether Estonia has implemented or plans to implement a nesting season moratorium (or "breeding peace") to ensure that trees are not cut down in forests every summer during the birds' nesting period.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller asks Ando Kiviberg to come up.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ando Kiviberg stated that seven amendments will clarify and improve the current presidential election law: the deadline for candidate submission will be moved slightly earlier to allow the public time to familiarize themselves with the candidates and their platforms, and candidates will gain the right to deliver a speech of up to ten minutes before both the Riigikogu and, if necessary, the Electoral College. In the case of snap elections, the current procedure will remain in force.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech emphasizes that it is your time to act.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ando Kiviberg said that the current version of the draft bill provides for the main amendments.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller asked Anti Allas for something.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Three interpellations submitted by members of the SDE faction to the Minister of Education and Research address the utilization of the Ministry of Education and Research’s 107.9 million euros in carryover funds. They specifically inquire about what portion of this amount covers continuing activities, where the money is planned to be spent, and whether the remaining balances can be channeled through a supplementary budget to meet genuine needs, while emphasizing the impact of rural school reforms and the necessity for fiscal efficiency.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller asks Kalev Stoicescu to take the floor.
Kalev Stoicescu
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalev Stoicescu submitted a draft bill to amend the Small Islands Act, the aim of which is to grant the status of permanent settlement to small islands with at least one permanent resident, ensure the decision-making capacity of the general assembly of permanent residents, and prevent fictitious residency registration.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
A brief request directed to Riina Sikkut, inviting her to speak.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut submitted a formal inquiry to the Prime Minister, asking how plans—such as renting out Tartu Prison or bringing in Swedish prisoners, and reducing the tax on online casinos—are linked to the resulting risks and costs for society, and what steps are being taken to achieve Estonia’s productivity and long-term objectives.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller submits a request to Tiit Maran.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran submitted an inquiry regarding the scope of governance of the Minister of Energy and Environment and the progress of amendments to the Local Government Organization Act. He stressed that the legislative amendment concerning vicious dogs must be adopted quickly and that the same amendment should be resubmitted.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller invited Lauri Laats to take the floor.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
On behalf of the members of the Center Party faction in the Riigikogu, an inquiry was submitted to the Minister of Culture regarding the amendment of the Public Libraries Act. The inquiry raised four questions concerning the quality of the work, the necessity of placing the functions of county central libraries under state control, the justification for bringing the acquisition of local government publications under state control, and the impact of the reform on municipal costs.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller calls upon Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, representing the Centre Party faction, submitted an interpellation to the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa-Ly Pakosta. The inquiry focused on the activities of bailiffs, specifically regarding their personal conduct and transactions involving related parties, which had been covered in media articles, as well as the effectiveness of the supervisory mechanisms. She requested the answers be provided in September.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, on behalf of the Centre Party faction, submitted an interpellation to the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, demanding explanations regarding the suspicious real estate dealings of court bailiffs, where the bailiffs have allegedly acquired property from both their own and their colleagues’ auctions, earning rental income and essentially engaging in business, which calls into question the supervision of the bailiffs’ activities.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller stated that the handover had been quite fruitful, and the Board had accepted six draft laws, six interpellations, and one overview of the activities of a special committee. The Board will decide on the further proceedings in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. He also informed that repair and technical works will begin in the session hall tomorrow, and requested members to take their personal belongings from the desks and drawers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced the extraordinary session of the Riigikogu and explained the procedure for checking the quorum and attendance, noting that the session is competent to make decisions if more than half of the Riigikogu membership is present.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar opened the extraordinary session of the Riigikogu, convened pursuant to the Constitution, explained the rules governing the quorum, and subsequently had to repeatedly and urgently demand that the procedurally mandatory roll call be conducted, interrupting it, when necessary, for a new attempt.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The extraordinary session ended due to a lack of quorum, as only 29 Riigikogu members were present, and 72 were absent.
AI Summary
The national anthem of the Republic of Estonia is being sung.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi formally welcomed all constitutional office holders and excellencies in attendance, and with that, declared the 6th session of the 15th Riigikogu open.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi opens the 6th session of the 15th convocation of the Riigikogu.
AI Summary
The Kalamaja mixed choir is singing, and the audience is applauding.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked the singers of the Kalamaja Mixed Choir and their conductor Kuldar Schüts, requested the Riigikogu to rise, announced the departure of the President of the Republic of Estonia, and directed today's sitting toward the implementation procedures, starting with the roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman informed the body that 89 members of the Riigikogu are present and 12 are absent; the agenda will now be clarified and confirmed. As an amendment, the initiator has withdrawn Draft Act 635, the Act amending the Emergency Situation Act and other Acts, and consequently, it is removed from the agenda. Next is a proposal concerning the agenda; Lauri Laats, please.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She requests the removal from the agenda of Bill SE 625, Wednesday's agenda item 12, which is the draft law 625 on amending the Motor Vehicle Tax Law, initiated by the faction of the Estonian Centre Party.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks everyone and says that he sees no further proposals, and asks Lauri Laats to submit one more proposal.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats gave thanks, stated that he had no proposals regarding the agenda, and then asked a procedural question, inquiring whether he was permitted to proceed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar notes that this is a procedural matter, suggests signaling by raising a hand, and announces that he will immediately take the issue into consideration.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasizes that a petition, signed by nearly 100,000 people, has been submitted or handed over to the Riigikogu, and he highlights the issue of lowering food prices, the cost of living, and VAT, asking whether the Board has reviewed it, what decisions have been made, and when it will move into formal proceedings, both at the committee level and subsequently.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Bureau will convene tomorrow following the Riigikogu plenary session to designate the lead committee for discussing the petition, and Helir-Valdor Seeder raised a point of order regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder raised a point of order, requesting that the seating arrangement of the Riigikogu be adjusted to reflect the changed political alignment, and specifically that the Reform Party be seated in the same row as the Social Democrats, or even further to the left.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announced that the initiators had withdrawn draft bill 635 concerning the amendment of the Emergency Situation Act and other acts, and had requested the removal of Wednesday's 12th agenda item, which is the first reading of draft bill 625 SE. He then called for a vote on the approval of the agenda for the first working week of the 6th session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the agenda with 81 votes in favor, 6 against, and no abstentions. Before the submission of bills and interpellations, Kalle Grünthal raised a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal describes a rude encounter that took place in the Riigikogu corridor, where he was told that he was coming there to bring swine fever, while emphasizing that one must be polite in the chamber.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar says that this is not related to the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Third parties overheard this.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that the topic did not concern the procedure for conducting the session, and he could not allow further questioning.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal admonishes the respondent, stressing that he cannot behave like a lout—especially while holding the position of the second most important man in the country—and adds that he still hopes to forgive him.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the audience and announces that he is really finishing now.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal is offering a smoked pig's head as a small peace offering and asks that it be accepted as a birthday gift.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that foodstuffs could not be accepted into the chamber and must be removed, adding that the submission of bills and interpellations would follow, before inviting Mrs. Heili Tõnisson to the podium.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government announced today the submission of 16 draft laws and 9 draft resolutions of the Riigikogu (Parliament), which are sponsored by the respective ministers. These drafts broadly cover domestic and foreign policy, finance and taxation, real estate and private law, energy and the environment, as well as issues concerning international defense and cooperation. All drafts have been submitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and invites his colleague Martin Helme to the podium.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme criticizes the Estonian political system and the conduct of his colleagues, and submits a formal query regarding the attack drone explosion that took place on Estonian territory. He asks who allowed it to enter the country, who knew about its operation, what kind of drone it was, and how Estonia is now better protected.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme sharply criticized last week’s egregious violation of parliamentary custom, where the ruling party refused to accept interpellations. He expressed sarcasm regarding the government’s subsequent conciliatory speech, and then proceeded to hand Prime Minister Michal an official inquiry concerning the attack drone that exploded on Estonian territory, demanding answers regarding the country’s defense and accountability.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and asks to give the floor to colleague Tanel Kiik.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik submits an interpellation to the Minister of Social Affairs concerning the healthcare financing crisis, requesting specific proposals for covering the shortfall and ensuring the accessibility of services.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the assembly and invites Urmas Reinsalu to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that the Estonian people do not fear the car tax; rather, they want its abolition, and trust in the parliament can be restored if Isamaa submits a bill for the full repeal of the car tax and immediately organizes new parliamentary elections.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu categorically rejected the claim made by the Speaker of the Riigikogu that the Estonian people are afraid of the car tax, emphasizing instead that the public is fed up with the levy and expects it to be thrown into the trash. He announced that the Isamaa party will submit a bill to parliament for the complete and unconditional repeal of the car tax. Furthermore, he demanded the immediate organization of new Riigikogu elections to exit the crisis of confidence and allow the people to give their assessment.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman offers his thanks, notes the amount of paper involved, and invites colleague Helmen Kütt to the podium next.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt submitted a proposal for a Riigikogu decision to raise the subsistence level to 300 euros per month: 300 euros for individuals living alone, 240 euros for each subsequent adult family member, and 360 euros for a child. This was intended to improve the financial well-being of children and families, citing analyses as justification, but the government failed to implement the additional funding.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks [the previous speaker] and invites colleague Jaak Valge to approach the Riigikogu rostrum.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge submitted a query to the Minister of Social Affairs and emphasized that an analysis completed over two years indicates the need for systemic decisions—which must be scheduled, funded, and covered by an impact assessment—regarding support for having and raising children.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman invited colleague Lauri Läänemets to speak next.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets is criticizing the fact that the Estonian state budget is deeply in the red and the debt burden is increasing. He finds the postponement of investments and the decision to find 800 million euros for fixed costs baffling. As a result, he is submitting a formal interpellation to Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi demanding explanations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Lauri Laats to the stage.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats submitted a motion of no confidence in the Riigikogu against the Minister of Social Affairs, backed by 21 members of parliament, citing healthcare problems, and demanded the minister's resignation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman invited his colleague, Varro Vooglaid, to the podium.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid submitted an interpellation to Prime Minister Kristen Michal regarding the intention to send a company-sized ground combat unit to Ukraine, asserting that such a decision is unconstitutional and must be made solely by the Riigikogu (Parliament), not the government.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, 28 draft bills, one motion of no confidence, and five interpellations have been received; their further procedure will be decided in the manner prescribed by law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu, announces the commencement of Tuesday's plenary session, and calls for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
At the beginning of the Riigikogu session, the attendance registration announced that 71 members were present and 30 were absent. Following this, draft legislation and interpellations were submitted.
Toomas Uibo
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Toomas Uibo said the console didn't register him, and he thought he had probably done something wrong.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi began his address, opening with the words: "Yeah, this isn't exactly..."
Toomas Uibo
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
In Toomas Uibo's speech, the focus is on the fact that nothing came.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi noted that moving the card registers a person as present, but they are then marked absent during the attendance check; he apologized for the error, stated that the roll call would not be repeated, and subsequently directed the submission of bills and interpellations to Raimond Kaljulaid.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid stated that due to the depth of the issues highlighted by the National Audit Office, a cross-party Riigikogu investigative committee must be formed. This committee will determine the scope and causes of the problems and make proposals for enhancing oversight and restoring trust within the administrative area of the Ministry of Defence. The motion was submitted today, and support for this initiative is anticipated from the other political parties.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi, Chairman of the Riigikogu Board, announced that the Board had accepted one draft Riigikogu resolution, and that the first item on the agenda for tomorrow's sitting will be the debate on the motion of no confidence against Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller, submitted by 21 members of the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi welcomed the members of the Riigikogu, declared the Wednesday plenary session open, and called for an attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi opened Wednesday's Riigikogu Plenary Session, greeting the attendees before immediately ordering an attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced the quorum for the sitting (73 members present) and opened the agenda item for the submission of draft legislation and interpellations, inviting Aivar Kokk to the rostrum first.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that 73 Riigikogu members had registered their presence and 28 were absent, and he invited his colleagues to submit draft legislation and interpellations; Aivar Kokk, please.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk submitted an interpellation to Andres Sutt regarding the unexpected closure of the Endla Nature Centre. In the query, Kokk raises the issue of the local community and local government being excluded from the process, questions the impact of the closure and its consistency with the government coalition's promises, and investigates the Environmental Board's expenditures on appreciation, motivation, and similar events.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk submitted an interpellation to Andres Sutt, the Minister of Energy and Environment, regarding the sudden closure of the Endla Nature Center, emphasizing that the decision was made without consulting the local community and that the €82,000 saving is negligible considering the investments made. Additionally, he asked the minister how this step aligns with the government coalition's promises regarding regional development, and he inquired in detail about the Environmental Board’s expenditures on employee bonuses and motivational events.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a request to invite Helir-Valdor Seeder to speak.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder emphasizes the need for language proficiency among all residents, stemming from the common information space, and presents Isamaa's proposal to raise the language requirement for naturalization to B2, while also providing free language training at the state's expense.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder emphasized the vital importance of Estonian language proficiency in the shared information space and for daily functioning, citing Latvia’s strict requirements as a model. He announced that the Isamaa faction would submit a bill to raise the language proficiency requirement for citizenship applicants via naturalization from the current B1 level to B2. Simultaneously, he proposed offering access to free, state-funded language learning resources, noting that these resources have largely gone unused until now.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that he had accepted one interpellation and one bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi informed his colleagues that he had received one interpellation and one draft bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller opened the Riigikogu session, but was immediately forced to suspend the roll call due to a technical malfunction (a non-functioning control panel), restarting it at the request of the MPs once the problem had been resolved.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller opened the Thursday sitting of the first working week of the 6th session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly, conducted the roll call, suspended it due to a technical fault, and agreed to restart the sitting at the request of the members.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller opened the Riigikogu session by announcing the number of members present (51). He then declared the submission of draft legislation and interpellations open, before inviting Vadim Belobrovtsev to the rostrum.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
51 members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence, 50 are absent; now there is an opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations. Vadim Belobrovtsev, please proceed.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev submitted an inquiry to the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, requesting clarification on when and how the state will compensate local governments for the operating costs of school places for children studying in schools belonging to other local governments during the period 2018–2025, which state budget line will cover these costs, and whether and when legislative amendments are foreseen, along with finding solutions with local governments regarding issues stemming from constitutional law and case law.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev is submitting an interpellation to the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, regarding the fact that the state has failed for eight years, despite a Supreme Court decision, to reimburse local governments for the operating costs of school places for children studying in other municipalities, which is contrary to the constitution. He demands an explanation from the Minister as to when and from which budget line the costs for 2018–2025 (totaling 4 million euros) will be covered, and whether the ministry will initiate the necessary legislative amendments to resolve the situation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The talk is a simple request to invite Riina Sikkut to speak.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut submitted a formal inquiry concerning the equity of Estonia's tax structure. She asked the Minister of Finance for an assessment and specific proposals, including compensatory measures outside the tax system, to ensure that low-income earners are not negatively affected by the tax changes and that the state's fiscal position remains sustainable.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut, on behalf of the Social Democrats, submitted a formal inquiry to the Minister of Finance regarding the fairness of the Estonian tax system, pointing out that, according to the summer forecast, recent tax changes are set to increase inequality by burdening low-wage earners and favoring higher-income groups. She further demanded information about compensatory measures, such as raising the subsistence level, to mitigate the negative impact of the regressive taxes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller announced that the Riigikogu Board has adopted two interpellations, the subsequent handling of which will be decided in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and then directed the sitting to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Board, I have received two interpellations, and the Board will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act; let us now proceed to today's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar opened the Monday sitting of the second working week of the sixth session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly, welcoming those present and immediately requesting the commencement of the roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar opens the Monday sitting of the second working week of the Riigikogu's Sixth Session and requests a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
At the start of the Riigikogu session, Chairman Lauri Hussar announced the number of attendees. They then proceeded to approve the amended agenda, from which an interpellation to the Minister of Education and Research was removed, along with two draft bills initiated by the Estonian Centre Party faction concerning amendments to the motor vehicle tax law. Following these changes, the agenda for the Riigikogu plenary working week was put to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair announced that the agenda for today's sitting would be amended: Query No. 797 and Draft Acts 625 and 626 would be withdrawn, and with these amendments, the approval of the agenda for the second working week of the VI Session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly would be put to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the agenda had been approved with 75 votes in favor, after which the opportunity arose for the submission of draft legislation and interpellations, and he then invited the representative of the Government of the Republic, Ms. Heili Tõnisson, to the podium.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu adopted the agenda with 75 votes in favor, 1 against, and no abstentions; draft legislation and interpellations may now be submitted, and the representative of the Government of the Republic, Ms. Heili Tõnisson, was invited to the rostrum.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Government representative Heili Tõnisson announced that the Government of the Republic is introducing four draft laws and one draft resolution in the Riigikogu (Parliament), which concern, among other things, the Railway Act, health insurance, the avoidance of double taxation, and the state's consolidated annual report, while also specifying the minister responsible for each draft.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The Government is today initiating four draft acts and submitting one draft resolution of the Riigikogu: first, the draft act amending the Railways Act and the State Fees Act; second, the draft act amending the Health Insurance Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act; third, the draft act on the ratification of the Agreement between the Republic of Estonia and the Principality of Liechtenstein for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital, and the Protocol thereto; fourth, the draft act amending the Names Act and the State Fees Act; fifth, the draft resolution on the approval of the State's consolidated annual report for the 2024 financial year. The Government will be represented during the processing of these drafts by the Minister of Infrastructure, the Minister of Social Affairs, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of the Interior, and the Minister of Finance, respectively; and all five drafts have been transmitted digitally.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offered his thanks and yielded the floor to his colleague Aivar Koka, requesting him to approach the Riigikogu rostrum.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the previous speaker] and invited colleague Aivar Kok to speak next.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The draft act amending the Land Tax Act, submitted by the Isamaa Party, would restore the land tax exemption for residential property. This measure is intended to ensure economic security for homeowners, protect the fundamental right to property, and prevent a disproportionate tax burden that could potentially worsen their standard of living.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk, on behalf of the Pro Patria Party (Isamaa), submitted a bill aimed at restoring the land tax exemption for residential property, which had been abolished by the previous government. He emphasized that this socio-political measure is vital for ensuring the economic security of homeowners, including pensioners and low-income families, thereby preventing a situation where home ownership would lead to a disproportionate tax burden.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar closed the acceptance of requests to speak, announced on behalf of the Riigikogu Board the adoption of six draft acts and their further processing in accordance with the law, and then gave the floor to Martin Helme to raise a procedural question before proceeding to the agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
On behalf of the Riigikogu Bureau, I have received six bills, and the Bureau will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act; before we continue with the agenda, Martin Helme raised a procedural question concerning the sitting.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme stated that parliaments around the world have marked the unacceptability of political violence with a day of mourning, citing, for example, the commemoration of Charlie Kirk. He put forward a proposal to the Board of the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) to do the same, but the proposal received no response and the action has not been carried out.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme is criticizing the Riigikogu Board for disregarding his morning proposal to organize a moment of silence in parliament—a measure taken in several other countries—to condemn the political violence that followed the killing of a political activist in the United States. He is demanding an explanation for this omission.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar stressed that while he acknowledges the tragedy of the young person's violent death, he did not deem it appropriate to change the established customs in the Riigikogu, according to which a moment of silence is reserved only for commemorating deceased members of parliament, anniversaries of deportations, or high-ranking state officials.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that the Riigikogu will continue the customary practice of commemorating deceased members of the Riigikogu with a moment of silence, and did not consider it expedient to change this tradition.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets the members of the Riigikogu and begins the Tuesday plenary session with an attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomed the members of the Riigikogu, declared Tuesday's plenary session open, and began the sitting with a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi established the quorum for the Riigikogu session at 65 members. He then opened the agenda item for the submission of draft legislation and interpellations, and subsequently yielded the floor to Urmas Reinsalu, interjecting a remark concerning the procedure for Tiit Maran's registration.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Sixty-five members of the Riigikogu are present and thirty-six are absent; now is the opportunity to submit bills and interpellations, and Toomas Kivimägi noted that Tiit Maran was the first to register and invited Urmas Reinsalu to take the floor.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu urged the re-closure of the temporary control line between the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation, following the will of the parliament, in order to strengthen security amid the escalating activities of the Russian Federation and to establish close cooperation with the Baltic states and Finland.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu, citing the escalated security situation, the large-scale exercises of the Russian Federation, and acts of aggression directed towards NATO countries, reiterates the Isamaa faction's previous proposal to close the temporary control line between the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation, emphasizing the need to coordinate this security countermeasure with the other Baltic states and Finland.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called Tiit Maran to attend.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The interpellation submitted by several members of the Riigikogu to the Minister of Energy and Environment is based on the National Audit Office's audit of August 25th and highlights the lack of methodology for determining environmental charges, as well as the inability of the Environmental Board to carry out supervision and identify the party causing the damage, presenting six questions to the minister.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran, on behalf of ten members of the Riigikogu, submits an interpellation to the Minister of Energy and Environment. This action is based on the critical audit conducted by the National Audit Office concerning the determination of environmental fees and permits, stressing that the Environmental Board lacks both the methodological foundation for issuing permits and the capacity to carry out supervision and identify those responsible for causing environmental damage.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi informed his colleagues that one draft resolution and one interpellation had been adopted on behalf of the Riigikogu Board.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that one draft resolution and one interpellation had been adopted on behalf of the Riigikogu Board.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller opened the Wednesday sitting of the second working week of the sixth session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly and began the proceedings with a roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller declared the Wednesday sitting of the second working week of the 6th session of the Riigikogu Plenary open and conducted a roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller established the quorum for the Riigikogu session (74 members present), opened the round for submitting bills and interpellations, and then gave the floor to Tõnis Lukas.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller announced that 74 members of the Riigikogu have registered their attendance, 27 are absent, and there is now an opportunity to submit bills and interpellations. Tõnis Lukas, please.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas believes that the importance of the state language's role in society depends directly on the example set and the attitude shown by state institutions, and he draws attention to the fact that the position of the Estonian language in the service sector has continuously weakened in recent years due to new phenomena in the labor market.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas emphasizes that the role of the state language is only crucial if the state and its institutions deem it important, and he notes that the role of the Estonian language in the service sector has diminished in recent years, partially due to new phenomena occurring in the labor market and legal changes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller briefly apologizes and invites us to listen to the presenter.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller briefly apologized for interrupting and directed the audience's attention to the presenter, giving him the floor.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas highlighted that new forms of labor organization, such as platform work and temporary agency labor, make language proficiency control more difficult, which in turn reduces the motivation for language learning and language use in society. Since the government has repeatedly delayed submitting the promised draft of the new Language Act, Isamaa is losing confidence and will submit its own draft bill to the Riigikogu for amending the Language Act and the Public Transport Act.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He points out the emergence of platform and agency workforces and the difficulties in monitoring language proficiency requirements, which threaten the motivation for Estonian-language education. Isamaa is therefore submitting its own draft amendment to the Language Act and the Public Transport Act to the Riigikogu, since the government has not yet brought the Language Act before the Parliament.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Our next speaker is Jaak Valge.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge asks for three more minutes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller said that it is not possible right now.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge, together with Helir-Valdor Seeder and Leo Kunnas, is presenting an inquiry to the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta regarding the inactivity and potential conflict of interest of the NGO Slava Ukraini council. This is because the council failed to file a civil claim for damages against Johanna-Maria Lehtme during the criminal proceedings, thereby waiving the right to demand the money back from the party who caused the damage, and raising doubts concerning the connections between Lehtme's mother and the council's spokesperson, Ilmar Raag.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge posed specific questions regarding the inaction of the board of the NGO Slava Ukraini, including why a civil claim was not filed against Johanna-Maria Lehtme during the criminal proceedings, why they expect the money to be recovered from Ukraine, and how the connections between Riina Sildos and the Lehtme family heighten public suspicion of a conflict of interest.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller concluded his brief address with an expression of thanks and then gave the floor to Lauri Laats.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Lauri Laats is called upon to speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats, on behalf of the Center Party faction, submitted a draft resolution to the Riigikogu proposing that the government develop a legal framework to simplify mortgage refinancing. The aim is to mitigate rising housing costs and enhance competition within the banking sector by introducing specific amendments, including the elimination of early repayment fees, the simplification of loan agreement termination, and the non-notarized modification of agreements between mortgage holders.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Center Party faction has submitted a draft resolution to the Riigikogu aimed at establishing a simplified legal framework for home loan refinancing. This framework specifically seeks to prohibit the requirement for borrowers to pay interest lost for the three subsequent months upon early repayment, allow early termination with one month's notice and no extra charges, permit security agreements between mortgage holders during refinancing without the involvement of a notary, and allow credit institutions to use their own statistical data alongside expert appraisals when valuing real estate collateral.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announced that there were no further requests to submit bills and interpellations, and the Riigikogu Board has accepted two bills and one interpellation. Their further processing will be determined in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and before we move on to the agenda, there are a few procedural matters remaining.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks whether the system has changed, because previously, for statements, the name format displayed the first name and last name, but currently, for speeches, it displays “Laats, Lauri.”
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev drew attention to an inconsistency on the display screen, noting that while the list of speakers shows names in the format First Name-Last Name, the name of the current speaker is displayed in reverse (e.g., Laats, Lauri). He then asked whether the system’s display format had changed in the interim.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The presenter confirmed the correct observation and said that the substance does not change, and Lauri Laats remains Lauri Laats, regardless of whether the first name is placed before or after the surname, and noted that a comma had been inserted; Rain Epler, please.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller acknowledged that Lauri Laats's name was listed backward and separated by a comma on the speakers' list. He confirmed that the relevant departments had been notified of the mistake, but emphasized that this formal error does not change the essence of the individual, and subsequently gave the floor to Rain Epler.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler shares his colleague's concern regarding the alteration of name forms, but emphasizes that although the name itself does not change, the substantive and geographical context is important. He then critically asks whether the introduction of a foreign name form constitutes an arbitrary overreach by the bureaucracy, suggesting that officials are acting in the interests of the foreign regions from which that name form originates.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler discusses the geographical orthography of place names and asks whether this constitutes arbitrary action by the bureaucracy and whether such a practice might reflect regional interests.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller stated that for addresses, the surname is placed first, followed by the given name, and they are dealing with this, and it is hoped that it will be resolved within the next few agenda items, while simultaneously noting that the geographical understanding is not precise, and Enn Eesmaa is requesting a procedural clarification from the session chairman.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller acknowledged that the list of speakers contained first and last names in the incorrect order, promising to rectify the error shortly. He also dismissed the alleged geographical bias before giving the floor to Enn Eesmaa for a procedural question.
Enn Eesmaa
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Inspired by Rain Epler's remark, Enn Eesmaa said that nowadays Hungarian people use a certain style of speech and writing, which is an apolitical observation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller asserts that it was genuinely not procedural, and points to Helir-Valdor Seeder's procedural approach.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller refuted the claim that it had been a procedural matter, even though Helir-Valdor Seeder was mentioned specifically in the context of procedure.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She emphasized that the order and spelling of first names and surnames are very important, and Lauri's first name must not be confused with Lauri's surname.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller confirms that Anastassia checked that everything was in order, and asks Rain whether his procedural question has been dropped.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller announced that Anastassia's verification confirmed that the procedural aspect was in order, and he then inquired of Rain whether his procedural question had thereby been resolved.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler is concerned about the IT security of the recently replaced consoles, pointing, for example, to an error in displaying the surname (where the name appears first, followed by a comma). He asks whether this technical glitch doesn't imply that voting results could be recorded incorrectly—for instance, a vote 'for' being registered as a vote 'against'.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler poses a technical question to Arvo concerning the change in the sequencing of the name and comma that occurred following the replacement of the control panel. He also requests confirmation that the information technology security is sound and asks for clarification on whether this change could lead to the misinterpretation of the vote.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller confirmed that no error must occur during the vote, and if necessary, a verification check can be implemented, but this will not prevent the continuation of today's agenda. He thanked them for performing the check and stated that technical support is dealing with the audio/calls, and all speeches are in order.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller confirmed that although the names on the speakers' list have apparently been mixed up, this does not prevent moving forward with the agenda, as there are no voting errors and technical support is dealing with the issue concerning the speakers.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Good morning, esteemed members of the Riigikogu! We shall now commence the Thursday sitting of the second working week of the VI Session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly. Roll call. The Thursday sitting of the second working week of the VI Session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly was officially declared open. The Chairman of the sitting welcomed the esteemed members of the Riigikogu and announced the continuation of the agenda for the current working week. Immediately after the sitting was declared open, the first and indispensable step on the agenda was addressed. In accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure, the sitting began with an attendance check to ensure the presence of a quorum and the lawful continuation of the proceedings.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller welcomed the members of the Riigikogu, announced the start of the Thursday sitting of the second working week of the sixth session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly, and conducted a roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
At the start of the Riigikogu session, attendance was recorded, totaling 53 members. However, the number of absentees was also notable, reaching 48 deputies. Following the roll call, a procedural window was opened for the submission of new draft legislation and interpellations. Despite this opportunity, none of the attending deputies expressed a desire to submit any new proposals or appeals at this time. Since no further bills or interpellations were submitted, the decision was made to immediately proceed to the main topics and the confirmed agenda of today's session.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Fifty-three members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence; forty-eight members are absent. It is now possible to submit draft legislation and interpellations, but as there are currently no requests to do so, we shall proceed to today's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar welcomes the Riigikogu and announces that the Monday sitting of the 3rd working week of the VI session is commencing, and he calls for a roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar welcomed the Riigikogu and declared the start of the Monday sitting of the 3rd working week of the VI session, immediately requesting that an attendance check be carried out.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced the attendance of 69 Riigikogu members. Following this, the body proceeded to the confirmation of the agenda, and in connection with this, the floor was given to colleague Lauri Laats to make a proposal.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that 69 members of the Riigikogu had registered their attendance and 32 were absent, and the approval of the agenda follows, along with a proposal which colleague Lauri Laats was asked to present.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats raised a question and a couple of proposals concerning the handling of Draft Law 625/15. He pointed out that the rapporteur and the committees had accounted for the Tuesday session, but the draft agenda schedules the session for Wednesday, and he inquired about the necessary course of action.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats is drawing attention to a procedural issue concerning the scheduling of Bill 625, initiated by the Centre Party faction. He notes that while the Finance Committee decided to proceed with it on Tuesday, the draft agenda lists it for Wednesday, which creates difficulties for the rapporteur. He therefore asks the Riigikogu Board to resolve this situation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained the procedural possibilities for postponing the agenda item to another day (provided that the factions do not object) or for removing it from this week's agenda, subsequently inviting Raimond Kaljulaid to present a proposal regarding the draft agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained that the proposal could be addressed in three ways — moving it to a different agenda, removing it from this week’s agenda, or, if necessary, requesting its exclusion from the agenda — and invited Raimond Kaljulaid to submit a proposal regarding this week’s agenda.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid emphasized that the discussion concerning the presentation by the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture on the implementation of the state's long-term development strategy, "Eesti 2035," has been scheduled very late. He stressed that this discussion is therefore extremely important from the standpoint of regional development and food security, and recommended that it take place during the daytime on Tuesday so that the public could follow the proceedings.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid is criticizing the composition of the Riigikogu agenda because the crucial presentation by the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture regarding the implementation of the state's long-term development strategy "Eesti 2035" has been placed as the final item on Wednesday's session, meaning it will take place late in the evening. He demands that this topic (which concerns regional development and food security) be moved to the daytime on Tuesday to ensure public accessibility and monitoring.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that the minister wished to speak before the Riigikogu on Wednesday, which is why he ended up in the 16th spot, and that the debate on extending the missions might not take as long as it did two years ago, because the sitting will be significantly shorter and the agenda manageable. Furthermore, the minister's wish was to speak in the second half of the day, and Andrei Korobeinik made a proposal regarding the sitting or a specific draft agenda item.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained to the Riigikogu that the minister would deliver his report on Wednesday in the second half of the day, and he expressed confidence that this debate on extending the missions would be significantly shorter than the previous ten-hour session, meaning the agenda is entirely manageable.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik thanked [the questioner] and referred to the answer to the question posed by his colleague Lauri Laats, where he specified that Laats has a choice of either two or perhaps even just one option.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik addresses the question posed by his colleague Lauri Laats, noting that he has two (or perhaps even just one) option, and then quips, asking if Laats couldn't have proposed moving the agenda item to Tuesday instead.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confined himself to an extremely brief address, which consisted of just one single word: "two."
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik debates the number of agenda items, suggesting that a third should follow the initial two, and critically questions why colleague Laats failed to propose moving the item to Tuesday.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar limited himself to stating that the solution discussed was only one of many possible variants.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said it was one option.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik signaled with brief interjections that he had understood the situation and was ready to proceed.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik's speech is very short and expresses surprise and agreement.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar proposed moving the agenda item to Tuesday, provided no objections are raised.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
If no one objects, we have the option of moving it to Tuesday.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik suggested, by consensus, rescheduling the handling of the draft bill for Tuesday, as the committee had originally requested, citing the lively discussion that took place in the committee and the commitment to call the rapporteur.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik makes a consensus proposal to move the proceedings of the draft bill, which sparked a lively debate in the committee, back to Tuesday. He hopes, however, that the promise to call the rapporteur will still be kept.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that Lauri Laats proposed an amendment to the draft agenda, moving the 15th item scheduled for Wednesday to become the third item on Tuesday's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman noted that there is a proposal to move Wednesday's 15th agenda item to Tuesday, making it the third item on the agenda.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats confirmed the approval of Andrei's proposal and requested that the discussion of item 16 on Wednesday's agenda be moved to the first item (No. 1), as regional and agricultural development is extremely important.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats supports the proposal put forth by his colleague Andrei and requests that agenda item No. 16, concerning the implementation of priority regional and agricultural development, be moved up to become the first discussion point of Wednesday’s session, emphasizing its significant importance.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar approved the consideration of the proposed agenda amendment, provided there were no objections, but simultaneously voiced his disagreement regarding its priority. He questioned whether it was more crucial than the draft amendment to the Emergency Situation Act initiated by the Government of the Republic, and subsequently yielded the floor to the next speaker.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that if there were no objections, an amendment could be proposed. He noted some confusion as to whether the government-initiated draft bill amending the Emergency Situation Act and other laws was more significant than the broad-based approach of 2035. He added that while he dissented, the proposal had been made, and the next item on the agenda would be the proposal related to Raimond Kaljulaid.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid questions the presiding officer's prediction regarding the brevity of the discussion on military operations, anticipating numerous questions from Riigikogu members. He firmly supports Lauri Laats' compromise proposal to move the relevant agenda item to an earlier slot due to significant public interest, thereby allowing the Estonian public to follow the proceedings during daylight hours.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid questioned the basis of the proposal to shorten the discussion on military operations scheduled for Wednesday. He supported Lauri Laats's compromise and pointed out that the minister was present and the debate should ideally take place during the day so that the public could follow it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expressed confidence that public interest in the draft act amending the Emergency Situation Act and other acts is high, and then gave the floor to Õnne Pillak to present a proposal concerning the draft agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar highlighted the growing public interest in the draft legislation amending the Emergency Situation Act and other laws, and then gave the floor to Õnne Pillak, who has proposals related to the draft agenda.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak announced that the Reform Party does not support the changes that have been made, will stick to the draft agenda, and that this is our proposal which has been submitted to us.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak, speaking on behalf of the Reform Party, expressed gratitude to the presiding officer of the session, but emphasized that the party does not support the amendments that have been made, and proposed adhering to the original draft agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that the information had been taken note of, thanked the listeners, and subsequently gave the floor to Andrei Korobeinik so that he could pose a question or make a proposal concerning the draft agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and now invites Andrei Korobeinik to take the floor with a question or proposal concerning the draft agenda.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
This is a very regrettable situation: the committee unanimously proposed discussing the agenda item on Tuesday, but the Riigikogu Board wanted consideration on Wednesday, and they decided not to proceed with the item currently and to start.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik finds the Riigikogu Board’s decision to launch a political steamroller regrettable and pointless. By changing the agenda item, which the committee had unanimously proposed, from Tuesday to Wednesday, they have forced them to temporarily suspend the handling of this particular item.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks if you are requesting that this be removed from the agenda for Week 625.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik acknowledged that although they had asked for a specific issue to be discussed on Tuesday, that request was not met. Consequently, they inevitably have to accept the current situation, because there are no other options.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
We asked for that to be done by Tuesday, but it didn't happen, so all that's left is to find another solution.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and gives the floor to Peeter Ernits regarding the proposal for the draft agenda.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits expresses indignation over the actions of the Reform Party, which is preventing the Minister of Agriculture from appearing before Parliament during the day, despite the crisis devastating rural areas and the difficult plight of farmers, viewing the shifting of the minister’s appearance time to late evening as evidence of the coalition’s indifferent attitude.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits criticized the coalition for not allowing the Minister of Agriculture to appear during the day, insisting instead that the appearance take place late in the evening, citing the rural scourge and the dire situation facing farmers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar recalled the situation related to 625, where two weeks ago the hall was packed with people, but there were no debaters present. He expressed confidence that the Riigikogu would be able to work effectively on Wednesday, discuss the topics presented by the minister, and maintain its vigor, inviting Züleyxa Izmailova to submit a proposal regarding the draft agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar begins by recalling the inefficiency and poor attendance of the previous discussion, but then expresses confidence in the Riigikogu's ability to effectively and freshly debate the topics presented by the minister on Wednesday, concluding by giving the floor to Züleyxa Izmailova to make a proposal regarding the draft agenda.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova requests that the Reform Party faction consider amending the agenda so that the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture can deliver their presentation at an earlier time, simultaneously inquiring about the faction leader's authority to implement such changes.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova inquired whether Õnne Pillak, the head of the Reform Party faction, had the right to change the agenda, and requested that the Reform Party consider this, pointing out that the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture could present their report at an earlier hour.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that since neither Õnne Pillak nor any other colleagues wished to take the floor, preparations would begin for the vote on confirming the agenda. This involves putting the current week's agenda to a vote, along with the amendment that removes agenda item No. 15 (625 first reading) from Wednesday's sitting.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that this was a procedural but justified matter, and since Õnne Pillak did not wish to speak and there were no further speakers, the confirmation of this week's agenda, along with the initiators' amendment, would be put to a vote, which excludes agenda item No. 15 (first reading of Bill 625 SE).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the Riigikogu agenda had been confirmed with 50 votes in favor, and subsequently invited the representative of the Government of the Republic, Ms. Heili Tõnisson, to the rostrum to submit draft legislation and interpellations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar declared the agenda adopted with 50 votes in favor, 20 against, and 1 abstention, and informed that bills and interpellations could now be submitted. He then invited Mrs. Heili Tõnisson, the representative of the Government of the Republic, to the podium.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Government representative Heili Tõnisson announces that the Government of the Republic is initiating three bills in the Riigikogu concerning amendments to the Public Transport Act, the Code of Enforcement Procedure, and the Penal Code regarding the treatment of sexual violence based on consent, also noting the government representatives assigned to the bills.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government is initiating three draft bills today: the draft amendment to the Public Transport Act; the draft amendment to the Code of Enforcement Procedure and the Act on the Implementation of the Code of Civil Procedure and the Code of Enforcement Procedure; and the draft Act amending the Penal Code (adopting a consent-based approach to sexual violence). These will be represented in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture and the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, and all drafts have been submitted electronically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the speaker and invites colleague Peeter Ernits to speak next.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits spoke about the exhibition, “The ABC Book as a Mirror of Society,” unveiled at the Palamuse Museum. The exhibition featured ABC books from six countries, highlighting societal and gender perceptions, as well as the inclusion of Ukraine. He also noted that inappropriate topics were suppressed during the Soviet era.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits visited the Palamuse primer exhibition, finding that the title "The Primer as a Mirror of Society" should rather be "The Primer as a Distorting Mirror of Society." This is because, driven by political correctness, Ukraine was represented at the exhibition instead of historically important neighboring countries (Finland, Sweden)—a situation which, in the speaker's estimation, resembles the Soviet-era suppression of unsuitable information.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The main message of the speech is that this is your time.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits stated after the exhibition that we have reached roughly the same stage, and he put a couple of questions to the Minister of Culture, Heidy Purga, asking how such a thing is even possible and whether it serves as a mirror or a distorting mirror for society.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits expressed concern that, following the exhibition, a certain phase of development had been reached, and together with his colleagues, he posed a pointed question to Minister of Culture Heidy Purga: whether the resulting situation is a mirror of society or a distorting mirror.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman invited his colleague Kalle Grünthal to the Riigikogu podium to speak.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked [the previous speaker] and invited his colleague Kalle Grünthal to the Riigikogu rostrum as the next speaker.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal announced that the police were secretly engaging in collaboration and exposed the first police associate, Ekvard Joakit, thereby warning his colleagues and the entire Estonian nation.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal revealed that Õhtuleht journalist Ekvard Joakit is a secret police collaborator, or "informer," who has used inaccurate information accessible only to the police, thereby warning members of parliament and the Estonian people about the dangers of covert information gathering, which is regulated by Section 751 of the PPA Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks what you are handing over.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal gave an extremely brief and apparently humorous speech, which consisted of only one word, "paberi," followed by laughter in the hall.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal simply said the word "Papers," and the hall burst into laughter.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar rejected the document presented to him because its content and nature (whether it constituted an interpellation or a draft law) remained unclear, asking his colleague to familiarize himself with the procedure, and subsequently yielded the floor to the next speaker.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar noted that this is a draft bill amending the Police and Border Guard Act. He called upon his colleagues to review the content of the interpellations and draft legislation, promised to send it back if necessary, and then gave the floor to Jaak Valge.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge is addressing the Interior Minister's inquiry regarding police activity.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge is focusing on the interpellation being submitted to the Minister of the Interior, which specifically addresses the actions of the police.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asked his colleague Jaak Valge to start over from the very beginning, as the audio quality was poor, so that the transcript could be accurately recorded.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requested that his colleague Jaak Valge restart his presentation from the beginning. This was necessary because the audio had been difficult to hear due to technical problems, and a full, clear recording was required to ensure an accurate transcript.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge, together with Leo Kunnas and Henn Põlluaas, submitted an interpellation to the Minister of the Interior concerning the police activity that took place at the Sinimäe commemoration event, where two citizens were fined for allegedly wearing a symbol justifying crimes against humanity. They emphasized that the Estonians' fight at Sinimäed represented resistance against the Soviet occupation, and furthermore, the symbol on the fined shirt was not in use in Nazi Germany.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge submitted an official interpellation to the Minister of the Interior concerning the actions of the police at the Sinimäe commemoration event. This followed the fining of two participants for displaying a symbol. Valge asserts that the symbol is not connected to Nazi crimes and that the fighting at Sinimäe was conducted in the name of Estonian independence, concluding by posing five questions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced on behalf of the Riigikogu Board that he had returned the submission made by Grünthal, as it was neither a draft bill nor an interpellation, and that a total of three draft bills and two interpellations have been accepted, and the Board will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar apologized for the procedural error, confirmed the accuracy of the official record, and announced that he had returned the submission filed by colleague Grünthal, as it failed to meet the established criteria for a draft act or an interpellation. Furthermore, on behalf of the Riigikogu Board, three draft acts and two interpellations were accepted, the subsequent handling of which will be determined by the Board in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes the members of the Riigikogu, announces the start of Tuesday's plenary session, and calls for a roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
64 members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence, 37 are absent. Now is the opportunity to submit bills and interpellations. Reili Rand, you have the floor.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
At the start of the Riigikogu session, Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi established the number of members present (64 members). He then gave his colleagues the opportunity to submit draft legislation and interpellations, inviting Reili Rand to be the first speaker.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand, on behalf of the Social Democratic faction, submitted an interpellation to the Minister of Finance regarding the transparency of consumer cooperatives and the prevention of abuse. She emphasized that the cases in Tartu, Võru, and Vändra point to a systemic problem where fragmented legislation and insufficient oversight have allowed a small group of individuals to seize control of the cooperatives by exploiting good-faith members. Consequently, the ministry is being asked about its plans for improving the situation and ensuring honest governance.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reeli Rand submitted an official interpellation to the Minister of Finance regarding increasing the transparency of consumer cooperatives and preventing misuse of funds. In her query, she detailed the systemic nature of the problem and the lack of proper oversight, requesting the Minister's plan for rectifying the situation, with specific emphasis placed on examples drawn from Hiiumaa and Saaremaa.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Tanel Tein to take the floor.
Tanel Tein
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The amendments to the Gambling Act and other related legislation, which have been submitted to the Riigikogu, aim to increase the state’s supplementary revenue and channel these funds into the development of culture and sports. This goal is achieved by gradually reducing the remote gambling tax rate by 0.5% annually until it reaches 4% by 2029, establishing two new funds (the sports facilities fund and the private capital involvement fund), and enhancing security through requirements such as approval from the Financial Intelligence Unit, the mandatory appointment of a local contact person, and external audit control, ensuring that all supplementary revenue is directed to the state budget and the Cultural Endowment.
Tanel Tein
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Tein submitted a draft bill to amend the Gambling Act, the central objective of which is to generate additional revenue for the state—through the strategic design of the tax environment, including the gradual reduction of the remote gambling tax—by earmarking these funds specifically for the development of culture and sport. This would involve establishing funds for sports facilities and the attraction of private capital under the Cultural Endowment (Kultuurkapital), while simultaneously enhancing the security of the sector through stricter regulations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Andre Hanimägi to speak.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi draws attention to the hostile influence activities and election interference spreading on social media platforms (such as TikTok and Telegram), emphasizing the need to protect Estonia's democratic order. He poses questions to the Minister of the Interior regarding the readiness of security institutions, the need for additional funding, and the adequacy of the legal framework in the fight against foreign or covertly funded information operations.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi stressed that Estonia must be prepared to respond to influence operations spreading on social media and interference in elections. He then posed questions to the Minister of the Interior and security agencies, asking whether they possess sufficient resources and a strengthened legal framework to counter foreign or hidden funding, ensure the transparency of political advertising, and address coordinated influence activities.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced on behalf of the Riigikogu Board that two interpellations and one draft bill had been accepted. Additionally, there is one announcement, and after the plenary session concludes, a meeting will be held in the session hall to form the support group for reducing the harms of tobacco, alcohol, and narcotic substances (convened by Eero Merilind). Now we can proceed to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi greets his colleagues and opens the Wednesday sitting of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly, calling for an attendance check.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Sixty-three members of the Riigikogu have registered their presence; thirty-eight are absent. Now is the time for the submission of bills and interpellations, begins Reili Rand.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand stated that the Social Democrats are presenting a draft amendment to the Family Benefits Act aimed at discouraging the delay of having children and increasing families' financial security during the parental benefit period by factoring in recent wage growth, with the overall goal of increasing the birth rate in Estonia.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand highlights the severity of the demographic situation and presents the Social Democrats’ bill to amend the Family Benefits Act. The bill aims to discourage the postponement of having children and boost family confidence by updating how parental benefits are calculated. This update would specifically factor in any wage growth that occurred between consecutive births, ultimately leading to an improvement in Estonia’s birth rate.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi addressed Madis Kallas and said, "Please."
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas submitted an interpellation to the Minister of Education and Research regarding the salaries of kindergarten teachers, asking for clarification on whether next year's state budget includes additional support for local municipalities and whether it covers the increase of the minimum salary to 1970 euros, and promised that if the support is confirmed, the interpellation will be withdrawn in due course.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas submitted an interpellation to the Minister of Education and Research concerning the remuneration of kindergarten teachers, noting that the support allocated from the state budget to local governments has lagged behind the salary increase for kindergarten teachers, which is tied to the minimum salary rate for school teachers. He also asked the minister to provide an overview of whether the necessary additional subsidies to ensure the minimum salary floor for kindergarten teachers have been accounted for in next year's state budget.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Aivar Kokk is called to the stage.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The Isamaa faction is submitting amendments to the State Budget Act, the purpose of which is to bring the state budget into compliance with the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, increase the transparency of the annual state budget, and strengthen the role of the Riigikogu (Parliament). This is achieved by requiring that the following be separately itemized for every state budget program: labor costs, operating expenses, social benefits, investment grants, other grants, financial costs, and other costs, including depreciation costs. Furthermore, the amendments establish these same classifications for the budgets of constitutional institutions, require the inclusion of a separate subsidy for each legal entity, and revoke the minister's right to alter the breakdown of funds allocated by the state budget limit. This right would instead be granted solely to the Government of the Republic collectively, in order to strengthen the Riigikogu's involvement in the proceedings and ensure the transparency of funding.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk presented a bill initiated by the Isamaa faction, which seeks to increase the transparency of the state budget and the control exercised by the Riigikogu. This is achieved by requiring the activity-based budget to be broken down into detailed expenditure types (labor, investments, etc.) and by establishing more precise accounting for the distribution of subsidies, while simultaneously granting the right to modify the structure of budget allocations solely to the Government of the Republic.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech contains only the name Helir-Valdor Seeder.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder criticizes the unlawful activities of state agencies, which erode public trust in the state (citing, for example, unauthorized surveillance cameras and the monitoring of bank accounts). He also introduces a draft bill by the Isamaa faction aimed at ensuring that if a judge authorizes surveillance activities, the decision not to inform the individual should also be made by the judge, rather than the prosecutor leading the investigation, thereby strengthening the principles of the rule of law.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure initiated by Isamaa stipulates that if a judge grants authorization for surveillance activities, the decision not to notify the subject must be made by the judge, not the prosecutor, which is a step toward the rule of law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asked his colleagues whether the date February 24, 2025, appearing in the previous draft bill, was an old "copy-paste" error, noting that he had expected a substantive update, not a chronologically incorrect reference.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi noted that the date on the previous draft bill was February 24, 2025, which is quite a long time ago, and asked whether it had been copied or if there was something new.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder said that the electronic version is correct, but the paper copy contains an error.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder confirmed that the date error only appears in the paper version, whereas the electronic version is correct and contains the right information.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The address is simply a call directed at Lauri Laats: "Lauri Laats, please!"
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats submitted an interpellation to Hendrik Johannes Terras, the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, concerning the high cost of ferry tickets. He stressed that the state-owned enterprise TS Laevad OÜ is generating an unreasonably large profit, exceeding 20%, on the inter-island route—a burden ultimately paid for by the island residents. He asked why this pricing structure is necessary and how it affects the development of the islands.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats submitted an inquiry regarding the ferry ticket prices of TS Laevad OÜ, citing the company's profit of approximately 8 million against a turnover of 38 million, and asking on what basis the prices are set and how they affect the development of the Islands.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Chairman of the Riigikogu Board, Toomas Kivimägi, announced that three bills and two interpellations had been accepted. The schedule was supplemented with the Prime Minister's political statement concerning the 2026 State Budget Bill, and Riigikogu member Andres Metsoja will deliver the initiator’s report regarding the 14th item on the agenda—the first reading of Draft Law 649 on amendments to the Traffic Insurance Act, which was initiated by the Isamaa faction.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi, on behalf of the Riigikogu Board, provided an overview of the adopted bills and interpellations and announced an amendment to the agenda. This amendment stipulates that Prime Minister Kristen Michal will deliver a political statement at tomorrow's sitting concerning the submission of the 2026 state budget bill. He also specified that the presentation of today's traffic insurance act bill will be made by Andres Metsoja.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller welcomed the esteemed members of the Riigikogu, declared open the Thursday sitting of the plenary session of the VI session, and conducted the roll call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Fifty-one members of the Riigikogu have registered their attendance; fifty are absent. We may now proceed to the submission of draft legislation and interpellations.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas submitted a draft resolution to the government aimed at supporting the pork sector due to African swine fever, and emphasized the necessity of rapid support measures and concrete deadlines to prevent production shutdowns and a decline in Estonia's food self-sufficiency.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas, on behalf of the Social Democratic Party, submitted a draft resolution demanding immediate action and the development of concrete support measures from the Government of the Republic. This is aimed at saving the pork sector, which has been ravaged by African Swine Fever. He emphasized that the lack of swift decisions jeopardizes Estonia's food self-sufficiency and the future of the sector.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Helmen Kütt to take the floor.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt announces that the Social Democrats are submitting an interpellation to Social Minister Karmen Joller regarding the deep crisis in special welfare, which is evident in the lack of service places, extremely long waiting lists, and the wage poverty and excessive workload faced by activity support workers. They are demanding clarification from the state on how it intends to fulfill its legal obligation to guarantee necessary services for people with intellectual disabilities and mental disorders, and when and by how much the salaries of special welfare employees will be increased.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Social Democrats have submitted a formal query concerning the special care crisis, asking the Minister of Social Affairs what steps the state intends to take to improve service availability, shorten waiting lists, and increase the wages of special care employees. Furthermore, they criticized the government for adopting an attitude of using the budget as a tool for running an election campaign.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker offers thanks and now invites Heili Tõnisson, the representative of the Government of the Republic, to speak.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Government representative Heili Tõnisson notified the Riigikogu of the Cabinet's decision to initiate six significant legislative drafts concurrently. These drafts encompass social welfare, state fees, and extensive amendments to budget and tax legislation, specifically including the 2025 supplementary budget and the 2026 state budget.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
The government is initiating six draft bills today: the draft Act on Amendments to the Social Welfare Act and other acts; the draft State Supplementary Budget Act of 2025; the draft Act on Amendments to the Act on Simplified Taxation of Business Income and the Income Tax Act, and Repeal of the Security Tax Act and Amendments to the Income Tax Act; the draft Act on Amendments to the State Fees Act; the draft Act on the State Budget Act and Amendments to the State Budget Act; and the draft State Budget Act of 2026. These will be represented in the Riigikogu by the Minister of Finance, and all draft bills have been submitted digitally.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu Board has adopted seven draft legislation pieces and one interpellation, and the Board will decide on their further processing in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. The announcement notes the holding of the final event of Monday's Model European Parliament forum, and following the conclusion of the session, you are asked to take any important materials from the tables and drawers. Let's move on to today's agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller closed the registration for speeches, announced the submission of seven draft bills and one interpellation, the handling of which will be decided by the Board, and asked the members of the Riigikogu to clear their desks and drawers of important material in connection with Monday's Model European Parliament forum, before proceeding to today's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar opened the Monday sitting of the fourth working week of the Riigikogu plenary session and immediately asked to begin the roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed the presence of the members of the Riigikogu, noted that no proposals or requests to speak regarding the agenda had been submitted, and then immediately proceeded to vote on the approval of the agenda for the 4th working week of the plenary's 6th session.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar approved the Riigikogu agenda with an overwhelming vote (85 in favor, 1 against) and subsequently gave the floor to Ms. Heili Tõnisson, the representative of the Government of the Republic, to begin the submission of bills and interpellations.
Valitsuse esindaja Heili Tõnisson
AI Summary
Government representative Heili Tõnisson informed the Riigikogu that the Government of the Republic is initiating three important draft bills concerning the transposition of the second Cybersecurity Directive, amendments to the Language Act and the field of education, and the financial management of local authorities, while also specifying the minister responsible for each bill.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked the previous speaker and yielded the floor at the Riigikogu rostrum to the next speaker, colleague Martin Helme.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme submitted an interpellation to Minister of Culture Heidy Purga concerning the event ÖÖ25, which took place at the Estonian National Museum (ERM). During the event, disregarding the objectives of a state museum funded by taxpayers, a vulgar and obscene performance was offered under the guise of culture. This performance, presented by Valge Tüdruk, included the imitation of sexual acts and violence, as well as the humiliation of the audience. Helme demanded clarification on whether such activity is consistent with the museum's statutes and what steps will be taken regarding the responsible director.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar handed the floor over to Züleyxa Izmailova, inviting her to speak next.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova announced that the Social Democrats are submitting an interpellation to Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi to gain clarity on the government’s plans for lowering the VAT on foodstuffs, as Estonia is becoming a high-VAT island at a time when neighboring countries, such as Sweden, are planning significant reductions in their foodstuff VAT, while the Estonian government is, conversely, occupied with lowering the gambling tax.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked the previous speaker and then yielded the Riigikogu rostrum to his colleague, Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats, on behalf of the Center Party faction, submitted an interpellation to Infrastructure Minister Kuldar Leis concerning the safe use of minimopeds, demanding swift legal and technical measures to prevent minors' access to rental equipment and to put an end to the dangerous situation where accidents involving light personal transporters are constantly growing, also referencing tragic incidents in Latvia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the previous speaker and subsequently invited Jaak Aab to the Riigikogu rostrum as the next speaker.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab, on behalf of the Social Democrats, submitted an interpellation to the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, concerning the funding of general education. The query highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the fulfillment of promised teacher salary increases, given the lack of allocated funds for subsequent years in the state budget strategy. Furthermore, it criticized the ambiguity regarding responsibility for upper secondary education, which hinders the investment capacity of local authorities and the sustainability of the school network.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced on behalf of the Riigikogu Board that they have taken into proceedings three draft acts and four interpellations, the further progress of which will be decided by the Board in the manner prescribed by law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomed the members of the Riigikogu and officially opened Tuesday's plenary session, immediately instructing that the roll call begin.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi confirmed the quorum for the Riigikogu session (70 members present), announced the time for the submission of bills and interpellations, and gave the floor first to Tanel Kiik.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik handed over the Social Democrats' interpellation to Social Minister Karmen Joller concerning the expansion of hospital pharmacies' rights to import medicines, with the aim of improving availability and boosting competition. The Social Democrats are concerned that the corresponding draft bill has been stalled for a year since its first reading, and the new coalition has sent mixed signals regarding its support. Consequently, five questions are being presented to the minister regarding the government's positions and future plans for improving competition in the pharmaceutical market.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Urmas Reinsalu, who has a staggering nine interpellations, to present them one by one, "slice by slice," as he himself is fond of saying, while retaining the option to submit all the documents simultaneously later.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu, representing Isamaa, sharply criticizes the government's proposed state budget draft and the budget strategy (RES 2026–2029), pointing out the lack of substantive answers regarding economic growth, inflation, and the negative net position of foreign investments. To clarify these issues, a total of nine interpellations have been submitted to Prime Minister Kristen Michal and other ministers. These inquiries focus on the disregard for the promise to reduce governance costs, the suspension of domestic budget rules, the planning of hidden tax revenues (e.g., ETS2 on motor fuels), and the fragmentation of defense expenditures, demanding explanations regarding the government's actual intentions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi confirms that he has received a total of ten interpellations, nine of which were submitted by the Isamaa faction and one was received from Tanel Kiik.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi opened the Riigikogu plenary session on Wednesday, greeting the honorable members and beginning the workday by conducting the roll call.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi recorded the presence of 60 members of the Riigikogu, declared the time for submitting draft legislation and interpellations open, and then gave the floor to Vadim Belobrovtsev.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev submitted a query to Hendrik Johannes Terras, the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, regarding the massive and problematic spread of the Spanish slugs, asking what measures the state plans to implement for their containment.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asked his colleagues in the chamber for quiet, in order to ensure focus and allow them to hear the presenter.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev is highlighting the explosive spread of Spanish slugs in Estonia, which, as an invasive species, has become a serious threat to both agriculture and private gardens, particularly in Southern and Western Estonia. He is demanding that the government immediately implement a national action plan, provide financial support to local municipalities and residents, and develop science-based solutions to manage this environmental and public health issue.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Helir-Valdor Seeder.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder emphasizes the problems in Estonia concerning high electricity prices and the lack of a comprehensive energy policy. He also introduced an amendment to the Planning Act, put forward by the Isamaa faction, which aims to grant local municipalities the right to participate in the planning of wind farms. This change is intended to address the potential disproportionate negative visual impact of wind farms—an aspect that current legislation fails to regulate today.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Züleyxa Izmailova, inviting her to speak.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova announces that the Social Democrats will submit an interpellation to the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, regarding the delay in transposing the equality directives, as the minister shelved the ready draft bill and ordered a new one. This has created the risk of duplication in legislation and resulted in an increase in unbudgeted costs and obligations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi accepted two interpellations and one draft bill, announced the meeting for the formation of the Estonia–Tunisia parliamentary group, which would take place after the sitting, and clarified the agenda, emphasizing that the initiator's report on Draft Bill 661 concerning amendments to the Value Added Tax Act would be delivered by Riigikogu member Lauri Läänemets.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar opened the Thursday sitting of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly for the 4th working week of the VI session, greeting his colleagues and immediately commencing the roll call.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that 35 members of the Riigikogu were present, then opened the floor for the submission of bills and interpellations, and noted that no requests to speak had been received.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar opened the Monday sitting of the fifth working week of the sixth session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly and requested that a roll call be conducted at the beginning of the sitting.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar, having registered the presence of 70 members of the Riigikogu, announced the specification and approval of the agenda, noting that the Estonian Centre Party faction had proposed removing the first reading of Bill 669, concerning amendments to the Public Holidays and Commemoration Days Act, from Wednesday's sitting, and subsequently gave the floor to Martin Helme to raise a procedural question.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme is demanding an explanation regarding the change to the agenda, as the matter of significant national importance (OTRK) has been unusually scheduled for Wednesday, rather than the customary Thursday or Tuesday. He simultaneously questions the political motives behind this procedural alteration and the actual substance of the topic itself.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar justifies the holding of the extraordinary OTRK, which was added to Wednesday at the committee's request, confirming that while it is slightly unusual, it is not unprecedented, is brief, and will certainly fit within the timeframe of the sitting day, notwithstanding the OTRK scheduled for Thursday.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme expressed bewilderment regarding the rushed and prioritized scheduling of the OTRK discussion concerning the European Union's long-term budget on Wednesday, emphasizing that the topic is not urgently pressing and should be placed later on the agenda, following the draft bills, rather than being the first item, especially since the debate is still only in its initial political phase.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar informed the members of the Riigikogu of the Wednesday visit by European Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin, during which he will deliver a speech at the start of the sitting on the European Union's long-term budget. Hussar emphasized, however, that under the current Rules of Procedure, the Commissioner will not be able to answer questions, even though the discussion itself is deemed useful and necessary.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler continued the discussion, criticizing the timing and substance of the planned OTRK (Discussion of a Matter of Significant National Importance) outlined in the proposal directed at the Parliament’s Presidium. He argued that the foreign guest’s participation was superficial and the debate itself was significantly less crucial than the processing of pending legislation, suggesting that its scheduled time should therefore be re-evaluated.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar responded to the colleague, stating that the colleague could not submit a procedural motion regarding the draft agenda, stressing that such a right belongs exclusively to the faction's leadership, and therefore, he could not personally accept the proposal.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid has expressed sharp criticism regarding the practice of allowing external individuals, such as Piotr Serafin, to speak at the Riigikogu podium, emphasizing that Parliament should focus solely on its constitutional duties—processing bills and interpellations—and demanding clarification on the criteria used to select these guest speakers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that speeches by high-level foreign guests in the Riigikogu are rare, but always relevant and well-justified, stressing that there was also a clear reason for inviting European Commission Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin, and subsequently gave the floor to Urmas Reinsalu for a procedural question.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu deems the current format for discussing the European Union budget (2028–2034) to be substandard and ill-prepared, because the Government of the Republic has not formulated its official position, and only the head of a department at the Ministry of Finance reports to the parliament. This individual lacks a political mandate, making it impossible to hold a substantive debate on crucial issues such as new EU taxes and national defense. He therefore proposes changing the discussion procedure by inviting a member of the government to serve as the rapporteur and also allowing questions to be posed to the European Commission Commissioner, thereby ensuring a serious political debate.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained that changing the content of the OTRK, as established by the committee, is not possible, and the current Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act does not permit presenters to answer questions because, due to the lack of translation services, it strictly requires the use of the Estonian language. However, he suggested initiating a discussion in the future regarding amendments to the law to resolve such situations.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme emphasizes his unwavering support for the use of the Estonian language both in parliament and more broadly, but proposes striking the current item from the agenda so that the committee can go back to the drawing board and bring an adequate discussion plan back to the chamber, requesting that this proposal be put to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained that the adopted proposal requires the absence of opposition from the factions in order to take effect. He then gave the floor to Peeter Ernits for the final procedural question, while also mentioning Irja Lutsar's forthcoming proposal.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits harshly criticized the planning of high-ranking guest Piotr Serafin’s appearance solely as a monologue. He demanded that, to ensure dialogue and substantive discussion, translation into Estonian must be guaranteed, as well as the opportunity to ask the guest questions using new microphone consoles, recalling previous successful visits.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar emphasized that although headphones are provided to members of the Riigikogu, Section 158, Subsection 3 of the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act clearly stipulates that presentations and speeches related to the items on the agenda must be delivered in Estonian, making compliance with the law mandatory. He then gave the floor to Irja Lutsar to make a proposal.
Irja Lutsar
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Irja Lutsar announced on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction that they do not agree to changing Wednesday's agenda.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar informed the Riigikogu that they would proceed to vote on the confirmation of the agenda for the 5th working week of the VI session, as the initiator had proposed removing the fourth item—the first reading of draft bill 669—from Wednesday's agenda, and subsequently asked his colleagues to state their position and cast their vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that the agenda had been adopted by 54 votes, and since no requests to speak were submitted following the presentation of the draft legislation and interpellations, they immediately proceeded to the discussion of the eight items on the agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The esteemed members of the Riigikogu were addressed with a morning greeting, which simultaneously served to announce the official commencement of Tuesday’s plenary session. This introduction underscored the formal and respectful atmosphere of the session, marking the beginning of the legislative work period. The speaker clearly announced that the plenary session of the Riigikogu was hereby commencing. The opening of the session was immediately followed by the requirement for a roll call. This procedural step is unavoidable within the Riigikogu’s rules of procedure, ensuring the presence of a quorum and thereby guaranteeing the legitimacy of forthcoming decisions and votes. Consequently, the opening focused strictly on formalities and preparation for commencing the agenda, emphasizing the necessity of confirming the presence of the members before proceeding to substantive work.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu session commenced with the registration of attendance, during which the participation of 56 members was recorded. Consequently, a significant number of deputies—45 members in total—were absent from the sitting. Following the attendance check, the proceedings immediately moved on to the next item on the agenda. Subsequently, the opportunity was opened for the official submission of new draft legislation and interpellations to the Riigikogu. This is a crucial procedural stage that allows members of parliament to initiate lawmaking and demand explanations from the government. To begin this procedure, the floor was granted to Riigikogu member Arvo Aller.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The EKRE parliamentary group submitted an interpellation in the Riigikogu chamber to the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, seeking clarification on the reduction of fishing rights for Pärnu coastal fishermen. The speaker stressed that bringing this issue to the main chamber was necessary to gain a clear overview of the ministry's policy regarding the conservation of fish stocks and the restriction of fishing rights. Although the matter had also been discussed in the Rural Affairs Committee, they want the minister's responses to be presented to the wider public. Members of the faction expressed serious concern that the restriction of fishing rights, which began in Pärnu County, will soon spread to other coastal areas, including Northern Estonia, and that the restriction of fishing rights for Lake Peipus fishermen is not far behind. However, the most crucial part of the interpellation concerns compensation. Since the fishing rights and gear were acquired using the fishermen's own funds, they are demanding an explanation from the minister as to how the state intends to compensate the fishermen for the losses incurred when these rights are essentially nationalized. A total of seven questions were posed to the minister.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Speaker opened the Riigikogu session with a brief procedural announcement, confirming to colleagues that Parliament had accepted one official interpellation. This step signifies a crucial part of parliamentary work, where the government or responsible officials are required to provide explanations regarding specific issues. It also confirms that the topic is timely and requires further handling in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure. After noting the acceptance of the interpellation, the Speaker immediately shifted focus to the main agenda of today’s session. This signaled that the Riigikogu was ready to proceed with the planned legislative drafts, debates, and other agenda items, which constitute the substantive purpose of the session. It was thus a short but necessary introduction, confirming the session’s order of business and indicating that the Riigikogu had moved on to its substantive work.
Toomas Kivimägi
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In the opening address of Wednesday’s plenary session of the Riigikogu, a non-traditional welcome was extended to European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud, and Public Administration, Piotr Serafin. The session opener stressed that the European Commission's budgetary framework constitutes an important common starting point for addressing major current challenges, such as the war in Ukraine, security issues, and European competitiveness. Members of the Riigikogu sought clarification from the Commissioner regarding how Estonia's specific needs had been accounted for within the European budgetary framework. Specifically, three priorities were highlighted: securing the eastern border, developing cross-border connections, and ensuring continuous and robust support for Ukraine. Following the opening remarks, the floor was given to Commissioner Serafin.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The plenary session of the Riigikogu commenced with a formal welcome from the presiding officer, addressed to the esteemed members of parliament. This officially declared open the Thursday sitting of the 5th working week of the current VI session, marking the beginning of another workday for the legislative body. Immediately following the opening, the assembly proceeded to the first and mandatory procedural step on the agenda: conducting the roll call. This step is essential for ensuring the legitimacy and quorum of the session, providing a clear overview of parliamentary attendance before the substantive work can begin. Overall, it was a brief but crucial introduction that set the framework for the day ahead, underscoring the importance of adherence to procedural rules in the work of the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
At the start of the Riigikogu session, low attendance was recorded, as only 38 members registered, while 63 representatives were absent. This figure set the tone for the remainder of the session. Although members had the opportunity to submit new draft legislation or interpellations after attendance was recorded, none of those present expressed a wish to exercise this right. Consequently, it was immediately decided to proceed with today’s agenda, without taking any new initiatives into consideration.