Prime Minister's Visits
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-06-05 15:33
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 17m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This agenda item addressed Prime Minister Kaja Kallas’s visit to the Bilderberg meeting held in Spain (May 30 – June 2). Riigikogu member Arvo Aller questioned Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna (who was substituting for the Prime Minister) on whether Kallas participated in the meeting as a government representative or in a private capacity. He also criticized the secrecy surrounding the Bilderberg Group meetings, referencing the Chatham House Rule and speculations regarding the establishment of a new world order.
Minister Tsahkna defended the Prime Minister’s participation, stressing that it represented recognition for Estonian foreign policy and that such high-level, confidential discussions are vital for shaping Estonia’s security and foreign policy amidst the current complex geopolitical situation. He confirmed that Kallas attended as Prime Minister, though he failed to clarify whether her time was officially registered as vacation or work time. Subsequently, Helle-Moonika Helme posed a follow-up question, criticizing the participation of the leader of a sovereign state in "secret meetings" and voicing concern that non-governmental organizations are directing Estonian policy. This led to a sharp political confrontation with Tsahkna, who accused Helme’s party of promoting Kremlin narratives and advocating for policies that restrict freedom—an accusation which Helme, in turn, categorically denied.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The third question today is directed to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, who is serving as Acting Prime Minister. It will be asked by Riigikogu member Arvo Aller, and the subject is the Prime Minister's visits.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller is raising the question of whether the Prime Minister, whom he is currently substituting for, attended the Bilderberg meeting in Spain as a government representative or in a private capacity, and whether she was on leave at the time. He emphasized that in the future, the Prime Minister's location should be made known.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar said that when the Foreign Minister substitutes for the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister is abroad, and the substitutions are agreed upon so that the person currently standing in for the Prime Minister is in Estonia and carries out the Prime Minister’s duties, as Margus Tsahkna is doing today.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that the Prime Minister's participation in the Bilderberg meeting is standard practice and demonstrates Estonia's high foreign policy profile. He added that such open, high-level discussions are essential for democracy, helping to shape and analyze our security and foreign policy and enabling us to respond effectively in a complex geopolitical situation, including addressing Russia's activities, hybrid attacks, and border violations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the speaker and asked Arvo Aller to pose a clarifying question.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller asks whether the meeting was attended in a private capacity or as a representative of the government, and what actual benefit Estonia derived from it, referring to decisions made in cabinet secrecy and requesting clarification regarding the prime minister's participation and the topics discussed (the foreign agents law, hybrid attacks, Georgia relations).
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
He emphasized that Estonian foreign policy is a consensus policy, open and transparently discussed through the Riigikogu, focusing on security and economic interests. It includes cooperation with Ukraine in the Zhytomyr region on opening an orphanage and preparing future projects for a music school and a human rights center, while Russia's aggressiveness is clearly seen as a threat in the future.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The address begins with a word of thanks and announces the next supplementary question, for which Helle-Moonika Helme is called upon to present.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme emphasized that state leaders should discuss their meetings publicly, arguing that secret meetings and non-governmental organizations such as the UN, WHO, IMF, and the Bilderberg Group influence our security and economy without a mandate. She stressed that if the costs of these meetings are paid by the taxpayer, the public has the right to know what was discussed there and what kind of accountability is expected.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna emphasized that the Estonian state is governed by the people based on the mandate granted through democracy, that conspiracy theories and the influence of foreign states are false, and that the state is strong and decisions are made transparently together with the government, the Riigikogu (Parliament), local authorities, citizens, and NGOs.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman concludes the debate on today's third item, thanks Helle-Moonika Helme for withdrawing her request to speak, and notes that there is a procedural question concerning the conduct of the sitting.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme stated that her question had been misunderstood and that the accusations against her and her party were completely false, stressing that the Estonian people want the country to be governed by politicians who have received a mandate, not by non-governmental organizations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that the questioner and the Foreign Minister are discussing the same topic from different positions, that the Foreign Minister has answered the question, and that the presiding officer cannot intervene because the disagreements persist.