The Actions of the Government and the Prime Minister
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, information briefing
Date: 2024-06-12 15:16
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 12
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 9m
AI Summaries: 12/12 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The second question of the Riigikogu session was addressed to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, who was fulfilling the duties of the Prime Minister. The question was posed by Riigikogu member Aleksandr Tšaplõgin and concerned the activities of the government and the Prime Minister, focusing primarily on Prime Minister Kaja Kallas’s participation in the Bilderberg meeting. Tšaplõgin asked whether the Prime Minister had previously discussed her participation in the meeting with the government and whether such conduct was normal. Minister Tsahkna replied that a thorough discussion had not taken place, but Kallas attended the meeting as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia, discussing topics of global security and foreign policy. Tsahkna confirmed that the Prime Minister’s behavior is completely normal, as foreign policy is based on long-term strategies and consensus, centered on the principle that Estonia will never be alone again. He highlighted a historical parallel with the neutrality policy of the 1930s, emphasizing the vital importance of active participation in allied relations. In a supplementary question, Vadim Belobrovtsev referred to the Prime Minister’s conduct as symptomatic, asking whether Kallas’s potential move to a high European Union post has affected the health of the coalition. Tsahkna responded that Kallas is certainly a considerable foreign policy figure, especially regarding Estonia’s leadership in aiding Ukraine, holding Russia accountable, and defense bonds. He confirmed that Kallas would be suitable for high European positions and the Reform Party will make a decision regarding the commissioner candidate within the next three weeks. The session concluded with a procedural dispute between Tsahkna and Belobrovtsev, where the latter responded to the minister’s personal remark about the location of his "feet," which the session chair deemed inappropriate.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Member of the Riigikogu Aleksandr Tšaplõgin addresses a question to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, who is acting in the capacity of the Prime Minister, concerning the activities of the government and the Prime Minister.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speaker asks if the minister has now discussed his participation in the Bilderberg meeting with the Prime Minister, and what the Prime Minister told him.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
He said that Estonia's representative participated in the meeting as the Prime Minister, and they discussed issues of global security and foreign policy, adding that no major historical conclusions are drawn from these meetings.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and asks Aleksandr Chaplygin to pose a clarifying question.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He/She asks whether it is normal for the Prime Minister to attend an important international meeting without consulting the government beforehand.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
Estonia’s foreign and security policy is based on consensus, and our objective is never to stand alone, but rather to act actively, supported by our allies and international organizations—a commitment underscored by the 20th anniversary of our accession to NATO and the European Union.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offered his thanks and invited Vadim Belobrovtsev to ask a supplementary question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev pointed out that Prime Minister Kaja Kallas’s recent behavior has visibly symbolized the coalition’s instability, and he asked how this has affected the health of the coalition and what the solution to the situation would be.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that Prime Minister Kaja Kallas could be suitable for higher European Union positions, emphasizing Estonia's strong foreign policy profile regarding Ukraine and Russia, and its stance on sharing the burden of defense investments. He added that the Reform Party has the right to nominate the Commissioner candidate and that a decision will be made within three weeks.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the participants, concluded the discussion of the second item, and noted that Vadim Belobrovtsev had his hand raised regarding a question about the procedure for conducting the session.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He noted that he could not answer, and stressed that, unlike Kaja Kallas, he and the members of the Centre Party faction have both feet—both of them in Estonia—and they will defend the interests of the Estonian people both now and in the future.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman, Lauri Hussar, stated that the discussion concerning legs is not a procedural question, because a procedural question relates to the order of conducting the sitting, and this is not the proper venue for raising an objection. Let this be clearly noted for the record.