Second reading of the Draft Act amending the Foreign Service Act and amending other related acts (Bill 353 SE)
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session.
Date: 2024-06-13 01:40
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 9
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 6m
AI Summaries: 9/9 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed the preparation for the second reading of Draft Act 353, concerning the amendment of the Foreign Service Act and associated amendments to other acts. The Foreign Affairs Committee convened on June 3, 2024, and summoned the responsible officials: Perit Soininen, lawyer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Riina Pihel, Director General of the Personnel Department. The preliminary procedure indicates that the draft act has passed the first reading and no proposals were received from members of the Riigikogu; the Ministry has submitted several amendments, some of which stem from the draft act's new entry into force date of January 1, 2025. The leading committee presented five amendments from the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Committee supported them unanimously. Details revealed that some of the amendments involve postponing the original date of April 1, 2024, to January 1, 2025, and the goal is to conclude the second reading and commence the third reading no later than September 11, 2024, holding the final vote during the same sitting and concluding the entire procedure by consensus.
Decisions Made 1
The Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously supported all 353 amendments to the draft bill; it was decided to place the draft bill on the agenda of the Riigikogu plenary session for the second reading on June 12, 2024, and to conclude the second reading. Once the second reading is concluded, the plan is to initiate the third reading on the Riigikogu plenary session agenda on September 11, 2024, and conduct the final vote. All procedural decisions were made by consensus.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Riigikogu Foreign Affairs Committee; he represented the views of the leading committee and explained the goals of the proposed amendments and the preparation for concluding the second reading of the bill. During this period, the presentation refers to the right-wing political direction as a representative in the leading political home (right-wing/right-wing).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is debating Bill 353, initiated by the government, concerning the amendment of the Foreign Service Act and other related legislation. The rapporteur for the bill is Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Riigikogu Foreign Affairs Committee.
Marko Mihkelson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Foreign Affairs Committee discussed the preparation for the second reading of Bill 353, drafted five amendments, and unanimously decided to place the bill on the Riigikogu agenda for the second reading on June 12, 2024, for the third reading on September 11, 2024, and for the final vote, extending the effective date until January 1, 2025.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks the presenter, notes that he has at least one question, and asks Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski to pose the question.
Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speech highlights that the employment situation of spouses and registered partners of foreign service officials is vulnerable, and asks what steps have been taken to better protect their position when the spouse or partner must relocate abroad.
Marko Mihkelson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Marko Mihkelson pointed out that the Estonian foreign service is a leader in Europe, and amendments to the Foreign Service Act stipulate that the families of employees on long-term foreign assignments will receive greater support from the state, and the conditions applicable to the spouse or registered cohabiting partner will become even more favorable.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls upon Raimond Kaljulaid to speak.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid recalled the dispute that took place ages ago regarding the equality of registered partners, the failure to promulgate the law, and the undignified treatment by the government at the time. He then asked whether this problem has now somehow been resolved through some other means.
Marko Mihkelson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The decision made during the second reading of the Riigikogu actually resolved this issue through the Marriage Equality Act, as the previous attempt resulted in the president failing to proclaim the law and the bill dropping out of the legislative process. Furthermore, although the debate surrounding the amendment of the Foreign Service Act has been lengthy and raised concerns, this extended period allows for the most rational solution possible to many outstanding questions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that discussions would not be opened. Five amendments to draft bill 353 were reviewed; all of them were submitted by the leading committee, and a full record of them will be provided. The leading committee then concluded the second reading.