The confiscation of the Lihula monument by the PPA
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, press briefing.
Date: 2024-09-11 16:16
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 27
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 18m
AI Summaries: 27/27 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The seventh issue drew attention to the confiscation of the Lihula monument by the PPA (Police and Border Guard Board). Member of Parliament Varro Vooglaid was the first to take the floor and presented a highly emotional and critical viewpoint: the removal and subsequent seizure of the monument are disgraceful, and this only amplifies Russia's historical narrative. He stressed that symbols of commemoration should focus on the memory of those who fought for Estonian freedom and against the Soviet occupation, rather than creating a controversial narrative. Furthermore, he raised the question of who would find the erection of a copy of the monument important, and what the state's role is in handling memories in such a manner.
Decisions Made 1
The police have taken the Lihula monument into custody and commissioned an expert analysis to ascertain whether the copy exactly corresponds to the original. The monument will remain in safekeeping until the analysis is concluded. Based on the findings, further steps will be considered, including its return, provided the circumstances are clear and no prohibited symbolism is present.
Most Active Speaker
Varro Vooglaid — a member of EKRE, a representative of the right-wing political spectrum; the key speaker during the discussion of the seventh item of this session.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riigikogu member Varro Vooglaid is addressing his seventh question to Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets regarding the PPA's confiscation of the Lihula monument.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid considers the 2004 removal of the Lihula monument and the subsequent erection of a copy on the last day of August to be deeply shameful. He stresses that these men fought against the Soviet occupation in Sinimäed and deserve the respect of the state, which the state has so far failed to provide. Furthermore, he questions why the government is amplifying Russia’s historical narrative by depicting them as fighters for fascism.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and addresses the minister with a request.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets stated that the decision was made by the police, not the government, and Estonia must adhere to the law and is prohibited from wearing the military uniforms of Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union. Both regimes were occupations, and Estonians are not permitted to wear these uniforms. The police will continue enforcing the law and carrying out preventative measures until the stone is taken into custody.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the previous speaker] and invited Varro Vooglaid to ask a clarifying question.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid asserts that this monument contains no symbols of Nazi Germany, arguing that the original lacked them and an exact copy cannot therefore include them. He further emphasizes that the monument’s purpose is to honor the men who defended the Estonian land and people against Soviet occupation, while simultaneously asking who is responsible for this obvious violation of law.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets emphasized that placing the Estonian flag on any uniform whatsoever does not make its meaning more patriotic, and an occupation regime is an occupation. He also raised the issue of police action based on the Law Enforcement Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called for the proceedings on this issue to be concluded with mutual respect, and requested the minister to provide an answer and ensure silence in the hall.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
I apologize to Varro Vooglaid that every time I wanted to give a substantive answer, Mr. Mart Helme spoiled it, and I did not have a chance to speak until your party colleagues escorted you away.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar asked all Riigikogu members and the minister to answer the question, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and listening to one another.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets commented on the Law Enforcement Act, confirming that he had not demanded Moonika Helme's departure, and a noisy atmosphere prevailed in the hall, during which the minister added that it was very difficult to speak.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requests quiet for a moment, interrupts the debate, and says: Martin Helme as well.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets apologizes and promises to respond.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar asks for just a moment and promises the Minister that the time will be returned.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets thanks the listeners.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asked everyone to maintain a mutually respectful discussion, not interrupt, and respect one another, so that the information session could conclude respectfully and all questions could be answered, and then gave the minister one minute to respond and the opportunity for follow-up questions.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets stated that the Law Enforcement Act allows the police to intervene to avert danger and prevent escalation, and to act in situations where there is a high probability that a public disturbance will begin or occur. Although the discussion regarding expertise and a copy has been ongoing, the monument was taken into custody, where it will be assessed and documented. If the monument is found to lack prohibited symbolism, it will be returned when circumstances change. The state is not harassing anyone and does not consider the uniforms of Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union to be symbols of the Estonian War of Independence. Furthermore, the police have previously engaged with the individuals proactively.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar says the time has come.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
There was no willingness to listen to the problems highlighted by the police and the local government, and perhaps it shouldn't have gone this far.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This is merely a procedural note stating "Time!", "Thank you!", "Follow-up question," and calling upon Kalle Grünthal as the next questioner.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal is asking the Minister of the Interior why the 2004 police-commissioned assessment, which concluded that the Lihula monument does not contain Nazi symbols, is no longer considered valid.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Minister Lauri Läänemets emphasized that the monument's precision requires it to be taken into custody for safekeeping and expert examination, because the police do not have the means to see through walls. He noted that the goal is to maintain public order and prevent similar situations, referencing Estonia's history of occupation and the fact that neither the Soviet Union nor Nazi Germany were ever good regimes for Estonia, although the actions of individuals within those armies must be distinguished.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offers his thanks, concluding the handling of today's seventh item. Before moving on to the eighth item, he raises two procedural questions regarding the conduct of the sitting and asks for Martin Helme's attention.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme emphasizes that respect cannot be maintained when ministers lie, sneer, and aggressively harangue while failing to answer questions before the Parliament and the public, and attempt to drive members of the Parliament out of the chamber. In such a situation, the session chairman must intervene and call the representatives of this regime to order.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar affirmed that the parliamentary debate should be civil and respectful, and that both questions and answers must be delivered without interjections, pausing the discussion if necessary.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo raises the question of changing the format of the information hour, recalling earlier times when the prime minister demanded lip-reading and made inappropriate comments. She notes that the people sitting in the current government box are sneering, and asks whether the focus will remain on questions and answers, or if the debate will be replaced solely by discussion about who is moving what and whether that is right and appropriate.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The format of the information session will still remain a question-and-answer format.