Draft law amending the Emergency Situations Act and, as a consequence, amending other laws (426 SE) – third reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-09-25 17:42
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 20
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 32m
AI Summaries: 20/20 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu began preparations for the third reading of bill 426, concerning the amendment of the Emergency Situations Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic, and the related amendments to other laws. The bill aims to transpose the CER directive and expand the scope of vital services, including ensuring food safety. In addition, in accordance with the Constitution, obligations are foreseen for local governments and the state to prepare risk analyses, and the schedules for their preparation are placed in the middle of 2025, coordinated with the involvement of various levels. However, the lack of a schedule and funding raises questions about the burden on local governments and the need for internal resources to cover salary and personnel costs. During the debate, it was highlighted that the involvement of primary producers, food handlers, and other supply chains is not sufficiently clear in the context, and there was discussion about the extent and duration of the need for additional workforce and bureaucracy.
Decisions Made 1
Sixty-three members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, ten voted against, and there were zero abstentions. Bill 426 has been adopted as a law.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa), whose position on the right and in independent notes coordinated and criticised the bill's procedure, and who presented strong views on bureaucracy and burdens. He was an important aspect of the discussion regarding the state security and defence centre and represented a right-wing perspective that considered a review of funding and forms necessary, and advocated for cooperation with all parties involved in the discussion.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi opened the debate on the second item on the agenda, which concerned the third reading of Draft Act 426, the draft act amending the Emergency Situation Act and other related acts, and subsequently gave the floor to Arvo Aller on behalf of the EKRE faction.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller notes that the amendment to the Emergency Situation Act subjects local governments and the state to the burdensome preparation of risk analyses, setting confusing deadlines (local government 30.06.2025, state 31.12.2025) and requiring them to take each other's analyses into account. Furthermore, the state is not ensuring sufficient funding, while clarity is lacking regarding the provisions for food supply and the raw material supply for handlers.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He's asking for three more minutes.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
According to Arvo Aller, he does not support this bill because it excludes primary producers, including potato, vegetable, and grain growers, from the list of vital service providers, focusing solely on processors during the transposition of the CER Directive.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu, speaking on behalf of the Isamaa faction, requested additional time and asked for eight minutes.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that Isamaa supported a broad-based security concept, but the bill significantly increases bureaucracy and burdens both the private sector and the state and local government levels—requiring up to 400 full-time employees in the private sector and additional regulations for officials—and fails to meet the government's promise to reduce costs.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks and requests that Raimond Kaljulaid represent the Social Democratic Party faction.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid asserts that the purpose of the law is to guarantee broad-based security and essential services during crises. He accuses the opposition of populism and stresses the National Defence Committee's willingness to discuss all proposed amendments, as well as its cooperation with ERR (Estonian Public Broadcasting) to ensure public safety and information services.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi said that there are, naturally, three extra minutes.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid urged an end to populism, called for the draft weapons act to be opened up for discussion, and proposed that the opposition and the coalition work together to find and pass a sound law that reduces bureaucracy in the defense industry and speeds up its development.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech was clear and included a call for a response, and Urmas Reinsalu was subsequently asked to deliver a rejoinder.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu criticized the coalition, stating that despite promises to reduce bureaucracy, they are adding new red tape without cutting existing regulations. He also argued that given the critical security situation, the government is failing to make decisions based on objective military advice.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He expresses gratitude.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Various organizations have stated this, and we are ready for cooperation to prevent it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks his colleague and promises that, provided Peeter Tali agrees, he will give Arvo Aller, the representative of the EKRE faction, the opportunity to make a response speech.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller emphasized that the necessity of the law is undisputed, but what matters is its path and the role of local authorities and food security. He criticized the populism of the socialists and promised to amend the Emergency Situation Act if necessary, while simultaneously accusing them of creating difficulties for entrepreneurs and imposing taxes.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker thanks [the previous speaker] and invites Peeter Tali to take the floor on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali stresses that national defense must not become a political playing field; rather, it should be discussed calmly, all proposals should be considered, and the bill must be supported during the final vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi concludes the negotiations and submits Draft Bill 426 for the final vote. This bill concerns the amendment of the Emergency Situation Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic, and amendments to related acts.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Bill 426 was adopted as law, with 63 votes in favor, 10 against, and no abstentions.