Draft law amending the Act on the Government of the Republic and amending other laws thereof (505 SE) – First Reading
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-10-14 21:14
Total Speeches: 110
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 30m
AI Summaries: 110/110 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The main item on the agenda is the first reading of the draft law amending the State Government Act and, in connection therewith, amending other laws 505. The initial aim of the draft is to consolidate and reorganize the areas of responsibility of ministers based on the coalition agreement: The Ministry of Justice will be transformed into the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, whose sphere of governance will include tasks related to digital development and the development of e-services, as well as the design and coordination of state information systems. Additionally, the areas of responsibility of the Regional and Agricultural Ministry pertaining to land use policy, spatial planning, and tasks related to land and space will move to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, and within it, the newly created Land Board. The draft also introduces a special provision regarding the granting and alienation of real estate rights and adds population protection as a new area of responsibility within the Ministry of the Interior. Furthermore, the draft addresses changes to the educational requirements for the position of Head of the Government Office and the State Secretary, largely related to changes in the roles of the positions and a re-evaluation of current educational needs. The draft is the result of a package of reforms undertaken based on the coalition agreement, and the discussion will focus on both the structural changes and the political and legal implications.
Decisions Made 1
The Riigikogu decided to close the first reading: proposals to reject the draft bill in the first reading did not find sufficient support. The first reading of the bill ended with a result of 16 in favor, 43 against, and 0 abstentions. The deadline for submitting amendments is October 28th at 5:15 PM. This is a collegial decision, not by one specific politician.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker is Urmas Reinsalu (pid nHm--Ta7jVU), a representative of the party Isamaa, for whom questions and comments were prepared in several rounds regarding the amendment of the state secretary's education requirements and the substantive nature of the draft. He has played a central role in the discussions, and the number and length of his speeches give a noticeable advantage to the positions aligned with him. Isamaa belongs to the right-wing (literally and historically right-wing) political spectrum; therefore, based on the tonal direction and context of his speeches, they can be classified as ‘right’ positions.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The discussion concerns the first reading of Bill 505, initiated by the Government of the Republic, regarding the amendment of the Government of the Republic Act and the amendment of other associated legislation. The rapporteur is Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
This draft bill reflects the changes outlined in the 2024 coalition agreement: The Ministry of Justice will become the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, consolidating the development of the digital society and e-services, the nationwide organization of digital development and cybersecurity, and the management of state information systems, along with their associated agencies; the promotion of accessibility, tasks related to land use and spatial planning, and the land and spatial sector, as well as the Land Board (Maa-amet), will be transferred to the administrative area of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture; consent for the use or alienation of immovable property will henceforth be granted only through the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, provided the property is agricultural land (maatulundusmaa) used for agricultural purposes, or if the local government deems the property necessary for the fulfillment of public duties; population protection will be added to the administrative area of the Ministry of the Interior; and the requirement for the State Secretary position within the State Chancellery to hold a legal higher education degree will be updated to reflect the expanded role.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The moderator announced that the audience had questions and invited Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart is criticizing the alteration of the State Secretary’s educational requirements, the apparent goal of which is to appoint an insider. The entire law is reportedly being changed just for this purpose, even as discussions focus on transforming the State Secretary’s role into that of a top executive manager. She also questions whether the Government of the Republic Act—which defines the State Secretary’s duties, including the supervision and analysis of constitutionality, and ensuring that bills and legal acts comply with the constitution—will also be amended.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta said that a legal higher education should not be required for certain posts, arguing that it is not expedient, and noting that even the minister herself does not need such a degree. She made these remarks while referencing Ülo Kaevats and the position of the Commissioner for Gender Equality and Equal Treatment.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invited Tiit Maran to the stage.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran expresses concern that the mechanisms required for the functioning of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture's sector are being transferred under another ministry.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The draft coalition agreement merges the justice and digital sectors, which will allow for faster progress in digital development. However, issues concerning spatial planning and land use are strongly tied to the economy and people's livelihoods, meaning that the entire government must definitely address regional development.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
At the beginning of the address, Aivar Kokk is requested to come up on stage.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk inquired how transferring the budget of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture to the jurisdiction of another ministry could generate the projected income of approximately 28 million euros next year, and he specifically requested an explanation of the explanatory memorandum.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The state budget is composed of revenues and expenditures. The revenues of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications are increasing due to the relocation of certain ministry departments or staff, as well as the inclusion of the Land Board. Although the exact figures and balance sheets have not yet been finalized, and the amounts may vary, this increase could also include European Union funds or subsidies totaling approximately 28 million, which is why the revenue side of the budget is rising.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Lauri Laats to take the floor.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She criticizes the bill’s drastic inter-ministerial maneuvers and the redistribution of resources, noting that these are complicated and ordinary citizens cannot understand which minister is responsible for which portfolio, and expresses concern that the continuity of the state may deteriorate due to the change in the State Secretary, which appears to stem from the Prime Minister’s wishes.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The court has historically operated without the requirement of a higher legal education degree.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to speak.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart argues that the requirement for the law's relevance has been highlighted precisely now, as the new prime minister seeks to appoint the Secretary of State without a legal education, which creates a dangerous precedent and the risk of politicizing top positions.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
According to Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta, the politicization of senior government positions must not be tolerated, and the abolition of the legal higher education requirement for the position of State Secretary is justified. She argues this because, while these posts provide full-time legal advice and resolve legal issues, the same applies to the Minister of Justice, who is responsible for all legislative drafting, given that modern legal education has changed and the classic 30-year-old curriculum no longer meets today's needs.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu raises the point that the division of tasks related to telecommunications and postal services among different ministries is causing anxiety and stress for approximately 1,400 officials, according to the explanatory memorandum. He subsequently asks the minister responsible for telecommunications what the intention was behind the 44% increase in the number of TTJA officials and what the minister thinks of this vision.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Since the text of the speech is only "Urmas Reinsalu, palun!", it is not possible to provide a substantive summary.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta notes that the transfer of the communications sector is justified by cybersecurity and EU law, and will be accompanied by better cooperation, a greater pace of digital innovation, and economic development, although it is causing anxiety among employees.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu has already made his request; Tiit Maran is next to speak.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta said she agrees, provided the work is satisfactory, and takes responsibility, stating that it is her mistake.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speaker said that you can't do it that way—that just because you have a question prepared, you can always raise a point of order.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta requests that the information be provided in writing.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is a short request: to invite Tiit Maran to speak.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He emphasizes that planning cannot be reduced merely to IT solutions and economic development, and local cultural and environmental aspects must be taken into account. Furthermore, it remains unclear where the responsibilities for planning and developing green corridors will ultimately fall—under the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture or the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The presentation emphasized that planning efforts have historically been managed by various ministries. To ensure the faster implementation of the green corridor, this responsibility will remain under the Ministry of Economic Affairs in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate, and the monitoring of environmental aspects will continue. Furthermore, in response to a question from Urmas Reinsalu, it was clarified that the TTJA (Technical Regulatory Authority) will hire 44% more communications specialists only if the plan—which is currently being drafted into a bill and addresses the covering of costs for the European Union’s mass surveillance—reaches the Riigikogu for debate. However, this is not yet a binding draft bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
He says that written questions could be asked verbally, and he addresses Aivar Kokk with a request.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta said that she took a flexible approach and was very grateful for the meeting chair’s accommodation, and she also greeted Aivar Kokk.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Aivar Kokk has been invited to speak.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk criticized the minister’s budget, highlighting 66 new jobs and the 66,000 euros associated with their relocation, along with additional costs such as signs and business cards. He then asked where the funding would come from and whether these expenses could be covered before the law was passed.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
According to the report, the realistic cost for replacing the signs is 8,000 euros. The remaining costs will not be incurred because personnel are not relocating and the computer workstation remains the same; business cards will be replaced as they run out, and the names above the ministry can be manually changed if necessary; some workplace relocation may occur, but 1,000 euros per location seems excessive.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Rain Epler to come forward and speak.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asks whether the government has discussed making the position of State Secretary more flexible and relaxing the formal requirements, and he casts doubt on the minister's claims regarding cooperation with Keldo, while also pointing to the inaccuracy of the higher education institutions' comments.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta stated that legal higher education is now highly specialized, marking the end of the era of broad legal education. She noted that a three-year degree is feasible, specializations are extremely narrow, and general requirements will be reduced in the future, given the abundance of e-courses and opportunities for self-improvement available in education.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller asks Aleksei Jevgrafov to come forward.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The draft legislation, which amends the educational requirements for the position of State Secretary and diminishes the importance of a legal background, raises the question of whether the requirement for legal education for rural municipality and city secretaries will also be dropped, and how that position will operate without it.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The speech emphasized that changes have been implemented, and the example of Tallinn demonstrates that strategic development work can be undertaken by an individual without a legal higher education, provided they possess an economic background suitable for the post of Secretary of State.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller asks Urmas Reinsalu to take the floor.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The office of the Secretary of State is being discussed as a neutral position. The necessity of a legal education is being questioned, and there is speculation about whether Keit Kasemets could be the new Secretary of State. Furthermore, the Minister of Justice is being asked to confirm to Parliament that this is untrue and that such an appointment practice has not been used in the past.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta is defending the abolishment of the legal education requirement for the State Secretary position, dismissing speculation and emphasizing that this does not constitute a precedent.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Kalle Grünthal to the stage.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal asserts that the preparation for the State Secretary position is being directed toward Keit Kasemets, and that she lacks a relevant university degree, which calls into question her ability to ensure that the government's legislation and draft bills comply with the Constitution and other laws.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
In the context of state governance, Liisa-Ly Pakosta stresses that the competencies and contribution of individuals to the benefit of Estonia are more important than simply possessing a legal education or a diploma.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu asked the presiding officer a question.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu referred to the principle of Ockham's razor and emphasized that during the processing of the draft legislation, consideration should be given to defining the scientific concept using the shortest possible definition and adopting a general approach. He then asked whether the board had considered granting Keit Kasemets a Master of Laws degree through an implementing provision of the law, instead of requiring legal education for the position of Secretary of State.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Board has not considered such a matter; Kalle Grünthal, please address your question to the chairman of the session.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal said that abolishing the requirement for the State Secretary to hold a legal higher education degree would fundamentally contradict the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, and he questioned how such a corruption-tinged draft bill had reached the Riigikogu and how the board was allowing it to pass.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
At the beginning of the speech, it is said that the question was probably directed at him.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The bill has been forwarded to the Constitutional Committee for debate. The committee chairman, along with the minister, will report on the discussion that took place, and if any questions arose, we will hear comments on those matters directly from Helir-Valdor Seeder, the Chairman of the Constitutional Committee.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder expressed concern regarding the idea of transforming the Ministry of Justice into a digital ministry, citing the risk of duplication and the deterioration of management quality, and simultaneously inquired about which portion of telecommunications would remain under the Ministry of Justice and which would be allocated to other ministries.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The communications and connectivity sector will be split starting January 1st between the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs and, partially, the Ministry of Defence. Furthermore, regarding the issue of the telegraph, there is no clarity as to whether the National Heritage Board or someone else will be dealing with it.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticizes the government's rosy optimism and demagoguery, and asks whether a top official participating in coalition negotiations while on leave, along with the intention to change the requirements for the State Secretary, doesn't turn our country into a banana republic.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker calls upon Rain Epler to speak.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
This proposal focuses on the arguments, not the appearance, because different viewpoints see things differently.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker invites Kalle Grünthal to speak.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal accuses Secretary of State Peterkop of gutting the draft climate law in retaliation, and points to the controversial appointment (or "smearing") of Keit Kasemets as Secretary of State, asking whether the minister is prepared to resign if he knows that he was completely unaware.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
He stated that they cannot agree on the matter of retaliatory actions, and that pursuant to the Government of the Republic Act, neither the Minister of Justice nor the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs deals with or participates in the selection of the State Secretary, and the State Secretary remains outside their administrative purview, and he defends the arguments presented in the explanatory memorandum of the draft act for abolishing the education requirement.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller calls on Riina Solman to speak.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman took to the Riigikogu rostrum to ask whether the draft legislation aimed at relaxing the educational requirements for the State Secretary was linked to Keit Kasemets and SALK, and whether the minister would acknowledge that the matter was fishy and that the politicians who raised questions were on the right track.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Pakosta stressed that members of the Riigikogu have the right to inquire about and debate all aspects of the draft legislation, as well as to raise concerns, and that the bill does not pertain to one specific individual, and furthermore, advising officials prior to its adoption is not a prohibited donation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks Helir-Valdor Seeder to take the floor.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder is inquiring about how the telecommunications and postal services sector is divided among various ministries (including the role of Omniva), and whether the specific area of responsibility currently falling under the Ministry of Economic Affairs will be preserved or liquidated.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The report confirms that most communication topics currently remain the same, with only one of the four major areas moving to the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, and a large section from the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture moving under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, while issues related to mail and paper consignments remain within the competence of the regional ministry.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls upon Martin Helme to take the floor.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that the current government routinely violates the Constitution and laws, treating specific, individual cases as if they were general solutions—such as those found in Keit Kasemets's draft bill or law—and questions why the Minister of Justice approves such poor legislative drafting.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
This legislative bill significantly alters the jurisdictions of several ministries and harmonizes educational requirements, thereby eliminating the necessity of a legal background for several positions, including the Minister of Justice, the ministry's Secretary-General, and the Commissioner for Gender Equality and Equal Treatment.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman offered his thanks and then turned to Riina Solman with a request.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman delivered a speech concerning the merger of the Land Board and the Spatial Planning Agency. She inquired whether the internal dynamics of the new agency have resulted in savings and redundancies, and how two distinct sectors have managed to harmonize.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The Riigikogu factions have been kept informed about this development, and the creation of the new agency will primarily bring substantive efficiency and better premises for Estonia, although the savings will be modest and are secondary.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman turned to Evelin Poolamets and asked her to come.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets asked whether the legal experts possess a legal education or if one is required, and how the State Secretary can rely on the legal experts of the State Chancellery.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Public sector leaders must ensure that their teams possess the necessary competencies, and exactly how this is achieved is left to the discretion of each individual leader; additionally, examples were provided of prominent figures in Estonian legal history who lacked a higher legal education.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls upon Arvo Aller to speak.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller expresses concern that the Land Board and its spatial planning department are being moved elsewhere, and although this would result in theoretical savings, he questions where the actual savings will come from, given that 23 positions are being eliminated from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, 42 from the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, and 66 new positions are being created in the Ministry of Justice.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
This involves two parallel activities: ministries are implementing budget cuts, and simultaneously, internal reorganizations are taking place. Before January 1st, effective solutions must be found and structural changes implemented to achieve synergy and optimal cooperation, but we cannot provide more specific answers at this time.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the minister, stated that there were no questions, and announced that before continuing the discussion held in the leading committee, the procedure for conducting the sitting would be reviewed. He then gave the floor to Urmas Reinsalu.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu expressed concern regarding the organization of parliamentary work and communication, highlighting the risk that the law might be tailored for one specific individual. He also asked which businessmen proposed removing the education requirement, when Eesti 200 and the Prime Minister learned about it, and who informed them, and requested updated management information for the parliament.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar clarified that the matter concerned the substance of the law's proceedings, rather than the procedure for conducting the sitting. He confirmed the Riigikogu Board's decision to accept the draft resolution for deliberation and invited Hendrik Terras to present the discussion.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Constitutional Committee broadly discussed three topics: what it means in practice if the Riigikogu fails to approve a draft bill; the abolition of the education requirement for the Secretary of State and the associated political responsibility; and the necessity of a higher education requirement for politicians. The committee decided to conclude the first reading with 4 votes in favor and 2 against, and the deadline for submitting amendments is ten working days.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the presenter and called upon Martin Helme to ask questions.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme criticizes that the process of amending the law is formalistic and obstructive, because the government has already positioned the institutions according to its own wishes, and the amendments are formalized later, which is not suitable for a normal democratic state that adheres to the constitutional order.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Terras stated that the law must be adhered to, and while the current situation does not point to a violation, the completeness of the regulations is not absolute. Therefore, ministries must continue their work, as the state does not tolerate the delays involved in drafting legislation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called upon Rene Kokk to speak.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk noted that the commission stressed leadership skills over education and questioned whether the country might be better run by more leaders who know nothing about their respective fields and do not require specialized professional qualifications.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
I believe that having an education specific to the institution being managed is neither a basic requirement nor a criterion, even though it certainly helps to better understand the sector and simplify the work. Furthermore, several other members of the commission shared this same viewpoint.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks that Arvo Aller be called.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
During Arvo Aller's address, emphasis was placed on the need to return the draft legislation to the government for the correction of its positions and the inclusion of the committee's proposals for future consideration. Furthermore, a question was raised as to why coordination involved only the State Information and Communication Foundation and the Estonian Internet Foundation, and excluded the Land Board and foundations operating in the field of spatial planning.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Commission neither made a proposal nor considered sending the draft bill back, and no discussion arose regarding the institutions to whom the clearance was sent.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Kert Kingo to the stage.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo criticized the coalition, which promises to improve the work culture of the Riigikogu and the general political sphere, and asked whether things are being done before they are formalized and later legitimized by majority votes—is this the new political work culture?
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The content of the draft bill was debated in the Constitutional Committee, but political culture as such was not directly reflected in the discussion, and this does not constitute a major breach of political culture.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls Evelin Poolamets.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speaker asks whether the State Chancellery will incur additional expenses, such as the cost of hiring legal experts and other similar expenditures, upon the entry into force of the law abolishing the requirement for the State Secretary to possess a legal education.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Government Office employs more lawyers than just the State Secretary, and they certainly do their job well, but budget issues were not discussed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar makes a request of Kert Kingo.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo noted that, in the context of the draft bill, the emphasis seems to be first on implementation and only then on the formal drafting of the laws, and she asked if she had understood that correctly.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
He noted that because the amendment was agreed upon in the coalition agreement, it must be prepared by the Ministry of Justice. However, in the interest of the state, we cannot wait for the bill to be finalized; we must proceed and make adjustments later if necessary, as support in the Riigikogu is likely and the functioning of the state must not stall.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the rapporteur, confirms that there are no questions, and before commencing the discussions, the procedure for conducting the sitting is addressed, for the clarification of which Rain Epler is invited.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler stressed that state governance must first have a statutory basis, and the ministry operates according to that, not the reverse. He also proposed that the Riigikogu’s management committee discuss sending a formal memorandum to the government.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that this cannot be treated as a procedural matter, but the Riigikogu Management Board communicates with the government regarding legislative drafting and the enforcement of laws, and answered Kert Kingo's question concerning the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
He asks whether, based on the coalition agreement, a specific person is appointed as the next Secretary of State and the requirements are then changed to suit them—is that how things are done?
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman declares the discussions open and invites Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to speak on behalf of the Centre Faction.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks for three more minutes of extra time.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requests three minutes of extra time.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart points out that the draft bill is a prime example of how the law is being amended for the benefit of one person—specifically, to appoint her confidant as State Secretary by altering the educational requirements alongside other amendments. This creates a negative precedent that threatens constitutional legality, continuity, and the politicization of officials, which is why she demands the rejection of the draft bill during its first reading.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invited Helir-Valdor Seeder to the Riigikogu rostrum on behalf of the Isamaa faction, and Seeder requested three minutes of additional time.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder said that the draft amendment to the Government Act is largely written for one person and devalues the role of the Secretary of State and the status of lawyers. He added that the resulting duplication of task distribution between ministries and the growth of bureaucracy is impractical, which is why the Isamaa faction called for the rejection of the bill during the first reading, stressing the need for long-term state governance that ensures greater stability.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced the conclusion of the debate and put to a vote the proposals by the Isamaa and Estonian Centre Party factions to reject the first reading of Bill 505.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of Draft Bill 505: 16 votes were cast in favor of the proposal, 43 against, with no abstentions, and the deadline for submitting amendments is October 28th at 5:15 PM.