Double Standards in Foreign Policy
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing
Date: 2025-01-22 15:43
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 19
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 13m
AI Summaries: 19/19 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The main topic of the briefing was the influence of foreign countries on the functioning of democratic processes, and the question of when and how Estonia should express its position or intervene if elections do not meet the expectations of the European Union, or if it proves necessary to intervene through dialogue in the name of protecting democracy. The discussion focused on the fairness of the Georgian parliamentary elections and the reasons for the annulment of the Romanian presidential election, where the assessments of OSCE observers and newcomers, as well as existing court rulings, influenced the choices. A hypothetical example of Estonia’s situation was also presented, where a potential intervention or avoidance of it must be in accordance with international practice and the principles of democracy.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were lacking; the information session ended without a decision.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Mart Helme (pid B av3E8LSHIE), a member of EKRE, who represented a right-wing, nationalist party. His participation included various critical observations regarding the influence of foreign countries on Estonia’s internal affairs, and he presented arguments accusing certain countries and groups of attempting to influence the democratic order. He reportedly acted actively to preserve the integrity of elections and democratic rules of play, emphasizing various “double standards” between countries in their handling of elections.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Today the ninth question will be discussed, presented by colleague Varro Vooglaid to Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid expresses concern that a tendency to interfere in other countries' elections or to annul them is spreading in Europe, gives examples from Georgia and Romania, emphasizes the principle of non-intervention, and asks according to what criteria the Estonian government would intervene or not in defense of democracy.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the Georgian elections raised doubts about adherence to democracy and European Union standards, stressed violence and Russian influence as factors affecting democracy, and drew a parallel with the Romanian case, where the impact of the elections and hidden financing came to light and the results were annulled. He affirmed that Estonia stands for fair play and the same principles, and has expressed its position on Georgia, including by listing people who are not welcome in Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, posed a clarifying question to Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vooglaid discusses that external influences or funding could affect Estonia's elections, and describes a hypothetical scenario in which the Supreme Court voids the first round of the presidential elections and the elections themselves, the sitting president would remain in office, new elections would take place later, and the same winner would be disqualified without a court ruling, and finally asks whether such a practice would be appropriate in the Estonian context.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister emphasizes that in a democracy there must be a fair and level playing field for elections for all countries, where the rules are the same and there are no advantages or influences, referring to Georgia's and Romania's concerns about ensuring the transparency of elections.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This speech is merely a request to pose an additional question to Mart Helme.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme claims that the responses are completely incompetent, and the Romanian case is viewed as a left-wing information operation aimed at harming Georgescu's results in Ukraine, the perpetrator being a private organization linked to British intelligence; he denies Russia's interference, but says that pro-European forces spread disinformation and emphasizes the role of the OSCE and the European Commission, criticizes the debate about banning Germany's AfD as an example of post-democracy, and raises the question of double standards, referring to Hanah Lahe's Facebook post about the U.S. presidential election.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In Mart Helme's speech, the person is described as a convicted criminal, a misogynist, a climate-change denier, and a liar.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, thanks the audience.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme asks whether you share your party colleague's stance on Donald Trump, and notes that he has previously spoken about the political situation in the USA.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked his good colleague Mart Helmet.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme describes how he had to resign from the post of Interior Minister for fear of damaging alliance relations, and now asks whether the alliance relations have been damaged and how to assess his party colleague's position.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks his colleague Mart Helmet, notes that the time is already thirty seconds over, and leaves the prime minister the opportunity to respond.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that Hanah Lahe does not have to step down, and that the interior minister at the moment is Lauri Läänemets, and probably also tomorrow, and stressed that a government member must be precise in their statements to partners.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the information session has been very polite and dignified, and they are trying to continue nicely for another two minutes.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasizes Estonia's independent rule of law and the balance with responsibility that freedom brings, the importance of monitoring the fairness of elections, warning against the influence of foreign states, and although he does not like e-voting, digital solutions are sensible for the people.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked all participants and said that, despite substantive differences of opinion, the information briefing was entirely polite and mutually respectful, and the information briefing has ended.