Amendment of the Constitution
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, press briefing.
Date: 2024-11-20 14:16
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 10m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The procedural discussion encompassed an amendment to the Constitution regarding the rights of non-citizens to participate in local elections. The draft's main idea would be to grant the right to participate in local elections to non-citizens residing in an administrative area – a goal the coalition hopes to position and make acceptable with the support of other opposition factions. The positions of EKRE and its allies emphasize that the right to vote must remain solely for Estonian citizens, citing the continued impact of principles of state law and constitutional-level issues, and the risk of grey passports and foreign burdens. At the same time, the opposition, including the Centre Party and Social Democrats, have shown a willingness to cooperate, but emphasize that a compromise must be reached in such a way that the constitution is not radically changed and that the issue of voting rights for foreign nationals does not solve the grey passport problem. Furthermore, it was noted that the government's approach is complex and that the involvement of all parties and slow progress are necessary, expressing a need for technical and political cooperation. The fever is high in this regard, but ultimately there are no definitive parliamentary decisions; discussions continue, with the aim of finding a solution in the name of a broad consensus.
Decisions Made 1
I am finishing consideration of today's second question.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Martin Helme (EKRE), who initiated a critical and stimulating discussion and made several clarifications regarding the desire to amend the constitution. His position is right-wing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riigikogu member Martin Helme asks Prime Minister Kristen Michal a second question, and the topic is the amendment of the Constitution.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme said that voting rights must remain only for citizens of the Republic of Estonia, and the coalition's planned constitutional amendment, by which non-citizens would be granted the right to vote, is a step back and will not solve the Russian passport problem, and he advised them to pull back and try to win votes from the opposition.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that there is no arrogance, called on everyone to participate in the process and submit proposals, and added that EKRE's claim about depriving the voting rights of citizens of aggressor states is talk of foreign influence operations, which should be taken as an opinion rather than arrogance.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asked Martin Helme to pose a clarifying question.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme stated that granting voting rights to Russian citizens in local elections would violate Estonia's constitutional principle and would not solve the state's constitutional problem, and although he and Isamaa have submitted amendments to the constitution, he calls for leaving this right out of the constitution as a compromise.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the coalition will compromise with the centre faction and does not support a constitutional amendment for the grey passport, explaining that this concerns a travel document and stateless persons, of whom a large portion are over 60, and that these people should acquire Estonian citizenship, he emphasized cooperation with the Social Democrats and warned of the need to restrict the voting rights of citizens of aggressor states, otherwise there is a danger of going mad.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, gives thanks, announces an additional question, and asks Mart Helme to answer.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme accuses the opposition and the coalition of a Kremlin-friendly plan to grant voting rights to non-citizens with grey passes, which, he claims, would lead to Putin being elected Prime Minister.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The message "Your time!" emphasizes that your time has come and you have the opportunity to act.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
It is emphasized that Russia could still influence Estonia's election results through gray passports, and one asks why this is desired.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He thanks Mr. Prime Minister and asks him for something.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal answered questions about the process of amending the constitution and matters concerning stateless persons, noting that they are mentioned seven times in the constitution and that the problem diminishes with aging, announced the initiation of a special audit into Nordicast-related funding and the prosecutorial proceedings, and expressed hope for final clarity, and referred to the authorized lawsuits involving Ilves and Tarand and to the continuation of the discussion.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks the listeners and announces that he will conclude today's discussion of the second question.