Second reading of the draft resolution of the Riigikogu concerning "The use of the Defence Forces in fulfilling the Republic of Estonia's international obligations as part of the United Kingdom's joint expeditionary force" (483 OE)
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-12-04 19:50
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 17
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 15m
AI Summaries: 17/17 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed the draft resolution submitted by the Government of the Republic, the second reading of bill 483, which concerns the use of the Defence Forces in fulfilling the international obligations of the Republic of Estonia as part of a joint expeditionary force of the United Kingdom. The esteemed presenter of the bill was Kristo Enn Vaga, a member of the National Defence Committee. The initial reading was concluded and no amendments were submitted; the bill did, however, require further debate and a final vote. The National Defence Committee discussed the bill before the second reading and, at its session on December 2nd, the text of the second reading and the explanatory memorandum were unanimously approved. According to the bill, if necessary, up to 24 Defence Forces personnel may be provided to the Defence Forces for peacekeeping or security restoration operations based on the Charter of the United Nations, but the actual financial contribution will depend on the needs of the operation and budget lines. The concluding message of the presentation was that the Riigikogu proposes to place the bill on the agenda for the second reading and the final vote will be carried out in accordance with the Rules of Procedure Act.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 483 has been adopted by the plenary session of the Riigikogu. The vote result: 57 members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, 8 voted against, and 0 abstained.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa), whose questions and direction of the discussion shaped the discourse, and whose position lies on the right of the political spectrum.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
We continue to discuss agenda item 15, where the presentation by Kristo Enn Vaga, a member of the National Defence Committee, concerns the government-proposed bill on the use of the Defence Forces in fulfilling Estonia's international obligations as part of the United Kingdom's Expeditionary Force, at the second reading (Bill 483).
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kristo Enn Vaga informed that the Defence Committee unanimously approved the text of the bill’s second reading and the explanatory memorandum, and recommended bringing it to the Riigikogu plenary for 4 December for a final vote, and that the bill would enable up to 24 Defence Forces members to participate next year in the United Kingdom-led UN Integrated Expeditionary Force for the purpose of maintaining or restoring peace and security in accordance with international law.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
In Arvo Alleri's speech, it is said that there are questions, and Urmas Reinsalu is asked to answer.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu asked for the total budgets for defense-oriented special equipment for 2024 and 2025, and regarding a specific mission, asking Kristo Enn for explanations and numbers, and pointing to a leadership bottleneck, procurement delays, and the Reform Party's backroom background.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kristo Enn Vaga said that the draft bill provides an opportunity to contribute up to 24 Defence Forces personnel, but next year the Defence Forces will not participate in a joint expeditionary force operation, and the actual contribution depends on the mission’s needs, and if that option arises, the financial cost will have to be covered from the Ministry of Defence’s operating expenses.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is a direct plea addressed to Urmas Reinsalu.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
They ask whether the funding for overseas missions really covers the line item for defense-specific equipment, and note that next year the amount will fall to 96 million euros, including for the purchase of ammunition, and they are awaiting an explanation from the coalition politician about the government's intentions.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
They informed that they would submit Draft Resolution 483, but in this context the general defense budget was not discussed, and they stated that it is a government priority.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Rain Epler to speak.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler said that his colleague Reinsalu has tried three times to obtain an answer about the decrease in funding for the lunar procurement, but no such answer has been received, and he asked directly whether the answer is actually known, but he does not want to provide it, because it does not pertain to the draft.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
They emphasize that members of the Riigikogu must remain within the bounds prescribed by the Home and Work Order Act, and this is not their personal position, but a duty imposed by law, and they hope that in the future all of these rules will be followed.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
He wraps up the Q&A, starts negotiations and invites Martin Helme to speak.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks for three more minutes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
They ask that three more minutes be added.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme said that Estonia should not participate in foreign missions, which he regards as neocolonialism or greenwashing, and should focus on ensuring Estonia's security and not use the defense budget for foreign missions.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
There are no further requests to speak, and I will conclude the negotiations. The Steering Committee proposes to hold the final vote on Draft No. 483, and I will begin preparing it, asking colleagues to take a position and vote in favor of the Riigikogu's decision “Use of the Defence Forces in fulfilling Estonia's international obligations as part of the United Kingdom's Joint Expeditionary Force” – Draft No. 483.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu adopted the draft as Resolution No. 483: 57 members voted in favor, 8 against, 0 abstentions.