Security
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Information Hour
Date: 2025-11-05 15:10
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 17m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The session addressed the fifth question, which was posed by Mart Helme (later joined by Martin Helme with a clarifying question) to Prime Minister Kristen Michal regarding security. Mart Helme began by discussing the leaked report from the National Defence Committee, claiming it exposed the collapse of the Reform Party’s long-standing myth of "security in safe hands" and pointed to serious security gaps. He demanded accountability for omissions and the irresponsible spending of funds. Furthermore, he raised the issue of civil defense, asking about the state's readiness to evacuate hundreds of thousands of people from Tallinn to rural areas in a crisis situation. Helme also highlighted the problem of internal security, referring to the repeated vandalisms of the Sinimäe Legionnaires' complex and asking why Estonia, as an e-state, is unable to identify and prevent such anti-Estonian activity. Prime Minister Michal rejected the accusations that Estonia was unprotected and affirmed that Estonian security is well guaranteed, relying on his own experience and the functioning of the NATO alliance relationship. He emphasized that the report should be handled constructively, focusing on proposals for improvement rather than emotional accusation. Michal listed the government's major investments in comprehensive national defense (including 219 million euros in 2025–2027), which are aimed at increasing evacuation capability, creating the Police and Border Guard Board's crisis reserve, and increasing hospitals' trauma reserves. Regarding the Sinimäe incidents, Michal confirmed that they are being investigated by the police and are often linked to the propaganda of a hostile neighboring state. Finally, Michal stressed that responsibility for security rests collectively with the parliament, the government, and himself, but the Estonian state is well cared for.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Mart Helme initiated the debate and posed the longest and most wide-ranging critical questions, focusing on both the shortcomings of the national defense report and problems related to civil defense and internal security. His position is right-wing (opposition).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar introduced the fifth item on the agenda, which was a security-related question from Riigikogu member Mart Helme addressed to Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme sharply criticizes the long-cultivated myth promoted by the Reform Party—that security is in safe hands. He refers to the leaked national defense report as a serious alarm signal regarding security gaps, and demands concrete preparedness from the government to ensure the survival and supply of the population should a mass evacuation be necessary during a crisis.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal addressed two key issues. He stressed that the draft report concerning national defense should not be viewed as an indictment of military personnel, but rather utilized constructively to enhance legislation and procedures. He simultaneously affirmed that Estonia's defense capabilities are robustly assured. Additionally, he pointed out that civil defense, particularly the development of evacuation capacity, will require substantial financial commitment and the execution of detailed plans in the coming years.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Following a brief acknowledgement, Chairman Lauri Hussar gave the floor to Mart Helme so that he could pose a clarifying question.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme stresses that while he is not making personal accusations, accountability is necessary for the financial shortfalls in national defense and for irresponsible spending, specifically citing the missing 700 million, for which the prime minister should also be held responsible. Additionally, he highlights the catastrophically poor condition of civil defense and the non-existent logistics. He also sharply criticizes the e-state’s inability to identify and prevent the repeated looting of the Sinimäe Legionaries complex, asking why internal security and Estonia, the so-called ‘camera state,’ have remained so toothless regarding this anti-Estonian activity.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal explained that the Sinimäed incident is being investigated by the police, who often consider such events to be commissioned by a hostile neighboring state, citing the arrest of propagandist Oleg Bessedin as an example. At the same time, she emphasized the government's significant investments in comprehensive national defense. An additional 219 million euros will be allocated for the years 2025–2027. This funding will be used to establish a crisis reserve for the PPA (Police and Border Guard Board), increase hospital trauma reserves to cover six days, improve the training of police and border guards, and develop infrastructure along the eastern border and anti-drone capabilities.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded his segment with words of thanks, and then gave the floor to Martin Helme so that he could ask a follow-up question.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme sharply criticizes the political leadership of the Reform Party, accusing them of failures in law and order, internal security, and national defense. He cites, as an example, the National Defense Committee report, which reveals that Estonia is undefended, and demands accountability for the fact that leaders appointed by the Reform Party have driven the country into a situation where servicemen are needlessly sent to their deaths due to a lack of sufficient resources and proper structure.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal, drawing on his experience both as head of government and in previous roles, confidently asserts that the Estonian state is well protected, emphasizing the excellent functioning of NATO alliance relations and the significant security investments made in recent years. He accepts responsibility for national defense and expresses gratitude to all contributors, but simultaneously criticizes the fueling of panic, which he believes does not enhance the sense of security, while acknowledging that there is always room for improvement within the system.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded the handling of the fifth agenda item and emphasized, citing the third commentary to paragraph 146, that the presiding officer has the discretion to decide whether a question has received a sufficient answer and whether its discussion should be terminated.