Second reading of the Draft Act on the Amendment of the National Defence Service Act and Related Amendment of Other Acts (664 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-11-05 20:41
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 3
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 11m
AI Summaries: 3/3 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda of the Riigikogu included the second reading of Bill 664, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Military Service Act and related legislation. Peeter Tali, a member of the National Defence Committee, presented the bill's objectives, which were responding to the changed security situation, alleviating the personnel shortage in the Defence Forces, and reducing bureaucracy. Tali emphasized that wars are primarily won by reservists and praised the Minister of Defence for increasing the wage fund.
The report introduced seven amendments submitted by members of the Riigikogu and the National Defence Committee. The most significant changes included harmonizing the career models for reservists and active servicemen (abolishing the double age requirement for rank advancement for reservists), raising the Estonian language proficiency requirement for conscripts to the B1 level to ensure safety, and simplifying the reimbursement of conscripts' travel expenses. The possibility of paying active servicemen a bonus for the time served was also added, aimed at motivating and retaining them. The National Defence Committee approved all amendments and proposed that the Riigikogu conclude the second reading. Debates were not opened, and all amendments were taken into account fully or substantially.
Decisions Made 2
All seven amendments submitted concerning Draft Law 664 were taken into account by the lead committee, either substantively or in full.
The second reading of Bill 664 was concluded.
Most Active Speaker
Peeter Tali, a member of the National Defence Committee, was the most active speaker, presenting a detailed overview of the bill’s objectives, the substance of the proposed amendments, and the work carried out by the lead committee. (Other)
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that item number 15 on the agenda was the second reading of Bill 664 on Amendments to the Military Service Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic, and invited Peeter Tali, member of the National Defence Committee, to speak.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali introduced the amendments for the second reading of the draft act amending the National Defence Service Act and other acts, emphasizing the need to respond to the changed security situation, where national defense relies primarily on people and their will. The main objectives of the draft act are to alleviate personnel shortages through the creation of voluntary service and the reduction of bureaucracy, including harmonizing the career models of reservists and active servicemen, raising the language proficiency requirement for conscripts to the B1 level, and simplifying the compensation of travel expenses. The National Defense Committee unanimously approved the amendments and proposes to conclude the second reading of the draft act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the rapporteur, closed the debate as there were no further requests to speak, and then proceeded systematically to review the seven amendments to Draft Act 664. The lead committee had recommended adopting all of these amendments (either substantively or in full), following which the second reading of the draft act was successfully concluded.