The suitability of the acting Minister of Defence for their position.
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, press briefing
Date: 2025-09-10 16:27
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 23
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 11m
AI Summaries: 23/23 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The presentation’s seventh question is directed at Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, concerning the topic: "The suitability of the Minister of Defence for his position." The Riigikogu asks Rain Epler whether Hanno Pevkur is suitable for his position, based on the National Audit Office’s critical assessment of the use of defence investments and the lack of control mechanisms for managing reserves. The discussion is ignited by attention to the cost of border construction, and includes criticism of honesty and the disclosure of responsibility, including clarification of personal and institutional liabilities.
The debate is intersected by differing positions: Rain Epler presents specific claims and references to the National Audit Office’s report, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency; the opposing side, the Prime Minister, argues that government agencies are addressing the issues, and that control mechanisms and accounting are in order, with improvements implemented as necessary. As the topic concerns the suitability of ministers and the use of portions of the state defence budget, the session ultimately concludes with a direction for further actions and oversight, rather than a decision regarding a specific change in office.
Decisions Made 1
At this session, no decisions were made; the discussion focused on addressing the issue at a macro level and emphasizing corrective and supervisory measures instead of making decisions for the position of Minister of Defence.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Member of the Riigikogu Rain Epler, who primarily posed clarifying questions and referred to the National Audit Office’s report to raise questions about the transparency and control in the field of defence investments. His presentations included both previous noteworthy scrutiny and related references to ERR data. As a position, Rain Epler is “other” (a representative role as a Member of the Riigikogu posing questions and exercising control). Presence: average activity throughout the debate.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Member of the Riigikogu Rain Epler is asking Prime Minister Kristen Michal whether the lying Minister of Defence is still suitable for his position.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar introduced the seventh, pointed question of the sitting, addressed to Prime Minister Kristen Michal, which Riigikogu member Rain Epler had submitted under the blunt title, "The suitability of the lying Minister of Defense for his office."
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticizes Hanno Pevkur for both the 2014 border fence decision and the answers he gave in a 2019 interview, points to the National Audit Office's harsh assessment regarding the use of defense investments, and accuses him of lying, asking the Prime Minister if and when he will be dismissed from office.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler recalled Hanno Pevkur’s earlier explanations regarding the invisible costs of the border fence to criticize the Minister of Defence’s actions following the State Audit Office’s harsh assessment of the use of defense investment funds. Epler accused Pevkur of lying in parliament and evading questions, and demanded an answer from the Prime Minister as to whether Pevkur is fit for his post and when he will be dismissed from office.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal responded by stating that she did not believe the questioner's allegations regarding Hanno Pevkur lying. She referenced an ERR news report to provide context on the history of the border and stressed the significant tasks facing the Ministry of Defense, including ensuring the integrity of control mechanisms and accounting systems. Furthermore, she noted that detailed questions could be posed to officials, and that as a member of the Riigikogu, she possesses all the necessary means to ask those questions.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal expressed skepticism regarding the questioner’s allegations about Hanno Pevkur’s lies, suggesting they address Pevkur directly for the details. She also defended her reference to Martin Helme’s earlier comments about scaling back border construction, calling it a historical fact preserved by ERR. Turning to the activities of the Ministry of Defence, she confirmed that due to the significant funding, work is being done around the clock to manage procurements and maintain control mechanisms, directing more detailed questions on this matter to the relevant officials.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the floor and asks Rain Epler to pose a clarifying question.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked and then gave the floor to Rain Epler so that the latter could ask a clarifying question.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler accuses Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur of repeatedly lying regarding the Ministry of Defence's inventories and internal control systems, highlighting "black-and-white facts" from the State Audit Office report. These facts confirm that the accuracy of the inventory balance, totaling over 720 million euros, could not be verified due to inadequate accounting—a deficiency the Minister has promised to rectify for years but has failed to address.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler accuses Pevkur of lying regarding the accounting of defense forces' reserves and the allocation of border funding, citing a National Audit Office report that highlights the uncertainty surrounding the reserves balance, deficiencies in internal control, and the failure to deliver on promises.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal began by recalling an earlier quote, but then focused on confirming that the Ministry of Defence and the Centre for Defence Investments take the National Audit Office’s remarks extremely seriously. They have immediately started organizing inventory accounting, bookkeeping, and control mechanisms to ensure proper management and address the criticisms.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that the findings of the National Audit Office will be taken seriously, and necessary improvements will be implemented to ensure proper inventory and accounting procedures are maintained, and the National Audit Office's recommendations will be taken into account.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the audience and announces that Martin Helme will ask a follow-up question.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that he remembers the rules very well, while simultaneously asserting that there are no rules, and noted that last Thursday it became clear once again that everyone just does whatever they want.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar apologized and clarified that the question concerns the suitability of the Minister of Defense for the position, and the presiding officer of the session will be excluded from the discussion.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme asks for more time to make his point.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar warns that he will not grant additional time if this kind of rule violation continues, and asks Martin Helme to cease the violation.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme sharply attacks the Reform Party, accusing them of inflating the costs of previous border construction, and emphasizes that Defense Minister Pevkur is failing to take responsibility for the disarray prevailing in national defense. This proves that no one is taking the situation seriously; instead, they are engaged in stonewalling, arrogance, and lying, asserting that lying and stealing are simply to be expected from Reform Party members.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that the Reform Party initiated and financed the 2019 border construction project, and he accuses Pevkur and the Ministry of Defense of failing to take national defense concerns seriously, as well as lying and stealing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanks and asks the Prime Minister.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal focused on correcting the record during the debate, asserting that the construction of the border began earlier than claimed. She also criticized the opposition and Jüri Ratas’s government for nearly halving the border funding (70 million euros) allocated in 2015, citing the former finance minister’s stated desire at the time to build the border more modestly and economically.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the border construction had started earlier, and the coalition decided to reduce its costs and save money. He also confirmed that the ERR report was accurate.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks you and announces that the consideration of the seventh item on the agenda for today is concluded, and we will now move on.