First reading of the draft law amending the Whistleblower Protection Act on Breaches of European Union Law and the Act on International Sanctions (EU restrictive measures directive) (584 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-03-25 12:17
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 65
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 48m
AI Summaries: 65/65 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The second paragraph of the Chairman’s agenda covered the requirement for the first reading to pass the draft law (584) amending the whistleblower protection law regarding violations of European Union law and the international sanctions law. The draft is of a technical nature and adds amendments to the law concerning the protection of whistleblowers in cases of sanctions violations and the organization of reporting, including references to the European Union directive and the international sanctions law. In addition, digital developments are highlighted: the absence of page numbers in the EU Official Journal does not stem from a deficiency, but reflects the increasing use of digital tools. The draft stipulates that entry into force will occur on May 20th, in accordance with the deadline for the adoption of the directive. Furthermore, issues related to reducing administrative burden and the practical implementation of the provisions were included on the agenda, and there was a discussion on how the draft relates to the broader implementation of EU and international sanctions and how narrowly the whistleblower protection law should be applied.
Decisions Made 1
The first reading was completed, and the deadline for submitting amendments was set for April 8th at 5:00 PM. Ando Kiviberg was named the leading commissioner, and to continue the draft's proceedings, a more detailed inclusion plan and an explanation for a shorter version of the explanatory report must be prepared.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Mart Helme (pid Bav3E8LSHIE), from the EKRE faction; position: right (right-wing) faction. His speeches included criticism of the draft's content and regarding democratic mechanisms, as well as strong attention paid to questions of sovereignty and the rule of law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi announced the continuation of the sitting and informed about draft bill No. 584 for the first reading on agenda item No. 2, which would amend the Act on the Protection of Whistleblowers Reporting Violations of Employment-Related European Union Law and the International Sanctions Act (Directive on the Union's restrictive measures), and Liisa-Ly Pakosta was invited to serve as the rapporteur.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The bill submitted to the Riigikogu transposes the European Union's whistleblower protection for breaches of sanctions rules and strengthens employee protection when they report their employer's sanctions violations, and it will come into force on May 20.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Thank you! You have at least one question, and Helle-Moonika Helme, please present it.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme poses a hypothetical question as to whether the law in force at the time and the content of its bill would have placed Stark Logistics under liability, and whether that would have changed the political situation if society as a whole had been very disturbed by the way Kaja Kallas's husband's company dodged Russia-related deals and sanctions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
We live in a rule-of-law state where laws apply; although I am not familiar with the details of what happened, I have heard through the press that the company did not violate sanctions rules, not even those that were in force at that time.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
At the start of the speech, Arvo Aller is asked to come on stage to perform.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller notes that although reducing bureaucracy should simplify the lives of entrepreneurs, changes may bring additional costs for staff time related to the breach notification process or maintaining confidentiality.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta of the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs explained that a new standard will be added to the existing obligations that ensure discreet handling of employees' concerns and that the whistleblower will not be treated badly, and there is no need to create a new channel, but a solution must be found that does not create any additional burden.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, asks Evelin Poolametsa to come forward.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Speaker Evelin Poolamets emphasized the aim of the coalition agreement to reduce regulation, under which for the introduction of every new administrative-burden-causing requirement one existing requirement must be declared invalid, and she asked which existing requirement would be replaced by it.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
To ensure transparency and broad participation, a draft bill has been prepared that allows addressing several topics in a single draft bill, and that, after the law enters into force, gives the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Digitalisation the right to reject draft bills that do not contain this provision, and enables burden-sharing by topics, but due to whistleblower protection burden reductions cannot be implemented, and in the near future a principle will be introduced that will affect the work of the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They ask to invite Helle-Moonika Helme onto the stage.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker accuses that sanctions were evaded in connection with Stark Logistics and the company of Kaja Kallas's spouse, and that the materials reached the Ukrainian battlefields, but ultimately emphasizes that Estonia is a rule-of-law state.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The minister's response ridicules and belittles Estonia as a rule-of-law state.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
He emphasized that in a rule-of-law state everyone must know what is permitted and what is not, and at that time there was no prohibited activity for this company — it was permitted —, although it could be morally condemnable, and the sanctions rules are precise.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech is only a plea to invite Arvo Aller onto the stage.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller asks the minister whether, in the event of a company's violation of sanctions, if employees have not informed about a possible sanctions transaction, all employees become accomplices and whether the obligation to inform imposes general liability on them.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Liisa-Ly Pakosta said that an employee is not obliged to report, but the employer must accept the notification and register it, and as a result of stricter transposition of the EU directive, a precise list of violations will be added, the reporting of which provides protection to the employee and they must not be treated worse because of reporting; corruption is already protected by separate legislation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Mart Helme to speak.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme asserts that Estonia is not a rule-of-law state, cites examples of party-political harassment and a cover-up visible during the anti-corruption special committee, and compares the situation to the Soviet era, saying that proclaiming Estonia as a rule-of-law state is only for reassurance, because the reality is not in line with it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Gratitude is simply expressed in speech.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme accuses officials of claiming that Estonia is a rule-of-law state, but in his view this does not reflect reality, and they harm Estonia's rule of law every day.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They thank a good colleague.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
They emphasize that people have freedom of speech to express their own opinion even when it overlaps Moscow's talking points, and they have the same freedom to express what they themselves think.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi greets colleagues and rings the bell.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
He uses his freedom of speech to emphasize that Section 12 of the Constitution is directly applicable.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asked his colleagues to keep quiet, to let the minister speak, and to take turns speaking, whereupon Mart Helme called the speaker to order, and it was said that the minister had performed adequately; the use of epithets was discussed.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta said that she would like to continue answering, if it is permitted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He answered in the affirmative, apologized, and asked.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
He emphasized that Section 12 of the Constitution bans discrimination on the basis of party membership, and that the rule of law guarantees this protection, and mob justice is not part of the rule of law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The gist of the speech is to ask Kalle Grünthal to perform.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal emphasizes that the amendment to the law must be understandable to the Riigikogu down to the last detail, and he asks Liisa for a longer answer and to state precisely the contents of Article 29 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, because they are not included in the explanatory memorandum and they must be known by heart.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
He agreed with the criticism of the explanatory memorandum, promised from now on to insert the cited articles precisely, and informed that those articles must be added exactly, and said that the Treaty on the European Union deals with cross-border issues agreed between member states for the functioning of the internal market, and that with these two articles it is possible to impose restrictive measures.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, asks Kert Kingot.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo criticizes that the state does not operate with the rule of law and asks the minister whether we are in such a society where, on the basis of feelings and suspicions, sanctions are immediately imposed and actions are taken, rather than following clearly applicable laws.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The aim of whistleblower protection is to safeguard employees' rights and health and to encourage reporting when something seems wrong, but all reports are thoroughly checked and sanctions are imposed only after all investigation and court stages have been completed; providing false information is punishable, and for reports made in good faith there is no punishment, and the whistleblower must not treat anyone badly.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
It was simply a plea: "Anti Poolamets, please!", which means that something should be forwarded to Anti Poolamets.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets calls for a thorough investigation of the Lehtme case, accuses high-ranking officials and Kaja Kallas of corruption, and states that the country's reputation has been tarnished and the origin of the money is not clear.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
They assert that they have no connection whatsoever with the Lehtme investigation, emphasize the independence of the Estonian legal system and the exclusion of political interference, and point out that independence is further guaranteed by the court reform.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, asks that Kalle Grünthal take the floor to speak.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal criticizes that the draft does not mention Article 29 of the European Treaty and argues that as a result Estonia loses its sovereign decision-making authority and must follow the Council's and the EU's positions, which, in his view, are Moscow's example.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Estonia emphasized that although the law regulating the issue is narrow and covers only the protection of the whistleblower, Estonia and the Riigikogu stand ready to impose additional sanctions on Russia within the framework of the European Union.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech is simply Evelin Poolametsa's invitation to perform.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
They ask to explain, using real-life examples, how, within the framework of the draft bill, to handle a situation in which Moscow talking points are being discussed in the workplace or in the Riigikogu, and what to do if someone behaves unconstitutionally.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
According to Liisa-Ly Pakosta, the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, incitement of war is prohibited under the Penal Code, and if someone in the workplace incites others and calls for the destruction of the Ukrainian people, a colleague may report this to their supervisor, and the employer may dismiss such an employee from work.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Jüri Jaanson to perform on stage.
Jüri Jaanson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Jüri Jaanson said that this is a practically necessary and very good draft bill that must be enacted into law, but he raised the question of guaranteeing employee protection in all cases, even if a sanction violation turns out not to be true, and expressed concern about preventing and detecting malicious and non-targeted reports, and asked whether the investigative body is obliged to identify these reports.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
According to Justice and Digital Minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta, we have employee protection mechanisms: although most people are not malicious, the employer has the right to act if they suspect the submission of a malicious report and there is evidence for it, and the laws protect both good-faith whistleblowers and employees who knowingly submit false statements.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks you, announces that there are no further questions, and Ando Kiviberg, a member of the Legal Committee, presents the discussion and the decisions in the lead committee.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ando Kiviberg provided an overview of the Legal Committee's discussion about the draft, explained the employees' protection mechanism and that a remark must be received before the correction, and that if it is not complied with the employee has the right to inform the relevant authorities, noted the length of the explanatory memorandum, and promised to use simpler expressions in the future, and confirmed the consensus-based procedural decisions: placing the draft on the plenary agenda by March 25, finishing the first reading and setting the deadline for amendments at 10 working days, and naming himself as the representative of the lead committee.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked everyone, announced that there were no questions, opened negotiations, and on behalf of the EKRE faction asked Mart Helme to speak.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme claims that the draft bill under discussion is a step toward censorship and is unacceptable, because Estonia is not currently a fully fledged rule-of-law state, and moral and political considerations are as important as legal ones, referring to Lehtme's disappearance, questions about the interior minister's background, and Kaja Kallas's position.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Three more minutes were requested during the speech.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme asserts that the European Union and its leading states are violating the principles of the rule of law when they label democratic parties as pro-Kremlin and enact laws that restrict the rights of citizens and entrepreneurs.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is simply a word of thanks in which Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the listeners.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
If things are based on suspicions, doubts, and arbitrary interpretations, this is not a rule-of-law state.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He criticizes his coalition colleagues who see things in black and white, and notes that they do not sell it to thoughtful people.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks a colleague and announces that Ando Kiviberg speaks on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ando Kiviberg stressed that Estonia is a rule-of-law state and that we have many freedoms, and the submitted bill protects the ordinary person when his employer commits sanctions offenses and he reports it, and he hopes that the bill will gain support.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They note that a reference was made to the EKRE faction's speech, and they ask Mart Helme to present the counter-speech on behalf of the EKRE faction.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme criticizes the idea that MPs have a great deal of freedom to come to the podium and talk nonsense, and that the opposition should not be given any right to speak at all or that right could be taken away someday, noting that although we haven't yet gone that far, Estonia 200 would like to see it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that the lead committee's proposal is to conclude the first reading of Draft Bill 584; the first reading has been concluded, and the deadline for submitting amendments is 8 April at 17:00, and we have completed the consideration of the second item on the agenda.