Draft law amending the Local Government Electoral Act and the Act on Churches and Parishes (544 SE) - Second Reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-04-23 18:01
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 12
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 15m
AI Summaries: 12/12 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The fourth agenda item concerned the preparation of the second reading of the draft law amending the Act on the Election of Municipal Councils and the Act on Churches and Religious Communities, bill number 544. The Chairman of the Constitutional Committee, Ando Kiviberg, presented an overview of the session where the opinions of interest groups were discussed, the procedure for amendments was handled, and procedural decisions were made. The bill involved an amendment to the constitution regarding the transitional period, which restricts the right to vote in local elections with current citizenship requirements, and linked the two laws together in a single amendment proposal.
Decisions Made 1
Resolution: The draft will be added to the plenary agenda on April 23rd; the second reading will be concluded by consensus; after the second reading, the draft will be added to the plenary agenda and a final vote will be held on May 6th, 2025; the lead committee will be chaired by the Chairman of the Constitutional Committee, Ando Kiviberg; resolution by consensus.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart (pid _982niXL9oQ). She acted as a representative of the opposition and presented attention and notes, and during the discussion, she represented the attention drawn to the compatibility of constitutional changes and legislation. Position: other.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The fourth item on the agenda concerns the second reading of the draft law No. 544 initiated by the Isamaa faction on the election of the local government council and the amendment of the Churches and Congregations Act, and the presentation will be given by the Riigikogu’s esteemed colleague, the chairman of the Constitutional Committee, Ando Kiviberg.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Constitutional Committee discussed at its 14 April session the preparation for the second reading of the Local Government Council Elections Act bill No. 544, initiated by the Isamaa faction, adopted amendments, including the removal of voting rights for clergy in local elections and updates to transition plans and deadlines, and decided to place the bill on the plenary agenda on 23 April, to finish the second reading and carry out the final vote on 6 May 2025, appointing Ando Kiviberg as the chair of the lead committee.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks and asks Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvarti to pose a question.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They ask why, at that time, it wasn't possible to support the Centre Party's amendment to the Law on Churches and Congregations in the same provision, and why the same amendment is now being presented under the framework of a separate law.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ando Kiviberg said that he does not remember exactly the Legal Committee's discussion and must review the minutes; the Constitutional Committee turned to the Ministry of the Interior and the solution was actually proposed by the Ministry of the Interior, but he does not know the exact reason why it went that way, and he remains without an answer.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi invites Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvarti to pose the second question.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Sometimes it is reasonable to support opposition amendment proposals in the name of greater consensus and procedural economy, and there is no need to come out with other amendments within the framework of other bills.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
All questions have been asked, thank you, and negotiations will begin.
Juku-Kalle Raid
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Juku-Kalle Raid, speaking on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction, called for full backing, cited fiction, and said that "it's as simple as a pants button," and asked that the Estonian SSR not be treated merely as protocol, for the sake of history.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman thanked and invited Vadim Belobrovtsev to speak.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
I urge you to vote against because this bill is faulty legislation: it combines two very different topics, it will come into force before the constitutional amendment takes effect, and the coalition will not allow the opposition to have proposals considered.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi informed that two amendment proposals submitted by the Constitutional Committee have been reviewed and it was decided to take them fully into account, and the second reading of bill 544 has been completed.