Request for Information Regarding Notification to NATO Member States Concerning the Loss of Voting Rights in Local Elections in Estonia (No. 744)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting.
Date: 2025-05-12 18:33
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 17
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 22m
AI Summaries: 17/17 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda item concerned the inquiry no. 744 by Members of the Riigikogu, Lauri Laats, Andrei Korobeinik, Vadim Belobrovtsev, Aleksei Jevgrafov, and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, which addressed the notification of NATO member states regarding the loss of voting rights in Estonian local elections. On behalf of the inquirers, Lauri Laats introduced the inquiry, highlighting that as a result of amending the Constitution in an expedited procedure, the right to vote was also denied to NATO member state citizens (e.g., Iceland, Norway, USA, Canada) permanently residing in Estonia. Laats questioned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ previous position that allies had no expectations regarding the voting rights of their citizens, citing a clarification request from the Icelandic embassy.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna responded, emphasizing that the constitutional amendment was an initiative of the Riigikogu and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had no direct role in its preparation. He affirmed that allies have no legal basis to expect voting rights for their citizens, calling it a former privilege. Tsahkna noted that Iceland was the only country that requested clarifying information, and that notification occurred through regular public and diplomatic channels. Laats and Belobrovtsev criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' distancing from the issue and lack of basic courtesy towards allies, finding that in cases of rights restriction, allies should have been proactively notified.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made.
Most Active Speaker
Lauri Laats (pid: dCJrTlUxNYA) was the person initiating the inquiry and an active participant in both the questions and negotiation phases, sharply criticizing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' passivity and the government's actions. Political position: Left.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman of the Riigikogu, Toomas Kivimägi, introduces the first item on the agenda, in which the parliamentary inquiry No. 744 submitted on 7 April 2025 is discussed, concerning the loss of the right to vote in Estonia's local elections and the informing of NATO member states, and asks Lauri Laatsi to present this inquiry to the Riigikogu.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
During the sitting, Lauri Laats announced that on April 7, he had submitted seven questions to the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding the removal of voting rights in local elections for non-Estonian and non-EU citizens. He noted that the constitutional amendment, which took effect on March 26, restricted suffrage solely to Estonian and EU citizens. Furthermore, he brought up the request for clarification from the Icelandic Embassy and expressed doubt that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ assessment might not be based on the actual feedback received from allies.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Now it is the honourable Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna's turn to answer the inquirers' questions.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna explained that in Estonian local elections, only those citizens who possess a legal basis or with whom a special agreement has been concluded are permitted to vote, adding that the general suffrage for foreign nationals is rare worldwide. Furthermore, the constitutional amendment initiated by the Riigikogu does not create a legitimate expectation of expansion concerning allies; communication with allies remains open, information is publicly accessible, and Iceland was the only party to submit a precise inquiry.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy speaker, Toomas Kivimägi, thanks the audience, announces supplementary questions, and invites Lauri Laatsit.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats notes that the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not seen, points out that the voting rights of citizens of NATO member states were removed at the local level and that previous rights were restricted, and asks whether there have been experiences where allies have restricted the rights of our citizens and we have not been informed about it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi expressed gratitude.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They ask whether any service is being changed or whether the legislation is being amended in such a way as to specifically restrict the rights of our citizens.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
Margus Tsahkna stated that the Riigikogu initiated and carried out the constitutional amendment, and the allies were informed as is customary. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides answers to questions and offers explanations, but it does not coordinate the Riigikogu's proceedings.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, asks Vadim Belobrovtsev to take the floor.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev asks the foreign minister whether the constitutional amendment by which the voting rights of citizens of allied states were removed was adequate, and why this right could not have been reserved for citizens of NATO member states so that they could continue to vote in local elections.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that he represents the government and confirmed that the constitutional amendment had achieved broad consensus and that the decision passed with the support of 94 members of the Riigikogu, although he does not honestly believe the questioner's sincerity toward the citizens of NATO allies.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked everyone, announced that more than one question could not be asked, and opened negotiations, turning to Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats accuses the government of restricting, through constitutional amendments, the local-level voting rights of NATO allies and local residents, and of not informing them in advance, which has sown a wedge in trust and demands better, timely, and courteous notification and cooperation with the allies.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech expresses great gratitude and asks that Vadim Belobrovtsev perform.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev emphasized that the decision to revoke the right to vote in the Riigikogu is wrong and inadequate, and the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should not be limited to merely informing, but must actively maintain relations with allies and protect the rights of Estonia's long-term residents and permanent residents, because for many citizens of other countries living in Estonia the right to vote in local elections has now been lost, and this is unfair and has created a problem.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks you, closes the negotiations and announces the termination of the proceedings for the first item on the agenda.