Request for information regarding population register entries (no. 754)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting.
Date: 2025-05-12 21:39
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 32
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 48m
AI Summaries: 32/32 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Under the fifth agenda item, a question time was held in the Riigikogu regarding entries in the population register, presented by Helle-Moonika Helme, Rain Epler, and Siim Polaku on April 17, 2025. The presentation of the question time was given by Riigikogu member Rain Epler. The question time focused primarily on the connections between name changes and gender data alterations in the population register and requested explanations and facts from officials regarding the interpretation of transgender name usage and other significant reasons. Four specific questions were presented: 1) how many name changes have been carried out with the reason “transgender” without the existence of a conclusive gender change document; 2) on what legal grounds have officials made changes to first names where the reason is “transgender”; 3) which circumstances are considered “significant” or “non-significant” reasons and where are these reasons listed; 4) on what basis do officials consider “transgenderism” to be an official gender, when Estonian laws define only male and female as genders. Minister Igor Taro answered these questions and provided explanations regarding the processes in the population register, the basis of the Name Act, and the concept of discretion. Following a thorough discussion, it was stated and, according to the final description, the question time procedure was concluded, but no new legislative decision was made. The debate involved various Riigikogu members (primarily Rain Epler, Martin Helme, Anti Poolamets, and others), who highlighted issues of legality, the limits of discretion, and the political assessment of gender-related topics. Overall, the discussion focused on the attempt to balance the rights of the individual and the national legal space, along with the consistency of data in the population register.
Decisions Made 1
Within the inquiry proceedings, no resolutions were adopted regarding the Riigikogu’s decisions. It was decided to conclude the agenda item and terminate the discussion after the positions that emerged had been considered.
Most Active Speaker
The most vocal representative: Martin Helme (EKRE) — a right-wing political position in the Riigikogu (right-wing/EKRE). His speeches focused on the strictness of laws and the interpretation of a "valid reason," and his influence created a strong rhetorical emphasis in the final phase of the debate.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu moves on to the fifth item on the agenda, which involves the discussion of Interpellation No. 754, submitted by Helle-Moonika Helme, Rain Epler, and Siim Pohlak on April 17, 2025, concerning entries in the population register. Rain Epler will serve as the rapporteur.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler noted that the world and the European Union continue on the path of gender equality, and Estonia shows no signs of stopping, but he highlighted Jürgen Ligi's project, which calls for a fixed percentage of gender representation on corporate boards, and he submitted to the Minister of the Interior a parliamentary inquiry about name changes at the Population Registry Office that may be related to gender nonconformity, and he asked four specific questions about how many such name changes have been made, what their reasons are, and how they are regulated by the Name Act.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chairman asks Interior Minister Igor Tarole to answer the interpellation.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
When responding to an interpellation by the Riigikogu, Interior Minister Igor Taro stated that changing gender data in the population register and changing a first name are distinct procedures (changing gender data requires a decision from a medical expert commission and a new personal identification code, while changing a first name can occur without changing gender data). He added that the Names Act grants the administrative body discretion to act "for another compelling reason" without a separately enumerated list of such reasons, but transgender identity is not officially treated as a gender, and the population register only recognizes male and female genders. Between January and March 2025, 118 people changed their first name, 12 of whom had a name inconsistent with their gender, and statistics for the precise period cannot be provided due to personal data protection.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech invites the audience to pose questions and asks Martin Helmet to answer.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme accuses the Population Register Office of violating the law, because they change people's names without following the required procedure and claim discretionary power, although Section 7(3)(2) of the Names Act forbids this, and asks what steps they intend to take.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro said that under Section 19(1)(9) of the Name Act changes may be made at an official's discretion only if there is a compelling reason, and without a compelling reason they must not be made; and he added that gender dysphoria is a stress that arises between one's gender identity and the sex assigned at birth.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets criticizes the Minister of Education and Research for spreading an alleged scientific consensus regarding social genders. He further accuses LGBT organizations and officials of constantly debating name and gender changes, and calls on the Minister of Research to provide assistance on how to deal with the situation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Arvo Aller asked Anti Poolamets to come and speak.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Igor Taro said that in the population register there are two genders – male and female – but old Estonian names are often gender-neutral and the linking of name and gender is a new topic; he stressed that safety increases when every citizen's mental balance is ensured, and if someone wants to change their name for a reason, the official must consider it, which he illustrates with the names he gave to his own children: Pääsu, Kaaren, Kippen and Leevi – suitable for both a girl and a boy.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Arvo Alleri's speech was only a plea to invite Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid claims that gender ideology is irrational, and according to the Name Act one must not change a person's name because of gender without a compelling reason, because mere gender identity is not a sufficient reason, which is illustrated by the example of changing the age on an identity card.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller emphasizes that now is your time.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid explains his definition of personal identity and says that being too old causes him stress.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Changing a name and changing gender data in the population register are completely different matters, and changing the personal identification code is possible only after submitting an application and the Medical Expert Committee's decision on gender change, and at the discretion of an official; changes are not made lightly.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller presents a request to Rain Epler.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticizes that the discretion afforded to officials when assigning designations in Estonia is very broad, and although the law requires a compelling reason, he questions whether the same broad discretion applies in other sectors and whether the compelling reason is solely dependent on gender or if there are also other factors involved.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
A state that wishes to trust its citizens should grant officials discretionary power and assess each person's circumstances and needs, not impose a strict naming convention, but when necessary rise to meet the challenge and ensure a sense of security and mental balance.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller made a brief request: to call Evelin Poolamets to come up.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The presentation discusses the legal restrictions on names and questions whether the naming process is based on an official's arbitrary discretion or if there are established reasons behind it, citing the Rakvere case of Nelery as an example.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro stated that he could not comment on the Rakvere case, but pointed out that unusual names are only granted on the basis of a justified application and that the official has discretionary power. He added that when he named his own children, he wasn't asked anything, and the name was registered right away.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the Minister and announced that the question-and-answer session was concluded and they had moved on to the discussions. He called upon Martin Helme, but it became clear that Helme was not on the list, following which he asked Rain Epler to speak on behalf of the questioners.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler emphasizes that the minister is demonstrating demagogy, and the use of the discretionary power granted to officials in naming people and in the context of facial recognition reflects the weakness of political leadership and calls on the minister to mend his ways or, if necessary, to resign.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Now it is Martin Helme's turn to speak.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme accuses the government of pushing extreme ideologies, claiming that so-called normal people vote for the car tax, as well as trans and gay rights, but simultaneously allow officials to break the law and change their sex/gender and name without any reasonable cause, which, he argues, shatters the boundaries of normalcy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
In the speech, gratitude is expressed and a plea is made to Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid criticizes the interpretation of Estonia's Name Act, arguing that it allows exceptions only on the basis of cultural or other personal ties, rather than merely a person's subjective sense of self. He further calls for throwing "trans ideology" into the dustbin and returning to common sense.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker thanks the audience and hands the floor over to Anti Poolamets.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets asserts that the state is employing tax policy—leveraging emergency situations and a Brussels-linked “super tax”—alongside the narrative of “saving CO2.” He condemns the Ministry of Education and Research’s plan to introduce a minimum of 20 genders into the curricula and the use of the name Dresiin, while simultaneously warning against the toxicity of trans ideology and urging the state to focus on voters’ genuine concerns.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks you and asks Evelin Poolametsa.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Poolamets emphasizes that in Estonia, a name must correspond to the person's officially and medically determined sex, and changing one's sex without such a determination creates chaos in legal certainty and threatens the family and public order.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi informed that the members of the Riigikogu have spoken, that the negotiations have been concluded, and that the consideration of the fifth item on the agenda has ended.