The Estonian language
Session: Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, press briefing.
Date: 2025-09-17 15:34
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 21
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 21/21 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The discussion regarding the third question, addressed to Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas, focused on the role of the Estonian language in society and questions concerning the implementation of the language law. The discussion raised various aspects – how language use affects services, the workforce, and public spaces, and what changes are necessary to modernize language use more clearly and to avoid retroactive requirements. The Minister highlighted plans for amendments to the language law, including increasing fines and penalties and strengthening other provisions, so that the Estonian language can function consistently in both service and official institutions. The regulation of dialects and Southern Estonian languages was also touched upon, along with further consideration of these issues in the Riigikogu. The speech was interrupted by questions and clarifications expressing concern about the decreasing use of the Estonian language and the need to ensure linguistic inclusion in all important sectors.
Another topic was the transition to Estonian-language education and the Estonian language development of Ukrainian refugees: it was discussed how the state and local governments ensure sufficient resources for Estonian-language education and mother tongue instruction for Ukrainian children, and how to preserve the mother tongue and culture alongside influential circumstances. The Minister emphasized that the transition to Estonian-language education is not intended to be reversed, and that the state is ready to help and that local governments must find the necessary teachers and resources, including in Ukrainian language instruction. The discussion ended with a lack of clarity and a search for new forms of cooperation, but the corresponding legislative and budgetary framework is planned to be presented to the Riigikogu in the near future.
Decisions Made 1
Amendments to the language law, along with associated sanction and penalty provisions, and plans to enforce the use of the Estonian language in both service industries and governance, will soon reach the Riigikogu; detailed decisions and final valuation are expected from parliamentary debate.
Most Active Speaker
The most active representative in this discussion was Tõnis Lukas (ID: I1YVn0lsltI). He posed several clarifying questions and emphasized the role of the Estonian language and the support of schools based on the language law. His position lies on the right of the political spectrum.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu continues its work. The third question is for the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas. The questioner is Tõnis Lukas, and the topic is the Estonian language.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gave the floor to Riigikogu member Tõnis Lukas, who will present his third question, concerning the Estonian language, to the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas draws attention to the alarming deterioration in the use of the Estonian language in the service sector and public spaces, a situation caused by the increase in foreign labor and outdated legislation. He notes that Russian language proficiency is often required in the service industry instead. Furthermore, he sharply criticizes the government for failing to submit the promised draft bill to update the Language Act, ironically questioning why the role of the Estonian language is not considered important.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas pointed out that the use of Estonian-language service has deteriorated due to the growth of the foreign workforce, and updating the Language Act is necessary because the government has not sufficiently emphasized the role of the Estonian language.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas provided an overview of the timeline for the amendments to the Language Act, noting that the bill—which includes increased fines for violating the rules regarding the use of the Estonian language—will reach the government session either tomorrow or next week. Optimistically, the draft legislation will reach the Riigikogu (Parliament) for discussion this week, or at the latest, next week.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas stated that the Language Act, along with all its amendments, is expected to reach the government session and the Riigikogu for debate this week, but if they fail to resolve the sticking point with the Ministry of Culture, it will arrive next week.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks [the floor] and asks Tõnis Lukas to present his clarifying question.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas expresses sharp skepticism regarding the deadlines provided, pointing to months of delays, and criticizes the government’s inaction concerning the decline of the Estonian language in the service sector, where Estonians are forced to humiliatingly request service in their native language. He emphasizes that the absence of language requirements for platform workers reinforces the notion that one can get by in Estonia without the state language, which is why Isamaa is initiating a bill to amend the Language Act to rectify the situation.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas notes that the language issues and delays encountered in the service sector are reinforcing the need for language protection among Estonians, and Isamaa is submitting a draft amendment to the Language Act to the Riigikogu, questioning whether the coalition will take this seriously.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded the previous debate period, thanked the speaker, and subsequently invited the Madam Minister to take the floor.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Kristina Kallas said that the draft Language Act has been delayed due to the status of dialects and South Estonian languages, but will soon reach the Riigikogu (Parliament). The plan is to strengthen the position of the Estonian language, including implementing penalty payments for the lack of Estonian language proficiency, prohibiting the use of foreign language voice-overs in films intended for adults, and ensuring that council members, representatives in official posts, and television interviews are conducted in Estonian, and that Estonian is the working language.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas explains that the draft amendment to the Language Act was delayed due to extensive legal debates regarding the status of South Estonian languages, rather than disputes concerning the language proficiency of service workers. She confirms that the bill, which will soon reach the Riigikogu (Parliament), includes several provisions aimed at strengthening the position of the Estonian language, such as regulating fines for non-compliance with language requirements, the abandonment of foreign-language voice-overs on films intended for adults, and a requirement to use Estonian as the working and interview language for certain positions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman offers his thanks and turns to Madam Minister with a request.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the previous speaker and immediately gave the floor to Helir-Valdor Seeder so that the latter could ask a supplementary question.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the assembly and announces that the supplementary question will be asked by Helir-Valdor Seeder.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder asks the minister for confirmation of the Government of the Republic’s unwavering support for the transition to Estonian-language education, while also inquiring how the state intends to solve the resource problem faced by local governments. This problem has arisen due to the obligation to organize mother tongue and culture studies for Ukrainian refugees, in a situation where there is a shortage of both teachers and funding.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder asks whether the Ministry of Education and Research remains convinced that the transition to Estonian-language education is the only option, and whether the state will continue to supervise and pressure local governments. Simultaneously, he raises the issue of resource scarcity related to language instruction for Ukrainian refugee children, noting that some local governments are required to offer instruction in Ukrainian language and culture and must find resources for qualified teachers. He specifically asks where these teachers will be found and whether the state will provide assistance or plans to amend the law.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
The Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, firmly asserted that there is no turning back on the transition to Estonian-language instruction, despite political opposition. She also announced that she has initiated amendments to the Private Schools Act to halt state funding for foreign-language private schools, thereby preventing local government schemes aimed at supporting Russian-language instruction. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of mother-tongue education, supporting the provision of two weekly mother-tongue lessons for Ukrainian children to help them preserve their identity and support their overall linguistic development.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
The Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, confirmed that there is no turning back on the transition to Estonian-language instruction, and state funding would only be allocated to Estonian-language private schools going forward. She cited the positive experience of Narva and Kohtla-Järve and stressed the importance of supporting native language education for Ukrainian children and collaborating with Ukrainian resources.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concludes the consideration of today's third item with thanks.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the audience and thereby concluded the discussion of today's third agenda item.