Draft law amending the State Audit Act, the Political Parties Act, and other laws (control body for political party funding) – first reading.
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-06-04 20:58
Total Speeches: 75
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 16m
AI Summaries: 75/75 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The seventh item on the agenda was the first reading of bill 599, amending the State Audit Act, the Party Act, and other laws, initiated by the Conservative People's Party of Estonia faction. The bill focused on a clearer order for oversight of party financing and potential control bodies; it proposed that the State Audit Office take over some of the control functions currently carried out by the State Electoral Committee (ERJK). The debate was lengthy and emotional: the presenter, Evelin Poolamets, was not in the hall, but the faction’s representative, Rain Epler, introduced the bill. Discussion revolved around the numerous mechanisms operating within ERJK and the transparency of their decisions, citing examples of political advertising, donations, and conflicts of interest between various individuals and companies. The debate extensively covered the question of whether and how private money control could be transferred to the State Audit Office, and what amendments could be proposed and what their impact would be on democracy and the rule of law. The scope of the discussion also extended to the role of non-profit organizations and electoral alliances, and it became clear that there is broad recognition of the need for better and more understandable rules. In conclusion, the view clearly expressed was that there are problems with ERJK’s role and working methods, and that the question of coordinating their oversight requires a thorough and substantive discussion.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 599 to be rejected in the first reading. The bill is removed from proceedings. Voting results: 43 in favor, 19 against, 1 abstention.
Most Active Speaker
Rain Epler - EKRE faction representative; position: right-wing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman explained that the draft legislation being addressed under the seventh item on the agenda was initiated by the EKRE faction, and since the designated presenter, Evelin Poolamets, is not present, Rain Epler, acting as the faction's representative, is authorized to introduce it.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He expresses confusion and asks for clarification.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed the substitution, and Rain Epler took to the Riigikogu rostrum to introduce Bill 599, which had been submitted by the faction of the Estonian Conservative People's Party.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler argues that the activities of the ERJK have become excessive and onerous, and he calls for the abolition of the committee, transferring its oversight duties to the National Audit Office. He simultaneously stresses the importance of improving transparency in party financing and reducing bureaucracy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience, asks for a moment to pose a few questions and add a little color, and then invites Mart Helme to take the floor.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He thanks Raini and asks him not to leave, saying that they will manage.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speaker just apologizes.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme says that the coalition decided to transfer those functions to the National Audit Office and abolish the commission, but now the disproportion is even greater, as three Social Democrat representatives are opposing the representatives of all the other parties.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticizes the Reform Party, asserting that they view matters contrary to reality (e.g., the claim that producing electricity from solar and wind is the cheapest is the opposite of reality). He also notes that although the government has freed people from tax and bureaucratic burdens, many restrictions still remain. Meanwhile, there is discussion about lifting the burden of the ERJK (Political Parties Financing Surveillance Committee), and regarding the Ossinovski issue, internal tension appears to prevail within the party.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks that Rene Kokk be invited to speak.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk labeled the situation completely ridiculous, referenced Jüri Ratas's advertisement in Eesti Ekspress, demanded an audit and the processing of the bill for submission to the National Audit Office, and urged action to fix the issues surrounding the ERJK.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler says that while charity events and celebrity endorsements are sensible, the strict European political advertising rules could create inequality and restrict those who are not involved in politics, and the rules are not currently being changed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
That was a brief announcement to call Kalle Grünthal to the stage.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal approved the draft bill, emphasizing that the oversight must be carried out under the authority of a competent body and must not be performed by a group consisting of members of a single political party. He also inquired about the fate of the list—whether it would be forwarded to the ERJK or subjected to criminal proceedings—and whether EKRE had considered such options in the future.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler said that the draft bill is good and that he wants to copy the complaints from the transcript in written form, including the names and specific actions, and before the proceedings, consider dissolving the commission and handing over oversight to the State Audit Office so that the matter can return to a sensible course.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech called Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to the stage.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The presentation highlights that the issue of prohibited donations under the Political Parties Act could create a scenario where an individual establishes a legal entity, runs advertisements, submits the expenses to the ERJK, and then pays a fine, even though the prohibited donation was made by someone else—a situation that some companies might view as a profitable business opportunity.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler describes global fraud schemes where small invoices are sent to large companies and paid routinely, almost on autopilot. He notes that such a scheme could absolutely happen, and someone could even run an advertising campaign for you based on it—which would only make the cityscape even more beautiful.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi called upon Anti Hauga to speak.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas stated that although the objective of the draft bill is understandable, he opposes it because there is a risk of tax evasion in the case of a free media publication. He suggested that the solution should be for the media owner to pay the taxes, receive the money into a private individual's account, and then make a donation to the political party, including VAT, under market conditions. This approach would ensure state revenue and prevent special benefits or below-market-price transactions.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler says that Anti is talking about envy, and he asserts that the real solution for reducing the tax burden is the elimination of bureaucracy and complex regulations, which would allow private individuals, legal entities, and politicians to advertise charitable activities or parties and sports events, because the resulting cost savings would be significant and would not require extorting additional funds from businesses.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The address is solely an invitation for Jaak Valge to speak.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge stated that the ERJK has made biased and unfair, and sometimes even ridiculous, decisions. He expressed doubt regarding the necessity of transferring its duties to the National Audit Office, emphasized the ERJK's role as a self-regulation body for political parties, and recommended a reform to prevent such ridiculous decisions from occurring in the future.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler notes that the significance of the reform is unclear, and merely changing the people involved won't move us much further forward. He highlights the control cycle that develops between the National Audit Office and politicians, and emphasizes that the nuances can be finalized in the committee, and the draft bill should be approved so that the law can function.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called upon Kalle Grünthal to speak.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal argues that the immunity of a Riigikogu member and the current ERJK system muzzle a Riigikogu member holding a free mandate, and that the regulation should be abolished and replaced with something else. He plans to follow Jaak Valge’s line of reasoning and discuss how to implement this.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speaker emphasizes that the discussion brings out nuances and different viewpoints, and that together it is likely we will find a good solution, because we must not muzzle only the members of the Riigikogu. Furthermore, Ossinovski may have done something sensible for the first time by inviting people to a sports competition, for which a fee is now being requested—that’s strange.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Madis Timpson to the stage.
Madis Timpson
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
I must confess that I have not familiarized myself with this bill, but I ask whether the bill proposes an appropriate solution for a situation where, for example, Urmas Reinsalu has to pay 1830 euros for one entire long broadcast, and Võrklaev pays 5000 euros for one minute.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler is critical of the ERJK experts' evaluation methods and how they assess the impact of fame, pointing out the vagueness of the calculations and referencing the examples of Võrklaev and Reinsalu. He also vows to proceed with the draft legislation and propose amendments aimed at improving life in Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi requested that Helle-Moonika Helme be called upon to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He is requesting an explanation for the scheme in which the Liberal Citizen Foundation (SALK) received approximately 90,000 euros in funding through the ERJK, and which is widely viewed as a decision made by friends of the liberals and social democrats.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler describes this scheme as absurd: a failed entrepreneur posts pictures of city politicians, waits for the ERJK investigation and the subsequent invoice, and then, at the end of the year, writes that their course of action has been corrected, despite the actual effect being the complete opposite.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asks that Rene Kokk be called to the stage.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler simply voiced an enthusiastic affirmation in his speech: "Yes-yes!"
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler stresses that the bill is ludicrous and that they must proceed and create a better version of it. However, he points out that the impact was negative, and the foundation for the decisions and the grasp of proportions are inadequate, which also causes confusion regarding Jürgen Liik.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Riina Solman to take the floor.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman stresses that the call not to derail this good bill would imply the coalition's support for it, and she asks Rain to calculate how hefty a bill the head of the ERJK might be looking at, citing Võrklaev's three-hour grilling before a large audit committee, which the media channels later widely amplified.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler points out that although the idea is theoretical, they could file one more complaint in order to get wider media coverage of the Võrklaev case. However, he is afraid that his picture and the headline "Epler wanted to disband ERJK" might appear in Delfi, which could result in unforeseen consequences.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Anti Poolamets.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets claims that the ERJK is no longer able to set a clear focus, instead dealing with ridiculous issues while major cases remain unresolved. He suggests this demonstrates that officials are substituting systematic work with something else and simply inventing tasks for themselves.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler speculates that Liisa Oviir has ramped up her ambition and drawn up a longer-term plan for moving beyond the Harku municipal council. He suggests her campaign is heavily fueling this, and she will select someone—Helir, for instance—to bring in a few hundred extra votes again in the next elections.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This address is merely a request to invite Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She emphasizes a case-by-case approach, recalling the promotion of the COVID vaccine and the massive flow of money to the vaccine and private medical industries. He/She then asks where this ultimately leads, questioning whether, following the same logic, we might start reviewing all sorts of past issues and initiating proceedings in the future.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler points out that the Social Democrats currently hold a strong majority on the committee, and for him, this isn't tied to any single political party, but rather that the system has become absurd and a caricature of itself. He brings up the topic of vaccine advertisements and the seven-year period, adding that if Mrs. Oviir hears this, she will immediately have several ideas on how to proceed, which is slightly strange.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Peeter Ernits to come forward and speak.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits defines onanism as a vigorous, yet fruitless activity, and asks what must be done for it to become productive.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler notes that he isn't taking the parallels too far, but the topic is highly relevant. And although he doesn't believe the opposition's draft bill will actually be enacted, it might happen that the bill is taken off the table and an analogous procedure is carried out under the coalition's name.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi calls Aivar Kokk.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk points out that the situation is complicated and politics is turning into a theatrical game, where political parties stage dramatic productions, and every week there is a studio program where they lobby and try to grab the spotlight. Furthermore, elections are approaching, and this is creating confusion.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech was simply a thank you.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk states that he doesn't understand why the coalition refuses to allow this, emphasizing that the guy from the State Audit Office is doing a good job.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler praises the State Audit Office’s thorough analyses and their capability to identify problematic areas. He notes caution regarding the Toomas case but believes that statements made in the spring could lead to proceedings. He nevertheless stresses the need to move forward, acknowledging that the problem exists and must be solved, but focuses on the Reinsalu matter and calls for Anti’s release and a reasonable solution.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a brief request to invite Andres Metsoja to speak.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja voiced concern regarding the name of the Two Bridges Run. He debated whether it should be changed to the Three Bridges Run and whether Jüri Jaanson's name should be removed from it, and he asked how exactly such decisions should be addressed.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler says that in such a case, there will be no proceedings.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He discusses the procedure, ponders the course of life, and notes that it seems completely schizophrenic to him.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler notes a lack of clarity regarding ERJK's internal processes. He questions whether everything proceeds solely based on complaints, and recalls that he has previously raised issues concerning Oviir in the newspaper Ekspress and during the Riigikogu choir broadcast. Epler is uncertain whether these issues have been formally taken into proceedings or if they must be formalized in writing, and suggests that perhaps a complaint against Jaanson was never filed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the speaker, stated that there were no questions, and noted that the speaker possessed considerable potential as a scriptwriter. He then invited the audience to hear what the Constitutional Committee thought about the topic, and asked the honorable Chairman of the Constitutional Committee, Ando Kiviberg, to come forward.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ando Kiviberg explained that during the discussion concerning draft bill 585, which took place in the Constitutional Committee on May 6th, representatives of the National Audit Office pointed out that adding supervision over private sector funding does not align with their duties and would incur significant costs, approximately 200,000 euros, and highlighted the need for clarity in the general rules. The committee decided to include the draft bill on the plenary session agenda for its first reading on May 14, 2025, with 7 votes in favor and 3 against, and appointed Ando Kiviberg, the chairman of the Constitutional Committee, as the representative of the lead committee.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asked Siim Pohlak to ask the question.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak asks whether adjustments are necessary in the current situation, citing the example that the face of the Viljandi Folk Festival could come under the same attack as Ossinovski if the pressure continues.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ando Kiviberg notes that he is sharing a personal viewpoint, but the commission's discussion is important, and the situation must be reviewed and improved, as the recent practices are unsatisfactory, and the problem raised by the draft bill is acute and requires a solution.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi offered thanks, announced that the questioning period was concluding, opened the floor for debate, and invited Mart Helme to speak on behalf of the EKRE faction.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme is criticizing media coverage that he says stems from political bias and prohibited donations. He also points to the involvement of former military personnel and asserts that the functions of the ERJK should be transferred to the National Audit Office (Riigikontroll), arguing that this would be the practical and correct solution.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He wants three minutes of extra time.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme claims that the ERJK is a tool of a corrupt regime and that it must be liquidated, because the system will not collapse by itself, and the ERJK will soon fall along with it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks [the assembly] and, on behalf of the Isamaa Faction, represents Helir-Valdor Seeder, and requests eight minutes of additional time.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder claims that the ERJK essentially supervises itself, and therefore the oversight of party financing should be handed over to the National Audit Office, as it is an independent, competent, and cheaper solution for the state.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi concluded the discussions and announced that Riina Solman would ask a question to the presiding officer of the sitting.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman inquired about the rules of procedure, specifically why the discussion was concluded before she had the chance to ask her question. Furthermore, she requested details regarding the evaluation of Ando Kiviberg's management of the Viljandi Folk Festival and the concert "Ando and Friends," as well as the total amount of the invoice for it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi confirmed that he harbored no malicious intent, emphasized the timely registration of questions and speeches, and called for a vote on the leading committee’s proposal to reject draft bill 599 at the first reading.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu voted 43 in favor, 19 against, and 1 abstention; the motion received support, but Bill 599 was rejected and is dropped from the proceedings.