Competition Act
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing
Date: 2025-06-18 15:01
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 13m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The focus of this agenda item is the procedural process of the competition law and its direct impact on Estonia’s competitive situation and how it is implemented. The questioning took place from Member of the Riigikogu Lauri Läänemets to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and concerned previous coalition positions for the Reform Party – particularly their earlier understanding of the bill's suitability and the impact of its adoption. Background references were made to the government of Kaja Kallas, the Chancellery of the Riigikogu, and the earlier proposals of Eesti 200, as well as the transformative change in the coalition’s position, which raised questions as to why and on what basis the new version was adopted.
The second part of the discussion focused on the Chancellery of the Riigikogu’s overview of two possible procedural variants – administrative proceedings and petty offenses proceedings – and the reasoning behind choosing the latter, with the goal of transposing the European Union directive and ensuring legal protection and a clear legal framework. In addition, a clarifying question-and-answer session took place, during which the reasons for the Reform Party's change of position were raised, and subsequent discussions covered the issues of liability, statute of limitations, and fines, as well as responsibility in the event of an incomplete transposition of the directive.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made during this discussion.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Lauri Läänemets (pid 2JB0KzFPO7g). He presented two thorough questions and focused on explaining the reasons and background for the shift in the Reform Party’s position. His presentations illustrate a position at the left level (left) in relation to the Riigikogu, and emphasize the views of the opposition and the opposition concerning the implementation of the competition law.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The first question, which Riigikogu member Lauri Läänemets is addressing to Prime Minister Kristen Michal, concerns the Competition Act.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets inquired about the proceedings concerning the Competition Act and asked for a description of the circumstances and reasons that led to the change in the position of the Reform Party and the government, given that they had previously considered the draft bill harmful and believed it would not contribute to improving Estonia’s competitive environment.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The position of the Government Office is that the misdemeanor procedure has been chosen for imposing penalties in order to transpose the competition law directive, because this ensures legal clarity and better protection of fundamental rights, and monetary fines also fall within the framework of misdemeanor proceedings under Estonian law. Furthermore, the system is coherent and is developing as a two-procedure model, where the Competition Authority collects the evidence and misdemeanor proceedings are initiated for imposing the penalty.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks everyone and announces that we can continue, as colleague Lauri Läänemets will be asking a clarifying question.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets is asking about the change in the Reform Party's position concerning the bill adopted yesterday by the Riigikogu on its third reading, and he is awaiting clarification on what has changed since Kaja Kallas became Prime Minister.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that the amendments to the Competition Act adjust the suspension of the statute of limitations and the accompanying legal-political transposition, a move supported by the Chancellor of Justice and other legal specialists. He added that the total sum of fines incurred due to the delay amounts to approximately 835,000 euros, which the state must ultimately resolve.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the previous speaker] and announced that Tanel Kiik would ask the supplementary question.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik is asking the Prime Minister three questions regarding the Competition Act: whether the market situation is good, whether he is more competent than Kaja Kallas, and who will be held responsible if the European Commission is not satisfied.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He declares that it is your time to take action.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik notes that the obligation to pay the fine continues.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the Prime Minister and asks him for something.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal refutes the claims, confirming that the adopted bill allows for all procedures and does not create a risk of lapse. She emphasizes fair competition, reducing the burden on businesses, and the necessity of considering the pharmaceutical market, adding that if the European Commission is not satisfied with the transposition, the discussion must continue—but the parliament has made its best decision.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and concludes the consideration of today's first item.