Draft law amending the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act and the International Sanctions Act (640 SE) – third reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-06-19 13:35
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 53
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 47m
AI Summaries: 53/53 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The session moved to the third reading of Draft Act 640 on Amendments to the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act and the International Sanctions Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic, which was also the last item on the agenda for the season. Before the debate was opened, several members of parliament (Kalle Grünthal, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Peeter Ernits, Lauri Laats, Vadim Belobrovtsev) raised procedural questions, criticizing the expedited procedure for the draft act (the second and third readings in the same week) and its potential unconstitutionality. The criticism focused on the provisions of the draft act that allow the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to create a "super database" consolidating data from 11 registers and to use artificial intelligence for profiling individuals, thereby infringing upon personal inviolability and fundamental rights. The opposition asked the presiding officer to contact the Finance Committee to have the draft removed from the agenda or to call a recess for an extraordinary committee meeting, but these proposals were rejected, citing the presiding officer's lack of authority to do so.
During the faction debates, the Centre Party, EKRE, and Isamaa expressed strong opposition. Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart (Centre Party) called the adoption of the draft act an entry into the "era of the surveillance society" and criticized the fact that fundamental rights were being sold off for €3.5 million in EU funding. Rain Epler (EKRE) accused the coalition members of parliament of not knowing the content of the draft act and warned that the law was "child's play" compared to the police camera scandal. Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa) emphasized that a similar database does not exist in any other EU Member State and that the draft act was processed with unprecedented speed. Despite the opposition's last-minute attempts (including a recess requested by Lauri Laats) to halt the processing of the draft act, the final vote was held.
Decisions Made 1
Draft Act 640, initiated by the Government of the Republic, amending the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing and the Law on International Sanctions, was adopted as an Act (38 votes in favor, 18 votes against).
Most Active Speaker
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart (Center Party faction) was the most active speaker during the sitting, repeatedly raising procedural questions and delivering a speech on behalf of the faction. She focused on the bill’s unconstitutionality, the fast-track procedure, and the infringement of fundamental human rights. Her position is that of the opposition.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Following the presentation, they proceeded to the second item on the agenda and the final item of the session. The third reading of Government Bill 640 was addressed, concerning amendments to the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act and the International Sanctions Act, and prior to commencing negotiations with the parliamentary groups, a procedural question was raised by Kalle Grünthal.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal claims that the draft law on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing is in conflict with the Constitution because it expands surveillance activities and the collection of personal data, thereby turning all people into potential criminals. He calls for the draft law to be suspended and for the Council of Elders to be convened to discuss the issue.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller explained that convening the Council of Elders is within the purview of the Speaker of the Riigikogu. He also provided an overview of the bill's progress from Tuesday's thorough second reading to today's third reading, and emphasized that the final decision will be made by the members of parliament during the vote.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller announced that calling the Council of Elders into session was not within his competence, described the thorough discussion that followed the second reading and the arrival of the third reading, and noted that the people's representatives will decide for or against before moving on to procedural matters.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
I share the same concern: why is it necessary to pass this bill so quickly before the summer recess, when it could violate fundamental rights and has not been subject to widespread debate? I ask the Chairman of the Finance Committee to remove the bill from the agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller provided an update on the bill's progress, stressing that despite the vote to suspend proceedings during the second reading, the process has now reached the final vote, and subsequently requested Peeter Ernits to raise a point of order.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Committee may withdraw it, but following the second reading, the suggestion was made that we should proceed to the third reading; today is the final vote, which will show where we stand, and a procedural question will be put to Peeter Ernits.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits expressed great concern regarding the vote on the super database. He suspects a hybrid attack, carried out under the guise of chicken rights, and is asking for help because the goal is to paralyze the email inboxes of Riigikogu members.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Chair cannot assist you procedurally, and Lauri Laats is raising a procedural question.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticizes the Riigikogu Board for the excessively rushed deliberation of Bill 640, pointing out that the second and third readings of such a massive bill, which contains provisions that potentially infringe on legal principles, are being carried out within a single week. He considers this unreasonable, especially since the only reason cited for the rush is the approaching summer recess.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats raised a question concerning the third reading of draft bill 640, emphasizing its significance and the infringement upon the rule of law, and asking whether it is reasonable to conduct the second and third readings within the span of just one week, given the arrival of summer.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller explained that although scheduling the second and third readings of the draft bill for the same week is not customary, it was deemed expedient at the request of the Finance Committee and the government due to the upcoming months without sittings. The third reading is currently underway, following the confirmation of the agenda on Monday.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart convened an extraordinary session of the Finance Committee and requested that the draft bill be withdrawn, as it might infringe upon fundamental rights and conflict with the Constitution. Furthermore, the Finance Committee had not sought the opinion of the Constitutional Committee, which is why she does not see the possibility of a third reading.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller said that on Monday the agenda was approved, along with references to the second reading, and based on that, the draft bill has progressed; the committee meeting can only be convened by the committee chairman together with the deputy chairman, not the presiding officer.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He expresses strong concern that the fast-track reading of the same bill, involving two readings in the same week, sets a precedent and may not comply with the constitution. He also refers to the Chancellor of Justice’s reservations and asks why it must be adopted before the summer and why it cannot be handled in the autumn.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller noted that the Chancellor of Justice had referred to irrelevant points, that the discussion of the second reading was fruitful and dialogue-based, and that everyone had the opportunity to speak. A member of the Finance Committee provided answers, and according to the confirmed agenda, we are moving toward the third reading on Thursday.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits says that the bill, which was fast-tracked with only two readings, is unprecedented and dangerous to the Estonian rule of law. He asks whether anything can be done or if the leaders are simply rubber-stamping it, pointing out that such a procedure should only be reserved for a state of war or the declaration of martial law.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits sharply criticized the parliament's decision to push a bill through two readings within a single week, calling it unprecedented and an extremely dangerous move for the Estonian rule of law—a move that cannot be justified even by the approaching summer recess or a state of emergency.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
He said that procedurally, nothing can be removed or added, and the agenda must be followed because Bill 640 is up for its third reading today, and Kalle Grünthal raised a point of order.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal deems the bill under discussion unconstitutional, arguing that it extends covert surveillance measures—currently permitted only in criminal proceedings—to ordinary citizens, thereby violating personal integrity. He further inquires about the options available to a Riigikogu member for suspending a process being handled under expedited procedure, for instance, by submitting an appeal to the Supreme Court for constitutional review.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal warns that the draft bill would extend surveillance activities permitted in criminal proceedings to ordinary citizens and would endanger rights stemming from personal inviolability, which he considers unconstitutional. He also asks how to halt the process, for instance, by filing an appeal under the constitutional review procedure of the Supreme Court.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller said that the sufficiency would be assessed by the relevant institution, and he had no opinion to offer on the matter; the law is proclaimed by the president, who always has the option to withhold proclamation and send it back to the Riigikogu, and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart requested that the question be directed to the presiding officer of the session.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He expressed concern that the draft bill might reach the Supreme Court, infringe upon people's fundamental rights, and be in conflict with the Constitution. He proposed removing the bill from the agenda and holding an extraordinary session to prevent Parliament from being put in an embarrassing situation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Thanking for the proposal, it was stated that the Chair may call a recess during an extraordinary session, but there is currently no desire to do so; we shall proceed with the discussions and I open the floor for debate to the factions. On behalf of the Estonian Centre Party faction, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, requesting an additional three minutes.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart stated that the draft legislation, which would create a "super database" for the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and consolidate 11 official registers, uses artificial intelligence to create a profile of every person, threatens constitutional rights, leads to the era of a surveillance society, and must therefore be rejected.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker thanks [the previous speaker] and invites Rain Epler to take the floor on behalf of the EKRE faction.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticized the fast-tracked bill, which would grant one agency unlimited authority to create a super database and profiles of all Estonian people and companies using artificial intelligence. He noted that control mechanisms are lacking and coalition MPs are not familiar with the law, and he urged a vote against the proposal.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler sharply criticizes the fast-tracked bill, which grants a single authority unlimited power to create a super database based on the data of all Estonian residents and businesses, and to use artificial intelligence to create profiles around the clock. He emphasizes that this strips citizens of the right to know how their data is being used and that there are absolutely no control mechanisms in place. Consequently, he calls on coalition members of parliament to vote against the legislation to prevent future data scandals.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller thanked and announced that there is now a procedural question, which Lauri Laats will present.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats clarified that Rain Epler was likely referring to Maris Lauri, not Lauri Laats, in his statement, and the chamber responded, “That is correct.”
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller noted that the accuracy of the transcript was important; Urmas Reinsalu, on behalf of the Isamaa faction, requested additional time, and the speaker granted three extra minutes.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stated that the planned database and the associated profiling-based processing are unprecedented in Estonia and the entire European Union, drawing criticism from constitutional institutions and businesses, and endangering people's fundamental rights both in terms of the data content and its usage. Consequently, Isamaa voted against the measure and intends to appeal to the President and the Chancellor of Justice to ensure the bill does not enter into force on July 1st.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu sharply criticizes the bill, which was processed with unprecedented speed. The proposed legislation creates a new database that consolidates the data of most Estonian residents and companies while simultaneously restricting fundamental rights. He emphasizes that similar models have failed in Europe, and points out that the Chancellor of Justice, the Auditor General, and economic organizations have all raised a series of fundamental issues. For these reasons, Isamaa will vote against the law and urges the President not to proclaim it.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller thanked [the participants], announced the closure of the list of speakers and the end of the discussions, and stated that there was one procedural question requested to be addressed to Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart raised concerns regarding the rapid progression toward the final vote and inquired whether the Chairman of the Finance Committee had submitted a proposal to call a recess and convene an extraordinary committee session to withdraw the draft legislation. If no such proposal has been made, she plans to request a recess from her colleagues.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller stated that he has not received any notification from either the board or the committee regarding taking a recess. Furthermore, the steering committee plans to hold the final vote on draft bill 640 in preparation, and they are requesting assistance from Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She is requesting a recess before the vote and hopes to use that time to find the chairman of the Finance Committee, who would withdraw the bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announced a ten-minute recess.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller announced that the recess requested by the Estonian Centre Party faction had concluded, and since a procedural question had arisen, he invited Lauri Laats to the podium to resolve it.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats asks whether he is entitled to request another recess so that he can speak with the Chairwoman of the Finance Committee, as he was unable to locate her in the chamber earlier.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller announced that only one recess could be taken before the vote, and, as part of today’s and the season’s final voting session, directed Draft Act 640 to the final vote. This draft concerns amendments to the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act and the International Sanctions Act. He then asked members to take a position and cast their votes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu adopted Bill 640 as an Act: 38 in favor, 18 against, with no abstentions; a procedural question will be addressed before the sitting concludes.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart states that the situation at the end of the spring session is actually quite worrying.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller urges us to be patient just a little longer and thanks everyone.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She asks what the creation of the unconstitutional database, or super-database, means for us, and whether, if the president doesn't promulgate it within two weeks, we will have to gather again in the summer to discuss this issue.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller explained the procedure for making procedural decisions, citing the competence of the President or the Riigikogu Board, and subsequently attempted to admonish Vadim Belobrovtsev to cease asking repetitive procedural questions.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The address emphasizes that the decision rests with the President, and procedurally, it is adopted by the Riigikogu Board or the Speaker, and attention is drawn to Vadim Belobrovtsev and the final procedural question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev notes that the law adopted yesterday—which both he and the president still consider unconstitutional—raises questions regarding the course of the procedure, future actions, and the fate and timing of the bill, should the president fail to proclaim it a second time.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
He explains that the procedural timeline adheres to the regulations; the president may appeal to the Supreme Court, and if he does not currently promulgate the adopted law, it will return to the plenary hall and the Riigikogu (Parliament).
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He asked the director how often we have to waste time on emergency sessions during the summer break because of this shoddy legislation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Riigikogu Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller said that the work of the Riigikogu is not a waste of time; if someone views an extraordinary session as a waste of time, they can forgo it, but the timing of the summer meeting is decided by the Riigikogu Board, and currently there is no schedule.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He discusses the length of the advance notice period for the extraordinary summer session, recalling that it was quite short the last time, and notes that many of his fellow faction members were out of Estonia when the motor vehicle tax was debated.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech states that a timely electronic notification will be sent regarding the date of the extraordinary session; the session has concluded, and everyone is wished a beautiful Victory Day and a happy Midsummer Day.