Inquiry on Immigration (No. 133)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
Date: 2024-01-15 19:12
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 88
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 56m
AI Summaries: 88/88 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This agenda item concerned Inquiry No. 133, submitted by Riigikogu members Henn Põlluaas and Helle-Moonika Helme (EKRE), regarding immigration, associated cultural conflicts, and the preservation of the nation-state. The submitter of the inquiry, Helle-Moonika Helme, emphasized that Estonia has fallen under unprecedented immigration pressure from CIS and Slavic-speaking countries, which threatens the Estonian people with becoming a minority in their historical homeland. She highlighted the large numbers of immigrants (over 50,000 recipients of temporary protection) and cultural problems, citing, for instance, the Russian-language New Year's Eve celebration in Tallinn's Town Hall Square.
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas responded to the inquiry, rejecting claims of mass immigration and emphasizing that, according to statistics, the proportion of Estonians in the population has actually increased. She affirmed that the government's goal is to ensure the principle of the nation-state through the transition to Estonian-language education and integration policies. Kallas also explained that Estonia lacks the legal basis for the forced expulsion of Ukrainian men of mobilization age, citing the European Union's Temporary Protection Directive and the stance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to which this is an ethical issue between Ukraine and its citizens. The opposition (EKRE) sharply criticized the Prime Minister's responses, accusing her of manipulating figures and contributing to the Russification of Estonia.
Decisions Made 1
No official decisions were adopted during the inquiry, as the session constituted a round of answering questions posed to a member of the government, followed by subsequent negotiations.
Most Active Speaker
The most active and emotional speaker was Martin Helme (a right-wing opposition politician, EKRE), who delivered the longest and sharpest debate speech. Helme accused Prime Minister Kaja Kallas of "falsifying numbers" and demagoguery, claiming that over 100,000 Slavic-speaking people had arrived in Estonia in a short period. He called the government's policy the "Russification of Estonia" and working in the interests of the Kremlin, arguing that it undermines the nation-state and contributes to the strengthening of the fifth column. Helme also criticized the government's refusal to help Ukraine repatriate men of mobilization age, deeming this hypocrisy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The next item on the agenda is the interpellation concerning immigration (No. 133), submitted by Riigikogu members Henn Põlluaas and Helle-Moonika Helme, which will be introduced by Helle-Moonika Helme.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme immediately requests an extension.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi said that there is no additional time for the introduction; it is five minutes.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme claimed that immigration is a threat to the nation-state because pressure is increasing, language and cultural conflicts are arising, and this could damage the state’s budget, security, and social cohesion, a situation which has been amplified by the impact of the war in Ukraine.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech emphasizes that it is time to do something.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She stresses that different cultures cannot be forced to merge, especially when they will soon outnumber the native inhabitants.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi began his address with a warm greeting, "Time, good colleague!" as he turned to his peers.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In this regard, we are submitting several questions to the Prime Minister, and we hope to receive substantive answers to them, as well as responses to any follow-up questions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asks the Honorable Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to answer questions from the Riigikogu rostrum.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stresses that Estonia pre-empts intercultural conflicts through shared fundamental values and integration, strengthens integration and internal security mechanisms, engages new immigrants, and will transition the entire education system to Estonian-language instruction by 2030, while simultaneously preserving the identity of the nation-state.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks the esteemed Prime Minister, notes that there are questions, and invites Martin Helme to take the floor.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme accuses the government of compiling unrealistic and demagogic migration figures, claiming that since the prime minister took office, approximately 150,000 people from Slavic countries have arrived in Estonia, of whom around 100,000 have remained here, and that such a massive influx of Russian speakers is unprecedented.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announces that it is time and thanks Martin.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that the integration taking place in Estonia is moving solely in the direction of Russification, and asks what you intend to do about it.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas emphasizes that the alarming claims regarding over 100,000 war refugees and the numbers of Slavic speakers are false, pointing to 2023 data which shows the proportion of Belarusians, Russians, and Ukrainians is 27.3% (down from 34.94% in 1989). She notes that the largest group of people who have returned are Estonians, and that people’s well-being and their vision of future opportunities depend on whether they see opportunities for themselves here, as the spread of hostility politics is a major problem.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited Helle-Moonika Helme to take the floor.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helme accuses the coalition of hypocrisy, emphasizing the shared core value of not supporting Putin's Russia. He then asks how they should view the New Year's Eve demonstration that occurred in Town Hall Square, timed according to the Russian clock, referencing Martin Helme’s claim that "everything is wrong," and requests that the audio clip of the incident be heard.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
This is very disturbing, and things like this should not be happening in Estonia. Furthermore, this is largely an issue for the Tallinn City Government.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Jaak Valge to speak.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge notes that, according to SITKE data, approximately 87,000 Ukrainian war refugees have entered Estonia, but the number of those who arrived via the Latvian border has not been taken into account, meaning the actual figure is unknown. He emphasizes Zelensky’s fear of a demographic catastrophe and questions why the government is attempting to permanently settle Ukrainians in Estonia, and whether this plan actually helps Ukraine by ensuring that able-bodied refugees return home.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas says that mobilization is a reflection of the relationship between the state and its citizens, and she emphasizes that Ukraine has needs in this regard—needs which the comment heard in the hall and the question, "Do you have to scream?" indicate are stirring up the audience's emotions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Chair invited Helle-Moonika Helme to the stage.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that answering is very unpleasant.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He asks everyone to take turns speaking so the discussion flows smoothly.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas urges listeners to examine their own conduct.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi earnestly requests that there be no interruptions, and then addresses Kaja Kallas, asking her not to interrupt.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas emphasized that mobilization is a matter between the state and its citizens. She stressed that in Estonia, individuals can only be recalled through criminal proceedings, provided Ukraine initiates those proceedings; forced repatriation by any other means is not planned. Furthermore, the amendment to the Ukrainian mobilization law was withdrawn, meaning people are permitted to remain in Estonia while their temporary protection status is valid.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls Rain Epler to the stage.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler, in his speech, criticizes the prime minister for her mechanical delivery and calls for an admission that the integration of immigration in aging Estonia has reached a dead end and that the melting pot is failing, citing the examples of Sweden and Germany and asking when liberals will finally look in the mirror.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas emphasizes that Estonia’s migration policy is highly restricted and immigrants are not being admitted, even though entrepreneurs constantly claim that we are facing a labor crisis. She added that she cannot speak on behalf of Germany and Sweden.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Arvo Aller to speak.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller linked four questions to the themes of development plans and integration, asking whether the events that took place in Town Hall Square on December 31st should have been resolved via the dialogue police, what is causing the fireworks and celebrations of recent weekends, and whether integration is truly breaking down.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that the police choose their own tactics for major events, based on internal security, and no one else can issue orders. She noted that the police must rely on what they see to ensure safety. She added that she is bothered by such things, as well as the use of the Russian language in Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited Mart Helme to speak.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme criticizes the spread of the Russian language and the presence of Slavic-speaking masses in Tallinn, citing Zelenskyy's statement that six or seven people can fight for one taxpayer.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
He emphasizes that the answer is the opposite.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks for just a moment.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme emphasizes that no one is allowed to interrupt.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas urges people not to smoke.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme urges the listeners not to interrupt.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi opens his address with a friendly greeting and requests the attention of his colleagues.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme points to the "reflection effect" and asks why negotiations are not being held with Ukraine to show the way for the rest of Europe and help Ukraine recover its people.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
He emphasized that Ukraine and Europe can only be saved through the collective effort of all citizens, where men of mobilization age must be in Ukraine or assisting in other ways. Furthermore, working and paying taxes play a crucial role, because otherwise, there will be no money for the soldiers.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Varro Vooglaid to speak.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid thanked the chairperson of the session.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme yells from the floor that this is yet another violation of the rules of procedure, adding that he has a procedural question related to the answer just given.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that he would only take one question, apologized to Varro Vooglaid, directed a question to Mart Helme regarding the rules for conducting the session, and added that he had a remark addressed to him, asking for the microphone to be given to Mart Helme.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He said that Zelensky's speech had been read to him, but his question went unanswered, and he asked why Estonia was not holding bilateral negotiations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi stated that the answer had already been provided in the speech, and Ukraine would decide this matter itself. Therefore, there was no basis for further negotiation, and he added that the address to the Prime Minister at the beginning of the previous question was inappropriate.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid suggests that checks should be initiated at Estonia's borders to determine whether men of mobilization age arriving from Ukraine have received permission to leave their country. He points to a previous interpellation and the practice already in place in Latvia and Lithuania. Furthermore, he asks whether the government has met with the Ukrainian ambassador and what was discussed, considering Zelensky’s expressed desire that these men should not depart.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that departure from Ukraine is under Ukrainian control and arrival in Estonia follows the agreed-upon rules, and she has requested such actions concerning the issue of Ukraine because there is no legal basis.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Kert Kingo to speak.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo asks, if Ukraine were to fight for Estonia, since those men of mobilization age have already fled to Estonia and are being settled in here, who would actually be fighting in Ukraine?
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas noted that there are about 40 million people in Ukraine, and 35,851 individuals originating from Ukraine hold residence permits in Estonia. Half of them are women and children, meaning that not all Ukrainian men reside in Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asks that the Prime Minister be allowed to answer and that no one interrupt.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets criticized the prime minister's exaggeration and extremism, referring to the claims made by Oleg Samorodni and Vitali Portnikov, and asked whether compensating for the European Union's labor shortage at the expense of Ukrainian war refugees could benefit Russia and lead to the loss and weakening of the Ukrainian nation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stresses that the time has come and action must be taken.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that people of mobilization age should be fighting in Ukraine, and indeed they are, and although those currently residing in Estonia under temporary protection are working, paying taxes, and their money may reach Ukraine as Estonia aids the war effort, there is no legal basis to deport them.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asked Ants Frosch to come and speak.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch expressed concern about ethical relativism and legal nihilism in Estonia, and drew a connection between Zelensky’s visit and the situation involving approximately 7,000 Ukrainian men who should be fighting on the front line but are currently in Estonia. He then asked what the ethical course of action was for them and what they ought to do.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas expresses her thanks and says that it would be ethical to go and fight for one's homeland.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Siim Pohlak to speak.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak posed a question directly to the Prime Minister, asking whether mass immigration of Slavic origin into Estonia constitutes a problem. He requested a simple yes-or-no answer and highlighted that the lack of Estonian language being spoken and the prevalence of Russian language conversation all around was a shocking revelation.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
The figures show that we don't have massive migration, but I am deeply bothered by the use of the Russian language.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi made a brief request: "Kalle Grünthal, please!"
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal criticizes Kaja Kallas, asserting that Ukraine is fighting for Estonia and that we lack the legal grounds to send them out of the country. He stresses that deporting them to Ukraine falls within Kallas's purview via legislative amendments, even though he simultaneously accuses her of being under Putin's influence.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi said it was time and thanked Kalle.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He orders the military units and men to be kept away from there.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Estonia is a member of the European Union, and the temporary protection for those who have arrived from Ukraine is valid until March 2025 and may be extended by a decision of the Council upon a proposal from the Commission; their reasons for leaving Ukraine and crossing the border are a Ukrainian issue that we cannot resolve.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Evelin Poolamets to come up to the stage and speak.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets points out that there is no legal basis for handing over Ukrainian men of mobilization age to Ukraine, and questions how the presence of these men could affect the willingness of young Estonian men to defend their country if they observe that in the event of war, people from a neighboring country can simply flee and choose survival.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that if we had mobilization, the borders would be sealed, but we cannot claim that there aren't those among us who are thinking about how to flee from here and abandon the defense of their homeland—this has always been the case and will likely remain so in the future.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanks the honorable Prime Minister, announces that there are no questions, and asks Rain Epler to present a question regarding the rules of procedure for the sitting.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler urged the presiding officer of the session to maintain a consistent standard and reprimand the repeatedly disruptive party colleague, ensuring that everyone had an equal opportunity to speak and preventing the perception that some members were allowed to behave that way while others were not.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He emphasized that he does not differentiate between the 100 members of the Riigikogu and treats everyone equally. He then thanked those present, opened the debate, inviting Martin Helme to speak, and requested additional time.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme is accusing the government of falsifying figures regarding mass immigration, claiming that over 100,000 people—mostly Slavic and Russian speakers—have arrived in Estonia over the last two and a half years, the vast majority of whom do not wish to leave. He asserts that this policy of Russification benefits the Kremlin and is actively destroying Estonia’s demographics and integration efforts.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi addressed Mart Helme and invited him to speak.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme stated that Estonia must actively assist Ukraine and provide the country with the necessary human resources, accusing the Reform Party and Kaja Kallas of adhering to Putin's influence and the Karaganov doctrine, and emphasizing that Estonia must not allow itself to be Russified according to Russia’s desires.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He calls them into the hall to start the discussion.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks Mart.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme is accusing the audience, saying that they don't care and aren't even there.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This speech is an expression of gratitude and an appeal to Varro Vooglaid that includes a request.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid called for checks at Estonia's borders to determine whether Ukrainian men of mobilization age have obtained permission to leave Ukraine, referenced the practices of Latvia and Lithuania and Zelensky's positions, and questioned whether and why this control could or should not be implemented, emphasizing that if Estonia's interest outweighs Ukraine's interest, this must be stated honestly.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi concluded the debate and asked Kalle Grünthal to pose a question regarding the rules of procedure for the sitting.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal raises the question of whether members of the government are permitted to present factual claims in the Riigikogu—claims that are verifiable but ultimately prove to be false—and what sanctions or legal remedies would follow in such a scenario.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi emphasized that it is not appropriate to claim that Prime Minister Kallas lied, because facts and figures are often imprecise and sources may vary. Although there is no absolute freedom of speech, Section 72 of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act gives the presiding officer the opportunity to intervene. As the presiding officer, he aims to intervene as little as possible and conclude the proceedings of the fourth agenda item.