Inquiry Regarding the Bringing of Swedish Prisoners to Estonia (No. 792)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2025-09-22 20:17
Total Speeches: 115
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 57m
AI Summaries: 115/115 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated Interpellation No. 792, submitted by Riina Sikkut, Tanel Kiik, Reili Rand, Lauri Läänemets, Helmen Kütt, Andre Hanimägi, and Jaak Aab, concerning the transfer of Swedish prisoners to Tartu Prison in Estonia. Riina Sikkut, speaking on behalf of the interpellators, highlighted three main areas of concern: internal security costs, the deterioration of healthcare service availability in Estonia, and the deepening labor shortage in Southern Estonia. The Social Democrats asked the Prime Minister how filling the prison with foreign inmates enhances Estonian security, what the position of the internal security agencies is, and how healthcare and court costs will be covered.
Prime Minister Kristen Michal defended the government's decision, emphasizing that it constitutes a security partnership that aids Sweden and preserves essential internal security infrastructure in Estonia. He noted that leasing out Tartu Prison guarantees the retention of 160 jobs and creates 250 new positions, preventing the loss of specific expertise. Michal confirmed that the rental fee covers all expenses related to foreign prisoners, including healthcare and translation services. He stressed that inmates requiring serious medical or psychiatric treatment would not be brought to Estonia, and the prisoners would be released in Sweden. The opposition (Läänemets, Valge, Ernits, Kiik) sharply criticized the plan, labeling it "state capitalism" that worsens the labor situation for the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) and lengthens treatment queues for Estonian citizens. They also accused the government of disregarding the opinions of Tartu residents. Michal dismissed the criticism, drawing parallels with prison lease agreements in other European countries.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu has reached the fourth debate on the interpellation (Query No. 792), which was submitted on June 5, 2025, by Riina Sikkut, Tanel Kiik, Reili Ranna, Lauri Läänemets, Helmen Kütt, Andre Hanimäe, and Jaak Aab, concerning the transfer of Swedish prisoners to Estonia. Riina Sikkut is requested to serve as the rapporteur.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi introduced the fourth item on the agenda: Interpellation No. 792, submitted by members of the Riigikogu, concerning the issue of bringing Swedish prisoners to Estonia, and invited Riina Sikkut, the submitter of the interpellation, to the podium to present it.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut criticized the government's agreement to transfer Swedish prisoners to Tartu Prison, citing the significant budgetary expense and the strain it would place on security and healthcare services. She also noted that the plan to import skilled labor from third countries neither supports the growth of Estonian productivity nor solves employment issues.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut is criticizing the government for the agreement to bring Swedish prisoners to Tartu Prison, a deal which the Minister of Justice says will bring significant revenue, but which the Social Democrats argue involves unresolved security issues, places an additional burden on Estonian mental health services under conditions of already scarce resources, and creates an odd situation in the labor market where low-productivity guard jobs are being established while the country suffers from a shortage of skilled labor, which is why five questions are being submitted to the Prime Minister.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi offered his thanks and announced that, at the request of those who submitted the inquiry, Prime Minister Kristen Michal would answer the questions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the attendees and handed the floor over to the honorable Prime Minister Kristen Michal, who will answer the questions submitted by the interpellators, as had been requested.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Estonian-Swedish cooperation will ensure the strengthening of internal security, maintain the services and detention facility of Tartu Prison, involve institutions in mitigating risks, regulate healthcare services for foreign prisoners through a contract, and bring hundreds of jobs to the South Estonia region while reducing the taxpayer burden in times of crisis.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Responding to an inquiry regarding the plan to bring Swedish prisoners to Estonia, Prime Minister Kristen Michal explained that the initiative constitutes a crucial internal security partnership. He emphasized that the plan ensures the preservation of Tartu Prison's infrastructure and specialized staff for potential crisis situations, creates new jobs in Southern Estonia, and utilizes the rental revenue to cover all associated expenses, including healthcare and translation services. He added that potential security risks have been thoroughly mapped and mitigated through close cooperation between Estonian and Swedish authorities.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanks you and announces that Vladimir Arhipov will begin the round of questions.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov voiced concern regarding dangerous individuals arriving in Estonia (whom he referred to as "hardened criminals" or "retsid"), questioning the Prime Minister on the methods being used to prevent them from establishing criminal ties and new networks here. He also inquired about the sustainability of the existing agreement and any plans for its renewal.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov asks how it is ensured that the people arriving here do not establish criminal ties and new networks, whether the agreement is sustainable, if it will be extended upon expiry, and whether this topic has already been discussed.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The answer is simple: Estonian inmates do not interact with foreign prisoners. Estonian detainees are housed in Tallinn’s Viru Prison. Partner institutions, including the Security Police Board, participate in the intake of prisoners. Everyone is thoroughly vetted, and the agreement stipulates that no one will be released in Estonia—they will only be released in Sweden.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that Estonian and foreign prisoners will not be housed together. Estonian inmates will be moved to Tallinn and Viru prisons, and all incoming foreign prisoners will be thoroughly screened (including by the Estonian Internal Security Service). Furthermore, the agreement guarantees that none of them will be released in Estonia, but will only be released in Sweden.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi presents a request to Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid raised two critical questions, doubting first whether the creation of 200 new jobs in internal security might actually exacerbate the labor shortage at the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) by luring existing staff into better-paid positions, and second, whether filling the prison with foreign inmates would render it unusable during a crisis situation, thereby creating an additional security risk, contrary to official assurances.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid asked two questions: wouldn't the creation of 200–250 new positions in internal security draw away people already working at the PPA, thereby increasing the actual need, and wouldn't filling a prison completely during a crisis situation pose security risks and make its use impossible.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed that following the redundancy of over a hundred jobs at Tartu Prison, leasing out the facility is a necessary step to ensure the employment of trained personnel and prevent the costly burden that unused infrastructure places on internal security.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that over a hundred positions were cut at Tartu Prison last year and job opportunities are limited. Therefore, trained prison service employees can return to work, and the infrastructure can be cleared out if needed, as keeping it vacant would be a cost to internal security.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited Helmen Kütt to speak.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt emphasizes that although some costs are covered and jobs are created thanks to the Swedish agreement and the 30 million in funding allocated for it, she is concerned about the sustainability of human resources and healthcare services. She also asks how this 30 million will not end up increasing costs later, and what risks are involved, considering the already long waiting lists for specialists and the persistent healthcare needs at the Tartu University Hospital.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt recognizes the 30 million euro revenue and job creation that come with the Swedish agreement, but stresses that the biggest risk lies in the strain on human resources and the healthcare system. She asks the Prime Minister how the government will ensure that providing services to the detainees does not exacerbate the already long waiting lists for specialist medical care or ultimately generate greater costs for Estonia, and calls on the government to acknowledge the negative threats of the transaction as well.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed that prior to signing the agreement, various agencies thoroughly assessed the risks and the necessary mitigation measures. Furthermore, the analysis indicates that the fee being paid covers all costs—from medical services to security—while also allowing for a risk contingency.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The risks associated with the contract have been thoroughly considered, and various institutions have assessed the measures for mitigating sovereign risks. Furthermore, the analysis indicates that the fee paid covers all costs and allows for a risk margin.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker invites Jaak Valge to present.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge commends the Social Democrats for initiating the interpellation concerning the leasing out of the prison, and although he acknowledges the lack of a legal consultation requirement, he criticizes the government for ignoring the opinion of Tartu residents and demands the presentation of unpublished survey results, as he hypothesizes that the people of Tartu are against the prison lease.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge thanked the social democrats for the interpellation, noting that, in a legal sense, the leasing out of the prison does not require approval from either the Tartu city government, and even less so from the residents of Tartu. Furthermore, asking the residents has not exactly been customary for the current government; no results of such a survey have been published in the media. My hypothesis is that the people of Tartu would be very much against the prison being leased out, but he finally asks whether the government has conducted any surveys on this matter and what their results are.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge proposes conducting a survey and publishing the results, provided that the relevant study has not yet been carried out.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He recommends conducting a survey and publishing the results.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasizes that the leasing of prison capacity between European countries has long been a widespread and civilized form of cooperation, and we are not reinventing the wheel here, but rather citing examples of the Netherlands–Belgium and Norway agreements and comparisons of their costs and impact.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal began with a politically sharp move, congratulating his opponents on their rapprochement with the Social Democrats, but then shifted focus to the issue of renting prison capacity. He stressed that this is not a new phenomenon, citing previous agreements between the Netherlands and Belgium, and Norway, as examples. These agreements, he noted, proved that such a security partnership neither increases crime nor hinders visitation, and is a standard practice among civilized European nations, with a price level comparable to the agreement between Sweden and Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a short request to invite Riina Sikkut to speak.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut is inquiring with the Prime Minister regarding the agreement concerning the provision of healthcare services to prisoners, emphasizing that Article 41 obligates Estonia to ensure the availability of medical documents in Swedish. She asks whether this creates an obligation for Estonian healthcare workers to provide services and translation in Swedish, and she also wishes to know what specific healthcare costs per prisoner were taken into account when the agreement was concluded.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut asks whether, pursuant to Article 41, Estonia is required to offer Swedish-language healthcare services and medical interpretation to prisoners, and what amount of healthcare costs is allocated per prisoner in the contract.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal explained that a thorough analysis is available at the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, and she requested that it be shared. She also confirmed that all necessary costs, including translation, have been accounted for in the healthcare expenditures, and emphasized that individuals with more serious illnesses will not be brought to Estonia, or they will be sent back to Sweden.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Prime Minister confirms that a comprehensive analysis is available at the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs and will be shared if necessary. All healthcare and translation costs have been accounted for, and people with serious illnesses are not being brought here; if anything emerges, they will be sent back to Sweden.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a brief request to invite Lauri Läänemets to speak.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets is criticizing the prime minister-led "state capitalism" project, under which the state plans to start providing prison services to Sweden. He points out that this move will pull hundreds of qualified prison officials out of the South Estonian labor market, thereby worsening the labor shortage and competing directly with the private sector. This, he argues, contradicts the calls made by other cabinet members to import labor, suggesting there is an unaddressed internal conflict within the government.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets criticized the government's state capitalism, arguing that the state is providing services to another country and drawing the labor force from Southern Estonia to Sweden, which diminishes the workforce availability for entrepreneurs.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi expresses thanks.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets is strongly demanding an explanation from the opposing side regarding the illogical basis upon which the current confusion has arisen, and why they are knowingly creating immigration pressure.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets is asking for an explanation of the logic behind this confusion, and why and how you are actually creating this kind of immigration pressure.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal claims that the confusion that has arisen regarding immigration pressure and prisons exists only in the questioner’s mind, and that the vacant prison real estate could be used for a security partnership or demolished. Furthermore, internal security will gain specialists who will be able to return to work.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal dismissed the questioner’s confusion regarding the prison rental issue, explaining that it is sensible to utilize the specific property that became vacant due to the decrease in the number of inmates. This is achieved by offering it for rent to a security partner, which is preferable to expensive mothballing or demolition. Furthermore, this move allows for the rehiring of internal security specialists who were previously laid off.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The address is a brief request to Anti Allas.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas is asking the Prime Minister whether Swedish-language healthcare services will start being offered, and also how and when prisoners will be evacuated during a crisis, along with the specific conditions and priority order for that evacuation.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas is addressing the Prime Minister to seek clarity, both regarding the provision of Swedish-language healthcare services and, crucially, concerning the timeline and sequence for the precise procedures and logistics agreed upon for the evacuation of prisoners in the event of a serious crisis, in order to avoid confusion.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
According to the presentation, in the event of a crisis or war, Sweden's foreign prisoners must be immediately relocated, and reserves and organizational capabilities have been secured for this purpose. The agreement also includes a clause regarding exercises for practicing such situations, and the use of translation has been taken into account, although the details are not being disclosed.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that translation services for foreign inmates are guaranteed either through a translation application or a dedicated translator. She further stressed that in a crisis situation, including the event of war, the prisoners must be immediately repatriated to Sweden, for which sufficient lead time and corresponding scenario drills are stipulated by the agreement in cooperation with security partners.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
We invite Andre Hanimägi to the stage.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi asks how long-term the prison guard and training program is intended to be, and how its sustainability will be ensured so that the project is not merely short-term and the country does not have to bring its prisoners back in the future.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi, noting the Prime Minister’s excellent form and stressing the need for cross-party recognition, inquired about the government’s long-term plan for training prison officials and providing the corresponding services. He expressed concern that if the project were short-term (for example, if it involved taking back Swedish prisoners), the investments and job creation efforts would be needlessly wasted.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The term of the agreement is five years; it can be extended for an additional three years, during which time the parties will discuss those medium-term plans among themselves.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal specified that all medium-term plans would be discussed between the parties under the five-year agreement, which is renewable for an additional three years.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Lauri Laats is invited to perform.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats is criticizing the labor shortage and the use of Swedish subcontractors. He also mentions the projected profit, totaling 30 million, and then, speaking tongue-in-cheek, suggests that visitors coming to see prisoners are actually bringing tourists to Tartu, thereby filling up the hotels and restaurants.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats sharply criticized Estonia's position globally, arguing the country is being used merely as a subcontractor. He then sarcastically brought up earlier ministerial promises that visits from relatives and friends of prisoners would start filling up hotels and restaurants in Tartu, bringing significant economic benefit to the city, and ironically asked if the people of Tartu were truly looking forward to that.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that you are thoroughly confusing things, and that this is probably your own dream or fantasy, and that the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs did not say anything of the sort, referring to the examples of the Dutch, Belgian, and Norwegian ombudsmen, where there are very few visits.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal dismisses the opposing side's claims—that the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs said anything of the sort—as fantasy and a misrepresentation, emphasizing that the examples from the Dutch, Belgian, and Norwegian ombudsmen actually confirm the exact opposite situation, where visits were extremely rare.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech included a request to invite Tanel Kiik to speak.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik accuses the Prime Minister of having a superior and patronizing attitude toward the opposition, which damages the government's reputation, and demands an an explanation as to why, amid a labor shortage, there are plans to import foreign labor, while qualified internal security personnel are tied up guarding foreign prisoners, when their skills are actually needed more elsewhere within the internal security sector.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik criticizes the Prime Minister's patronizing attitude and asks why, while facing a labor shortage, qualified personnel are being used to guard foreign prisoners.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that utilizing laid-off prison officials and vacant real estate to strengthen internal security capabilities and provide services in cooperation with partners is sensible.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal ironically dismisses Lauri Laats' claims, stressing that making correctional officers redundant and allowing expensive prison real estate to sit empty is unreasonable from an internal security standpoint. Therefore, the only correct course of action is to utilize the vacated complex and trained personnel to provide a service, while simultaneously assisting a security partner in order to maintain the nation's internal security capabilities.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Heljo Pikhof.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof finds the Minister of Justice’s assertion—that bringing Swedish murderers and rapists to Tartu Prison will increase the security of South Estonia—embarrassing, emphasizing that contrary to the government’s rhetoric, this actually weakens Estonia’s internal security. This is because the Director General of the PPA and the Prefect of South Estonia hold the view that police personnel, already struggling with hundreds of unfilled positions, will leave to take jobs at the prison, thereby exacerbating existing security problems.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof asserts that the Ministry of Justice's claim—that bringing Swedish murderers and rapists to Tartu Prison will increase security—is misleading. She argues that reality shows that internal security, particularly in Southern Estonia, is weakening due to staff shortages and the failure to fill vacant positions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi expressed his thanks.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof expressed concern and raised the question of how it would be possible to guarantee improved safety for residents of Southern Estonia at a time when plans are underway to reduce the number of police officers.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks how the safety of people in South Estonia could improve if the number of police officers is reduced.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal reassured listeners, dismissing a worrying hypothesis and affirming that the internal security situation is improving. This is because the number of police officers is increasing, salaries are being raised to attract new personnel, and skilled workers in the field are being actively recruited, not laid off.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Prime Minister emphasized that if the hypothesis were correct, he should be worried, but the number of police officers is growing, salaries in the internal security sector are being raised, and instead of keeping the premises empty and laying off those who possess internal security skills, they are being hired.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asked Jaak Aab to take the floor.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab rejected the Prime Minister's insinuation regarding the Social Democrats' pro-migration stance, emphasizing that governments in Estonia have historically maintained strict immigration rules to avoid the problems seen in Europe, and asked directly whether the Reform Party now intends to loosen those rules.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the answer is no.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman invites Reili Rand to speak.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand posed a question regarding the long-term outlook, specifically addressing how new employees are trained, how the potential three-year extension of the five-year contract and the resulting eight-year perspective are factored in, whether the government anticipates a rise in crime, how the empty prison cells will be filled with inmates, and whether the establishment of a council dedicated to reducing crime is being considered.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand expressed concern regarding the long-term (eight-year) perspective on training new staff and asked the Prime Minister whether the government anticipates a significant increase in crime necessary to fill the cells that will be left vacant once Sweden begins managing its own prisoners, offering the establishment of a crime-reduction council as an alternative.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
We are not planning to increase crime simply to fill up prisons. If internal security requires more personnel, they should be utilized in other roles, because otherwise, facilities like Tartu Prison and other real estate assets would sit empty, and their upkeep would be prohibitively expensive.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal refuted the allegation of a plan to increase crime rates simply to fill prisons. She stressed instead that, given the shrinking working-age population, the internal security sector desperately needs more skilled individuals. These individuals, however, cannot be utilized effectively because specific real estate assets (such as Tartu Prison) are standing vacant, thereby generating extra costs for the state and leaving the region without potential security guarantors.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Peeter Ernits to come.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The question is whether the Prime Minister has asked Urmas Klaas if Klaas is as optimistic as the Prime Minister that Tartu will remain the city of good thoughts, or if it will turn into a mecca for rapists and murderers.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits posed a blunt and dramatic question to the Prime Minister regarding the future security of Tartu, asking whether the Prime Minister had discussed with his party colleague, Mayor Urmas Klaas, if Tartu would remain the City of Good Thoughts or if it would turn into a mecca for rapists and murderers.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasizes that all questions raised by the city of Tartu and its mayor must be taken seriously, and notes that these prisoners will arrive at the prison and be released back to Sweden, not onto Pirogov Square.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that the concerns of the city of Tartu and its mayor are being taken seriously, but stressed that the prisoners in question are arriving and being released in Sweden and are not connected to Tartu's public spaces, such as Pirogov Square.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi concluded the round of questions addressed to the Prime Minister, thanked the Prime Minister, then explained the subsequent rules of procedure to his colleagues, and gave the floor to the representative of the interpellators, Lauri Läänemets, who was the only one registered to speak.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
There are no further questions; according to the Rules of Procedure, the representative of the interpellators, Lauri Läänemets, is registered to speak first, and he requests additional time.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets began his eight-minute address by welcoming the Prime Minister and his colleagues, and immediately requested the maximum allowed additional time.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker thanks you and requests as much additional time as possible for the Prime Minister and colleagues.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi emphasized the need for realism, noting that while the desired maximum quantity is unattainable, goal number three remains a solid and achievable objective.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi says that although the wishes might be great, there is a limit, and only three are allowed.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In his speech, Lauri Läänemets criticized the Prime Minister's answers as inadequate, raised concerns regarding the personnel and funding of both the healthcare and prison services, accused the Reform Party of adopting the logic of the state apparatus and importing cheap labor (likening it to Sweden), and emphasized the crucial need for taking responsibility and engaging in debate.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets sharply criticizes the Prime Minister’s extremely brief answers, which he argues impede substantive debate, and accuses the government of evading responsibility. Regarding the plan to bring Swedish prisoners to Estonia, the speaker stresses that this move burdens the already struggling healthcare system, strips necessary labor from entrepreneurs in Southern Estonia, thereby exacerbating the labor shortage, and serves as an example of state capitalism where the state begins competing directly with private businesses. Finally, the speaker demands that the government have the courage to take responsibility for its unpopular decisions and apply the same logic (filling empty buildings) to regional policy, citing the example of small schools.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech includes thanks and an address directed at Jaak Valge.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge confirms that Tartu neither needs nor wants a foreign prison, arguing that renting the facility would damage the city’s reputation and security, strain healthcare and emergency services, and fail to solve the employment issue, instead pushing the economy toward lower added value.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge has sharply criticized the government's plan to lease the Tartu prison to a foreign state, stressing that this will significantly harm Tartu's image as an international university town, transforming it into a location associated with the prison industry rather than a hub for science and culture. He refutes the arguments about job creation, pointing to the severe labor shortage in the law enforcement and national defense sectors. He argues that this constitutes impractical governance that overburdens the healthcare system, and notes that the opinions of Tartu residents have been ignored, treating citizens as state subjects rather than partners.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience and invites Lauri Laats to speak.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi concluded his brief address with thanks, and then handed the floor over to Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats believes that the decision to bring Swedish prisoners to Tartu was wrong, arguing that it was made without involving the local community, damages Tartu's reputation, increases distrust toward the government, and highlights broader labor and demographic issues, including the risk that Sweden is exploiting Estonia as cheap labor.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats has voiced profound shock and dissatisfaction regarding the government’s decision to relocate a large number of Swedish prisoners to Tartu. He sharply criticized the decision for being conceived in cabinet secrecy—without involving the local community—and stressed that this move will irreversibly harm the reputation of Tartu as the city of science and good thoughts. Furthermore, he views this as an example of the Swedish state exploiting Estonia for cheap labor and the acceptance of prisoners, arguing that the resulting reputational damage far outweighs any financial benefit. He concluded by stating there is a complete lack of trust in the information provided by the government.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The address includes an expression of gratitude, and Peeter Ernits is invited to speak.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits is categorically opposing the plan to house Swedish criminals in the empty Tartu Prison, viewing it as an arrogant move that ignores locals and transforms the "city of good thoughts" into a happy city for rapists and murderers. While the plan to earn 30 million euros has some appeal, the speaker stresses that the deal's wider negative impact on Tartu's reputation and police resources clearly outweighs the financial gain. Therefore, we should look at the big picture, instead of being fixated solely on the cash amount.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits is criticizing the government's plan to use Tartu Prison and 30 million euros to bring in Swedish criminals and other foreigners, warning that this will damage Tartu's reputation and impact the labor market, and emphasizing the necessity of looking at the bigger picture rather than focusing solely on the figure of 30 million.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi politely apologized to his colleague for the interruption and then requested additional time again.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi apologizes for interrupting and asks if he could take a little more time.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits replied that he needed a couple of minutes.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The central message of the speech is to request two minutes be added.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits points out that Urmas Klaas is courteous and has fewer scandals than his colleagues in Tallinn, adding that punishing Klaas for the actions of party members which occurred in Tallinn would be detrimental to the party's reputation. At the same time, he calls for a broader perspective and more transparency, even though he admits that this idea is not wise.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits defends Urmas Klaas, emphasizing his courtesy and distinguishing him from his scandalous Tallinn colleagues. He argues that punishing Klaas for the reputational damage caused by his fellow party members is unfair, and concludes by rejecting the idea of prison leasing as unwise.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi expressed his thanks and announced that members of the Riigikogu no longer had requests to speak, and the debate would be concluded by Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Mihal said that the debate over the agreement has been ongoing since 2023, and it has been thoroughly reviewed with internal security authorities and in conjunction with the planning of healthcare costs. She added that if these individuals arrive, they will not be released in Estonia—they will be sent to Sweden before their release—and priorities must be set in the budget, for example, for teachers, because keeping properties vacant or concentrating internal security resources is not a solution.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
PM Kristen Michal is defending the long-prepared prison agreement, stressing that the security and health aspects have been addressed. She confirms that Swedish prisoners will not be released in Estonia and criticizes members of parliament for focusing on this issue pre-election while neglecting more pressing budgetary commitments, such as finding 10 million euros to avert a teachers' strike. She deems leaving property vacant and laying people off to be poor solutions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi declared the discussions closed, thereby concluding the consideration of the fourth item on the agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi concluded the debate on the fourth item on the agenda, declaring the procedure closed, and expressed his gratitude to both the participants and the Prime Minister.