Review of the Implementation of the "Fundamentals of Legislation Policy until 2030" in 2022
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-01-24 16:16
Total Speeches: 65
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 10m
AI Summaries: 65/65 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet presented to the Riigikogu an overview of the implementation of the "Fundamentals of Legislative Policy until 2030" in 2022. The Minister explained that the submission of the report was delayed due to a tight work schedule, but emphasized that the government is committed to adhering to the principles of good law-making, especially concerning the drafting of development intentions (VTK), constitutional compliance analysis, and the ex-post evaluation of laws. Laanet highlighted that in 2022, approximately one-third of the draft legislation was necessitated by European Union law, and two-thirds by domestic needs, including urgent amendments resulting from the war in Ukraine.
During the debate, the opposition sharply criticized the government's consistent failure to follow the practice of good law-making, citing expert opinions which showed that constitutional compliance analyses and VTKs were missing from most draft bills. The criticism focused on the fact that haste is often justified by political priorities or previous undone work, rather than a genuine emergency need. Also discussed were the bureaucracy associated with transposing European Union law and the political culture surrounding the processing of opposition bills. Minister Laanet acknowledged the shortcomings and promised that the Ministry of Justice would continue efforts to improve the quality of law-making.
Decisions Made 1
Since the item involved the minister's report and the subsequent discussion, no formal binding decisions were adopted under this agenda item. The Minister nevertheless confirmed that the Ministry of Justice will continue working to improve the quality of legislation.
Most Active Speaker
The most active and critical politician during the negotiation phase was Varro Vooglaid (EKRE faction), representing the right-wing opposition. In his address, Vooglaid focused on the stark contradiction between the declared ideals of sound legislative practice and the actual reality, referencing an expert assessment which revealed that the Government of the Republic systematically neglects its duty to conduct constitutional analyses of draft legislation. He pointed out that in 2021 and 2022, the constitutionality analysis was absent for over 80% of the bills, rhetorically questioning why analyzing compliance with European Union law is deemed more critical than ensuring adherence to the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia. Vooglaid emphasized that this behavior betrays the government's underlying mentality and proves that the constitution is not being treated seriously.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi will next proceed to the agenda item concerning the Minister of Justice’s overview of the implementation of the Main Principles of Legislative Policy until 2030 for the year 2022. The rapporteur is Kalle Laanet.
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet presented the 2022 legislative overview, stressing that the majority of the draft legislation resulted from domestic needs and unforeseen changes in the external environment (such as the war in Ukraine). He further emphasized that lawmaking must be predictable, involve open stakeholder engagement, include both ex-ante and ex-post evaluation, and require better organization for the transposition of European Union legal acts.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker thanks the Minister, announces that it is time for questions, and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart requests the floor.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The presentation emphasizes that the expert opinion is critical regarding lawmaking because often neither a preliminary drafting intention, a constitutional compliance review, nor an impact analysis is carried out, and urgency cannot be justified. The speaker asks whether the Minister of Justice will be more critical in the future regarding those draft laws that violate good legislative practice.
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
Justice Minister Kalle Laanet stated that expert opinions highlight areas where legislation needs further improvement. He stressed the necessity of enhancing the understanding of the stages of the legislative process, involving other ministries, and training legal drafters to ensure that draft legislation adheres to sound legislative practices.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a quick request for Aivar Sõerd to come and speak.
Aivar Sõerd
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Sõerd pointed out that the adoption of European Union legal acts creates an additional administrative burden and the need to establish extra positions, even though some of these adoptions are not currently relevant in Estonia. He therefore requested that this topic be opened up for a more thorough discussion and that solutions be found.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a brief greeting in which Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi addresses a colleague with the phrase, "Time, dear colleague!"
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet stated that European Union lawmaking needs to be more comprehensive and inclusive right from the start, by involving more stakeholders and adding a legislative intent proposal and a constitutional compliance assessment, rather than simply transposing the entirety of EU law, given that national contexts vary.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech begins with Mart Maastik being called up.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik thanks the Presiding Officer and Minister Kalle, and states that the draft legislation submitted by the Riigikogu opposition for improving or creating lawmaking has usually ended up in the trash bin, and asks whether any changes can be expected in this regard.
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet stated that if there are substantive proposals for improving life in Estonia, they should be accepted regardless of whether one is in the opposition or the coalition, and political culture must be advanced so that a good idea can find a solution.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Varro Vooglaid to the stage.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid expresses criticism that the annual presentations and expert assessments in the Riigikogu regarding adherence to good legislative practice fail to resolve recurring problems, and the persistent lack of preliminary drafting intentions and constitutional analysis does not appear to have brought about any improvement. He points specifically to the fast-track procedure for the same-sex marriage bill this spring, where the bill was introduced to Parliament on May 15, the first reading was held on May 22, and the law was adopted on May 19. He then asks why this happened and whether the government took a stand against the repetition of such a procedure.
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet emphasized that the document's most crucial value lies in the open discussion and subsequent monitoring of existing bottlenecks. This is necessary because even if immediate solutions are not available, we must talk about these issues and strive for improvement, rather than simply hoping everything will change on its own.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Jaanus Karilaid to speak.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid asks the minister to explain why the Ministry of Justice prefers submitting observations in cases of inadequate impact analysis or conflict with the constitution, rather than refusing to coordinate the draft bill, and why this tool is used so infrequently.
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet stated that he cannot say exactly how frequently the approach of using remarks versus outright non-coordination has been utilized, but cases have occurred repeatedly. He has drawn the attention of his fellow ministers and the government to this issue, stressing that the objective is to get things sorted out, and this doesn't require public discussion every single time.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker called upon Riina Solman to speak.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman asked why the opposition's draft legislation is not being processed, emphasized the urgent need to resolve the issue of revoking voting rights from Russian citizens, and inquired whether the Ministry of Justice is prepared to consider the opposition's amendments and introduce its own bill for proceedings.
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
Justice Minister Kalle Laanet said that the analysis regarding the constitutional amendment has been completed and they are discussing how to restrict the voting rights of Russian and Belarusian citizens in the Republic of Estonia. He added that if the coalition cannot achieve a hundred-percent compromise, the draft bill may proceed to the Riigikogu (Parliament) and find broad support there, especially in the context of an urgent constitutional amendment.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi gives the floor to Priit Sibul.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul respectfully addressed the chair of the session and the minister with a question regarding how much legal practice has changed in various fields independently of the law. He provided an example concerning the Public Information Act and a recent discussion with the Data Protection Inspectorate, noting that, due to the protection of personal data, information is made publicly available, but often subject to 75-year access restrictions without reasonable justification. He then asked how significant this problem is and what the current status of the preparation of the Public Information Act is.
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet emphasizes the importance of transparency in state functioning, clear language, and defined goals, as well as the need to reform the Public Information Act. The aim is to ensure that as much information as possible is public, while classified information must be justified and utilized appropriately to protect state sovereignty.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited Rene Kokk to speak.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk criticized that opposition bills tend to receive the formal response, "the government will deal with it shortly," and called upon the government to reasonably process and amend them during the readings, rather than dismissing them with a response that effectively kills the process.
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet stated that the attention paid to opposition bills and their subsequent review depends on the political culture. He expressed a desire for a cultural shift so that greater consideration is given to each other's proposals, citing an example where a bill originally initiated by the opposition was ultimately passed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi addressed Andrus Seeme and invited him to speak.
Andrus Seeme
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrus Seeme notes that the quality of lawmaking in Estonia is quite good, and asks whether it is even possible or reasonable to compare it with other European Union countries.
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
The report points out that Estonia is severely lacking in resources for implementing ideas and initiatives, but we are capable of engaging in substantive debate within the European Union. We need more and better-qualified specialists, as well as a stronger representation in Brussels, to ensure that one person is not forced to cover all topics alone.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asks Kalle Grünthal to come forward.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal claims that equal treatment before all is stipulated in the constitution and in the norm governing peaceful demonstration, but that, according to him, it is applied selectively—referencing the teachers' support strike and the criticism leveled by the Chairman of the Riigikogu—and he deplores the fact that the ex-post impact assessments for many draft laws are not being carried out.
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
Justice Minister Kalle Laanet emphasized the need to conduct more ex-post evaluations to accurately gauge the impact of legislative changes. He noted that the more data is digitized, the easier it is to carry out monitoring, which is why post-assessment is just as crucial a part of the legislative process as the initial policy intent.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Rain Epler to speak.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler called for the constructive processing of the opposition's draft legislation and announced that tomorrow he would present a bill from the podium aimed at the exploration of mineral resources and improving the state's competitiveness. He then asked whether the faction was already engaged in proceedings regarding his bill today.
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet stated that the deliberation of opposition bills depends on political culture, and Estonia as a whole benefits, rather than loses, if all parties make a concerted effort. He added that the exploration of mineral resources deserves attention, and achieving the necessary pace depends on the cooperation of all of us, although he cannot say whether the Reform Party deputies will vote in favor of the specific bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the Minister, states that there are no further questions for the Minister, and directs the next question to the session chairman, Rain Epler.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler made a procedural remark, noting that the New Year marks a milestone, and praised the excellent presentations and the productive session held by the full assembly. He added that the same pleasant culture should also guide the review of draft legislation next year.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi expresses his thanks and notes that the culture [of discussion] has been more courteous this year, adding that the formula for happiness can be read in the transcript. He then opens the debate, inviting his good colleague Jaanus Karilaid to speak on behalf of the Isamaa faction, and confirming that the authorization is in place.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid notes that although transparency and better legislative practice are discussed, the reality is the opposite, and the parliament's competence and resources must be increased so that laws function and political culture is not mere rhetoric.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He is asking for three more minutes.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid said that the Minister of Justice is the guardian of the quality of lawmaking, and that any deficient draft bill must be left unapproved. He added that we must shift our focus to practical application and stop the small annual vision conferences, because the lack of impact analysis is an unused tool.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanks the colleague and presents a request on behalf of the Reform Party faction concerning Urve Tiidus.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urve Tiidus said that the vision "Fundamentals of Legislative Policy until 2030" entails minimal state intervention based on the constitution, the reduction of regulatory burden, and, for draft legislation, clear problem-based justification, ex-post evaluation, and constitutional analysis, in order to protect the legal order, individual freedoms, and the competitiveness of the economy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks for one more minute.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urve Tiidus acknowledges that the lack of detail in the explanatory memoranda accompanying constitutional compliance analyses stems from several reasons. She emphasizes the importance of the training courses organized in cooperation between the Ministry of Justice and the University of Tartu, and stresses the need for their further expansion to include members of parliament, in order to genuinely achieve goals and learn from mistakes, referencing humanity’s long journey in lawmaking since the time of Hammurabi.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks the esteemed colleague and, on behalf of the Eesti 200 parliamentary group, invites Hendrik Johannes Terras to take the floor.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Hendrik Terras emphasizes that for Eesti 200, legal policy must protect people's freedoms and promote economic growth, and the legal framework must be sufficiently flexible, predictable, stable, and inclusive. However, he simultaneously criticizes the excessive transposition of European Union laws and bureaucracy, and requests additional time for the discussion.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi requests three additional minutes for the debate.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Hendrik Johannes Terras emphasizes that when transposing directives, it is necessary to assess their necessity and impact before making a decision, conduct a broad public discussion, and choose the least restrictive solution possible, because laws must serve the people and society. Within this framework, the party Eesti 200 plans to lower the voting age limit for young people and enable mobile voting.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the colleague for their contribution and gave the floor to Varro Vooglaid on behalf of the EKRE faction.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid claims that the declared ideals of legislation are not reflected in reality, and the Government of the Republic often fails to adequately fulfill its obligation for constitutional analysis, which, according to a 2021 expert opinion, means that this analysis is missing in nine out of ten cases.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi requests three more minutes.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid claims that the analysis of constitutionality is absent in almost all draft legislation, even though it is a statutory obligation, and notes that it was performed only a few times during 2021–2022. He urges the inclusion of a separate chapter in the bill's explanatory memorandum dedicated to assessing compliance with the constitution, arguing that checking for compliance with European Union law must not be prioritized over constitutionality, a point illustrated by the inadequacy of the initial drafting intention for the same-sex marriage bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a greeting directed at a colleague, which says that it is time.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vooglaid claims that the constitutional analysis was lacking and the inclusion of interest groups was merely illusory, and calls for the constitution to be taken seriously.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the colleague and informed the chamber that Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party faction, was requesting additional time—three extra minutes.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The report emphasizes that every new law must be meticulously planned, complete with a drafting intention, an analysis of constitutional compliance, and an impact assessment; otherwise, the resulting haste will lead to confusion and long-term damage to society.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The central theme of the speech is time.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart asks whether this law will make Estonian life better.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks his colleagues and announces that the Riigikogu factions have no further desire for negotiations, before accepting Varro Vooglaid's procedural question.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid proposes adding a like button to the new consoles and displaying on the screen how many likes the given speech received.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi offered his thanks and noted that implementing the new system presupposes the use of the existing one, which could prove complicated in the chamber. He concluded by suggesting that Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet say a few final words.
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet said that all political parties, including Eesti 200, have erred to some degree, and they must honestly face the criticism and work together for a better life, even though the changes, based on the 2023 report, are modest.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi, the Deputy Chairman, declared the discussions closed and concluded the consideration of this agenda item.