First Reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Emergency Situation Act (124 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-01-25 12:01
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 44
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 30m
AI Summaries: 44/44 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated, at its first reading, Draft Act 124, initiated by Riigikogu members Arvo Aller and Martin Helme, concerning amendments to the Emergency Situation Act. The objective of the draft act was to include the supply of foodstuffs among nationally vital services, thereby ensuring greater public confidence and supply security during crisis situations. The initiators emphasized that, given the current security situation, national food reserves and their maintenance are essential, and they proposed that the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications could become the responsible ministry, as it also manages the Centre of Stocks.
The leading committee, the Constitutional Committee, proposed rejecting the draft act. The government’s position was not to support the bill, arguing that food supply security is a national defense task falling under the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, and that the current draft act addresses the topic too narrowly. Furthermore, the government representative indicated that preparation is underway for a broader draft civil crisis and national defense act, which will resolve this issue comprehensively by autumn 2024 at the latest, partly stemming from an EU directive. The opposition criticized the government’s promise to deliver a solution in the future, viewing it as a pretext for rejecting a sound draft act purely for political reasons.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 124 on amendments to the Emergency Situation Act was rejected in the first reading (44 votes for, 14 against).
Most Active Speaker
The most active participant was Arvo Aller, a member of the Riigikogu (EKRE faction, opposition) and one of the bill's initiators. He presented the bill, responded to numerous questions, and delivered the closing statement of the debate, in which he sharply criticized the government’s refusal to support the opposition’s proposal and broadened the discussion to include the issues facing Estonian farmers and food security.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas announced the first item on the agenda, which is the first reading of draft bill 124 concerning the amendment of the Emergency Situation Act, initiated by Arvo Aller and Martin Helme, and asked Aller to serve as the rapporteur.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
On May 11, 2023, Martin Helme and I submitted a proposal to amend the Emergency Situation Act. The proposal sought to designate the supply of foodstuffs as a nationally vital service and to regulate its management and implementation through the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, thereby increasing the public's confidence in the state.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked the presenter, said that the audience had at least one question, and invited Kalle Grünthal to pose the question.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal asserts that Kaja Kallas's government has decided not to support a single opposition bill, and questions whether the amendment to the Emergency Situation Act, which is currently under discussion, will receive the support of the Reform Party, Eesti 200, and the Social Democrats.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller emphasizes that the amendments to the Emergency Situation Act, which were made last spring and placed vital services under the Ministry of Climate, must be corrected. He also stresses the need to add food supply security to the law, hoping to gain broader support.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas calls upon Martin Helme to speak.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He notes that it is the same question viewed from a different angle, and while he thinks the draft is good, he asks what risks are involved if nothing is changed.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The greatest risk is the lack of food supply security, which necessitates a national food reserve and assistance for those in need, as well as ensuring that food provisioning is organized as a vital service.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas asks Kalle Grünthal to come forward.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal claims that the rejection of the bill shows the government's disregard for the future of the people, because without food, no soldier fights and no person stays alive, and without supplies, it is truly the end.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller emphasized that ensuring food supplies for the population during an emergency is a vital service and helps people feel more secure, even though military structures already have their own reserves.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Vice-Chair invites Kert Kingo to the stage.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
He/She is asking for an overview of the current situation regarding the population's food reserves, including their availability, volume, and whether they are sufficient.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Food stocks are available and accounted for, but the reserves agency primarily focuses its attention on fuels and other strategic reserves. As a result, there are currently not enough food supplies available there to cover emergency operations.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Jüri Ratas invited Rene Kokk to speak.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk highlights the importance of the work done by the Estonian Centre for State Reserves and stresses that every Estonian resident should know what the Centre actually does and what reserves are available for a crisis.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
According to Arvo Aller, the formation of the reserves center has received more attention than its actual content. It primarily stored fuel reserves, medicines, and foodstuffs. Control over food reserves has been transferred to other ministries, and farmers have no say in how many foodstuffs are in reserve or what else needs to be produced. Furthermore, a representative from the Ministry of Rural Affairs should have been included on the council during its formation, but this was not done.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Jüri Ratas invites Leo Kunnas to speak.
Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He/She emphasizes that the responsibility for securing the national food reserve should legally fall to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, reflecting the de facto practice and ensuring that everyone knows who is accountable.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller stated that the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications manages the Center for Reserves, and consequently, this responsibility should be assigned to the Ministry. He stressed that the national food stockpile must be designated as an essential service, and food supplies should be placed under the purview of the Center for Reserves.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Jüri Ratas addressed Kert Kingo and asked her to come forward.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo highlights the economic recession, rising prices, and financial hardship, and asks the Riigikogu whether any sums have been allocated from the state budget for the reserves center or for securing food reserves, how large those amounts are, or if the information is classified.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller says that the state budget contains a line item titled "Centre of Reserves," and while the figure doesn't precisely explain whether it covers food, fuel, or medicine, he hopes that the number actually represents a food stockpile.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker thanks Rain Epler and invites him to speak.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asked Arvo why the sole reason cited for rejecting the bill—which he considers reasonable—is that it originated from the opposition, whether the same argument is being employed, namely that the government is already preparing its own bill, and whether he has an overview of the committee's main concerns regarding this specific draft legislation.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller said that although the draft bill originated with the opposition, it is very good and would reduce significant security risks, while also giving Estonians confidence in the security of their food supply. However, the form and the exact implementation timeline remain open, and until that time, we simply have to carry on.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas thanked them for the presentation and the answers, it was stated that there were no questions, and the presentation by Anti Allas, a member of the Constitutional Committee, was then requested.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas stated that the draft Emergency Situation Act failed to gain broad support during its first reading because food supply security constitutes a wider national defense responsibility than mere stockpiles, and this responsibility falls to the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture. Furthermore, the state's functioning aligns with the relevant EU directive, which comes into effect in October 2024. Although the government promises steps, the committee unanimously added the draft bill to the agenda on September 20, 2023, designated Anti Allas as the representative of the lead committee, and subsequently put forward a motion to reject the bill (6 votes in favor, 3 against).
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanks the floor and invites questions, asking Rain Epler to respond.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticizes that officials are fabricating stories and delaying the advancement of a crucial opposition bill, which is why it remains undone.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas said that the ministry is working on the draft bill, and it will soon be ready, having been fully thought through and finalized.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas invites Rene Kokk to take the floor.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Although my feelings were not discussed by the commission, Anti Allas confirmed that the issue is being addressed, and this matter will be comprehensively thought through and better resolved during the ministry's upcoming draft bill process.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas calls upon Priit Sibul.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul asked why the draft legislation discussed in the committee failed to gain support; which ministry is preparing it and what the comprehensive bill actually encompasses; when it will reach the Riigikogu; which ministry is responsible; and what his best knowledge is regarding its content, referencing the government's advance warning about a catastrophe arriving in 3–4 years and the warnings issued by the national defense leaders of neighboring countries.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas stated that the draft legislation concerning civil crisis and national defense has been genuinely prepared and is currently in circulation for approval. It will soon reach the Government and subsequently the Parliament (Riigikogu).
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Jüri Ratas asks to invite Leo Kunnas to the stage.
Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Leo Kunnas said that the Government Office should be responsible for the draft legislation, and while the clarification of the division of functions between ministries is necessary, the provision of foodstuffs must in any case be stipulated in the Emergency Situation Act.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Thank you for the question. I cannot give you a precise answer, as the matter was not discussed by the committee, but I am confident today that the issue will be resolved within the next six months at the latest.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked the rapporteur, announced that there were no further questions, opened the debate, and invited Arvo Aller, the representative of the EKRE faction, to deliver a speech.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
In his speech, Arvo Aller emphasized the importance of Estonian food security, noting that farmers are primarily responsible for the food supply, even as the obligations imposed on them by the state and the European Union are increasing and their tax hikes are raising food prices. He called upon farmers' representative organizations to demonstrate responsibility and stand up for Estonia's food supply and security, referencing the lack of ministers and the symbol of the building on Lai Street.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas concluded the negotiations and announced that the Steering Committee intends to reject Bill 124 during the first reading, and he asked his colleagues to proceed to a vote.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
During the first reading of Bill 124, it was rejected by a vote of 44 in favor and 14 against, with no abstentions. Consequently, the bill is dropped from the proceedings. Consideration of the first item is concluded.