First reading of the Draft Act (192 SE) on Amendments to the Research and Development Organisation Act.
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting.
Date: 2024-02-07 18:08
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 16
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 27m
AI Summaries: 16/16 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The first reading of Bill 192 on the amendment of the Research and Development Organisation Act was discussed under the fifth item on the Riigikogu's agenda. The initiators of the bill were Jaak Valge, Anti Poolamets, Henn Põlluaas, and Helle-Moonika Helme. The aim of the bill was to ensure sufficient and stable state budgetary funding for national sciences by stipulating that at least 10% of the research funds allocated from the state budget would be directed toward supporting national sciences.
Margit Sutrop, the representative of the Cultural Affairs Committee, provided an overview of the committee's discussion, where it was revealed that the bill was decided to be rejected with 6 votes in favor (of rejection) and 5 against. The committee discussed the definition of national sciences, which encompasses Estonian history, folkloristics, linguistics, art studies, and other fields that influence the identity of Estonians. Currently, 5% of research funding is allocated to national sciences, which amounted to approximately 2.7 million euros in 2023.
Decisions Made 2
Draft Law 192 was rejected during the first reading with a vote of 53 in favor, 12 against, and zero abstentions. The draft law was consequently dropped from the proceedings.
The sixth item on the agenda was not debated due to the inability to proceed with the discussion, as the initiators of the draft legislation, Helle-Moonika Helme and Henn Põlluaas, were absent.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Anti Poolamets (EKRE), who gave a detailed presentation on the bill and answered questions. He sharply criticized the internationalization of universities, labeling it "building migration pumps," and compared the situation to Lumumba University. Poolamets represented a right-wing conservative stance, stressing the necessity of preserving national identity in science and education.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas announced that we are moving to the fifth item on the agenda, and the first reading of Bill 192, concerning the Act amending the Organisation of Research and Development Act, will take place. The bill was initiated by Jaak Valge, Anti Poolametsa, Henn Põlluaas, and Helle-Moonika Helme, and Anti Poolametsa has been invited to serve as the rapporteur.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets said that the draft bill defines the concept of national studies and guarantees at least 10% of the state budget as support for national studies, and that the funding model must be changed to strengthen Estonian interests and the self-determination of Estonians, truly guiding Estonia toward a national university.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked the rapporteur and asked him to remain at the rostrum, as he is both the rapporteur and the initiator of Draft Legislation 192, and at least two questions have been addressed to him; he then called upon Valdo Randpere.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere discusses EKRE's education policies and questions whether higher education in Estonia should be tuition-free or tuition-based, noting that currently, instruction in the Estonian language is free of charge.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets stresses that various fields of study differ, and labor market demands necessitate discipline-specific funding. Free higher education should not result in a situation where the state is unable to finance universities, and therefore, student loans and introducing tuition fees for certain specialties must be considered to preserve the national university.
Margit Sutrop
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Margit Sutrop stated that while the aim of EKRE's draft legislation—the legal definition of national sciences and ensuring adequate funding—is noble, this pursuit must not involve disparaging universities. She also asked whether there was any evidence that a specific university was engaged in "diploma laundering."
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas asks Margit Sutrop to come and speak.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets voiced strong opposition to migration and the arrival of Arabs via universities. He promised a separate presentation and emphasized that Estonia must have national universities, not 'Lumumba universities.'
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked the rapporteur, announced that there were no questions, and invited Margit Sutrop, a member of the Culture Committee, to the Riigikogu rostrum to deliver her report.
Margit Sutrop
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Margit Sutrop described the September 18 discussion held by the Culture Committee regarding the draft bill amending the Research and Development Organisation Act. The discussion covered the definition of national sciences, the balance between base and competition-based funding, state budget allocations, and evaluation systems. Following the debate, the committee decided to reject the draft bill by a vote of 6 in favor and 5 against, to appoint Sutrop as the representative of the lead committee, and to schedule the draft bill for the plenary session agenda on October 12.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanks the rapporteur and invites Igor Taro to ask a question.
Igor Taro
AI Summary
He asks whether similar or analogous claims were raised during the committee discussion—which was certainly more thorough than this one—and whether any factual evidence was presented, or if the entire narrative remains at the level of the empty slogans we have just heard.
Margit Sutrop
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
I share your concern regarding the criticism directed at universities, but the discussion in the committee was about science funding; the remarks here concerned rather higher education, students, and the awarding of degrees, which actually wasn't on the agenda for that topic in the committee.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas announced that because the factions did not wish to open negotiations, and following the leading committee's proposal to reject Bill 192 on the first reading, preparations for the vote on it were initiated.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The voting result was 53 in favor, 12 against, with no abstentions; draft bill 192 was rejected at the first reading and removed from the proceedings, and consideration of the fifth item on the agenda was concluded.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas announced that the first reading of the draft bill amending the Law Enforcement Act, which was the sixth item on the agenda, would not take place because the initiators are absent, and debate is impossible according to the law.