Immigration
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-02-21 15:22
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 14
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 15m
AI Summaries: 14/14 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This item on the session's agenda addressed issues of immigration and security in Estonia. Tõnis Lukas posed a question to Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets, who was fulfilling the duties of the Prime Minister, focusing on demographic challenges and immigration control. Lukas voiced concern that Estonia is a small nation and that immigration is virtually uncontrollable. He also highlighted security risks associated with certain communities that fail to integrate into Estonian society.
During the discussion, the topic of Ukrainian war refugees was also raised, particularly the issue concerning men of mobilization age. Jaak Valge submitted a clarifying question regarding why Ukrainian men of mobilization age are seeking international protection and whether Estonia verifies their exemption from mobilization. Furthermore, a debate arose concerning the session's procedure when Varro Vooglaid criticized the presiding officer's approach to handling the questions.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were taken, but the minister briefed the cabinet on a memorandum that had been approved by the Government last week, which includes measures for controlling immigration and ensuring security.
Most Active Speaker
The most active participant was Tõnis Lukas, who posed the main question and a follow-up question regarding immigration and security. His stance was conservative/right-wing, emphasizing the necessity of preserving the Estonian nation and limiting the risks associated with immigration.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi now introduces the next item, a question concerning the duties of Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets as Prime Minister, which will be presented orally by our colleague Tõnis Lukas.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas warns of demographic decline and the potential threat posed by uncontrolled immigration to Estonia's security and culture, and asks what steps the government is taking to mitigate this risk.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman gave the floor to the minister.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that demographic problems will not be solved by immigration, and the focus must be on developing the skills and workforce of the Estonian people, as well as engaging those who are currently absent from or have limited participation in the labor market. Simultaneously, stricter labor control will be implemented under the memorandum, requiring documentation and, in the future, banning people from coming to work on tourist visas, allowing employment only with a D-visa.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Tõnis Lukas to ask a clarifying question.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas emphasizes that Estonian security hinges on the persistence of the nation's language and culture, warning that increased immigration combined with expanding voting rights could cause the state to lose control. Therefore, the possibility of raising the immigration quota must be considered, and the Social Democrats' position must be sought.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets said that to settle permanently in Estonia, additional conditions must be met—an adaptation program and Estonian language proficiency of at least A2 level. He added that the scrutiny of foreign students and workers from outside the country will be increased, and temporary labor migration may be suspended for security considerations. While there appears to be no reason to change the immigration quota, decisions will be made jointly with employers and trade unions in the interest of state flexibility and protecting the rights of Estonian workers. Therefore, it is crucial that employers and employees sit down at the same table.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a short request for the minister.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited Jaak Valge to ask a supplementary question.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge asked why Ukrainian men of mobilization age apply for international protection significantly more often than others, and whether Estonia verifies their exemption from mobilization, while pointing out that Latvia and Lithuania do so.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets confirmed that Estonia will not mobilize people originating from Ukraine or send them to war in Ukraine. Instead, it will proceed based on Ukraine's wishes and, if necessary, contact their representatives, since we know exactly where they live and whom Ukraine needs.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the Minister and poses a question to the Presiding Officer of the sitting, Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid criticized the presiding officer of the session, stating that the officer was reprimanding Jaak Valge for not receiving an answer to his question. Vooglaid then recalled the previous incident involving Korobeinik and called for the same level of consistency when dealing with coalition partners, emphasizing that the quality of the information hour depends entirely on whether questions are actually answered.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi emphasized that order must prevail in the hall, and speaking turns must be given sequentially; interruptions and interjections are not permitted. During the information session, answers will not be provided, although procedural questions may be used to a limited extent to express differing opinions, but he will no longer accept them, and he plans to review the agenda items and conclude before 2:00 PM.