Coalition Agreement
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, press briefing
Date: 2024-03-06 14:31
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This part of the session centered on a question put to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas by Riigikogu member Helir-Valdor Seeder concerning the divergence between the implementation of the coalition agreement and the government's actual policy. At the heart of the debate was the suspension of voting rights for Russian and Belarusian citizens in local government elections (KOV). Seeder accused the government of deliberately including a clause in the coalition agreement—the suspension of voting rights without amending the constitution—that was legally impossible to implement, thereby alleging a waste of time and the misleading of voters.
Prime Minister Kallas acknowledged that the coalition agreement was a compromise and that the initial assessment by legal experts and the Ministry of Justice suggested a solution could be found without amending the Constitution. However, she confirmed that since the Chancellor of Justice and the President have both stated that such a law would be unconstitutional, the government has begun seeking an alternative solution, which necessitates amending the Constitution. Kallas stressed that amending the Constitution requires broader support (at least 81 votes), meaning cooperation with the opposition is essential. Seeder also criticized the government's overall policy, pointing to tax hikes and energy policies that fundamentally diverge from pre-election promises.
Decisions Made 1
No official decisions were adopted during this part of the session. Prime Minister Kaja Kallas confirmed that the government has begun considering amending the constitution, based on an analysis by the Ministry of Justice, in order to resolve the issue of suspending the voting rights of Russian and Belarusian citizens, as the path outlined in the coalition agreement proved to be a legal deadlock.
Most Active Speaker
The most active participant and the initiator of the debate was Riigikogu member Helir-Valdor Seeder (pid: BQu3qICBvx8), who represents the opposition (Isamaa party). Seeder posed two pointed questions to the Prime Minister, in which he criticized the dishonesty of the government's policy and the wasting of time in addressing security issues. He demanded a clear answer regarding the government's readiness to amend the constitution and inquired about the potential conditions set forth by the coalition partner (the Social Democrats) for constitutional amendment, accusing the government of engaging in "sausage for a sausage" trading. Seeder was the primary critical voice in the debate.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announces that we are now moving on to the third question, which will be presented by Helir-Valdor Seeder. The topic is the coalition agreement, and the question is addressed to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder criticizes the rift between the coalition agreement and actual policy, and asks whether they are prepared to amend the constitution for the sake of Estonian security and, with the help of the opposition, remove the restrictions of the coalition agreement in order to resolve the issue of local voting rights for Russian and Belarusian citizens.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
The report confirms that Estonia's sustainability and heritage for future generations are a priority, explains the coalition's compromises regarding the constitutional amendment, outlines the three options—a referendum, an amendment passed by two consecutive compositions of the Riigikogu, or an urgent amendment requiring 81 votes in favor—and commits to discussing these further.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the previous speaker and invites Helir-Valdor Seeder to ask a clarifying question.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder emphasizes that the constitution cannot and must not be amended in a way that suspends the voting rights of any group. He calls for adhering to solutions common in the practice of European Union member states, while simultaneously questioning what conditions the Social Democrats have set for amending the constitution.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas expresses regret that the transition to Estonian-language education has dragged on for 30 years and that these delays have complicated the decision-making process. However, she emphasizes that she is now ready to discuss the issue, noting that the Social Democrats (Sotsid) have not yet presented their conditions, and adding that this kind of 'sausage trading' [horse-trading] has typically been the style of other governments.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the speaker and invites a follow-up question for Henn Põlluaas.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas stresses that there is a simple legislative amendment available to extend voting rights for third-country nationals in local government elections—one that doesn't require constitutional change—but the government has rejected this easy solution and is instead opting for the temporary removal of the right.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that while revoking the right to vote is a severe measure, there is a plan to amend the constitution to suspend the voting rights of citizens of a state participating in aggression. At the same time, she emphasized the diversity of the Russian-speaking community and the necessity of uniting society, adding that she personally supports the view that citizens of the aggressor state should not be allowed to vote in Estonia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concludes the consideration of today's third item.