First Reading of the Draft Act Amending the Government of the Republic Act (276 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd plenary sitting
Date: 2024-03-12 13:38
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 51
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 42m
AI Summaries: 51/51 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The fourth item on the agenda concerned the first reading of Draft Act 276 on amendments to the Government of the Republic Act, initiated by the faction of the Conservative People’s Party of Estonia (EKRE). The objective of the draft act was to close a legal loophole that prevents the Internal Security Service (KAPO) from carrying out continuous security vetting of members of the Government of the Republic once they have been granted access to state secrets. The initiator, Ants Frosch (EKRE), emphasized that the current situation, which came to light in connection with the scandal involving the Prime Minister’s spouse’s Eastern transport business, creates a dangerous exception where cabinet members are in an unequal position before the law compared to other holders of state secrets. Frosch referred to a previous statement by the Director General of KAPO that the agency lacked the legal instruments to control the Prime Minister’s situation.
The position of the leading committee, the Constitutional Committee, was presented by Pipi-Liis Siemann. The committee acknowledged the importance of the draft act’s objective but found the bill to be too narrow. While the Ministry of the Interior and the government supported the broader goal, they wished to address all individuals who possess the right to access state secrets *ex officio* (by virtue of their position) comprehensively, not just members of the government. The coalition parties did not support the draft act in its submitted form, and the leading committee proposed rejecting the bill, citing the need for a more holistic solution. The opposition (EKRE) accused the coalition of lacking political will and being unwilling to deal with the Prime Minister’s ethical failure.
Decisions Made 1
The Riigikogu decided to reject Bill 276 during its first reading. The voting results were: 51 in favor (of rejection), 11 against. The bill was dropped from the legislative procedure.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Ants Frosch (EKRE faction), the representative of the bill's initiator, who delivered a report and answered questions eight times. Frosch represented the right-wing opposition, stressing the need to amend the law to ensure equality among holders of state secrets and to provide security agencies with the necessary tools for the continuous monitoring of government members. He sharply criticized the government's refusal to support the draft legislation, linking this refusal to the Eastern transport scandal and suspicious ties related to the financing of the coalition parties.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The fourth item on the agenda concerns the first reading of Draft Act 276 on the Amendment of the Government of the Republic Act, initiated by the EKRE faction, and our esteemed colleague Ants Frosch will deliver the presentation.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch explains that the purpose of the short technical draft bill is to amend the law so that all holders of state secrets, including heads of government, are consistently subject to the control of the Security Police, and exceptional treatment is ended. This is intended to prevent a situation similar to the Eastern transport scandal and the paradox of the Game of Thrones.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi expresses his thanks, asks for a brief wait, and announces that a question is forthcoming, which Martin Helme will present.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme states that you shouldn't trust KAPO's crocodile tears, particularly since the agency's director was appointed by the Reform Party. He further stresses that while it is unfortunate when security services monitor politicians in power, many of the stories about the scandals are simply excuses.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch asserts that all security agencies have found justifications for their inaction, and the goal of the draft legislation is to abandon this formal justification, emphasizing unified rules and the equal treatment of everyone to prevent exceptions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called upon Evelin Poolamets, noting that there were still questions remaining, and asked Ants not to rush.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The rapporteur requests Kaja Kallas's support for the draft legislation, noting that Kallas is interested in checking the background of government members, and refers to Ossinovski's donations.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch claims that the leaders of SDE and Eesti 200 are connected to the 'Eastern money' donated by Ossinovski, which has resulted in an undemocratic political system and the current coalition. He adds that although rules apply to everyone, the Reform Party does not support this.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asked how broad this exception is and whether it has time limits, and whether having undergone a security check while previously serving in the government would mean that the check would not be required the next time he takes office.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls Rain Epler forward.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch said that in Kaja Kallas’s case, an additional security check is not mandatory when moving from one government to another. The initial check performed can, if necessary, be supplemented by a declaration of economic interests, and the proposed solution would standardize the rules for all individuals handling state secrets.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Henn Põlluaas is asked to give the address.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas claims that although state traitors undergo security checks, these are not sufficient, and Russia's influence can quickly manifest. Therefore, there is a need for permanent monitoring and the capability to conduct it, and he does not understand why this is being resisted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi expresses thanks.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas asks if the skeletons are located somewhere very deep, and asks someone for an explanation.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
It became apparent in the Constitutional Committee that the coalition parties did not support the draft legislation, and there is no desire at the top to advance it. I won't speculate about their motives.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a request to invite Kert Kingo to speak.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
The speaker stresses that Kapo must continuously monitor security threats in a changing world, and questions whether it is sensible to conduct security clearances only once every three years, irrespective of ongoing events.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch highlighted a paradox: security agencies claim to adhere to the law while simultaneously seeking to change it in order to monitor the activities of government members. However, the draft legislation is voted down, and the reason for its rejection remains unexplained.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the audience, stated that there were no questions, and invited Pipi-Liis Siemann, a member of the Constitutional Committee, to the Riigikogu rostrum to present the positions and decisions of the lead committee.
Pipi-Liis Siemann
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The discussion held by the Constitutional Committee on November 7, 2023, focused on a thorough explanation of the draft bill's topics and addressed issues concerning two types of position-based access, corresponding security clearances, and the protection of state secrets. The committee heard representatives from KAPO (the Estonian Internal Security Service) and the Ministry of the Interior, and summarized the government's position: while the broader objective is supported, the draft bill in its narrow form did not receive approval. Consequently, the committee decided to place the bill on the plenary agenda for November, although two votes recommended rejecting the draft bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Chair thanks the audience and asks Rain Epler to pose one question.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler pointed out that contradictions were evident in the report, as well as the unsuitability of the hammer and nail metaphor. He then asked whether the inspection should be carried out again due to the change in office and the change in the composition of the Riigikogu, and how the legal loophole mentioned by the Security Police Board is being addressed.
Pipi-Liis Siemann
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Siemann explains two ways to gain access to state secrets: firstly, access based on the position, which is directly linked to the office and does not require separate vetting, and remains valid throughout the entire five-year period, even in the event of a change of position; and secondly, access to classified external information via an issued certificate, the validity period of which is five years, and for which the background check is not performed repeatedly, nor is it issued for a shorter period.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Kert Kingo is invited to speak at the beginning of the address.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo criticizes the government for getting bogged down in semantics and failing to react adequately to the changing security environment, and calls for a more flexible, step-by-step approach to increase security prioritization.
Pipi-Liis Siemann
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Siemann emphasized that although security is a priority and current controls operate based on existing law, it is not sensible to create a single exception for access to state secrets. This is because Kapo monitors the broader situation, and continuous monitoring would incur costs, which is why other measures for additional security must be discussed and found.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman invited Evelin Poolamets to speak.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He thanks the Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu and the rapporteur, noting that a lot of time in the committee was spent clarifying concepts, and asks how much time was left for discussion and what the main arguments for rejecting the committee's draft decision were.
Pipi-Liis Siemann
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Following the clarification of concepts, the committee held a substantive discussion regarding the bill's objective, and all members—with two exceptions—acknowledged that security is important. Questions were raised regarding whether and in what manner the safeguarding of state secrets and the prevention of crimes against the state are currently ensured. The CAPO representative confirmed the preventative work being undertaken, but did not list all the specific means, and the entire committee addressed the issues very seriously and responsibly.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch posed a clarifying question to the director, asking whether any minister in the Government of the Republic of Estonia had not been issued a security clearance certificate for classified foreign intelligence.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas invites Ants Frosch to speak.
Pipi-Liis Siemann
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He stated that he did not possess that information and that the question should be addressed to the special committee for the oversight of security agencies, as they are the ones who hold such information.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Jüri Ratas invites Kalle Grünthal to take the floor.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal demanded a very specific, itemized list of additional security measures and requested that they be clearly laid out, avoiding any mention of Kaja Kallas and any obfuscation.
Pipi-Liis Siemann
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
While I won't list those measures, as a citizen of the Republic of Estonia, I am convinced that our security agencies are engaged in risk assessment, and this work keeps us safe and protects us.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas asked Kalle Grünthal to speak.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal highlighted that the certificate's validity could be five years and it wouldn't require renewal, and asked why ministers and members of the Riigikogu have to retake the oath of office with a new composition if the individual is the same person.
Pipi-Liis Siemann
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The report suggests that members of the Government of the Republic have access to state secrets by virtue of their office, and the validity period of the certificate granting the right of access to classified foreign information under an international agreement, and the preceding security clearance, may not be directly linked. Furthermore, the oath of office grants the right to assume the position and access state secrets, and the certificate may be issued subsequently.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Jüri Ratas addressed Ants Frosch and said, "Please."
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The specific question is: when will the Government of the Republic introduce that larger, more general bill you are referring to?
Pipi-Liis Siemann
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He regretfully stated that no deadline has been set, but there is a plan next year to thoroughly analyze the issue alongside the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Defence. This, however, requires political will, and consequently, the exact date remains undecided.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
At the beginning of the address, Henn Põlluaas is asked to take the floor.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas stresses that risk assessment is inadequate and that continuous security vetting is necessary for every individual who handles state secrets—something we are currently prevented from doing. He notes that a draft bill has been submitted to address this, and he asks what the government and the coalition are afraid of.
Pipi-Liis Siemann
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Pipi-Liis Siemann said that she cannot speak for the government or the entire coalition regarding whether and what they might fear, but in the committee, at least as representatives of the coalition parties, we were of the opinion that isolating and changing such a small piece does not increase security to the necessary extent, and this issue must be addressed comprehensively.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas concluded the question period, opened the debate, and invited Anti Poolamets, the representative of the EKRE parliamentary group, to the Riigikogu rostrum to speak.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets asked for three minutes of extra time.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Jüri Ratas requested eight minutes.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets claims that Estonia’s security is linked to Russian business and financing schemes through the Reform Party and the Prime Minister, and he demands an immediate investigation, a lie detector test, and the Prime Minister’s resignation in order to restore public trust and national security.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas declared the debates closed, affirmed the leading committee's position that Bill 276 should be rejected during the first reading, and called his colleagues to a vote.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
51 in favor, 11 against, no abstentions. Bill 276 has been rejected on the first reading and is removed from the proceedings. Consideration of the fourth agenda item is concluded. The open mic session will not be opened today, as it is Tuesday, not Monday. Today's session is adjourned. I wish you strength in our work.