Rule of Law
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, third sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-03-13 14:01
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 33
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 1m
AI Summaries: 33/33 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda of the Riigikogu session focused primarily on two pressing issues: the functioning of the principles of the Rule of Law in Estonia, especially concerning the crisis that has arisen between the Ministry of Justice and the Prosecutor's Office, and the government's planned motor vehicle tax and its impact on socially vulnerable groups.
On the topic of the Rule of Law, questions were posed both by Andres Metsoja (Isamaa) to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, and by Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa) to Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet. Prime Minister Kallas emphasized the importance of the separation of powers and avoiding political interference, confirming that the Ministry of Justice has initiated an internal service review to check the legality and expediency of the Prosecutor's Office's activities. Minister Laanet, however, came under sharp criticism because the claims made by him and the Prosecutor General regarding the events and possible pressure were contradictory. Reinsalu highlighted that someone was lying, and also asked Laanet for clarification regarding the involvement of third parties (e.g., Erki Aavik) in discussions about the Prosecutor General's resignation, which Laanet denied.
As a second important topic, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart (Centre Party) raised the question of motor vehicle tax exemptions for people with disabilities. Prime Minister Kallas defended the government's position that social policy should not be conducted through tax breaks, but rather by increasing direct benefits, which would help all people with disabilities, not just car owners. Kovalenko-Kõlvart also criticized the draft bill on administrative fines, arguing that it violates fundamental rights and the principles of the Rule of Law by turning the Competition Authority into a punitive body.
Decisions Made 1
No substantive decisions were adopted during the session; it was a round dedicated solely to inquiries and answering questions.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker from the opposition was Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart (Center Party), who posed questions both to the Prime Minister (regarding the car tax) and the Minister of Justice (regarding the administrative fines bill). She also engaged in procedural disputes with the presiding officer of the sitting. Her questions were critical of the government's social and legislative policy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riigikogu member Andres Metsoja is asking Prime Minister Kaja Kallas about the rule of law as today's first question.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja asks the Prime Minister to explain whether the rule of law is functioning in Estonia, whether political interference has occurred in the administration of justice, and whether resolving the situation requires intervention by the Riigikogu or the clarification of laws.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar offered a clarification regarding the acoustics, noted that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court had been mentioned during the discussion, and subsequently asked the Prime Minister to respond.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas emphasized that the rule of law, the principle of separation of powers, and making decisions based on legislation are the foundation of the state. She stressed that ensuring the independence of the Prosecutor's Office must be both actual and visible, and its oversight must be carried out by a commission composed of civil servants, not politicians, especially since the Supreme Court has proposed establishing an additional or expanded investigative commission to discuss the entire situation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speech urges action, saying that it is your time.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Kaja Kallas suggests that the Supreme Court can resolve such matters.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the speaker and invited Andres Metsoja to pose a clarifying question.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Metsoja stresses that the legal framework establishes the rules, and the parliament's role is to hear all stakeholders and, if necessary, clarify the legal space by forming an investigative committee. However, information requests and media coverage create friction and raise doubts about the court's impartiality, which must be avoided.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that the allegations concerning the Prosecutor's Office must be clarified, and constructive solutions must be found where necessary, in order to maintain a peaceful working environment, trust in the country's legal system, and the presumption of innocence in major proceedings.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Your time is now.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas emphasizes that the problems must be solved.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the speaker/participants] and announced a follow-up question, inviting Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to respond.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticizes the car tax bill due to the lack of exceptions and support measures intended for people with disabilities, arguing that it puts the most vulnerable individuals in a more difficult position and is in conflict with the Constitution and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stressed that the car tax would not be turned into social policy, and that the preference is to increase support for all disabled people, rather than granting concessions to car owners, because aid must truly reach disabled individuals and families who are struggling and have educational and medical needs.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair concludes the consideration of the first item and announces that Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart has a question regarding the procedures for conducting the sitting.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart submitted a procedural question, noting that support for people with disabilities could be increased regardless of the car tax, and that people with disabilities should be exempt from the car tax. She also asked how the procedure works and when it would be appropriate to announce that the anti-car tax demonstration will take place already this Sunday at 12 o'clock in front of the Super Ministry building.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that no such procedure exists, and that Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart is in violation of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. He requested that she adhere to the rules going forward, emphasizing that events taking place outside the chamber are not a matter for the session minutes.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
I want to know what the basis of your answer is and why you claim that what is happening outside the hall is irrelevant to the matter.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This is in no way related to the procedure for conducting this hearing.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik explains that we had a question on Monday.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar announces that they have 13 questions, and turns to Andrei Korobeinik.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik stated that the draft legislation should have been assigned to the Legal Affairs Committee, but instead, it ended up with the Economic Affairs Committee, and since they haven't received a response, he asked when and where the bill will finally land.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar emphasized the importance of adhering to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. He stated that Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart’s undertaking did not concern the procedure for conducting the sitting, and asked everyone to stick to this in the future, because we have 13 questions and only a couple of hours. We are wasting time on procedural questions, meaning that [the person concerned] will not have time left to present the 13th question in the chamber.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that we are moving on to the fourth question of the day, which is Urmas Reinsalu's question to Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet. The topic is the rule of law.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu claims that a crisis has erupted within the prosecutor’s office, noting that the factual assessments made by the Prosecutor General and the Ministry of Justice are completely opposite. Furthermore, allegations of pressure and deceit have been made, and three senior state prosecutors have offered their own assessment of the conduct. He concludes by asking: who is lying?
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
Justice Minister Kalle Laanet announced that on Monday evening he signed an order initiating an official supervisory review to ascertain the legality, expediency, and effectiveness of the Prosecutor's Office's operations. He added that the independence of the Prosecutor's Office is not absolute, noting that responsibility for this rests with the Ministry of Justice. Furthermore, he questioned why the Prosecutor General approached the newspaper Eesti Ekspress rather than the minister or the Security Police.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked [the previous speaker/the floor] and asked Urmas Reinsalu to pose a clarifying question.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu asks whether the content of the meeting with the Prosecutor General and Erki Aavik is true, and why someone is lying. He further requests the Minister of Justice to comment on whether such a meeting—during which the Prosecutor General's departure from office and assumption of the position of Chairman of the Tallinn Circuit Court were discussed—is appropriate.
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
He thanked them for the question, asked that the questions be directed to Erki Aavik, and said that he didn't know anything about it himself.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the speaker and announces the next supplementary question, inviting Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to take the floor.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticizes the draft bill on administrative fines, which would grant the Competition Authority the power to impose large, wide-ranging fines through a simplified procedure, thereby endangering the presumption of innocence and the right against self-incrimination. She argues that the bill is in conflict with the Constitution and the criticism voiced by the Chancellor of Justice, the bar association, and the courts.
Justiitsminister Kalle Laanet
AI Summary
Justice Minister Kalle Laanet stated that the directive aims for competition transparency and consumer protection, and the draft legislation utilizes an administrative procedure, under which the proportionality of sanctions will be reviewed by an administrative court.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He/She thanks everyone and announces that he/she is concluding the consideration of today’s fourth question.