First Reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic for Enhancing the Exercise of Administrative Oversight over the Prosecutor's Office" (280 OE)
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-04-03 17:15
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 68
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 13m
AI Summaries: 68/68 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the first reading of Draft Resolution 280, "Proposal to the Government of the Republic to Enhance Administrative Supervision over the Prosecutor's Office," submitted by the faction of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE). Rapporteur Kert Kingo (EKRE) sharply criticized the activities of the Prosecutor's Office, highlighting violations of law by prosecutors identified by the courts and accusing Prosecutor General Andres Parmas of failing to carry out administrative supervision. Kingo claimed that the Prosecutor's Office acts as a "state within a state" and that the supervision exercised by the Ministry of Justice is inadequate because it does not extend to criminal proceedings and surveillance activities—the very areas where violations occur. She cited examples of uninvestigated cases (e.g., Slava Ukraini, the Prime Minister's spouse's Russian business) and the repression of opposition politicians.
Valdo Randpere (Reform Party), speaking on behalf of the Legal Affairs Committee, rejected Kingo's accusations, emphasizing that the current regulation was established specifically to prevent political interference. He noted that violations by prosecutors have been identified by the courts, which demonstrates that the supervision system is, in fact, functional. Randpere also criticized EKRE's activities within the committee, where they submitted and subsequently withdrew 50 amendments. During the debate, discussion continued regarding the politicization of the Prosecutor's Office and the need to enhance supervision. The draft resolution was put to a final vote, requiring a majority of the Riigikogu membership (51 votes) for adoption. The draft resolution received 17 votes in favor and was rejected.
Decisions Made 1
Draft Resolution 280 of the Riigikogu, titled "Making a proposal to the Government of the Republic for enhancing the exercise of service supervision over the Prosecutor's Office," was rejected during the final vote. Seventeen members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstained. An absolute majority of the membership (51 votes) was required for the adoption of the draft.
Most Active Speaker
The rapporteur for the Legal Affairs Committee, Valdo Randpere (Reform Party), was highly active. He presented the committee's standpoints and took part in a lengthy question-and-answer session, defending the current oversight system from political interference. He represents a coalition party (other).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi introduces the first reading of Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu No. 280, submitted by the EKRE faction, as the second item on the agenda, and invites his colleague Kert Kingo to serve as the rapporteur.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
The main message of the presentation is that a proposal must be made to the government to strengthen the exercise of administrative supervision over the Prosecutor's Office, because the Prosecutor's Office and state prosecutors are violating laws, and the lack of sufficient control over their activities threatens the rule of law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks everyone and invites questions, while simultaneously requesting that Kalle Grünthal come forward to speak.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal is criticizing the prosecutor's office, arguing that they have violated procedural law, used illegal evidence, and carried out unlawful surveillance, which the Supreme Court has confirmed. Yet, the prosecutor's office is failing to take any action regarding this, and he wants to know why they are behaving in such a manner.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo stated that the court has clearly established the violation of laws by state prosecutors, emphasized the need for disciplinary measures and oversight, and added that although there are many honest prosecutors, individual officials are damaging the reputation of the entire Prosecutor's Office.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Jaak Valge is invited onto the stage at the beginning of the address.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge posed a brief question about what mechanisms could enhance the administrative oversight of the Prosecutor's Office and how that process should be carried out.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
According to Kert Kingo, the draft bill sought to give the minister genuine oversight of the Prosecutor's Office's activities, including the planning of surveillance operations, pre-trial criminal procedure, and the representation of the state prosecution. However, the coalition failed to support it, and therefore, the restrictive limitation should be removed from the law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked everyone and stated that he did not want to interrupt the debate, but he would make one exception because they might be heading down the wrong path. He then asked Mart Helme if the question was directed to the presiding officer of the session.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme raised a procedural question, requesting that a way be found to invite Kalle Laanet, the Minister of Justice, to explain the relationship between the Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Justice, as well as the Ministry’s capabilities for exercising supervision over the Prosecutor’s Office.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the negotiations could take place on behalf of the Reform Party faction, and should the faction decide to do so, Kalle Laanet would certainly have the opportunity to present his positions. However, there is currently no information regarding whether the faction will participate or who the negotiator will be, and Laanet has also recently presented his views during a parliamentary information session as part of an interpellation.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that Estonia actually lacks a rule of law state, accuses liberalism and the legal system of politicization, and asks how genuine oversight and accountability are ensured in "white countries."
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo claims that the department responsible for oversight in Estonia is merely formal and exists only on paper, with no actual substance being delivered. She adds that while the prosecutor's office in Latvia effectively deals with high-ranking officials, Estonia has remained stuck at the level of the Soviet Union—despite the attractive façade.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited Varro Vooglaid to take the floor.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid requested explanations and data regarding how often disciplinary proceedings have taken place within the Prosecutor’s Office over the last 5 to 20 years, how frequently the Ministry of Justice has initiated supervision proceedings related to the Prosecutor’s Office, and what these figures actually tell us.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo said that there is no official information regarding the prosecutors and that it is classified, and although the press is often better informed, the conclusion drawn is that no proceedings have been initiated, mentioning the Kajar Lember case, the Eveli Vavrenjuk case, the Marti Kuusik case, and the Tartu incident.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi addresses Mart Helme with a request.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He talks about the idea that judges, prosecutors, and police prefects should be elected so that the public can assess their impartiality and political instrumentalization, and asks what the listeners think of this idea.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo states that the ideal scenario sounds good, but Estonian elections present two options: either the people believe what they are told and elect liars, or, through electronic voting—which functions similarly to Russia’s—the person the deep state desires ultimately takes office. However, in real life in Estonia, it doesn't work like that.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is merely a request for Anti Poolamets to speak.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets is debating the politicization of the prosecutor's office, pointing to Lavly Perling's very rapid ascent to party leader immediately after leaving the prosecution service, and questioning whether prosecutors elsewhere in the world are allowed to enter politics so quickly.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
According to Kert Kingo, restrictions have often been imposed globally on individuals who have worked within power structures, and the recent afterparty, where the State Prosecutor General was present alongside government members and top politicians, proves his political affiliation and raises questions about his impartiality and independence.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called Helle-Moonika Helme to the stage.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme pointed out that the Minister of Justice had to resign due to excessive interference in the work of the Prosecutor's Office, and asked whether the bill would henceforth give the minister a legal opportunity to review what is happening in the Prosecutor's Office without initiating proceedings against him or her.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo emphasizes that the minister must have the possibility to conduct supervision within the framework of the rule of law and the obligation to report on their actions. She criticizes the Prosecutor General’s unprecedented reaction and the delay in the Slava Ukraini proceedings, and calls upon the governing coalition to demonstrate the will to put Estonia back on the track of the rule of law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks the rapporteur, confirms that there are no further questions, and states that every member of the Riigikogu may pose one question to each of the two rapporteurs. He then asks Valdo Randpere, a member of the Legal Affairs Committee, to introduce the leading committee’s discussion, positions, and decisions to the Riigikogu.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere pointed out that the issues concerning the Prosecutor's Office were extensive, and approximately 50 amendments were submitted in the committee. However, they eventually reached a consensus to bring the draft bill before the plenary session, and Randpere was appointed as the leading representative. He also added that several hours were wasted unnecessarily during the November 21st session—time that cannot be recovered.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi approached Mart Maastik and asked him to come and perform.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Maastik expresses concern that the party is forcing Valdo Randpere to represent a commission he does not want to belong to, and simultaneously questions what objection they themselves and the commission have to strengthening the oversight of the state structure.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere emphasized that oversight operates through the courts and is an integral part of the rule of law, and that political interference by the minister in specific cases is not appropriate.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi notes Valdo Randpere's good mood and raises a procedural question, requesting assistance from Helle-Moonika Helme.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme criticizes the committee rapporteur’s vague and incomprehensible presentation. She asks whether the session chair should have intervened and correctly and clearly conveyed what transpired, instead of mocking the objective of the draft bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks his colleague, emphasizing that everyone has different personalities and ways of expressing themselves. He notes that Valdo Randpere raised personal viewpoints in the non-topical part, but adds that he has no remarks concerning the correctness of the presentation or any perceived arrogance, before finally addressing Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid stated that the Justice Committee does not want to be involved, arguing that the committee's atmosphere has been thoroughly poisoned by the brazen forcing through of the project to pervert marriage. He also stressed that there must be an effective oversight system for the Prosecutor's Office, one that would not only identify violations but also impose sanctions for them. He then asked whether the coalition would take steps on its own initiative to achieve this objective.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere stated that he does not support the view regarding changing the definition of marriage. He also stressed that balancing the oversight of the Prosecutor’s Office while simultaneously avoiding political skewing is extremely complex, and caution must be exercised.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi addresses Kert Kingo and asks her.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo expressed discomfort over the claim that courts exercise supervision over the Prosecutor's Office, stressing that oversight should be carried out through the Ministry of Justice and by means of internal control associated with the Prosecutor General, and asked which law confirms this change.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere states that although the commission did not discuss the matter briefly, he highlights that the oversight carried out by the court—which is not stipulated by law—reveals flaws in the work of the prosecutor's office and functions as a form of social control via the media.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Helle-Moonika Helme to take the floor.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme states that the debate is impolite due to the co-speaker's attitude, and while the Reform Party is voting against the draft legislation, they actually want to consolidate their power, replace the Prosecutor General, and find a suitable new Minister of Justice.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He claims that your vertical of power will continue, and the investigation into these matters will be swept under the carpet.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere claims that the dismissal of Lavly Perling from office and the appointment of Andres Parmas in her stead happened consensually among the three parties in the government. He adds that at the end of a five-year term, an assessment must be made as to whether to continue their tenure or not, and if someone else is chosen later, there is no point in blaming others—one must first look in the mirror.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi draws Ants Frosch’s attention.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch criticized high-ranking state officials for evading their official duties and desiring early departure from office. He mentioned Parmas, noting that he had applied for other positions, emphasized the control of the court and the role of the public, and remarked that in some cases, reaching a decision could take ten years. Furthermore, he proposed that the Ministry of Justice intervene in the work of the Prosecutor's Office to put an end to the chaos.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere stated that he would make an exception for Ants, since EKRE wanted to question him, and he affirmed that looking for a job is completely normal, concluding with the question that formed the second half of the query.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi, the Deputy Chairman, thanked [them] and said that he had forgotten something, adding that it was not related to the commission's report.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She notes that it might have been a good question, and admits that it genuinely slipped his/her mind.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi disagrees with this, promises a debate later, and asks whether the rapporteur has finished.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere says that unfortunately, that's the way it is, and advises following the procedure.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the participants, concluded the round of questions, and announced that he would proceed to address procedural matters and the non-committee question submitted by Ants Frosch. Helle-Moonika Helme will start first.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker procedurally corrects the false claim that EKRE removed Perling and installed a replacement, reminds the audience that Isamaa appointed Parmas and that the Reform Party wants to get rid of Parmas, and emphasizes that a long tenure brings with it an absolute sense of power, which is not justified by lies or by mocking other Riigikogu members.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He said that 97% of that question was not procedural, and his liberalism and kindness were punished again, and he turned to Ants Frosch.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch compares the Estonian judicial process to Kafka's "The Trial," noting that the 8–10 years spent on the pre-trial investigation combined with the court inquiry is already a punishment. He calls on the Minister of Justice to intervene and take responsibility, and to tell the Prosecutor General to cut out the nonsense.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the discussion was not procedural, he was talking about his own sentence, not anyone else’s, and he requested Rene Kokk.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk raised a procedural question, asking to speak with the committee chairman so that Valdo Randpere would not force anyone unwillingly to the podium and that the presentations would reflect the committee’s discussion and improve the working climate.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi notes that Valdo Randpere was practically consumed by the desire to give his presentation, and it was full of emotion, determination, and passion, meaning he was certainly not reluctant. Although this is getting a bit frivolous, they will handle the last two procedural matters and then move on to negotiations. He also feels embarrassed in front of Martin Helme, because Helme is waiting to speak at the podium.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere said that these long-running court cases are certainly not just the fault of the prosecution, but rather the entire system—the courts, their overburdening, and the lawyers—and that the Riigikogu must review the entire law on judicial procedure and make significant amendments so that proceedings can be sped up.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker thanked them and said that the comment was entirely relevant, but the question was not procedural, and invited Kalle Grünthal to speak.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal stressed that while a member of the Riigikogu enjoys freedom of speech, if members of the government present false claims, Parliament must consider procedural rules and options for intervention, and the presiding officer must maintain an impartial position.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that this question does not fall under the proceedings of the agenda item, and no member of the government has taken the floor during this discussion. However, the Session Department has received the question and can be consulted; it is an abstract question, and the Session Department will provide a comment or clarification on the matter. He subsequently opened the debate and invited Martin Helme to speak on behalf of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia faction.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that the abuse of power has become the rule within the Estonian Prosecutor's Office, asserting that a small "boutique" shields this behavior by obstructing ministerial intervention and stalling the advancement of investigations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that three minutes needed to be added to the sitting.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that the Estonian prosecutor's office and legal system are serving the ruling party, and opposition politicians are being crushed by the court system, reducing the country to the level of a banana republic, despite the government’s insistence that it is a state governed by the rule of law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi concluded the discussions, informing the body that no amendments to the draft bill had been submitted and that the lead committee wished to proceed with the final vote on Draft Bill 280. Prior to the vote, Kalle Grünthal addressed a question to the presiding officer of the session.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal stresses that the adoption of the draft bill must take place with a majority of the votes cast, not by a majority of the full composition of the Riigikogu, and the presiding officer must not disregard the principle of legality.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stressed that an approved agenda requires a simple majority of the Riigikogu membership, and he then put to the final vote the EKRE faction's draft bill 280, aimed at strengthening the administrative oversight of the Prosecutor's Office, asking members to take a position and cast their votes.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Draft Law 280 received 17 votes in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstentions, but failed to gain sufficient support and has been rejected.