Elections of the Riigikogu Board
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Date: 2024-04-04 13:01
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 38
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 2h 8m
AI Summaries: 38/38 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda item for the election of the Riigikogu Board covered the election of the Chairman and two Deputy Chairmen. According to the procedural guidelines, the Riigikogu Chairman is elected first, followed by the Deputy Chairmen; the nomination of candidates requires the consent of a member. The elections are conducted by secret ballot, and the results are announced immediately after the review of any potential protests. If no candidate receives more than half of the valid votes, an additional round is organized, and in the event of a tie in the number of votes, lots are drawn. The procedural clarity and the organization of the voting process were precisely laid out, and it was announced that no protests had been filed.
Decisions Made 3
In the election for the Speaker of the Riigikogu, Lauri Hussar was declared elected as the Speaker of the Riigikogu. Votes in favor: 64; votes against: 28; number of invalid ballots: 5. The decision enters into force upon signing.
In the election of the Vice-Presidents of the Riigikogu, Toomas Kivimägi was declared the First Vice-President (48 votes in favor).
In the election of the Vice-Presidents of the Riigikogu, Jüri Ratas was declared the Second Vice-President (votes in favor 27; Arvo Aller 21; invalid ballot 1). The decision enters into force upon signing.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker during the presentation of the Riigikogu Speaker candidate turned out to be Lauri Hussar (pid: uJjvhlMuEZM). His participation and leading role at various stages of the board election process indicated strong engagement and leadership. Position: other (assessing the political position based on the provided data is insufficient, and in the context of the elections, the internal role of the office must be evaluated).
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The elections for the Riigikogu Board—that is, the Chairman and two Deputy Chairmen—are conducted by secret ballot. The Chairman must be elected by receiving more than half of the valid votes, after which the Deputy Chairmen are voted upon. The votes are counted publicly immediately upon the conclusion of the ballot, and the results are announced after any protests have been reviewed. Should no candidate secure sufficient support, an additional round is organized, or the decision is made by drawing lots.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler thanked Jüri, noted the young politician’s lack of experience, and briefly inquired about the tradition of granting the second deputy chairman position to the largest opposition party—specifically, whether and how it applies—and what Jüri’s personal view on the situation is.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas said that this could be discussed after the sitting and that it was not a procedural question, and he asked Kalle Grünthal to present a procedural question.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal points out that the membership of the Riigikogu is traditionally elected by a majority vote, and questions why the current procedure is different.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas thanks [the body/speaker] and promises to act in accordance with our Rules of Procedure, and asks Mart Helme to present a procedural question.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme asks whether Jüri Ratas being elected as the second Deputy Speaker solely by coalition votes signifies the consolidation of authoritarianism in the Republic of Estonia.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas stated that this was not a procedural matter concerning the conduct of the session, and inquired whether any members of the Riigikogu wished to nominate a candidate for Speaker, while simultaneously inviting Toomas Uibo to approach the rostrum.
Toomas Uibo
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Toomas Uibo nominated Lauri Hussar as the candidate for Speaker of the Riigikogu on April 4, 2024.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Lauri Hussar was asked during the speech whether he was willing to stand for the position of Speaker of the Riigikogu.
Lauri Hussar
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Lauri Hussar said that he is ready to run for the position of Speaker of the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
He closes the list of candidates for Speaker of the Riigikogu, requests written consent, and declares a five-minute recess for entering the name of the Speaker candidate onto the ballot paper. The end of the recess will be indicated by an audible signal.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas announced that the National Electoral Committee was ready for the election of the Speaker of the Riigikogu. He confirmed that the ballot box was sealed with a security tag, outlined the voting procedure and requirements (an identity document, one candidate, voting either for or against), and noted that a spoiled ballot could be replaced if necessary. He concluded by asking for questions.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal thanked the presiding officer and noted that our rules have now been read out here in clear Estonian.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Jüri Ratas asked his colleagues for silence and thanked everyone.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal asks whether the rules that were just read aloud remain in force until the end of the elections.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
During the election, only members of the Electoral Commission and supporting staff may be present in the voting area. Members of the Riigikogu have 30 minutes for voting. Voting will commence five minutes after the start of the recess, and I hereby declare a 35-minute recess for the election of the Speaker of the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas declared the voting for the election of the Speaker of the Riigikogu closed, checked the security of the ballot box, announced that there were no protests, and requested the election commission to count the votes publicly.
Vabariigi Valimiskomisjoni aseesimees Airi Mikli
AI Summary
Airi Mikli publicly verified the preliminary data before the Riigikogu, listing the votes cast for and against the candidate Lauri Hussar (64 votes in favor, 28 votes against). She announced that the number of invalid ballots was 5, stating the reason was that the ballots had been marked in either both boxes or neither.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The voting results for the election of the Speaker of the Riigikogu were announced, confirming Lauri Hussar as the new Speaker (97 members participated, 64 votes for Hussar, 28 votes against, 5 invalid ballots). There were no protests, and the decision takes effect upon signing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained the procedure for electing the Vice-Speakers of the Riigikogu: the two candidates who receive the most votes will become the Vice-Speakers. The candidate who receives more votes is elected as the first Vice-Speaker, and the other as the second; in the event of a tie, an additional round will be held. He then called for the nomination of candidates for Vice-Speaker of the Riigikogu, including Martin Helme.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme announced that, as a member of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia faction, he would nominate Arvo Aller's candidacy for the position of Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu. He described Aller as originating from Virumaa, hardworking, and honest, a man whose word is reliable, who has never defected from a party or betrayed his colleagues, and who would worthily represent the interests of the opposition.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked [the previous speaker] and called Erkki Keldo to the Riigikogu rostrum next.
Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo proposed nominating Toomas Kivimägi as a candidate for Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu Board. He praised Kivimägi's level-headedness, specific work style, and integrity, and called on everyone to support him.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the previous speaker] and invited Urmas Reinsalu to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu nominated Jüri Ratas as a candidate for Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu, emphasizing his extensive experience and level-headedness in critical situations, and thanking the Speaker of the Riigikogu and the National Electoral Committee for the successful election process.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that there were no further candidates and asked Arvo Aller if he was willing to run for the position of Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He confirms that he is ready to run for vice-chairman.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks, requests written consent, and asks Toomas Kivimägi if he is prepared to stand as a candidate for the position of Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu.
Toomas Kivimägi
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi confirmed that he is ready to run for the position of Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar gives thanks, requests written consent, and asks the honorable Jüri Ratas if he agrees to stand as a candidate for the position of Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu.
Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
He thanks you for asking and replies: "Yes, I am."
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker closed the list of candidates for the Vice-Speakers of the Riigikogu, announced a five-minute recess for entering the candidates' names onto the ballot paper, signaled the end of the recess with an audible signal, and simultaneously requested written consent.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
For the election of the Vice-Presidents of the Riigikogu, the National Electoral Committee shall organize a vote lasting 30 minutes, which shall commence five minutes after the end of the recess. During the vote, a member of the Riigikogu shall mark the name of one candidate with a cross, and any ballot paper marked with the names of more than one candidate or bearing no name at all shall be deemed invalid. Furthermore, the committee shall inspect the ballot box, and the voting shall take place in the same location.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu declared the voting for the deputy speakers finished, the ballot box was inspected and no protests were lodged, and the Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Airi Mikli, was requested to count the votes and publicly announce the results.
Vabariigi Valimiskomisjoni aseesimees Airi Mikli
AI Summary
Airi Mikli publicly verifies the compliance of the preliminary results with the actual facts before the Riigikogu, listing the votes cast by Arvo Aller, Toomas Kivimägi, and Jüri Ratas, as well as the reason for the invalid ballot.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the Republic Electoral Committee is compiling the protocol of the voting results for the election of the Vice-Presidents of the Riigikogu (Parliament). Out of 101 listed members, 97 participated, there was 1 invalid ballot, and the candidates received the following votes: Arvo Aller 21, Toomas Kivimägi 48, Jüri Ratas 27. Mart Helme filed a protest.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme claims that the voting results reflect the agony of the current power structure and show that parliament is moving towards authoritarianism, adding that Jüri Ratas, as the representative of Isamaa, is a representative of the controlled opposition who is not genuinely in opposition on the Riigikogu board.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu confirmed Toomas Kivimägi as the First Vice-President and Jüri Ratas as the Second Vice-President, and announced the new management board. The sitting concluded with applause.