Interpellation concerning interference in the internal affairs of Hungary (No. 570)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-04-08 18:14
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 34
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 30m
AI Summaries: 34/34 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This agenda item focused on the interpellation concerning interference in Hungary's internal affairs, the signatories of which included Riigikogu members Varro Vooglaid, Evelin Poolamets, Mart Helme, Helle-Moonika Helme, Martin Helme, Siim Pohlak, Kert Kingo, Kalle Grünthal, Jaak Valge, Henn Põlluaas, Ants Frosh, Rene Kokk, Alar Laneman, Arvo Aller, and Rain Epler. In the first part, Varro Vooglaid gave a presentation from the Riigikogu rostrum, and in the second part, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna addressed and answered the questions raised by the interpellation. The main issue was the involvement of the United States Embassy and diplomats from many other countries in influencing Hungary's domestic affairs and the related interference, including the Budapest Pride events held on July 14–15, 2023, and corresponding guidelines in Estonian foreign policy. Through several questions, a heated controversy and a fundamental debate were raised regarding international norms and immediately applicable human rights. The discussion continued with questions and answers in the second part, and while both sides held strong positions, direct decisions were constrained by the need to secure a majority. The session concluded with the termination of the initial deliberations, and the agenda item was forwarded for further proceedings.
Decisions Made 1
The negotiations on this agenda item have been concluded; the first agenda item is finished, and the Riigikogu moves on to the subsequent agenda items.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was the Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna (pid: ehjpLK1FIak). He participated in a versatile manner—answering an interpellation, presenting and clarifying questions, and guiding the discussion, while prioritizing the fundamental principles of Estonian foreign policy and the protection of human rights. His political position is right-wing (parempoolne/Right), and he represents the composition of the government in the international sphere.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is starting today's agenda with seven interpellations. The first item on the agenda concerns the interpellation submitted on September 12th last year regarding interference in Hungary's internal affairs, and Varro Vooglaid will appear as the rapporteur.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid criticizes the activities of the US, other countries, and the Estonian embassy regarding issues related to Hungarian family policy and homo- and gender-ideological propaganda, stressing that diplomats are not permitted to interfere in the internal affairs of another state.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called upon Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna to the Riigikogu rostrum to answer an interpellation.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna announced to the Riigikogu that he would read out an interpellation, stating that, according to the seven questions and answers, standing up for the interests of sexual minorities is part of Estonia's foreign policy, which was approved by the government on April 12, 2021.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asked Jaak Valge to speak closer to the microphone so that people in the back rows could hear and the sound system would work better.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that Estonia has stood and continues to stand for the rights of sexual minorities under the framework of human rights diplomacy. He added that the government has adopted universal guidelines for all foreign representations, noting that these guidelines are not in conflict with the Vienna Convention. Furthermore, he emphasized supporting e-elections and promoting the values of democracy and a free Estonia within foreign policy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the Minister and announced that he had several questions, and to begin, called upon Anti Poolamets.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets accuses the government of lying regarding the Vienna Convention, states that Estonian foreign policy is under control during his term, calls for a change, and asks whether it would constitute interference or merely the selection of a single party line if a future foreign minister were to order all envoys to follow the agenda of one national party and march in their columns.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
He/She affirms that voters granted a mandate for the protection of democratic aspirations and individual liberties, including the right to marry, and the current government represents these principles.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the previous speaker/the audience] and invited Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme asserts that the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is interfering in Hungarian society through the Estonian embassy, arguing that this is inconsistent with maintaining good diplomatic relations, particularly given Hungary’s controversial stance on LGBT issues.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna confirmed that Estonia’s relations with Hungary are very good.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls upon Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vooglaid stated that Hungarians consider such interference in their internal affairs, specifically the participation of Estonian envoys in protests, to be meddling. He then questioned why these steps are taken at all if they only worsen bilateral relations, adding that he wants to know whether the flags will be displayed similarly this year in front of the embassies of Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and China, and not just those of European countries.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that these guidelines are not country-specific, but rather broader instructions for our countries' representations, stressing that personal freedoms and human rights are a universal issue, and that differing interpretations constitute the political side. He also confirmed that Estonian–Hungarian relations are good.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and invites Jaak Valge to take the floor.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge asks rhetorically why you are selectively choosing to condemn only one minor regulation, when there are many countries in the world where people belonging to sexual minorities are in serious danger, and in some countries, the death penalty is even a real possibility.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna emphasized that the guideline is broader and fundamental, protecting individual freedoms, including the legalization of marriage equality, and noted that Estonian society has been calm since then and must now focus on core concerns such as defense and the economy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called Kalle Grünthal to the stage.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal pointed out that while the participation of diplomats in a foreign demonstration is largely a question of support or non-support, the legal basis is clear: the Vienna Convention and Section 74 of our Foreign Service Act prohibit interference in the internal affairs of the receiving state. He acknowledged that such activity has occurred and expressed hope that similar violations of the law will cease.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stresses that no one has broken the law and that freedom of expression is a universal right, adding that representatives and diplomats of foreign countries freely participate in public events in Estonia — this is a completely normal practice for a free country.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called upon Evelin Poolamets to take the floor.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Questions are being asked about whether the influencer Karl-Gustav Kurn, who was included in the India visit, participated in an event promoting sexual minorities, and what role he fulfilled on the trip.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
He/She explained that it was not an event supporting sexual minorities.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman called upon Siim Pohlak to come forward.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak highlights that several individuals associated with the Estonian government have expressed very negative views regarding Hungary's internal affairs, and questions whether such a sensible and respectful policy towards a sovereign state is appropriate.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
The Foreign Minister confirmed that relations between Estonia and Hungary are very good.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the Foreign Minister, said there were no further questions, and before the start of the debate, Evelin Poolamets raised a question concerning the procedure for conducting the session.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets claims that the minister did not answer her second question and walked away, and asks if that is normal.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the Chair would not intervene if the discussion remained general regarding the topic of interference in Hungary's internal affairs, and that this specific question fell outside of that topic, and the minister deemed it necessary to answer exactly as he did, and consequently, he did not need to intervene on that matter. Following this, he opens the floor for debate and invites Varro Vooglaid, the representative of those who submitted the inquiry, to the Riigikogu rostrum for his speech.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid argues that the Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs is interfering in the internal affairs of other countries when diplomats participate in parades supporting LGBT rights, and stresses the need to respect state sovereignty and the moral convictions of diplomats.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requested three more minutes.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid asserts that specific rights for sexual minorities do not exist, and that only universal human rights—which apply to everyone regardless of affiliation—are valid. Consequently, Estonia should not advocate for those rights.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and announces that there are no requests for the floor, thereby closing the discussion and concluding the consideration of the first item on the agenda.