First reading of the draft resolution (705 OE) of the Riigikogu, "The use of the Defence Forces in fulfilling Estonia's international obligations in a North Atlantic Treaty Organization or member state, European Union, or United Nations-led international military operation involving the initial contribution thereto."
Session: Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
Date: 2025-09-24 20:12
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 22
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 16m
AI Summaries: 22/22 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda item concerned the first reading of Riigikogu Draft Resolution 705, which addresses the use of the Defence Forces in international military operations when contributing to them for the first time. Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur explained that the purpose of the draft resolution is to grant the government a flexible mandate to send up to 100 members of the Defence Forces, if necessary, to new, unforeseen operations conducted under the leadership of NATO, the EU, or the UN. Pevkur emphasized that the mandate is necessary for rapid response and cited examples of previous urgent needs (e.g., EUNAVFOR Med/Irini, Mozambique, Red Sea operations). Deputy Chairman of the National Defence Committee Leo Kunnas supported the draft, noting that the current practice has proven justified and that despite the existence of the mandate, Estonia's contribution to operations next year is planned to be historically small. Varro Vooglaid (EKRE faction) presented sharp opposition, arguing that the draft resolution contradicts Article 128 (1) of the Constitution because Parliament is delegating its decision-making power to the government, essentially granting a "blanket authorization" for missions whose details (including potential participation in Ukraine) are unknown. He stressed that the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act allows sessions to be convened even in urgent cases. Vladimir Arhipov (Centre Party) emphasized the importance of flexibility and strengthening allied relations. Following the debates, it was decided to conclude the first reading.
Decisions Made 2
Following the proposal by the National Defense Committee, it was decided to conclude the first reading of Draft Bill 705.
The deadline for submitting amendments was set for October 8th at 5:15 PM.
Most Active Speaker
Varro Vooglaid (EKRE faction) was the most active speaker, delivering a thorough and passionate rebuttal concerning the bill's unconstitutionality and requesting additional time. His efforts were aimed against the government's proposal and centered on issues of constitutionality (etc.).
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur presents the seventh item on the agenda, the topic of which is the Riigikogu decision submitted by the Government of the Republic regarding the use of the Defence Forces in fulfilling Estonia's international obligations when contributing for the first time to an international operation (Draft Act 705, first reading).
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur stated that for initial deployments, any extension of operations must always be subject to parliamentary approval. The maximum capacity is 100 active personnel, and the mandate is valid strictly within the framework of operations agreed upon with allies—the UN, NATO, or the European Union—and not outside those specific mandates.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur justified to the Riigikogu the necessity of contributing for the first time to a new military operation, referencing previous missions and explaining that the limit of up to 100 active duty personnel is optimal for meeting operational requirements, while simultaneously stressing that the mandate strictly applies only to activities approved by the EU, the UN, or NATO.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Thank you! There were no questions; Leo Kunnas, the Vice-Chairman of the National Defence Committee, will summarize the discussion that took place in the lead committee.
Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The National Defence Committee unanimously resolves to conclude the first reading of the draft legislation and set the deadline for submitting amendments at ten working days, confirming that the government is seeking a mandate from the Riigikogu for up to 100 military personnel for an international operation, and that next year a record low level of participation is planned—six full-year mandates and one half-year mandate.
Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Leo Kunnas presented a government bill seeking a mandate from the Riigikogu that would allow the state, if necessary, to contribute up to 100 servicemen to international military operations led by NATO, the EU, or the UN. He stressed that despite the application for the mandate, the planned participation of Estonian defense forces personnel in foreign operations for the coming year is historically low, a level justified by the current security situation. He also announced that the National Defence Committee would make a consensus proposal to conclude the first reading of the bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller, having concluded the question period, officially opened the round of discussions, first inviting Varro Vooglaid, representing the faction of the Estonian Conservative People's Party, to the podium.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller offered his thanks, stated that there were no questions, announced that he would open the debate next, and invited Varro Vooglaid to speak on behalf of the EKRE faction.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid claims that draft bill 705 would grant the government the authority to deploy up to 100 personnel from the Estonian Defence Forces to participate in an international military mission in 2026, and would delegate the parliament’s decision-making power. This delegation, he argues, is impermissible according to Section 128, Subsection 1 of the Constitution, because parliament must make the decision regarding the use of the Defence Forces itself and must not grant the government a mandate on this issue, especially when the mission’s objective, leadership, or coalition is unclear.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid announces on behalf of the faction that they cannot support draft law 705, as they are firmly convinced it violates the constitution because Parliament delegates the decision-making authority regarding the deployment of the Defense Forces to foreign missions to the government, which is prohibited under Article 128, Section 1 of the Constitution. He stresses that such authorization is dangerous, as it grants the government the ability to send up to 100 members of the Defense Forces on a military mission, including potentially to Ukraine, without the Riigikogu having to decide on the specific mission beforehand.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller asks for three extra minutes.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid emphasized, citing the provisions of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, that sessions can be convened even with short notice. Therefore, there is no temporal constraint whatsoever that would justify surrendering Parliament's decision-making authority to the government by granting a blanket authorization, adding that supporting a bill that contradicts the constitution would violate the oath of office.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid asserts that Sections 49–52 of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act permit an extraordinary session to be convened even with short notice, sometimes on the following day or even the same day, but emphasizes that the government must not be given a blanket authorization and does not support such a practice if it is not in compliance with the constitution.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman thanked [the previous speaker] and announced that the next speaker is Vladimir Arhipov, on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Faction.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The proposal to provide up to 100 servicemen for international operations by 2026, if necessary, emphasizes flexible response, strengthens Estonia's readiness and credibility among allies, and enhances our security and cooperation.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov emphasizes the necessity of granting the government a flexible mandate to deploy up to 100 military personnel to international operations during a crisis. He explains that this step confirms Estonia's readiness to contribute to global security alongside its allies, while simultaneously strengthening Estonia's own defense capabilities and credibility in return.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller offered his thanks and then gave the floor to Varro Vooglaid, asking him to speak immediately from his seat, as his name had been mentioned previously.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
During the address, Varro Vooglaid is thanked and mentioned, and he is asked to give an impromptu speech.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid stressed that he has presented the same views for two years now and is ready for discussion in the National Defence Committee, but the authority to decide on participation in foreign missions based on delegation is contrary to the constitution. Furthermore, no member of the Riigikogu should support such draft legislation, given their oath of office, especially concerning bills 707 and 709.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid has accepted a colleague's invitation to appear before the National Defence Committee to defend his views, although he doubts the utility of doing so. This is because the same arguments regarding the unconstitutionality of delegating the decision-making authority for foreign missions to the government have been repeatedly presented in the past without having had any impact. He warns that the same problem also applies to agenda items 9 and 11, which is why members of the Riigikogu should not support these draft bills, given their oath of office.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announced the conclusion of the discussions and the resolution of procedural matters, confirming that, upon the proposal of the leading committee, the first reading of Draft Bill 705 was concluded, and the deadline for submitting amendments was set for October 8th of the current year at 17:15.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
According to Arvo Aller, it was not possible to make a response to the previous response because Varro’s name was not mentioned at the rostrum. Consequently, the debate has been concluded, and the leading committee proposes to end the first reading of Draft Bill 705. We have now concluded the first reading, and the deadline for submitting amendments is 5:15 p.m. on October 8th of the current year. We have thus completed the seventh item.