Third Reading of the Draft Act on the Amendment of the Defence League Act and the Amendment of Other Acts Related Thereto (Bill 335 SE)
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
Date: 2024-04-10 17:09
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 8
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 15m
AI Summaries: 8/8 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The draft legislation (Bill 335), initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Defence League Act and related acts, reached its third reading in the Riigikogu (Parliament). Leo Kunnas (EKRE), Meelis Kiili (Reform Party), and Peeter Tali (Eesti 200) participated in the debates. All speakers emphasized the importance of the bill for Estonia’s national defense and praised the thorough and methodical work carried out between the National Defense Committee, the Defence League, and the Ministry of Defence. Leo Kunnas highlighted the unique nature of the Defence League, which belongs to its members and the people, and the role of the collegial central bodies (the Central Assembly, the Central Board, the Council of Elders) in ensuring the organization's stability. Meelis Kiili, as the leading rapporteur, pointed out that during the process, solutions were sought instead of compromises, and he criticized the excessive control exerted over the Defence League compared to other public law organizations. Peeter Tali highlighted the practical benefits of the amendments, such as reducing bureaucracy, simplifying the handling of weapons, and increasing the quantity of ammunition permitted to be stored at home, all of which enhance Estonia's defense capability. After the closure of the debates, a final vote was held, resulting in Bill 335 being adopted as law with a large consensus.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 335 (The Act amending the Defence League Act and amending other related Acts) was passed as law with 69 votes in favor (there were no votes against or abstentions).
Most Active Speaker
Leo Kunnas (EKRE faction) was an active speaker who provided a thorough overview of the importance of the draft legislation and the role of the collegial central bodies of the Kaitseliit (Defence League) in ensuring the organization's stability. His position is better.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Bill 335, initiated by the Government, concerning the amendment of the Defence League Act and the amendment of other related acts, is at its third reading. I open the debate and invite Leo Kunnas to the Riigikogu rostrum.

Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Leo Kunnas stated that amending the Defence League Act is the National Defence Committee’s most crucial task. He added that the Defence League belongs to the Estonian people and its stability relies on the strong role of collegial central bodies, and he urged everyone to vote for the draft legislation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Thank you very much to Leo Kunnas for speaking on behalf of the EKRE faction. Next, Meelis Kiili is invited to the Riigikogu rostrum on behalf of the Reform Party faction.

Meelis Kiili
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Meelis Kiili thanked all parties, noting that the process had been professional and methodical, and that they had sought solutions, not compromises. He added that the amendments to the Defense League Act will make the organization more flexible, applicable, and resilient, but they do not solve all problems. They necessitate a comprehensive review of security risks and funding principles across the entire administrative domain, coupled with an understanding of the social maturity of senior leadership and the role of collegial bodies in national defense. This is a small step toward the broader objective of national defense.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks the colleague and calls upon Peeter Tali to the Riigikogu rostrum to speak on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction.

Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
According to Peeter Tali, while these legal amendments do not solve every problem, the draft legislation will reduce bureaucracy, strengthen the Defence League (Kaitseliit), and increase flexibility during times of crisis and war. This includes granting structural unit heads the authority to handle weapons, allowing the use of hunting firearms for fulfilling Defence League duties, simplifying health checks, and increasing the permitted ammunition reserves kept at home. He urged members of the Riigikogu to support these changes with the broadest possible consensus.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that there were no requests to speak and the debates would be closed; the lead committee wishes to hold the final vote on Draft Act 335 and begin preparations for the vote, and to put to the final vote the draft Act on the Amendment of the Defence League Act and Related Amendments to Other Acts, initiated by the Government of the Republic, asking the Riigikogu to take a position and vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
69 members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, there are no votes against and no abstentions, and Draft Bill 335 has been adopted as law.