Third Reading of the Draft Act on the Amendment of the Riigikogu Election Act and the Amendment of Other Related Acts (Bill 344 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Date: 2024-05-07 13:02
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 24
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 50m
AI Summaries: 24/24 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The first item on the agenda concerned the third reading of the draft act on amending the Riigikogu Election Act and related amendments to other acts. The bill addresses the organization of e- and m-voting and potential technological solutions to ensure transparency, legal clarity, and democratic confidence. It was emphatically highlighted that this is a matter of significant and constitutional importance, within the framework of which both technological and procedural aspects were discussed, followed by the subsequent supplementation of the legislation. The challenges discussed concerned election security, trust, and the technological environment under state control, including issues of facial recognition, redundant servers, application security, and the role of digital identity in e-voting.
The second part of the discussion focused on the prospect that the coalition is testing and focusing on the expansion of m-voting and the associated risks and responsibilities, which has generated a backlash from the opposition, particularly concerning secrecy, the existence of independent centers, and security measures against potential undue influence. Overall, the conviction was expressed that the bill specifies the regulatory framework, increases legal clarity, and adds critical oversight to the field, but despite this, the question arose whether the technical solution can offer the same level of control and security as current solutions.
Decisions Made 1
The Riigikogu adopted, based on the result of the final vote, the draft Act on the Amendment of the Riigikogu Election Act and Related Amendments to Other Acts (Bill 344). The voting result was: 57 in favour, 27 against, 0 abstentions. The bill has therefore been adopted as an Act.
Most Active Speaker
The most active participant in this session was Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, representing the Centre Party faction. She served as the primary representative and the initiator of key strategic addresses, and her involvement highlighted how the deliberations between the opposition and the ministers manifested when addressing various problems and procedural matters. Her political position is left-leaning (Centre Party), often favoring a strong central state role and social governance, while emphasizing the need to increase transparency and trust within the democratic system of governance.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Today we proceed to the first item on the session's agenda, which is the third reading of the draft Act on the Amendment of the Riigikogu Election Act and related Acts, initiated by the Government of the Republic, and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart of the Centre Party faction requested three additional minutes.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart claims that the draft bill concerning m-elections is aimed at restricting the opposition, fails to ensure sufficient security or transparency, violates the fundamental principles of democracy and the requirement for equal treatment, and consequently, the Centre Party will vote against it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the two recesses called during the second reading were for discussion and finding a solution within the Council of Elders, not a solo act by anyone, and he summoned Kalle Grünthal to the floor to explain on behalf of which faction or under whose authorization he was speaking.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal stated that the third reading of the bill amending the Riigikogu Election Act is constitutionally significant and forms the foundation for the governance of the entire state. He requested that all members of the Riigikogu should have the right to speak regarding constitutional laws, not just the representatives of factions and committees, in order to discuss the problematic aspects of the amendments.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the speech was not in compliance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, noted that only representatives of the factions may participate in the discussions during the third reading, and granted Mario Kadastik three minutes of additional time on behalf of the Reform Party faction.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The report emphasizes that Estonian e-voting is secure and verifiable through the use of digital identity and strong cryptography. It has been successful since 2005, with no serious incidents recorded. Furthermore, it provides a channel that allows voters, if necessary, to re-cast their vote or switch to traditional paper voting. Therefore, on behalf of the Reform Party, I call for support of this bill so that the legal framework is clarified and the system can be further developed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
It was a thank-you speech, during which Hendrik Johannes Terras, the representative on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction, requested an additional three minutes.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Eesti 200 faction supports the draft bill and stresses that updating the legislation will make the voter application compatible with Smart-ID as an identification tool. This moves us a step closer to mobile voting, reinforcing the security of the digital state and confirming its future-oriented development.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi gives thanks, and on behalf of the EKRE faction, Varro Vooglaid submits a request for additional time—three extra minutes.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid emphasizes that trust in the Estonian electoral system has declined, and introducing m-voting will not remedy this—it will only deepen the problem. Consequently, it is imperative to focus on strengthening honest, transparent, and verifiable elections, alongside democratic culture.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the speaker and yielded the floor to the Isamaa faction, where Helir-Valdor Seeder requested an extension of time. Isamaa was subsequently allocated three minutes.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder criticizes the constant changes being made to the election law, emphasizing that the differences between e-voting and paper voting create unequal representation and trust issues. He stresses the need for a comprehensive and auditable solution, which is why the Isamaa faction will not support this bill in the final vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi expresses his thanks, specifically mentioning Anastasia by name, and confirms her wish to take the floor for a response, asking Anastasia to reply.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart stated that the example of Ossinovski's elections demonstrates how paper ballots can conceal secret agreements, pressure on delegates, and a lack of voting secrecy. She added that e- or m-voting, even if conducted simultaneously in the same room, does not preclude or alter this subsequent verification and control.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker offers thanks, acknowledges the mention of EKRE, and invites Mart Helme to deliver a response speech.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme stated that the draft bill under consideration was processed unlawfully, violating both the working procedures and the house rules. Therefore, its adoption is not legitimate, and in the event of a change of power, it will be repudiated.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that he was closing the negotiations and that the final vote on Draft Bill 344 concerning the Riigikogu Election Act and related amendments would be held. He stressed the necessity of achieving a majority, asked everyone to take a position and vote, and then interrupted the voting process to address Kalle Grünthal.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal highlighted that Section 83 of the House Rules prohibits voicing opinions loudly in the chamber before a vote, noting that Jaak Aab had violated the rule, and requested that the point be reiterated.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced the final vote on Draft Act 344, concerning the Amendment of the Riigikogu Election Act and the Amendment of Other Related Acts, and asked members to state their position and cast their vote, after which he suspended the vote and gave the microphone to Erkki Keldo.
Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo thanks the esteemed Presiding Officer and notes that this is already the second time this has occurred in the chamber.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asks his colleagues for silence and rings the bell.
Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
She describes the loud uproar that was taking place in the hall and requests a proper call to order and absolute silence so that the vote can proceed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi requested silence during the vote, issued a two-minute call to the chamber, and put Bill 344, the Draft Act on the Amendment of the Riigikogu Election Act and Related Acts, to the final vote, asking everyone present to take a position and cast their vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu adopted Bill 344 as law: 57 in favor, 27 against, and 0 abstentions.