First reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Security Institutions Act (330 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session.
Date: 2024-05-09 00:44
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 8
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 13m
AI Summaries: 8/8 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the first reading of Draft Act 330, an initiative by the faction of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE) proposing amendments to the Security Agencies Act. The purpose of the draft act was to grant the Defence Forces Intelligence Centre the same rights and powers held by the Internal Security Service and the Foreign Intelligence Service, in order to strengthen counter-intelligence capabilities within the Defence Forces. Rapporteur Ants Frosch emphasized that the amendment was essential in a crisis situation, citing the support of the head of the Defence Forces Intelligence Centre, and criticized the government's irresponsible stance regarding the draft act.
The leading committee, the Constitutional Committee, proposed, based on the report by Hendrik Johannes Terras, that the draft act be rejected. This proposal was justified by the fact that the security situation had not significantly changed and the initiative came from politicians, not the agencies themselves. During the debates, Leo Kunnas supported the draft act, emphasizing the growth in the size of the defence forces during wartime and the need to enhance background checks and counter-intelligence to prevent Russia's hybrid attacks and the threat of internal conflict. During the vote, Draft Act 330 was rejected based on the leading committee's proposal and was dropped from the proceedings.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 330 (Draft Act on Amendments to the Security Authorities Act) was rejected during the first reading (41 votes for, 3 against) and consequently dropped from the legislative procedure.
Most Active Speaker
Leo Kunnas (EKRE faction) was an active speaker who presented a thorough strategic analysis regarding the necessity of the draft bill, linking it to the wartime expansion of the defense forces, the strengthening of counter-intelligence, and the deterrence of hybrid threats. His position is stronger.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced two long-awaited draft acts and invited Ants Frosh to the Riigikogu rostrum to speak on the occasion of the first reading of Draft Act 330, the bill initiated by the EKRE faction concerning the amendment of the Security Authorities Act.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch urged the Riigikogu to continue the proceedings of the draft bill, emphasizing that the Defence Forces Intelligence Centre must be granted the same rights as the Security Police Board and the Foreign Intelligence Service. He affirmed the necessity of this legislative amendment and promised, along with Leo Kunnas and Alar Laneman, to resubmit the bill if the government fails to support it or advance the proceedings.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
We extend our sincere thanks to the rapporteur. There are no questions, and now Hendrik Johannes Terras, the Chairman of the Steering Committee, will present the views of the Constitutional Committee.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Terras stated that the commission had discussed the draft legislation and decided to reject it, citing the necessity of updating the Electronic Communications Act, which has not been amended since 2008. He also stressed that the initiative originated with politicians, not the relevant agencies, and that security institutions and the Defence Forces Intelligence Centre conduct their work within the scope of current legislation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi offered his thanks and stated that there were no questions, opened the floor for debate, and on behalf of the EKRE faction, requested that Leo Kunnas take the floor.
Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Leo Kunnas stresses that this draft bill is crucial because military intelligence needs to be capable of conducting counterintelligence operations alongside the Security Police. Furthermore, background checks must be tightened up. This is critical for maintaining control over weapons should internal conflict arise under the conditions of Russia's hybrid warfare – and this work must be carried out within the defense forces, not externally, even though this is only the initial step.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that the steering committee wishes to reject Bill 330 at the first reading, and he asked his colleagues to vote in favor of this proposal and to begin preparations for the vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu voted 41 in favor, 3 against, and 0 abstentions, and consequently, Bill 330 was rejected during the first reading and dropped from the legislative procedure.