First Reading of the Bill to Amend the Police and Border Guard Act (370 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session.
Date: 2024-05-09 00:57
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 6
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 15m
AI Summaries: 6/6 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu today debated the first reading of Draft Act 370, initiated by Kalle Grünthal, concerning amendments to the Police and Border Guard Act. The central theme of the draft act is changing the wording of the police officer's oath to emphasize loyalty to the people and the constitutional order of the Republic of Estonia. This is supplemented by four important principles: adding the word "people" to the text of the oath; replacing the word "to be" with the expression "to remain committed"; adding the sentence "serving my people and state without sparing effort" to the end of the oath; and emphasizing the oath's connection to the constitutional order. He discussed the semiotic meaning and pointed out that the content of the oath must not remain merely a symbolic sign, but must function as a living primary indicator of obligation. The procedural side was addressed in the second part: the discussion highlighted the need to consider how the people and the constitutional order are precisely interconnected, and how, in the context of federalization, to ensure that the oath remains a guarantor of Estonian interests and the protection of the people.
Decisions Made 3
Inclusion of the draft bill on the agenda of the plenary session on April 3.
Motion to reject the bill (5 in favor, 3 opposed).
Anti Haugas has been appointed as the representative of the Steering Committee.
Most Active Speaker
The most active spokesperson was Kalle Grünthal, a member of the Riigikogu. The length of his appearance and his systematic presentation carried the bill into the first reading, and through the ensuing discussions, demonstrated his skill in clearly articulating his goals from a leadership position. Position: other (secondary) — he assumed a leadership role and presented the core problem and legal-political considerations, rather than representing a specific party position.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
We have reached the final item on today's agenda, which is the first reading of Bill 370 on the amendment of the Police and Border Guard Act, initiated by Riigikogu member Kalle Grünthal.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal introduced a draft bill to amend the police officer’s oath of office, which adds loyalty to the people and the constitutional order of the Republic of Estonia to the oath, and emphasizes the sovereignty of the people and the defense of the state. He highlighted four crucial changes: (1) the inclusion of the people, (2) the reference to the constitutional order of the Republic of Estonia, (3) replacing the word “olema” (to be) with “jääda” (to remain), and (4) the additional clause “serving my people and state without sparing effort.” Grünthal concluded by urging everyone to support the draft bill.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked the speaker for the thorough and substantive report, stated that there were no questions, and invited Anti Haugas, a member of the Legal Affairs Committee, to the Riigikogu rostrum to deliver his presentation.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Legal Affairs Committee discussed the draft legislation on March 19, 2024, emphasizing the goal of reducing the overall number of laws and the necessity of amending legislation only to solve a specific, urgent problem; concurrently, it was consensually decided to place the bill on the plenary session's agenda for April 3 and to propose rejecting the draft legislation (5 in favor, 3 against), and Anti Haugas was designated as the lead committee.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas announced that the debate would not be opened, and the main committee's proposal to reject Bill 370 at the first reading must be put to a vote.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
With 40 in favor, 3 against, and zero abstentions, Draft Bill 370 was rejected during its first reading and is consequently dropped from the proceedings. The consideration of the 14th item on the agenda was concluded, and the session ended.