Plenary Sessions

The Riigikogu debated the proposal by Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise to bring § 182 subsection 2 point 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) into compliance with the Constitution. The Chancellor of Justice pointed out that the current provision does not allow for a person's unavoidable expenses for food, medicine, and hygiene supplies to be taken into account when deciding on procedural assistance in non-contentious proceedings. This places the most vulnerable members of society (e.g., people with disabilities) in a situation where they must choose between the right to access the court and covering essential living costs, which conflicts with Article 15 of the Constitution.

Pipi-Liis Siemann, representative of the Constitutional Committee, announced that the committee supported the proposal by consensus, finding that although the Ministry of Justice believed the courts had sufficient discretion, the current wording of the law creates legal ambiguity and has led to unconstitutional situations. Andre Hanimägi, representative of the Legal Affairs Committee, highlighted that the discussion in their committee was tense, and opinions regarding the infringement of the Constitution diverged. The Legal Affairs Committee decided not to support the proposal (with 3 votes against and 2 in favor). However, during the plenary vote, the Chancellor of Justice's proposal found widespread support.

The second agenda item concerned the Chancellor of Justice's proposal to bring the regulation of the building exclusion zone in the Nature Conservation Act into compliance with the Constitution. Ülle Madise, the Chancellor of Justice, expanded the scope of the proposal so that the objective of coastal protection would not suffer, administrative costs would decrease, and the rights of landowners would not be unjustifiably restricted. The order of proceedings remained the same as in the first item, and the discussion of the proposal took place with representatives of the ministries, who assumed that the changes could be practically implementable and that the nature conservation objectives would be preserved.

During the discussion, it was pointed out that the list of exceptions was defined too restrictively, and the modern situation requires flexibility – for example, a sewer pipe, a culvert, and a small bridge, which would allow for, say, land or aquaculture or maintenance work, should not require a detailed zoning plan. The law lacks an exhaustive list of all exceptions, and there is a need for a simpler procedure; at the same time, it was emphasized that property rights may only be restricted in the public interest, and the restriction must be necessary and reasonable. Representatives of the Commission and the ministries confirmed that they have the desire and the plan to analyze this and, if necessary, expand the exceptions or allow the application for a one-time permit. Finally, the commission supported the Chancellor of Justice's proposal and decided to bring this matter into compliance with the Constitution and reduce administrative costs and the burden on owners, while continuing to fulfill nature conservation objectives.

The Riigikogu debated the proposal by Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise to bring the provisions of the Work Ability Allowance Act (TVS) into conformity with the Constitution. The Chancellor of Justice explained that the current law creates an unequal situation for people with no or partial work ability who receive a large final settlement upon termination of employment. Since the final settlement may include several months' pay (e.g., holiday pay or compensation), this temporarily raises the income above the allowance payment threshold, resulting in the work ability allowance being reduced or its payment being terminated. Madise assessed that this conflicts with Article 28 (2) and Article 12 (1) of the Constitution, citing an example where a disabled person consequently suffered a loss of 500 euros. Both the Constitutional Committee (represented by Katrin Kuusemäe) and the Social Affairs Committee (represented by Õnne Pillak) unanimously supported the Chancellor of Justice's proposal. Both committees emphasized that the vote concerned only supporting the proposal, not finding a specific solution. The Riigikogu supported the Chancellor of Justice's proposal in the vote and tasked the Social Affairs Committee with initiating the corresponding draft bill.

At the current sitting, the discussion commenced on the second reading of Draft Act 400, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Motor Insurance Act and related amendments to other Acts. Mario Kadastik, the rapporteur of the Economic Affairs Committee, provided an overview of the bill's proceedings following the first reading, noting that by the deadline for amendments, two proposals had been received from the Centre Party faction, which focused on the provisions for compensating non-pecuniary damage. The leading committee reviewed a total of 17 amendments. Most of these (1–7, 9–13, 15–17) were proposals by the leading committee itself and received full support. It was decided to disregard proposals Nos. 8 and 14 from the Centre Party faction, although, according to Kadastik, the substantive issues raised had been resolved. Following the review of the amendments and the absence of debate, the leading committee decided to conclude the second reading of the bill and refer it to the third reading on June 12.

The agenda item concerned the third reading of Bill 398, the Cryptocurrency Asset Market Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic. During the debates, the opposition factions expressed strong opposition to the bill, criticizing its negative impact on the Estonian business environment and the crypto sector. Andrei Korobeinik (Centre Party) emphasized that the new regulation makes Estonia unattractive for crypto firms and deepens bureaucracy by requiring companies to repeatedly submit data, which contradicts the government's promises. He also linked the bill to the government's broader economic policy mistakes.

Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa/Fatherland) primarily used his speaking time to protest the next agenda item, the car tax bill, accusing the government of unconstitutional activity and violating procedural norms, and calling on people to protest at the elections. Varro Vooglaid (EKRE) supported the criticism of the crypto sector, highlighting that the bill requires a new full-scale licensing procedure upon takeover by the Financial Supervision Authority in 2026, which destroys Estonia's reputation as an IT state and scares away investments. Following a short recess requested by the Deputy Chairman of the Finance Committee, the final vote was conducted, resulting in the bill being adopted as law.

The second item on the agenda concerned the second reading of Draft Law 364 on the Motor Vehicle Tax Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic. The objective of the draft law was to establish a motor vehicle tax (annual tax) together with a registration fee, which is expected to accrue to the state budget starting from 2025, and which would direct consumption and vehicle choice toward vehicles with a lower pollution burden. The core mechanism of the draft law consisted of two components: (1) an annual tax paid yearly by the owner of the motor vehicle, and (2) a registration fee upon the vehicle's first import into the country or upon its first alienation. The study, inclusion exercise, and expert opinions highlighted several nuances: European Union requirements for equal treatment and tax concessions for disabled persons and families; age coefficients and depreciation mechanisms concerning the registration fee; exceptions pertaining to vehicles of cultural value and museum-type cars; and the alleged need for alignment with the European Commission's remarks. The Finance Committee worked on the draft law during ten sessions and organized a consultation meeting with the assistance of the Rural Affairs Committee, where interest groups and organizations presented their opinions. A significant part of the procedure involved the notification of technical standards and the discussion of European Union legal compliance issues, including remarks concerning the registration fee's connection to Article 110 and potential discrimination. The biggest change to the draft law after the first reading was the extension of the registration fee to the first change of ownership, which meant an expansion of the existing tax base; simultaneously, mechanisms for the depreciation and refund of the registration fee were agreed upon if the vehicle is taken out of the country. During the consultation meeting, opinions were raised by the Environment, Social Affairs, and Culture Committees, and these were taken into account in shaping the draft law. Finally, the Finance Committee agreed that for the second reading of the draft law, the principles of review and the consolidation of amendments must be addressed paragraph by paragraph; 831 amendments were channeled into 19 binding proposals, and many others were disregarded. Procedurally, it was decided to conclude the submission deadline for other types of amendments and to set the final vote for the second reading of the draft law on June 12, 2024. In summary, the agenda item involved a complex, cooperative, and technical procedure aimed at a nuanced balancing of the viewpoints of various interest groups and the consideration of European legal requirements.

The third item on the agenda was the second reading of Draft Act 417, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the State Fees Act and related amendments to other acts. The core focus of the draft was the reduction of state fee rates, and furthermore, during its consideration at the committee sessions, there was an opportunity to discuss related amendments submitted by the Isamaa and Centre Party parliamentary groups, as well as professional associations such as the Estonian Hunters' Society and the Estonian Association of Weapon Owners. The Riigikogu also reviewed the state fee rates for the expedited application for passports and ID cards, marriage registration, and citizenship applications, as well as considerations regarding certain commercial interests and security issues, including weapons permits and related procedures. Questions were asked and various viewpoints were expressed – primarily emphasizing that when planning the fee rates, the actual cost must be taken into account, and excessive burden on citizens must be avoided, especially concerning minors, pensioners, and disabled people.

The Board discussed the second reading of Draft Bill 415, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Penal Code and related amendments to other acts (increase of the fine unit). The rapporteur presenting the matter was Vilja Toomast, a member of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu. The Committee reviewed four opinions and discussed four amendments proposed by the Center Party faction; the Committee itself made one amendment, and following deliberations, it was stated whether or not the draft bill would be merged with the proposed amendments to other acts. The general objective of the discussion was to assess the size and criteria of the fine unit, and whether or not additional amendments and restrictions are necessary.

This agenda item addressed the second reading of Draft Law 376 on credit collection agencies and purchasers, initiated by the Government of the Republic. Eduard Odinets, Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee, presented a comprehensive report, explaining that this is an entirely new law which subjects credit collection agencies and debt buyers to the supervision of the Financial Supervisory Authority. The draft law regulates only those collection firms that deal with the recovery of debts arising from loans provided by banks and other credit providers. The Committee discussed the preparation of the draft law over four sessions, extensively involving stakeholders, including courts, banking associations, and the Data Protection Inspectorate.

The main topics of discussion concerned the scope of documentation that the credit provider must hand over to the collection firm upon transferring a claim, in order to prove the analysis of the consumer's creditworthiness, while simultaneously avoiding the disclosure of business secrets. Ultimately, a compromise was reached that satisfied all parties. The Committee decided to leave more complex topics unresolved within the framework of the current draft law, such as lowering the total cost rate of credit and restricting nighttime lending, postponing these issues for discussion in future draft laws (e.g., the positive credit register and the transposition of the consumer directive). The Legal Affairs Committee submitted and fully accounted for 16 amendments, and the second reading was concluded by consensus.

This agenda item concerns the second reading of Draft Act 413, amending the Security Activities Act, initiated by the Legal Affairs Committee. Anti Haugas, a member of the Legal Affairs Committee, will present the report before the Riigikogu. His presentation will summarize the committee's work guidelines and the background process of the draft act. The draft act is in compliance with the opinions provided by the Data Protection Inspectorate, based on which three amendments were made: one technical and two substantive, which clarify the text, including the distinction between clauses 7 and 7(1) of subsection 1 of § 10, and the grounds for the use, retention, and deletion of recordings in misdemeanor proceedings. The amendments made for the second reading do not change the core substance of the draft act but make the text clearer. The leading committee announced that the draft act will be added to the plenary agenda on June 5th, sent for a third reading, and, if necessary, added to the agenda on June 12th. All decisions were unanimous.

The agenda item was the second reading of Draft Act 436, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Aviation Act. The report was presented by Andres Sutt, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee, who explained that the committee discussed the draft act on June 3rd and adopted five amendments of a technical nature. The only extended discussion concerned the interrelation between the minister's directive and the Transport Administration's application decision, a matter which was successfully clarified. The lead committee decided by consensus to propose concluding the second reading and submitting the draft act for the final vote on June 12th.

Following the report, the discussions were immediately opened and closed, as there were no speakers. Subsequently, five amendments submitted by the Economic Affairs Committee were reviewed, the adoption of which the committee fully supported. Since all the amendments had been reviewed and adopted, the second reading of Draft Act 436 was concluded at the proposal of the lead committee.

The agenda item concerned the second reading of Draft Act 356, initiated by the Government of the Republic, on the amendment of the Energy Sector Organization Act and other acts. The report was presented by Mario Kadastik, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee (Isamaa faction). The first reading took place on March 5–6; the deadline for amendments was March 20, and the committee and the Ministry of Climate drafted some of the amendments based on the opinions received. A total of 20 amendments were processed, which were discussed during the sittings held on May 30 and June 3. The primary focus was on the new amendments drafted based on the received opinions and on making procedural decisions regarding the organization of the continuation of the second reading.

The next item on the agenda is the Riigikogu debate on the second reading of Draft Law 429, initiated by the Valepartei Party, concerning amendments to the Traffic Act and the Police and Border Guard Act. The objective of the draft law is to introduce changes to the regulations in this field and thereby incorporate both traffic management and procedural provisions concerning parking and the involvement of other pedestrians. The first reading took place on May 15th, and one amendment proposal was received by May 22nd, followed by discussions based on experiences and the viewpoints of various parties. The Economic Affairs Committee convened to discuss the draft law on May 28th and June 3rd, and all parties were heard, with particular attention paid to the issue of parking on sidewalks. Eight amendment proposals were submitted, one of which was presented by a member of the Riigikogu, and its substance was substantially taken into account. Several procedural decisions have been made, and the leading committee has recommended concluding the second reading and proceeding to the third reading, conducting the final vote if necessary. It is also evident that the draft law in question requires specific actions and the scheduling of future sittings. Overall, it appears that the discussion is gradually moving into the final phase, where the conclusion of the second reading opens the way for subsequent steps, but the final results depend on further proceedings.

The agenda item concerned the first reading of Bill 443, the draft act amending the Income Tax Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic. The objective of the bill is to alleviate regional inequality in Estonia, where high-paying jobs and wealth are primarily concentrated in Harju and Tartu counties, leaving local governments (LG) in peripheral areas in a difficult financial situation. Regional Minister Piret Hartman explained that since it is not possible to significantly increase the equalization fund due to the state budget deficit, a mechanism for redistributing income tax is proposed. This involves the gradual increase of the portion of income tax allocated from the state pension of a resident natural person and the reduction of the portion allocated from other taxable income, until both portions are equal (10.23%) by 2027. This should expand the revenue base of those local governments that have a larger elderly population and a lower average income.

Madis Kallas, representative of the Finance Committee, confirmed that the committee considered the bill extremely important and received exhaustive answers from ministry officials regarding the involvement and the impacts of the funding model. During negotiations, Anti Allas, speaking on behalf of the Social Democratic Party faction, supported the bill, emphasizing its necessity for maintaining the capacity of local governments to provide minimum services. The first reading was concluded, and the deadline for submitting amendments was set for the end of June.

The first reading of Draft Act 428, initiated by the Government of the Republic, amending the Accounting Act, is on the agenda of the Riigikogu. The objective of the draft act is to improve the use of e-invoices and reduce the obstacles in the private sector that hinder the wider adoption of e-invoices. The draft act eliminates the double standards between Estonian and European e-invoices, retaining only the European standard. Furthermore, the obligation to always submit only e-invoices to public sector entities is abolished, but at the same time, the right is established to require the seller to submit e-invoices to those accounting entities who are registered as e-invoice recipients in the Commercial Register, covering all public sector entities.

The direction of procedural activities has been approved in the discussion: the Economic Affairs Committee dealt with the draft act during two sittings (on May 14 and 27). On May 27, a procedural decision was made to place the draft act on the plenary agenda on June 5, 2024, and to propose concluding the first reading. Finally, negotiations are opened, and the proposal of the lead committee is to conclude the first reading, resulting in the following confirmations regarding deadlines and the conclusion of the proceedings: the deadline for submitting amendments is June 20 at 17:15, and the processing of the agenda item is concluded.

The first reading of Draft Bill 434 concerns the government-initiated amendments to the Income Tax Act and the Mandatory Funded Pensions Act, focusing on updating the regulatory framework for investment accounts. The main objectives are to increase flexibility and take into account the needs of small investors: the list of financial assets eligible for the investment account is expanding, and the account can now be opened not only with a bank but also with an investment firm, a payment institution, and an e-money institution. The list of assets is being expanded to include covered bonds, regulated crowdfunding, and regulated crypto assets. Retroactive provisions are also planned starting from the beginning of 2024, and the provisions related to crypto assets will enter into force on January 1, 2025. The draft bill involves discussion and committee work, a proposal for the plenary session on June 5th, and the conclusion of the first reading, along with deadlines and subsequent agenda items.

The Riigikogu session began with a procedural question regarding the whereabouts of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, to which it was answered that she was on a foreign visit to Norway. Discussion then moved to the question raised by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna (acting as Prime Minister) and Riigikogu member Vadim Belobrovtsev concerning Estonia-Georgia relations, which focused on Tsahkna’s participation in an anti-government demonstration in Tbilisi on May 15.

Belobrovtsev (pid: TqT5YjnBr0U) asked whether the Foreign Minister’s conduct, where he joined and spoke at an anti-government demonstration, was appropriate and whether it did not constitute interference in Georgia’s internal affairs. Tsahkna defended his actions, explaining that it was a joint visit by the Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Iceland, necessitated by the Georgian government’s significant deviation from the promises given to the European Union, especially concerning the adoption of the so-called foreign agents law. Tsahkna emphasized that the Georgian government had spread misinformation, suggesting that EU ministers supported their actions, which is why a public appearance at the demonstration was the only possible step to support the Georgian people's pro-European direction and refute the falsehood. Lauri Laats (pid: dCJrTlUxNYA) accused Tsahkna of exceeding his diplomatic mandate and rendering the Estonian government untrustworthy. Tsahkna responded that the situation in Georgia is a broader European Union issue and mentioned that the EU and the USA are considering sanctions against the Georgian government, affirming that his actions were correct and necessary.

This section of the agenda addresses tax policy and the challenging situation of the state budget. Helir-Valdor Seeder directed a question, arising from the external environment, to Prime Minister Margus Tsahkna, focusing on the government’s austerity policy and the issue of credibility. Essentially, concerns were raised regarding the gap between the coalition’s promises and its actual deeds: the alleged drastic cuts to support reforms for families with children, the abolition of income tax exemption for pensions, and the overall transparency of budget policy. The debate also touched upon the car tax issue and the coalition’s current predicament, where across-the-board cuts and a review of state governance expenditures appear unavoidable. Instead of making decisions, the focus shifted to a discussion on how to improve financing in a difficult economic climate and restore trust in the Riigikogu and the government.

This agenda item addressed Prime Minister Kaja Kallas’s visit to the Bilderberg meeting held in Spain (May 30 – June 2). Riigikogu member Arvo Aller questioned Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna (who was substituting for the Prime Minister) on whether Kallas participated in the meeting as a government representative or in a private capacity. He also criticized the secrecy surrounding the Bilderberg Group meetings, referencing the Chatham House Rule and speculations regarding the establishment of a new world order.

Minister Tsahkna defended the Prime Minister’s participation, stressing that it represented recognition for Estonian foreign policy and that such high-level, confidential discussions are vital for shaping Estonia’s security and foreign policy amidst the current complex geopolitical situation. He confirmed that Kallas attended as Prime Minister, though he failed to clarify whether her time was officially registered as vacation or work time. Subsequently, Helle-Moonika Helme posed a follow-up question, criticizing the participation of the leader of a sovereign state in "secret meetings" and voicing concern that non-governmental organizations are directing Estonian policy. This led to a sharp political confrontation with Tsahkna, who accused Helme’s party of promoting Kremlin narratives and advocating for policies that restrict freedom—an accusation which Helme, in turn, categorically denied.

The fourth item on the agenda was presented to the Riigikogu concerning healthcare issues. The discussion focused on the shortage of medical specialists in Ida-Virumaa and the overtime coefficients used by hospitals, which are coordinated long-term between the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) and the hospitals themselves. The coronavirus crisis often limited the availability of specialists, and now, against the backdrop of a recovery that has seemingly taken hold over the past two years, the number of patient visits has grown significantly. Simultaneously, the hospital network has had to continue providing treatment according to contractual terms, which include coefficients of 0.7 for outpatient services and 0.3 for inpatient care. If the volume is exceeded, variable costs—primarily labor compensation—are covered, but fixed costs must remain within the contractual limits. The need for short- and medium-term financing amounting to 30–50 million euros has been highlighted to ensure the sustainability of medical services and prevent mandatory furloughs in December. Furthermore, the impact of the aging population was acknowledged, along with the resulting need to increase the volume of services due to varying demand growth across different regions.

The first item on the agenda addresses Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna carrying out the duties of the Prime Minister, and provides a general overview of the activities of the government and the Prime Minister. The question posed by Riigikogu member Aleksandr Tšaplõgin focused on participation in the Bilderberg meeting, specifically whether Kaja Kallas informed the government about the discussions and what obligations she committed the Estonian state to. This brought to the forefront a discussion regarding transparency, accountability for decisions, and the definition of the country's position within the foreign policy context.

The seventh question addressed tax policy, with Riigikogu member Mart Maastik presenting the corresponding answers and intentions to Riina Sikkut. The discussion primarily centered on the interplay between the potential introduction of a car tax and the "tax wedge" (progressive income tax) concerning low-wage earners and families, as well as the differences within the coalition regarding the proposed amendments. Isamaa and the Social Democrats highlighted their mutual disagreements: the coalition is attempting to alleviate income inequality while simultaneously ensuring budget sustainability, a goal that occasionally leads to the restructuring of tax issues, such as the minimum wage increase and the consideration of a car tax. The second part focused attention on the income tax exemption for the average old-age pension and its effect on pensioners, stressing the necessity of balancing incomes and ensuring the fairness of the tax system for the lowest-income segment of the population.

The agenda item was the third reading of Draft Act 390, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Information Society Service Act, the Copyright Act, and the Taxation Procedure Act. Following the introduction of the agenda item, discussions were opened, but as no requests to speak were submitted, the chairman of the session quickly closed them. Upon the proposal of the leading committee, the final vote on the draft act was held. Sixty-six members of the Riigikogu participated in the vote: 61 voted in favor of adopting the draft act, 3 voted against, and 2 abstained. Draft Act 390 was adopted as law. The chairman of the session subsequently justified the need for the customary two-minute waiting period before final votes, explaining that it ensures the participation of all members.

The sitting focused on the third reading and final vote of Draft Act 401, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Health Services Organization Act and other acts. Tanel Kiik (Social Democratic Party) and Liisa-Ly Pakosta (Eesti 200) spoke during the discussions. Tanel Kiik emphasized the continuity of health policy and welcomed the changes accompanying the draft act, such as replacing the term "general medical care" with the clearer term "family doctor care," establishing new grounds for reorganizing patient lists, and introducing the concept of a health centre into the law. He also highlighted amendments concerning the powers of the State Agency of Medicines regarding the distribution of medicinal products without a marketing authorization.

Liisa-Ly Pakosta focused on the amendment proposals introduced by the Eesti 200 faction, which stipulate the establishment of levies on tobacco producers and sellers. She emphasized that Estonia had been the only EU country where such fees were absent, and that they are necessary for tobacco producers to cover part of the health damages caused by nicotine, which constitute 6–15% of the state's healthcare costs. Following the discussions, the final vote was conducted, as a result of which the draft act was adopted as law.

Within the framework of the agenda item, the third reading and final vote of Bill 416, initiated by the Government of the Republic concerning the amendment of the Income Tax Act, took place. The objective of the bill was to tax the portion of the pension exceeding the average pension, which sparked an extremely sharp debate in the Riigikogu. Opposition parliamentary groups (Centre Party, EKRE, Isamaa) expressed strong opposition, accusing the coalition of breaking election promises and undermining the state's credibility. Andrei Korobeinik (Centre Party) and Arvo Aller (EKRE) emphasized that the bill targets the poorest segments of the population, especially pensioners, while the government refuses to tax the excessive profits of banks. Helir-Valdor Seeder (Isamaa) highlighted that the coalition agreement had clearly promised to keep the average old-age pension income tax-free, calling the government's action a "brutal cut" at the expense of families with children and pensioners.

Õnne Pillak (Reform Party), speaking on behalf of the coalition, defended the bill, refuting claims of pension cuts and highlighting the substantial pension increases of recent years. She admitted that freezing the income tax-free minimum is not ideal but considered it a necessary step for organizing state finances and ensuring future pension growth. The debate concluded with mutual accusations of lying and procedural questions. Bill 416 was adopted in the final vote with 47 votes in favor.

The Riigikogu debated the first reading of Bill 426, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Emergency Act and related acts. The primary objective of the bill is the transposition of the European Parliament and Council's CER Directive (Critical Entities Resilience Directive) into Estonian law to ensure the continuity of operations (resilience) of vital service providers (ETO) in all situations. Prime Minister Kaja Kallas introduced the bill, noting that Estonia’s existing regulation has served as a model, meaning only the minimally necessary requirements from the directive are being adopted. The amendments expand the scope of ETOs by adding six new services (e.g., airports, general practitioner care, supply of medicines and food), increasing the number of ETOs by 315 enterprises. Significant amendments stipulate the obligation for the Government Office to prepare a nationwide risk analysis and a continuity strategy, which must be completed by the beginning of 2025. Furthermore, ETOs are required to conduct background checks on individuals working in critical positions.
Kristo Enn Vaga, a member of the National Defence Committee, provided an overview of the committee’s discussion, which included addressing the status of the Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) as an ETO; the committee decided to meet separately with ERR representatives on Thursday regarding this matter. Despite some questions (e.g., funding for road maintenance and the involvement of the Social Affairs Committee), the leading committee proposed concluding the first reading of the bill, emphasizing the urgent deadline for transposing the directive (October 17, 2024).

The agenda item was the first reading of Draft Resolution 446 of the Riigikogu, "Appointment of a Riigikogu Member to the Council of the Bank of Estonia," submitted by the Finance Committee. In her presentation, Annely Akkermann, Chairman of the Finance Committee (pid: k0Ufu5ZaBxk), explained that the submission of the draft was necessitated by the resignation on February 26 of Anti Allas, a member of the Council of the Bank of Estonia nominated by the Social Democratic Party faction. The Social Democratic Party faction proposed appointing Riigikogu member Ester Karuse to the Council in Allas's stead. Karuse confirmed that she meets the requirements stipulated by law. In accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, the draft was debated in a single reading. Since no questions or debates were opened, the final vote was held immediately. The draft resolution was adopted with 52 votes in favor, and the decision enters into force on July 1 of the current year.

Today's agenda item concerned the first reading of Draft Resolution 445 of the Riigikogu decision, titled "Appointment of a Riigikogu Member to the Council of the Bank of Estonia." The proposal submitted by the EKRE faction is to appoint Riigikogu member Rene Kokk to the Council of the Bank of Estonia following the resignation of Jaak Valge, which was announced on February 5. The Finance Committee discussed the proposal during its session on May 27 and decided to submit the draft resolution for proceedings in the Riigikogu. The draft resolution will be debated in a single reading; adoption requires a majority of affirmative votes; the planned effective date is June 12. Discussions were held, no amendments were submitted, and the final vote will be conducted by secret ballot. Draft Resolution 445 was adopted with 55 votes in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstentions. The session has concluded and the agenda is exhausted.

The core of the current day's proceedings was the motion of no confidence against the Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology, Tiit Riisalo, which was followed by presentations from the rapporteur and the Minister himself speaking from the Riigikogu podium. The motion of no confidence was submitted on behalf of the Center Party and EKRE, and its initial presentation was given by Riigikogu member Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart. The debates covered a wide range of topics: accountability and transparency in economic policy, the interplay between the budget and tax policy, the implementation of investments and the government's expenditure policy, cooperation with the private sector and large enterprises, and the impact of e-state solutions and digital state development plans on the competitiveness of businesses. Alongside the rhetoric, questions were raised regarding data protection, declaration of interests, anti-corruption obligations, and potential conflicts of interest among state officials, including political implications. The day concluded with a vote on the motion of no confidence: the result announced was that no confidence was expressed, and Minister Riisalo continues in office.

This agenda item addressed Riigikogu Inquiry No. 629 concerning the handling of the Platform Work Directive. The questioners emphasized the directive’s substance and its effect on tens of thousands of Estonian residents, and inquired why Estonia failed to support the directive in the initial vote, as well as the nature and transparency of Bolt’s lobbying activities. The debate raised questions regarding lobbying registers and the prevention of conflicts of interest within ministries, as well as previous volumes of information and data points that had been covered in the media. Furthermore, the discussion touched upon the Bolt stock options associated with Sandra Särav, the protection of state interests when they clash with the commercial interests of private companies, and the overarching question of how the state plans to resolve such situations uniformly and fairly in the future.

A second major focal point was the issue of transparency and democratic oversight concerning the relationship between the questioners and the government: specifically, what procedures the ministry has in place to ensure lobbying transparency, whether meetings with lobbyists have occurred without being recorded in the register, and how national interests are affected in conjunction with private interests when coalition partners and corporations are interconnected. Finally, Minister Tiit Riisalo presented his answers to the eight questions, and the discussion revealed the steps the government plans to take to ensure lawful and transparent action in regulating platform work, and how subsequent issues related to the prevention of conflicts of interest will be addressed.

Under the third item on the agenda, the first reading of Riigikogu Draft Resolution 395, submitted by the Isamaa faction, was discussed. The objective of the draft resolution is to firmly express Estonia's international position and to direct the government not to recognize the results of the presidential elections of the Russian Federation, citing the non-free nature of the elections and their conduct in annexed territories, as well as the desire to form a common position among European and neighboring states. The debate addressed both the legal landscape and the diplomatic ramifications, as well as the potential impact of the resolution on the status of the head of state, the continuation of diplomatic relations, and the recommended stances of international organizations.

The second part of the discussion touched upon the practical aspects concerning both the legitimacy of the Russian elections and the ongoing organization of relations with Russia. It was noted that the European Union and other Western countries, unlike some other states, have previously shown varying positions, either leniently or openly. Questions raised by the speakers included the reliability of e-voting and the impact of the Venice Commission's assessments on the diplomatic steps taken by states. Ultimately, the plan to issue a directive to the government not to recognize the results of the aforementioned elections was confirmed, followed by preparations for the final vote, in order to explicitly address Estonia's position in the international context.

The first reading of the Riigikogu decision, titled "Proposal to the Government of the Republic to implement effective measures to protect minors from exposure to pornography," was presented. The bill was submitted by the faction of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE), and Varro Vooglaid was present as its representative. The aim of the bill is to restrict pornographic material freely available to minors and to find national measures that would reduce minors' exposure to pornography and its harmful effects. Simultaneously, possible technical and legal solutions were discussed, and it was emphasized that the current legal framework prevails at the European Union level, but Estonia must act on the basis of its national responsibility until pan-European solutions come into force.

In the discussions related to safeguards and the legal framework, a compromise was reached that the bill should proceed to the plenary session for final discussion and a final vote. At the same time, various technical solutions and measures were highlighted that could improve the protection of minors, and work must continue to genuinely bring the situation into compliance with the law. Finally, three important collegial decisions were made, and the position was that the bill could not proceed to the final vote.

The agenda item was Riigikogu Draft Resolution 396, submitted by the faction of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE), which proposed that the Government of the Republic revoke the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' decision regarding the closure of the Consulate of the Republic of Estonia in San Francisco. The rapporteur, Anti Poolamets (EKRE), stressed the vital necessity of the consulate for business diplomacy, developing economic relations, and serving Estonians residing on the US West Coast. He highlighted that closing the consulate would be detrimental to preserving Estonian identity and culture (*eestlus*) and would harm Estonia's reputation and visibility. Poolamets referenced a petition bearing 1,000 signatures, submitted by the Estonian National Committee in the United States, which demanded the retention of both the San Francisco and New York consulates, emphasizing their role in maintaining long-term ties with the US Congress and Senate. He also underscored the historical and symbolic value of the Consulate General in New York as a symbol of the continuity of the Republic of Estonia. On behalf of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Juku-Kalle Raid introduced the procedure for handling the draft resolution, noting that the committee had decided to send the draft to the final vote. No debate took place, and the draft resolution was put to a vote.

The item on the agenda was Draft Resolution 331 of the Riigikogu, submitted by the parliamentary group of the Estonian Conservative People's Party, which proposed that the Government of the Republic be mandated to oblige all reservists to permanently keep firearms at home along with a considerable quantity of ammunition. The rapporteur, Leo Kunnas, explained that although the wording of the draft resolution referred to all reservists, the actual goal was to create a system for reservists assigned to wartime positions, citing the precedents of the Defence League (Kaitseliit), Israel, and Switzerland. Kunnas conceded that implementing the system would require extensive preparatory work, including more thorough background checks (mental health, criminal background, loyalty) and changes to the legal framework. Enn Eesmaa, presenting the report on behalf of the National Defence Committee, confirmed that, according to the assessments of both the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior, the implementation of the draft resolution would necessitate extensive amendments to current legislation, particularly the military service and firearms acts. The Committee also drew attention to the imprecision of the term "reservist." Following the discussion, during which no debate was opened, the final vote on the draft resolution was held. Draft Resolution 331 was rejected, garnering only 13 votes in favor.

Under the first agenda item, the topic of the national debt burden and the long-term sustainability of state finances were discussed under the theme "How can a state avoid living on credit?" The session featured presentations by Annely Akkermann, Chairman of the Finance Committee; Gunnar Okk, Vice President of the Nordic Investment Bank; Ülo Kaasik, Vice President of the Bank of Estonia; and academician Urmas Varblane. Following their presentations, a Q&A session was held, and representatives of the parliamentary groups were given the opportunity to speak. Negotiations followed, and the initiator requested that the session be extended until the end of the sitting or at least until 2:00 PM, should the exhaustion of the agenda require it. The vote on the extension yielded a positive result, after which the discussion continued, focusing on considering possibilities for cost and revenue savings and the role of investment in stimulating the economy. In summary, the focus was placed on the risks associated with debt growth, the need for international experience, and consensus in formulating long-term economic policy. The final note of the session involved a broader consideration of balancing budgetary rules and investments, and the inclusion of local and international mechanisms.

The first reading of Draft Act 437, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Land Tax Act, was presented to the Riigikogu. The aim of the draft act is to increase the autonomy of local governments in determining the size and growth limits of the land tax, and to create a more flexible framework that takes regional differences into account. It stipulates that starting from 2025, the maximum rate based on the taxable value of residential land will increase from 0.5% to 1%, and for other land, from 1% to 2%; the maximum rate for agricultural land will remain at 0.5%. Starting from 2026, local governments will be able to decide the annual growth limit, ranging from 10% to 100% of the previous year's land tax, and the area-based exemption will be replaced by a sum-based exemption between 5 and 1000 euros; the exemption for elderly homeowners will be retained. The draft act also includes some clarifications regarding the tax exemption for land under public buildings owned by the state, and emphasizes that it is possible at the local level to better assess regional needs and maintain an optimal tax burden.

The Riigikogu debated the first reading of the Act on Amendments to the Child Protection Act and other acts (Draft 427 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The central objective of the draft legislation is to improve the field of child protection: enhancing the system for identifying children in need of assistance, establishing clearer grounds for data usage and exchange, and fostering better networks among specialists to ensure that support reaches children requiring aid more quickly. Furthermore, the bill provides for automatic data exchange between the health and social systems, along with proactive assistance from local governments and the Social Insurance Board to families raising a child who requires support due to a specific health condition. Budgetary matters are addressed with the involvement of ESF (European Social Fund) resources, and the entry into force is scheduled for January 1, 2025.

Bill 431 – First reading in the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) of the Riigikogu decision “Supporting the Introduction of Nuclear Energy in Estonia.” The core of the agenda is the decision to grant a mandate to establish a phase: a planning framework and regulatory basis for potential nuclear energy, which would later allow for the consideration and evaluation of the introduction of nuclear energy in Estonia. Representatives emphasize that this is a technology-neutral and regulatory framework that must adhere to international standards (including IAEA) and ensure safety. Furthermore, the necessity of establishing a regulator, the distribution of jurisdictions and responsibilities, and potential economic and social impacts are being discussed. The presenters of the bill are listened to attentively, and the discussion covers both the technical and political aspects, as well as issues requiring public debate, such as the cost to buyers, state participation, and consumer interests.

This agenda item addresses the third reading of Draft Act 389 on amending the 2024 State Budget Act. The objective is to make changes to the distribution of budget funds that do not increase the overall volume but enable the minimum salary threshold for teachers to be raised to 1,820 euros, involving the redirection of 9.27 million euros of related funding from the local government support fund. Additionally, the draft act allocates 20 million euros to the endowment capital of the Rural Development Foundation (Maaelu Edendamise Sihtasutus) for the agricultural land capital lease measure. This measure is intended to help businesses improve access to capital and mitigate the consequences arising from the economic crisis. A second amendment permits the Ministry of Defence and its subordinate agencies to transfer defense-related assets and supplies to EU and NATO partner countries within the framework of interstate defense cooperation, specifically including Moldova and Ukraine. The third amendment accelerates the law's entry into force to the day following its publication in the State Gazette (Riigi Teataja), ensuring teachers can implement the salary adjustments before the summer break. The commission reached a consensus decision to move the draft act to the Riigikogu plenary session, conclude the third reading, and hold the final vote; the law was adopted with the required majority of affirmative votes. Discussions during the debate focused on the sustainability of teachers' salary requirements, the readiness of local governments to commit, and the impact of the budget status on the broader educational landscape.

The next item on the agenda addressed the Centre Party faction's draft resolution of the Riigikogu, Draft No. 406, titled "Proposal to the Government of the Republic to reduce the VAT on domestic fruits and vegetables to 5 percent." Riigikogu member Aleksandr Tšaplõgin was appointed as the rapporteur. The aim of the draft was to promote a healthy lifestyle and strengthen the position of local producers by offering a reduced VAT rate for local fruits and vegetables. Concurrently, several alternatives were presented, such as excise duties and tax incentives, which could potentially cover the budget deficit and influence consumption. Furthermore, the discussion highlighted the experiences of Latvia and Lithuania. During the debate, questions were raised regarding the source of funding, the impact on consumers, and the socio-economic consequences. Various viewpoints were collected from both the coalition and the opposition.

The item on the agenda addressed the draft resolution of the Riigikogu submitted by the Estonian Centre Party faction, titled "Proposal to the Government of the Republic for the implementation of a digital services tax in Estonia." The initiator of the draft, Andrei Korobeinik (Centre Party), emphasized that the digital tax is necessary because large global technology firms (e.g., Facebook, Google) earn significant profits in Estonia from the sale of advertising and services, transferring that profit out of the country without paying taxes in Estonia. Korobeinik offered the digital tax (which would bring an estimated 7 million euros annually into the state budget) as a fairer alternative to the government's plans to tax poorer population groups, such as pensioners. He noted that since international solutions (OECD, EU) have stalled, Estonia should follow the example of France and impose the tax unilaterally. Jürgen Ligi (Reform Party), representing the Finance Committee, criticized the initiator of the draft for insufficient handling of the topic and failing to clarify the technical details of the tax. Ligi confirmed that there was no ideological disagreement within the committee, but Estonia's position is not to impose a tax that is difficult to manage alone on a small market, but rather to wait for an international solution. A sharp procedural dispute followed between Korobeinik and Ligi regarding the content and tone of the committee's report. During the negotiations, the draft was supported by EKRE (Siim Pohlak) and the Centre Party (Lauri Laats), who accused the government of protecting the interests of large corporations. In the final vote, the draft was rejected.

The subsequent agenda item concerned Draft Resolution 407 of the Riigikogu, submitted by the Estonian Centre Party faction, which seeks to restore funding for youth extracurricular activities to 14,250,000 euros annually. The previous support had been cut to 10,250,000 euros for 2022, and Estonian local municipalities have emphasized that these cuts complicate the provision of youth hobby education and extracurricular activities. The objective of the draft resolution was to ensure better opportunities for young people regarding joint activities and hobby education, and therefore the government was requested to restore this funding back to its original size.

Agenda item 8 concerned the initial reading of the Riigikogu decision, "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to Restore Support for Youth School Sports," submitted by the Estonian Centre Party faction. The rapporteur was Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart. The most important topic was the change in school sports funding and its long-term effects: the Ministry of Culture's decision to exclude the Estonian School Sports Union and other umbrella organizations from funding and distribute the money directly to county sports associations and schools. The discussion focused on how the new funding structure affects the organization of school sports, the continuation of competitions, and the inclusion of inactive children. It was also discussed whether and how to find the necessary additional funds, besides the sugar tax and alternative measures, and whether the existing system is sustainably functional. Agenda item 9 was the wish presented by Isamaa not to recognize the results of the Russian presidential elections, but the discussion could not be opened because one faction failed to provide a rapporteur, and the sitting was consequently unable to proceed.

The agenda item concerned the second reading of Bill 390, initiated by the Government of the Republic, regarding the amendment of the Information Society Services Act, the Copyright Act, and the Taxation Procedure Act. Andres Sutt, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee, addressed the Riigikogu rostrum as the rapporteur for the bill. Sutt explained that the committee had reviewed the bill on May 14, and since no amendments or opinions were received, no debate was held. The committee made consensus procedural decisions, proposing to conclude the second reading and submit the bill for final voting on June 4. Since no questions were posed to the rapporteur, no negotiations were requested, and no amendments had been submitted, the second reading of Bill 390 was concluded upon the proposal of the lead committee.

Under agenda item 11, the second reading of Bill 398, the Cryptocurrency Market Act initiated by the Government of the Republic, was discussed. The bill was presented by Maris Lauri, a member of the Finance Committee; the views and opinions of stakeholders were collected and deliberated over the course of four sittings. The main points included the acceptability of remote services compared to EU requirements, the length of transitional periods, the further implementation of requirements for both single- and two-tier management structures (council and board) among different providers, the organization of data transfer and supervision, and the bureaucratic burden. Additionally, supplementary amendments were reviewed, concerning whether to adopt them or leave them aside due to considerations related to the Finance Committee or concerns focused on bureaucracy. Finally, the amendments were adopted, and the Riigikogu proposed the bill for the final vote and decided to conclude the second reading.

The agenda item was the second reading of the draft act on amending the Health Services Organization Act and other acts, initiated by the Government of the Republic. Karmen Joller, a member of the Social Affairs Committee, gave an overview of the committee's work, noting that the aim of the draft act is to ensure legal clarity and coherence in the health sector legislation. The draft act addressed several important topics, including the postponement of the mandatory liability insurance for healthcare service providers by four months, the clarification of the concepts of family doctor care and primary healthcare, and the establishment of state fees for tobacco products and specialists providing services independently (physiotherapists, speech therapists, psychological treatment providers). Although the Estonian Medical Association submitted a protest regarding the postponement of the liability insurance, the committee found it to be justified due to the lack of preparation on the part of the insurers.

During the debates, Liisa-Ly Pakosta (Eesti 200 faction) focused on the issue of state fees for tobacco products. She emphasized that Estonia ranks first globally in the number of young vapers and second in the growth of tobacco product consumption, while simultaneously being the only EU country that has not yet requested duties from tobacco producers, thus leaving the costs to be borne by the taxpayer. Pakosta also criticized the failure to implement Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization's Tobacco Convention in Estonia. The leading committee reviewed 14 amendments, most of which were fully taken into account. Upon the proposal of the Social Affairs Committee, the second reading of the draft act was concluded.

The agenda item addressed the first reading of Draft Act 436 on the amendment of the Aviation Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic. Climate Minister Kristen Michal explained that the main objective of the draft act is to create a legal basis for cooperation between the Estonian Military Academy and the Estonian Aviation Academy in ensuring pilot training. Since the Estonian Military Academy performs military duties that fall outside the scope of the EASA Basic Regulation for civil aviation, a decision on applicability by the Climate Minister is necessary. Furthermore, the draft act resolves deficiencies in the legal framework for defence aviation by bringing the legal bases into compliance with the principles of current law and granting the Minister of Defence the necessary authorization norms. Andres Sutt, representative of the leading committee, the Economic Affairs Committee, confirmed that this is an urgent amendment concerning a narrow circle of parties. The committee made a consensus proposal to conclude the first reading and shorten the deadline for submitting amendments.

The Riigikogu debated the first reading of the bill to amend the European Parliament Election Act (Draft 414), which aims to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 and the candidacy age from 21 to 18. The initiator of the bill, Hanah Lahe, emphasized in her presentation that lowering the voting and candidacy ages has been successful in Estonia (referencing local elections) and would help increase youth representation and trust in the state. She refuted arguments regarding the instability and immaturity of young people, noting that age is not a determinant of competence.

During the debate, conservative factions (EKRE and Isamaa) criticized the bill, viewing it as a populist distraction and a cynical move ahead of the elections. Jaak Valge (EKRE) highlighted that the age of reaching adulthood has increased in Europe and that young people's voting preferences are more unstable. Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa) called the bill hypocritical, referencing the coalition's plans to restrict young people's decision-making rights in other areas (e.g., tanning salons, tattoos, compulsory schooling until age 18). The Social Democrats (Raimond Kaljulaid) and Eesti 200 (Irja Lutsar) supported the bill, emphasizing that young people are already capable of making major life decisions and that the readiness to participate in politics does not depend on age. The lead committee, the Constitutional Committee, proposed concluding the first reading. The proposal by the EKRE faction to reject the bill was voted down.

The first item on the agenda was the first reading of Draft Act 411 on amendments to the Penal Code, initiated by Riigikogu Member Kalle Grünthal. The objective of the draft act is to strengthen the protection of the presumption of innocence and to criminalize the publication of incorrect factual claims lacking evidence, and, by clarifying the available penalties, to stipulate a pecuniary punishment or imprisonment up to one year for due responses. The structured debate focused on the defense of the draft act and its impacts on the media landscape, court proceedings, and the balancing of freedoms. Grünthal’s presentation emphasized the need to define the boundaries of when a factual claim may constitute a violation of innocence, and what role the media, judges, and public debate play in this process.
The second part addressed the potential impact of the draft act on both legal protection and civil rights practice: the balance between freedom of speech and protective measures was discussed, as well as the complexity of applying pecuniary or punitive sanctions instead of civil law measures. Furthermore, it was pointed out that the draft act concerns specific claims, such as calling someone a “thief” or “criminal”—which are verifiable—and that the criminalization of statements should purposefully limit only factual claims, not opinions or general statements, where over-interpretation is prohibited. Finally, speakers referred to the need for negotiations, and it was decided to reject the draft act in the first reading and remove it from the proceedings. The next item on the agenda was the planned first reading of Draft Act 404, but its proceeding proved impossible due to the absence of the presenters in the hall.

Topic 1 – Broken Promises and Pensions: The session focuses on criticism presented by Riigikogu member Martin Helme regarding the Reform Party's promises, alongside claims that taxes will rise and that tax benefits and tax-exempt pensions intended for pensioners will not materialize. Helme provides examples of campaign promises according to which pensions were profitably increased and tax benefits preserved, and refers to the bill adopted yesterday, which alleviates or eliminates this tax-free triangle. He emphasizes the importance of pensioners as an electorate and asks why pensioners should vote for Paet at all if the promises have been broken. This topic concerns voter trust between campaigns and real policy, and the risks associated with the continuity of the coalition agreement.
Topic 1 continues: the discussion also highlights that issues concerning the livelihood of pensioners are a priority, and the breaking of promises could influence voters' decisions in the European elections. At the same time, it is noted that the government must take into account budget revenues and actual funding, and no one has been given endless promises to fulfill if funding is lacking.

Topic 2 – Defense Capability and Budget: The debate turns to national defense, where it is emphasized that 5–10% of GDP must be allocated to national defense, but at the same time, it is pointed out that funding such promises would mean significant tax increases or a car tax, and finding various sources of coverage. An observation is presented: the roles of the European Union and NATO, and how decisive NATO Article 5 is. It is discussed how 1.3 billion, compared to the Reform Party's promises, constitutes a budget deficit and how patching up this shortfall affects the budget for the entire country.

Topic 3 – Supplementary Budget and Voter Deception: Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart highlights that supplementary budget decisions are being delayed, and many tax decisions that were reported on will be adopted immediately after the European elections. She accuses the coalition of tactics and alleged preparation to adopt unpopular decisions before the elections so as not to lose support. This topic focuses on timing and the transparency of public engagement – whether and how quickly decisions are made, and whether they are linked to campaigns.
Topic 4 – Procedures and Misinformation: At the end of the session, the question is raised as to why the Speaker of the Riigikogu does not intervene in the Prime Minister's answers, and whether the government is sharing certain information that does not correspond to reality. The discussion also covers the motion of no confidence and issues concerning the organization of the Riigikogu's work, emphasizing the principles of democracy and transparency so that comments do not turn into procedural showmanship. All these topics illustrate how difficult it is to hold an honest and transparent discussion in domestic politics and how this affects voters and decisions impacting the state budget.

Riigikogu member Urmas Reinsalu raised a sharp question to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding the state’s spending policy and its inability to curb bureaucracy. Reinsalu accused the government of wasting millions of euros on projects of questionable value—even while talking about savings—citing green skills programs, radical innovation procurements, and e-residency marketing as examples. Furthermore, he criticized the extremely slow uptake of European Union 2021–2027 funds (only 4.1% as of mid-May) and the delay in opening the apartment building renovation program, asking what kind of organizational chaos was responsible for these issues. Prime Minister Kallas defended the government's actions, referencing the forthcoming negative supplementary budget, which will improve the budgetary position by 175 million euros through specific cuts in both foundations and ministerial domains. Kallas dismissed Reinsalu's specific proposals as "slogans" and stressed that the majority of state employees are teachers and social workers who should not be laid off. In a follow-up question, Reinsalu accused the Prime Minister of "lying politics" concerning post-election political U-turns. Martin Helme also intervened in the debate, demanding the suspension of the Rail Baltic project due to its astronomically increased cost (estimated at 8–10 billion euros for the Estonian section), calling it a move that would bankrupt the state. Kallas emphasized the vital importance of Rail Baltic from a security perspective, ensuring connectivity between the north and the south, and highlighted the economic benefit, as 80% of the investments come from EU funds.

The first topic addressed Estonian-Georgian relations and the Foreign Minister's activities in Georgia concerning the protests and the future of civil liberties. The Riigikogu debate highlighted Estonia's long-standing friendship with Georgia and the aspiration for Georgia to become a full member of the European Union and NATO. Concern and critical assessment were also voiced regarding Georgia's current trajectory, including the subsequent respect for the principles of the rule of law and human rights, and the suppression of the opposition. This segment raised the question of the importance of maintaining diplomacy and a unified approach at the European level to preserve Georgia's credibility before the European Union. The second topic concerned the Foreign Minister's conduct in Georgia and, more broadly, the role of democracy and civil society within the context of European values. The discussion centered on whether violations of the rule of law and human rights, as well as repressive measures in Georgia, could impact the trustworthiness of Estonia and the European Union regarding Georgia's path to candidate status. It was argued that Estonia must continue showing solidarity with the Georgian people and supporting democratic reforms, while simultaneously stressing the necessity of utilizing constructive, diplomatic channels and the leverage of European Union mechanisms to steer Georgia back onto the path of legitimate and human rights-respecting reforms.

The fourth question concerned border security and was presented by Riigikogu member Arvo Aller to the Minister of the Interior, Lauri Läänemets. The Chairman of the session stressed that in order to avoid procedural disputes, the questions posed during the information hour must be thoroughly discussed, and participants should move on to substantive debate if there are no actual questions regarding the conduct of the session. Subsequently, several topics related to border security were highlighted: the confusion that arose regarding the number of buoys and Russia's potential steps in reacting to the border zone; the blunder during the full-scale testing of the threat notification system, including its causes and future development plans; and finally, issues concerning the crisis regime and strengthening the border guard—specifically, the deployment of reservists, the establishment of larger units for border defense, and the organization of exercises in September.

The first section addressed the fifth question put to Minister of Finance Mart Võrklaev by the Riigikogu (Parliament), submitted by Riigikogu member Mart Maastik. The topic concerned national finance decisions and their impact on both the short-term and long-term financial situation. Issues discussed included the negative supplementary budget, changes to the motor vehicle tax, and the financing of national defense. The debate occurred in a context where European Parliament elections and domestic political factors might influence the timeliness and priorities of these decisions. The government emphasized that the aforementioned decisions have been adopted and are being forwarded to the Riigikogu for deliberation, underscoring the complex state of national finances, which necessitates balancing with responsible expenditure planning.

The second paragraph focused more specifically on the discussion concerning concrete proposals and amendments: the minister explained that a thorough debate regarding the negative supplementary budget had concluded and decisions had been made, pending support from the opposition in the Riigikogu. It was also highlighted that the motor vehicle tax amendments have been thoroughly considered in cooperation with interest groups, and their proposals have been incorporated (for instance, an age component for legal entities as well, and the partial refund of the registration fee based on the vehicle's age). Furthermore, the importance of financing national defense was stressed—the objective is to strengthen the nation's defense posture and invest at the foreign and European levels, while simultaneously ensuring that the measures adopted are balanced and impactful.

The first part discussed the salary situation of people working in the administrative area of the Ministry of the Interior, particularly police officers, rescuers, and border guards. The question was posed by Riigikogu member Vadim Belobrovtsev, and the central topic was whether salary supports and raises would remain in effect or be temporarily frozen, and how this aligns with the growing budget deficit and the drafting of the next supplementary budget. Since budget years and government priorities are continuously being reshaped, the question was raised whether the salary levels planned until 2027 are realistic, and what risks and limitations accompany potential tax changes and cuts.
Secondly, the focus was on tax and taxation system decisions, including the possibilities of eliminating or reducing the tax hump, and how potential additional resources and loan funds affect the salaries of state employees and public service. The discussion was strongly linked to the consideration of measures aimed at addressing the state budget shortfall and alleviating the budget deficit, highlighting different views on who must ultimately bear the greater burden when implementing tax and other changes.

Today's agenda addressed the Riigikogu's seventh query directed at Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, focusing on the country's overall situation, security, economy, and fiscal policy. Helle-Moonika Helme presented a thorough critical overview, highlighting the trajectory of the government's decisions and the coalition's activities, the increasing burden on taxpayers, and the impact of the green transition on the private and business sectors. The discussion also raised the question of how Estonia plans to cope with a potential crisis or war situation, and what the plans are regarding shelters, supplies, and military preparedness. Also central to the debate were external influences and the limits of maintaining fiscal discipline, issues which are inherently intertwined with both security and economic matters.

The discussion centered on two main topics: investments and their impact on the economy, and the growth of defense spending and related fiscal policy. The initial segment covered approximately 1.9 billion euros in investments aimed at strengthening infrastructure, energy efficiency, and business competitiveness, while ensuring sustainable growth for the economy and employment. According to the speakers, these are record-high investments that will flow back into the economy and assist entrepreneurs. At the same time, emphasis was placed on the need to find new markets and diversify risks so that dependence on the Nordic countries and the stagnation of a single market do not negatively affect the economy. Furthermore, it was mentioned that, within the context of the current budget, a negative supplementary budget must be prepared if necessary to keep the deficit within 3.3% and ensure stability for the economy and the budgetary position. The second part focused on the increase in defense expenditures, discussing how this affects the overall budget and the distribution of social and economic costs. Based on the Prime Minister’s explanations, it was stressed that the increase in defense spending is divided into four components (social benefit increases, healthcare, national defense, and interest costs), and that the state contributes over 1.3 billion euros to national defense, with approximately 450 million euros added annually since 2022. It was also acknowledged that there is a need to discuss where the money to cover these additional costs will come from, and that the share and growth of the state’s defense expenditures must be addressed alongside other priorities, and not solely in terms of defense alternatives.

A discussion was presented concerning Georgia's internal affairs, during which Varro Vooglaid posed a question to the Prime Minister regarding the participation of Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna in a protest against the ruling front in Tbilisi. The focus centered on the principles of international relations and whether intervention in another country’s internal affairs is acceptable, particularly when it involves accredited diplomats or high-level foreign officials. Vooglaid emphasized that national sovereignty and adherence to diplomatic norms must be protected, and he questioned whether the same approach would apply if the Foreign Minister of Hungary or another country participated in a demonstration held in Estonia. Additionally, the role of the European Union and NATO was addressed, along with Georgia's path toward EU accession, including the obligations and reforms the Union has promised Georgia, and what the Georgian people expect through the observance of these fundamental values. The discussion also highlighted the role of demonstrations and issues concerning the potential participation of diplomats, and finally, the conversation shifted toward concluding the information hour and preparing for the hall summons.

The first item on the agenda concerns the third reading of Draft Law 308, initiated by the Government of the Republic, regarding the amendment of the Building Code and other acts, the aim of which is to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in Estonia. The objective of the draft is to create a clearer and faster legal framework that would enable the development of renewable energy projects, especially offshore wind farms, and to consolidate the three existing permits—the development permit, the environmental permit for special use of water, and the building permit—into a single process, thereby reducing the time spent on procedures. Furthermore, exceptions are provided in the context of the directly applicable European Union Regulation on accelerating the deployment of renewable energy, ensuring that environmental impact assessments can be carried out more efficiently and, if necessary, via an expedited procedure.

The debate has highlighted conflicting views: while proponents emphasize the need to increase the share of renewable energy and adopt smart, faster procedural rules, other political parties argue that acceleration might lead to the underestimation of environmental and health risks and the compromising of local residents' interests. Different factions have stressed the importance of quality, supervision, and transparency, and how to ensure that these accelerations do not infringe upon the national energy market or the principles of environmental protection. The entire agenda item concluded with the draft law being put to the final vote and subsequently adopted.

As the second item on the agenda, the third reading of Bill 350, amending the Customs Act and initiated by the Government of the Republic, was addressed. The presiding officer immediately opened and closed the debate, which indicated that there was no need for further discussion on the draft legislation. Following the proposal of the lead committee, preparations for the final vote on the bill commenced without delay. Members of the Riigikogu participated in the final vote to determine the fate of the bill. The voting results demonstrated strong support for the adoption of the act, following which Bill 350 was declared adopted as law.

The Riigikogu debated the second reading of Bill 416, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Income Tax Act. Jürgen Ligi, representative of the Finance Committee, presented the committee's positions, noting that the bill was unpleasant but necessary due to the budgetary situation. The committee unanimously decided to propose concluding the second reading and sending the bill to the final vote on June 5th.

The debate was extremely passionate, focusing on the government coalition's broken election promises, especially the pledge to keep the average pension income tax-free. The opposition (Centre Party, EKRE, Isamaa) accused the government of fleecing pensioners to finance the abolition of the tax hump aimed at the wealthier population. Ligi defended the bill, emphasizing his role as the representative of the Finance Committee and pointing out that the budget problems stemmed from the looser fiscal policies of previous governments (starting from 2016). An amendment proposed by the Isamaa faction was put to a vote but was rejected. A proposal to interrupt the second reading was also rejected. The second reading of the bill was concluded, but the sitting ended before the vote on extension due to a procedural recess request by Martin Helme.

The Riigikogu session commenced with the welcoming of the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb, who was beginning his three-day state visit to Estonia. The Speaker of the Riigikogu emphasized the historical closeness and strengthening cooperation between Estonia and Finland. President Stubb delivered a speech to the Riigikogu, highlighting the deep relations of friendship, kinship, and alliance between Finland and Estonia. He recalled his early connections with Estonia, ranging from the Singing Revolution to the success of Estonian athletes, and commended Estonia's rapid integration into Western institutions (NATO, EU). Stubb affirmed that Finland was very fortunate to have Estonia as its neighbor, emphasizing that Finland regards Estonia as family, a friend, and an ally.

The speech largely centered on security and Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Stubb stressed that the post-Cold War era has ended, and the new normal demands strong NATO deterrence and value-based realism in foreign policy. He affirmed Finland's full commitment to NATO, noting its long shared border with Russia, and underscored the necessity of supporting Ukraine until victory and securing its future membership in both the EU and NATO. Finally, President Stubb quoted Lennart Meri regarding the role of small states in the world. The session concluded with a five-minute recess announced by the presiding officer.

The first item on the agenda concerned the 2024 report by the Minister of Social Protection on the implementation of the national long-term development strategy "Eesti 2035." The report focused on the key result areas of social protection—health and well-being—and was responsible for addressing the fields of children and families, the elderly, and social welfare, alongside the promotion of gender equality and equal opportunities. The goal is to reduce inequality and ensure people's well-being throughout the entire life course, with an emphasis on meeting current needs and enhancing the long-term care system.

The thematic protocol noted that needs and policy measures must be shaped comprehensively and through close cooperation between different sectors. The first block was followed by discussions on the well-being of children and families, the promotion of birth rates, and the sustainable development of the population. Emphasis was placed on updating various support mechanisms, including additional funding for the parenting program "Incredible Years," extending child benefits until the age of 19, and modernizing specialized support mechanisms. The measures adopted also included changes made to subsistence benefits and survivor's pensions, as well as an increase in care and cooperation-based services. Looking ahead, it was stressed that the sectors require a common and sustainable mechanism that would ensure better access to services for people in need and reduce systemic silo barriers.

Furthermore, sustainable subsistence for the elderly, the security of the pension system, poverty reduction goals, and the state's financial capacity to achieve these goals were addressed. Speakers highlighted that the integration and better funding of care allowances, rehabilitation services, and special welfare are critically important for improving people's quality of life and involving the workforce. In conclusion, the need for continued dialogue, cooperation, and increased coordination between the state and local governments was emphasized to ensure the sustainability of the state budget and better services for the public.

During the second item on the Riigikogu's agenda, the interpellation submitted by Varro Vooglaid and Kalle Grünthal on May 13, 2023, concerning the scope of B-category driving licenses (Interpellation No. 327) was addressed. The core of the interpellation was to inquire whether individuals holding a B-category driving license in Estonia could be permitted to participate in traffic with a scooter up to 125 cc without passing a separate A-category examination. This reflects European practices, where similar provisions have been implemented in some countries, and potential societal impacts were discussed—namely, faster mobility for urban travel, reduction of traffic congestion and parking burden, and a decrease in emissions. Furthermore, questions were raised concerning safety, training, and supervision, and why a similar solution has not been adopted in Estonia.

The submitted interpellation (592) concerns the renovation of Estonia's housing stock. The interpellators are Riigikogu members Lauri Laats, Aleksei Jevgrafov, Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Vadim Belobrovtsev, and Andrei Korobeinik, and the topic is the renovation of apartment buildings constructed during the Soviet era. The focus of the interpellation is the large-scale restoration of the housing stock and its acceleration in light of the demanding requirements set by the European Union and climate agreements. The Riigikogu held a discussion during which various questions were raised regarding funding, regional differences, additional public support mechanisms, and the availability of loans and guarantees. The interpellators emphasized that the issue affects a large portion of the population and has a clear impact on heating costs, overall quality of life, and economic activity.

As counterpoints and additions, the need for collecting necessary data and ensuring transparency was highlighted (e.g., real-time energy performance certificates, the link between residents' livelihoods and energy metering), as well as the need to react quickly to funding and national implementation measures so that building renovation is not hampered by excessive bureaucracy or slow execution. Minister Kristen Michal responded to the interpellation, offering a broad overview of plans to accelerate renovation and ensure stable funding and continuous cooperation between the state and the private sector. The speech covered several layers: financing models, centralized procurement organization, integration of energy performance certificates and consistent data, and the adoption of technological solutions in the construction sector. In conclusion, the recurring theme was the need to increase efficiency and engagement at the level of both building owners and the industry, and to ensure that funding is consistent and equitable.

The fourth agenda item addressed a previously submitted interpellation to the Riigikogu concerning the prenatal protection of children's right to life. The interpellation (554) was submitted on June 15, 2023, by Varro Vooglaid, Helle-Moonika Helme, and Martin Helme, and demanded a substantive explanation from the government and the Ministry of Social Affairs regarding the protection of prenatal life. The issues raised concerned the constitutional right to life, the protection of children's welfare, and the state's responsibility to ensure equal rights for all, including children yet to be born. The five questions presented concerned the government's activities, justifications, public opinion campaigns, and the creation of support structures for women facing pregnancy crises.

The discussion of this agenda item was emotional and ideologically polarizing: the Estonian demographic crisis and the issues of advocacy and rights highlighted an intense exchange of arguments and differing worldviews—specifically, how far the protection of prenatal life extends and in what manner the state should react. Minister Signe Riisalo represented the government's position, emphasizing the existing legal framework and the role of evidence-based counseling, sexual education, and family planning in reducing the number of abortions, and referred to the need to address the factors causing abortions. The tentative solutions found and the discussion indicated that there were no clearly established new measures or legislative changes available for decision-making within the framework of this interpellation.

The submitted inquiry addresses the collection of data on post-abortion complications in Estonia. The purpose of Inquiry No. 550, submitted by Riigikogu member Varro Vooglaid on June 14, 2023, is to gain an overview of whether and when improvements are planned for the collection of data on post-abortion complications, and what information would be available to women to aid them in making their choices. Typical concerns raised include: what complications occur, the timing of their onset, how widely this data is collected, whether the existing foundational data collection document—the data card for termination or miscarriage of pregnancy—reflects all crucial factors, and whether data is collected to a sufficient extent and with adequate temporal nuance. Furthermore, the discussion covered how the state and ministries manage information policy regarding abortion, their role in funding campaigns, and the extent to which specialized information and counseling services are accessible to women. The inquiry also highlighted two main questions: (1) Do the competent Estonian authorities plan to improve the collection of information regarding post-abortion complications? (2) If not, what considerations are seen behind this decision, and how does it affect women's awareness and decision-making? In conclusion, the availability of data, counseling, and safety requirements are compared, and the role of state-commissioned campaigns is reviewed in light of necessary awareness and prevention activities.

Inquiry No. 571 by members of the Riigikogu addressed the numerous cases of inhumane treatment, violence, and neglect in Estonian care homes that came to light in 2023, citing Värska Südamekodu and Viimsi Pihlakodu as examples. The questioners (from the EKRE faction) criticized the decline in service quality despite rising prices and highlighted the connection between problematic care homes (especially the Südamekodud chain) and members of the Reform Party, suggesting political bias in the lack of proper supervision.

Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo responded by emphasizing that supervision must be impartial and non-political. She detailed measures to strengthen oversight, including the allocation of 300,000 euros to the Social Insurance Board (SKA) for creating new positions, and the formation of a working group between the police and the SKA to prevent cases of violence. The Minister confirmed that incidents of abuse and theft fall under the jurisdiction of the police and that employees found guilty have been removed from their jobs. She dismissed accusations of widespread violence in care homes, noting that her personal visits had left a rather positive impression. The opposition remained dissatisfied with the responses, accusing the Minister of callousness and a lack of empathy, and demanding concrete answers regarding the accountability of those responsible and the revocation of operating licenses.