By Plenary Sessions: Tõnis Lukas
Total Sessions: 81
Fully Profiled: 81
2025-10-08
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Information Hour
The focus is on implementing education policy and budget agreements at the national level, which affect all local governments through the Association of Cities and Municipalities. There is no specific regional emphasis or mention of local projects.
2025-09-17
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, press briefing.
The focus is strictly at the national level, addressing the implementation of the Language Act and the role of the Estonian language in the public sphere and in services nationwide. Specific regional projects or communities are not mentioned.
2025-09-16
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
The focus is clearly national, addressing the status of the Estonian language and the availability of services across Estonia more broadly.
2025-09-04
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
The focus is national, addressing nationwide issues concerning education and language policy. Regional awareness is evident in the opposition to merging schools for students with special educational needs (SEN), a matter affecting seven different counties, and in the handling of admission problems at state gymnasiums in Tallinn and Harju County.
2025-06-18
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is strictly national, centering on nationwide education policy, the career model for teachers, and the allocation of state budget grants to local municipalities. A separate analysis will be conducted regarding the various options available to municipalities when utilizing the differentiation fund.
2025-06-12
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
A strong regional focus is placed on Tartu, highlighting concerns over the university town's reputation and security due to the placement of foreign criminals. The insufficient involvement of the Tartu City Government and City Council in the decision-making process is criticized. The speaker promises that Isamaa will initiate a discussion on this topic in the Tartu City Council.
2025-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The focus is on national traditions and Tallinn infrastructure (the Song Festival Grounds, Kalev Central Stadium), which must be protected through special national spatial planning as a "national sanctuary." Attention is also drawn to the problem of the lack of regional education and instructors/mentors, and the role of local governments in preserving this tradition.
2025-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing.
The focus is on national strategic issues, such as the pension system and the labor shortage, utilizing international comparison (Denmark) within the context of raising the retirement age.
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is heavily centered on national security and the international threat assessment. Emphasis is placed on the threat emanating from Russia, citing threats made by top Russian politicians regarding the bombing of Tallinn or the seizure of Tartu and Narva. A strategic comparison is drawn with Finland, given their extensive border with Russia.
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing
The focus is primarily on national policy issues (the Language Act, education strategy). Regionally, the example of Tallinn is cited, where it is difficult to obtain taxi service in Estonian, pointing to issues within the capital's service sector.
2025-06-03
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fifth session, plenary session
The regional focus is directed toward inter-municipal coordination and the impact of urban sprawl, which affects both major cities and their surrounding areas. It is stressed that Estonia's small size should facilitate systematic and balanced development.
2025-06-02
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session
A strong regional focus, highlighting the impact of education reforms on counties and local communities. Specifically cited were Ida-Virumaa (Estonian-language instruction, Lüganuse), Saaremaa (Orissaare), and Hiiumaa, expressing concern over regional policy challenges and the outflow of residents. The takeover of historical gymnasiums in Tallinn and Tartu was also addressed.
2025-05-15
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker draws attention to regional education issues, emphasizing the unique challenges in Ida-Virumaa related to population decline and the necessity of guaranteeing Estonian-language schools. The question of vocational education in Hiiumaa is also raised, criticizing the closure of programs at the vocational school and the resulting risk of violating the law in the county.
2025-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
The focus remains on national legislative issues (compensation mechanisms, major investments), but he highlights a specific location as an example—the Maardu sacred grove—which draws attention to specific local sacred sites and their owners.
2025-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing
The focus is on national issues, such as the labor market, demographic policy, and integration. Regionally, Harju County is cited as an example where specialists' salaries are already high and meet existing exceptions.
2025-05-05
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The focus is intensely regional, underscoring the fundamental necessity of preserving the vitality of rural areas and local municipalities. It criticizes the excessive centralization in Tallinn ("Greater Tallinn") and calls for specific regional policy measures to support the rest of Estonia.
2025-04-22
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The speaker highlights the problem of regional imbalance in culture, noting that the tradition of choir singing and folk dancing is disappearing from increasingly large areas. It is emphasized that finding group leaders is difficult even in urban settlements and small towns. This points to the necessity of providing regional support for cultural initiatives.
2025-04-14
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The focus is broadly on national economic and energy policy (subsidies, market rules). Specific regional or local interests are not addressed in the discussion; instead, the focus is on sectoral investments (energy storage, wind farms).
2025-03-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is mainly on national security and integration issues, citing the international threat (Russia). The regional focus is indirect, pointing specifically to municipalities with a large, easily manipulated electorate and where Estonian-language instruction is opposed (e.g., educational matters and the issue of bomb shelters).
2025-03-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing
The focus is on the national level, covering Estonia's immigration policy, the organization of language instruction, and the Language Act. Also mentioned is participation in a conference concerning the expansion of the Estonia building, which is tied to a national cultural landmark.
2025-03-18
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fifth sitting, plenary session
The regional focus is directed at the Harju County labor market, using it as an example where specialists are already being paid market-level salaries (exceeding a coefficient of 1.5). However, the overall focus remains on national labor policy and its impact.
2025-03-17
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The focus is on national issues such as demographics, the Language Act, and education reform. The regional aspect is limited to mentioning the locations of specific special needs schools (Raikküla and Kiigemetsa) due to uncertainty and the need for new premises.
2025-03-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is strictly national, concentrating on maintaining the proportion of Estonians in Estonia and regulating the Estonian labor market. The need to halt the outflow of Estonians is emphasized.
2025-02-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Insufficient data
2025-02-25
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is on national security and local governments, especially those where the proportion of voters who are stateless or citizens of aggressor states is the largest. It is emphasized that it is precisely in these municipalities that there has been great opposition to the transition to Estonian-language instruction. Local governments are treated as partners in national security.
2025-02-19
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th sitting, information briefing
The focus is purely on national and international defense issues, particularly in the context of strategic industrial development (a defense industry park) and the national defense budget. Specific regional or local topics are absent; the emphasis is on the state's capacity to manufacture both for its domestic market and for export.
2025-02-17
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is on the nationwide organization of education, particularly concerning the location of seven schools for students with special educational needs (SEN) across various counties. It is stressed that while these schools accept students from all over Estonia, separate communities have formed within them, separated by enormous distances. Kiigemetsa School and Raikküla School are specifically named.
2025-02-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The focus is on international security issues, particularly the topic of Russia and Ukraine, and on the national level (the Estonian people, trust in the government). There is no emphasis on specific local or regional topics.
2025-01-28
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is on national-level immigration policy and its impact on the Estonian labor market. Mention is made of strengthening the digital state status, which is also a national priority. There is no regional or local focus.
2025-01-21
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
The focus is on international security and allied relations (American forces, allied brigades). The regional context is also mentioned, citing, for example, statements by Poland and Lithuania regarding defense spending, which demonstrates a broader geopolitical view.
2025-01-20
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is clearly on the national level, addressing the survival of the Estonian nation, and the future of the economy and the school network. There is no regional or local emphasis present in the speeches.
2024-12-18
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, press briefing
The importance of regional culture in tourism and the economy is emphasized, highlighting the Seto Kingdom delegation, the activities of the Hiiumaa islanders, and the Narva Vaba Lava Freedom Theatre Festival. This demonstrates a focus on supporting the active participation of cultural regions and acknowledging their contribution to national tourism.
2024-12-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The regional focus is on national education policy, but specific examples from Tallinn and Ida-Virumaa are highlighted to illustrate the problems. Special emphasis is placed on the positive example set by the City of Tallinn (according to Deputy Mayor Aleksei Yashin) regarding the opening of Estonian-language classes.
2024-12-11
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fourth session, press briefing.
The primary focus is on national security and the integrity of elections in Estonia, and the international threat posed by Russia and Belarus. The mention of the Seto ülemsootska elections is rather a rhetorical tool, not a regional political focus.
2024-12-04
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
The speaker brings up the closure of regional training centers (Suuremõisa, Vana-Vigala) as examples of insufficient measures for financing the reform. Although the focus is on the national education reform, regional examples are used to illustrate the financial consequences.
2024-11-20
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, press briefing.
The regional focus directly ties the issue of national security to the local level, citing the terms of the Tallinn city governance agreement and the participation of the Mayor of Tallinn in the debate. Tallinn is used as an example where a nationwide topic has become a local political condition.
2024-11-18
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fourth Session, Plenary Session
The focus is on national topics, addressing tax policy and car purchasing trends at the national level. There are no references to specific regions or local issues.
2024-11-14
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary session
Insufficient data.
2024-11-13
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session.
The focus is clearly national, centering on the appreciation of the Estonian written language and culture, as well as national wage policies. An international comparison with Latvia is used to highlight the inadequacy of Estonian cultural funding, but there is no focus on specific regional projects.
2024-11-13
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, information briefing
The focus is on the national level, addressing the financing of the entire education system (general schools and vocational schools). The relationship between the central government and local municipality leaders is also mentioned in connection with financial guarantees.
2024-11-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The focus is on national legislative issues (abortion funding, tax policy) and at the international level. The potential consequences of Estonian laws are analyzed in connection with medical migration to Europe and elsewhere in the world.
2024-11-06
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The focus is strongly regional, emphasizing the difficulties faced by rural residents stemming from the centralization of services and the imposition of a car tax. The speaker points out how closing schools and government offices increases the need to drive, which the car tax then hinders.
2024-11-06
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, information briefing
The regional focus is very strong, emphasizing the need to maintain both the population and essential services across all of Estonia, particularly given the context of a declining population. Specifically mentioned are Hiiumaa (the Hiiumaa Vocational School) and the preservation of small schools in the regions, with the continued provision of vocational education in Hiiumaa being considered the "crown jewel."
2024-11-05
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fourth session, plenary session
The regional focus is very strong, emphasizing the need for regional balance and criticizing the government for ignoring this necessity. The speaker highlights how government measures (such as reducing the number of schools in rural areas and the proposed car tax) force families, students, and teachers to travel greater distances. They demand a comprehensive regional policy from the government, one that is not undermined by every subsequent decision.
2024-11-04
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The regional focus is extremely strong, emphasizing the principle of a balanced Estonia and opposition to the centralization of the state in Tallinn. Concerns arise regarding the closure of small schools due to education funding issues and the concentration of state institution jobs in the capital (for example, via the Public Libraries Act). Lüganuse School and Hiiumaa are specifically mentioned.
2024-10-23
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, information briefing
The regional focus is extremely strong, emphasizing the need to combat Tallinn-centric development and ensure that "all of Estonia thrives." The criticism addresses specific administrative decisions, such as the elimination of state positions in county libraries and moving those functions to Tallinn. Systematic monitoring is demanded to ensure that political decisions do not exacerbate the inequality between Tallinn and the other counties.
2024-10-21
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The focus is on national security and historical continuity, but there is also a strong regional emphasis placed on the city of Tartu, whose reputation as a "university town" would be damaged by leasing out the prison. Historical events are linked to specific locations in Estonia, such as Lihula, Emajõgi, and Sinimäed.
2024-10-15
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary session
The focus is on the national level, addressing macroeconomic forecasts and state budget cuts. There is no reference to specific regional or local issues.
2024-10-14
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
The focus is on the national level, dealing with claims presented against the state and the provision of next-generation services. Regional or local issues are absent.
2024-10-09
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, information briefing
The focus is at the national level (the Estonian people, the Estonian state) and on international migration policy. There is wide reference to Western countries (the EU, the USA) and third countries as potential sources of labor, but there is no focus on specific Estonian regions or local projects.
2024-10-08
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The focus is strictly at the national level, addressing the state budget situation and overall national austerity. There are no references to specific regions or local projects.
2024-09-17
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The focus is on national issues, covering both the protection of the rights of the Estonian language and the quality of service provided by nationwide monopolistic companies (such as Elektrilevi). There is no specific regional emphasis.
2024-09-11
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fourth session, plenary session
The focus is on the national level and Estonia's historical continuity. Reference is made to Estonia's borders and the fighting of national military units on Estonian territory, emphasizing the nationwide significance of the events.
2024-09-09
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The focus is on national education systems, but it is emphasized that the technical failure also negatively affected student applicants who traveled from more distant counties. Reference is made to the coverage in regional newspapers to emphasize the wider geographical scope of the problem outside Tallinn and Harju County.
2024-07-29
15th Riigikogu, Riigikogu extraordinary session.
The focus is strongly national (centered on trust in Estonian statehood) and international, particularly concerning the security situation in Ukraine and beyond Estonia’s eastern border. The regional focus is exemplified by the case of the Tallinn Humanities Gymnasium within the context of education policy, though this is primarily illustrative.
2024-07-29
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
The strong regional focus is on rural and sparsely populated areas. It is emphasized that the car tax and the restructuring of the school network are forcing rural families to leave, as it is impossible for them to manage daily life without two cars. The cleansing of rural areas is considered a purposeful activity.
2024-07-22
15th Riigikogu, Riigikogu's extraordinary session.
The focus is exclusively on national themes, broadly covering education, tax, and cultural policy. Specific regional or local issues are absent.
2024-06-12
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, information briefing
The speaker’s focus expands beyond the national level to Ida-Virumaa, specifically inquiring about the future of Lüganuse School and Toila School. This highlights concerns regarding the preservation of an Estonian-language school environment specifically in that region, and brings parents’ worries to the forefront.
2024-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
The focus is clearly on international and geopolitical issues, particularly the choice between East and West being made in Russia's immediate vicinity. The primary countries and regions under discussion are Estonia, Russia, Georgia, and Belarus, highlighting the unavoidable necessity for these nations to make an unambiguous choice.
2024-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The focus is at the national level (the status of the Estonian language), but examples from specific regions are provided to illustrate the problems. Mention is made of the municipalities surrounding Tallinn (the "golden ring") in connection with the commissioning of kindergartens, as well as Tallinn, Ida-Virumaa, and Tartu Town Hall Square (English-language menus) in relation to language use in public spaces and the service sector.
2024-05-13
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
The focus is on the massive immigration occurring at the national level and its impact on Estonian local elections. International regions and migrant groups are also mentioned, such as Ukraine, Central Asia, and various republics.
2024-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
It focuses strongly on Tallinn's responsibilities and privileges as the capital concerning the upkeep and development of national institutions (like the National Opera). The author criticizes the Tallinn leadership for its inability to understand its role and properly develop the city as the nation's capital. The capability of Tartu's Vanemuine Theatre is mentioned as a benchmark.
2024-05-02
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The focus is clearly international, centering on the war in Ukraine and the actions of the Moscow Orthodox Church within the conflict. There is no mention of local or national Estonian issues.
2024-04-29
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The focus is strictly national, covering the Estonian economy, Estonian businesses, and the role of the Bank of Estonia within that context. There is no regional or international emphasis.
2024-04-10
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
The focus is distinctly regional, centering on sparsely populated areas and the preservation of rural life to prevent the entire country from emptying out, except for Harju County and the vicinity of Tartu. Ida-Viru County, along with the Rõuge and Lääneranna municipalities, are specifically named, underscoring the national defense importance of these border regions and the critical need to maintain habitation.
2024-04-10
15th Estonian Parliament, third sitting, information briefing
The regional focus is national, concentrating on Estonia's demographic trends and the labor shortage. A specific example provided is the Kuressaare electronics industry's demand for engineers. The international context is also highlighted, referencing the outflow of Estonian labor to Finland and Sweden, and issuing a warning regarding social problems in Sweden and Germany.
2024-04-09
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The focus is at the national level, addressing Estonia's internal integration issues and labor needs. The international context is also a focus, referring to the immigration of citizens from third countries, the EU, and the USA.
2024-04-08
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
The focus is heavily placed on regional education problems and disparities. The text highlights the positive impact of the salary support provided to teachers in Ida-Virumaa, but criticizes the preferential treatment given to wealthy municipalities surrounding Tallinn (Rae, Viimsi, Saue, Tabasalu) through the establishment of state secondary schools. It warns that the state's actions are creating a two-tier education system and a situation of "two Estonias."
2024-03-20
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Not enough data.
2024-03-19
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
A strong regional focus is placed on preventing educational inequality and ensuring the principle of the comprehensive school system throughout Estonia. The necessity of providing qualified teachers and good conditions, even in sparsely populated areas, is emphasized to prevent these regions from emptying out and leaving communities in an unequal standing.
2024-03-11
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
The question mentions the film campus planned for Ida-Viru County, which demonstrates awareness of regional cultural programs. Nevertheless, the main focus of the draft legislation is on the national entity (ERR).
2024-02-21
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The focus is strictly on national themes, addressing institutions of national cultural significance (Eesti Rahvusringhääling – Estonian Public Broadcasting) and the state funding system (Kultuurkapital – the Cultural Endowment of Estonia).
2024-02-21
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
The focus is clearly on the national level, addressing the survival of the Estonian nation and security in a broader context. Global business and large nations are also mentioned, but regional or local topics are not discussed.
2024-02-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
The focus is national, analyzing the impact of the vehicle tax on Estonia's cultural sphere, the sports sector, and vocational schools nationwide. The Road Museum is mentioned as a potential example illustrating the effect of this taxation.
2024-02-05
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting
The focus is clearly national and international, addressing the security, economy, and cultural space of the Estonian state as an integrated whole. The openness of the European Union labor market is mentioned, and reference is made to problems within the Finnish education system. Furthermore, the text emphasizes the danger that citizens of aggressor states might influence local politics through their voting rights.
2024-01-23
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The focus is on Estonia's national science and higher education policy, as well as the issue of population decline. The international dimension is important, particularly the creation of a regional science cluster with Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania, and the struggle to retain European Union funding (3 billion) despite the rise in GDP.
2024-01-18
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The focus is strongly on regional policy balance and sparsely populated areas, emphasizing that Estonia must achieve regional equilibrium. Specifically, Lihula Gymnasium and Lääneranna municipality are mentioned, and criticism is leveled against the unfair channeling of the rurality coefficient to areas immediately surrounding cities.
2024-01-17
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
There is not enough data.
2024-01-15
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
The focus is purely on national education reforms and ensuring the unity of the Estonian state. Specific regional or local issues are absent.
2024-01-09
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The focus is clearly regional and local, concentrating on military installations and historical sites located within the territory of a specific municipality.
2024-01-08
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
The focus is strongly regional, emphasizing the need to keep life vibrant across all parts of Estonia and concentrating on supporting rural schools and their communities. Specifically, the text mentions the Metsküla school and a conference held in Jõhvi, drawing attention to the higher cost of living and transportation needs in rural regions. Preserving rural schools is viewed as an empathetic component of regional policy.