By Plenary Sessions: Irja Lutsar
Total Sessions: 51
Fully Profiled: 51
2025-10-16
XV Riigikogu, VI Session, Plenary Sitting
The political focus is currently centered on economic hardship, particularly high consumer prices (food, medicine), which are viewed as a direct consequence of the war in Ukraine. The speaker stresses that the ongoing crisis—covering issues like taxes, energy costs, and the birth rate—cannot be ignored, and points out that the Estonian government is actively trying to improve the situation. A key question revolves around validating the prime minister's explanation, which attributes the high prices to an excess of commercial retail space.
2025-10-09
15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The political focus centers on the international standing of Estonia's e-residency program and the associated risks. A moderately cautious stance is maintained, emphasizing the need to be fully aware of the risks perceived by other countries. The overall approach is rather results-based, concentrating on ensuring the system's sustainability and security.
2025-10-08
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The political focus is centered on reforming the social security system and strengthening budgetary discipline, supporting measures that prevent the abuse of the system and generate a positive impact on the state budget. There is strong support for maintaining social guarantees for war and political refugees, opposing proposals to revoke them. Furthermore, the issue of children's health and development is being raised, specifically requesting the Ministry of Social Affairs' stance on banning smart devices for children under five years of age. The political framework is predominantly policy- and value-based, emphasizing justice and the principles of the rule of law.
2025-10-07
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The political position centers on the direction and volume of research and development (R&D) funding, particularly stressing the urgent need for clinical trials as the foundation for evidence-based medicine. This stance is rooted in policy and budget considerations, questioning whether the Ministry of Finance provides top-down guidance or if the allocation of funding is left to the discretion of each individual ministry. This demonstrates a strong concern regarding the strategic governance of national R&D.
2025-09-17
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting.
The political stance focuses on social welfare reform, moderately supporting a personalized approach to child benefits. The speaker questions the necessity of a blanket 20-euro increase in benefits for everyone, stressing, however, that certain children definitely require more than 100 euros per month. The position is policy-driven, aiming for a fairer distribution of resources.
2025-09-16
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
The political position centers on criticizing the over-regulation of data protection, particularly in the fields of medicine and science. The speaker argues that current rules impede the acquisition of new knowledge and better treatment for patients, questioning whether we have crossed the line. This stance is strongly aimed at reducing bureaucracy that obstructs practical activity.
2025-09-10
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The political position is moderately critical of the legislative procedure, emphasizing practical viability. The most contentious issue is the consolidation of military and civil crisis regulations into a single, voluminous piece of legislation, which the speaker opposes, preferring separate statutes. The framework is distinctly policy- and results-driven, focusing on what is genuinely necessary and comprehensible during a crisis.
2025-09-04
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
The political position focuses strongly on the efficiency and accountability of the Riigikogu’s working procedures. The speaker criticizes the 35-minute waste of time and demands that if a presenter is absent, a replacement must be ensured or an apology issued. The position is clearly results-based, emphasizing the importance of preparation and conscientiousness.
2025-06-18
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The political stance firmly supports Bill 604 (the advance directive/living will), emphasizing the necessity of considering individual autonomy and resolving the ethical dilemmas posed by modern medicine. The speaker stresses that this legislation offers clarity and security to patients, their families, and doctors alike, and is fundamentally aimed at respecting the quality of life. This position is clearly policy- and value-driven, and on behalf of Eesti 200, we urge a vote in favor of the draft legislation.
2025-06-12
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The speaker is a strong proponent of Minister Liisa Pakosta and the reforms she has initiated, stressing that Estonia is in dire need of change. He criticizes the opposition for trying to stifle the reforms before they even start, instead focusing on efficiency and the commitment to improvement. The political stance is distinctly results-oriented, centered on saving state funds and redirecting that money toward priority sectors.
2025-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting.
The political focus is currently on the quality of education and demanding accountability, particularly when addressing the issues plaguing legal education. The speaker voiced strong dissatisfaction regarding the lack of progress made over the past year, stressing that things will not improve on their own. This stance is heavily results-oriented, requiring concrete actions and specific changes.
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The political focus is directed towards evaluating the practical consequences and international alignment of a specific political decision (likely a time zone change). The speaker is cautious and critical, demanding evidence regarding the support of Estonians and the negotiations held with European countries. The main concern is Estonia's regional isolation from its neighbors (Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden) if the time standard differs by half a year.
2025-05-15
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The political emphasis is currently on improving the quality of Estonian higher education and restoring public trust. A key concern is being raised that an increasing number of high school graduates are choosing to study abroad, and specific measures are being demanded from the Minister of Education to address this situation. This stance is strongly policy- and results-driven, centering on the overall performance and functionality of the education system.
2025-04-23
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The political position is one of strong support for the legalization of the patient’s end-of-life declaration (PET), which the party Eesti 200 views as a human-centric and liberal step toward respecting individual autonomy. It is emphasized that this does not constitute the legalization of euthanasia, but the indefinite validity period of the draft legislation is moderately criticized, with calls for its review or amendment after 25–30 years. The stance is value-based, focusing on ensuring human dignity at the end of life.
2025-04-16
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
The political focus is on healthcare policy and the harmonization of European Union law. [The subject] strongly supports expanding the hospital exemption to improve access to innovative medicines, while simultaneously emphasizing the role of the ethics committee in ensuring patient safety. It also supports making smoking less attractive, especially among young people, through amendments to the tobacco law stemming from the relevant EU directive.
2025-04-15
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
The most striking issue is digital security and identity theft online. The political stance is strongly results-oriented, demanding concrete measures from the e-state and the rule of law to protect citizens from cybercrime, given that the availability of assistance is currently insufficient. This position emphasizes the state's inability to guarantee basic digital security.
2025-04-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The most crucial issue is ensuring mobility support for people with disabilities, particularly those who rely on transport provided by neighbors. The political stance is strongly supportive of finding an equitable solution to prevent vulnerable individuals from being left without assistance. The policy framing is clearly value-based and centered on social justice.
2025-04-09
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
The political focus is split between healthcare regulation and the energy sector. In the healthcare sector, the speaker strongly supports legislative amendments that would expand patient access to unregistered but effective medications, while simultaneously stressing the need for ethical oversight. Regarding energy, he raises concerns about the psychosomatic health effects of wind turbines, demanding evidence based on studies conducted in Western Europe.
2025-03-13
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
The political position is heavily focused on the protection of public health and scientific regulation. The speaker vigorously opposes the draft bill that calls for the establishment of a committee composed of politicians for the critical analysis of vaccines, emphasizing that the Riigikogu is not the appropriate venue for this. The stance is clearly policy- and science-based, supporting the rejection of the bill at the first reading.
2025-03-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker heavily emphasizes the necessity of developing a knowledge-based state and economy, viewing it as the only viable option for Estonia. The political focus is centered on a specific policy: leveraging the emerging surplus of scientists in the United States to bolster Estonian science. The overall stance is policy-driven and moderately supportive of the government's actions, provided they are prepared to launch these programs.
2025-02-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The political focus is on increasing the security of scientific careers in Estonia and preventing the departure of researchers, given that the profession of a scientist is currently unpopular. The strategic importance of data management and cross-usage at the national level is also emphasized to prevent the fragmentation of data silos. The approach is policy-based, supporting the TAIKS initiative but raising critical questions regarding its long-term impact.
2025-01-29
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The political position is one of strong support for raising the age boundary for considering children with disabilities as adults to 18 years old, deeming this legislation to be even overdue. This stance is policy-based, emphasizing international consistency and the expansion of services. The speaker belongs to the Eesti 200 party and calls on other Riigikogu members to support the draft legislation.
2025-01-15
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Supports in principle the idea of constructing a new Tallinn hospital, given that the existing buildings are deteriorated and the system requires modernization. It is emphasized that the state should support the project, but a clear and critically considered future vision is necessary before construction begins, taking into account demographic shifts and new treatment methods. This position is strongly strategy and policy-based, focusing on the importance of long-term planning.
2024-12-18
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The political position is strongly opposed to the amendments to the Medicines Act regarding the expansion of the hospital exemption. The speaker deems these relaxations premature and excessively liberal, emphasizing the necessity of strict regulations and clinical trials to guarantee patient safety. This position is based on policy and values, representing the stance of Eesti 200, which holds that the amendments will result in undue liberalism concerning the use of medicines that have not completed clinical trials.
2024-12-16
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The political focus is on blocking the influx of synthetic cannabinoids, which is being described as a "truly crazy" situation. As a solution, there is a strong emphasis on the need for joint European Union action to halt the illegal trade arriving in postal packages from China. The stance is heavily geared toward improving security and international control.
2024-12-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The most crucial topic is public health and vaccination, where the speaker adopts a strongly supportive position on mRNA vaccines, labeling them the success story of the COVID pandemic. This is a value-based stance aimed at persuading the public not to discontinue vaccination, stressing that there are insufficient grounds to do so.
2024-12-10
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The speaker firmly backs the position that attendance during working hours is mandatory, treating this as an undeniable principle. His primary concern relates to the efficiency of the parliament's work organization and its control mechanisms. The position itself is focused more on effectiveness and procedures, underscoring the necessity of systematic oversight.
2024-12-05
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary session.
The political stance strongly centers on the balance between children's rights and responsibilities, raising concerns that granting children the right to appeal or complain could lead to manipulation if accountability is not clearly defined. This position is cautious and prioritizes the practical implementation of the law, questioning whether "all aspects have been thoroughly considered." Furthermore, the speaker stresses the procedural focus of the session's agenda.
2024-11-21
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, plenary session
The political emphasis is placed on mitigating climate change, directly linking it to global population growth. The necessity of more effective population growth restraint and conscious resettlement is questioned, indicating a strong value-based approach to solving the climate crisis. The speaker presupposes that climate change is anthropogenic, which defines their political focus.
2024-11-14
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary session
The most prominent topic is increasing the autonomy of the Academy of Sciences, which is strongly supported and viewed as a welcome political direction. Attention is also focused on legislative procedures and the intensity of committee work. The approach is rather policy- and procedure-focused.
2024-11-13
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session.
The political stance is strongly supportive of Draft Law 500, which aims to improve the capacity of local governments (KOVs) to provide mental health care. This position is policy-driven, emphasizing the shift in the funding scheme from a project-based approach to a population-based formula that includes both a floor and a ceiling. The speaker considers this move the right direction for improving public services, especially in smaller municipalities.
2024-11-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The political stance involves strong opposition to the proposed bill, which seeks to alter the current abortion funding mechanism by shifting the financial burden onto the woman herself. This opposition is principled, centered on issues of social justice, preventing the stigmatization of women, and mitigating public health risks (specifically, illegal abortions). The stance is clearly driven by policy and values, emphasizing the bill's inconsistency when compared to other essential healthcare services.
2024-11-06
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The political stance centers on criticizing activity-based budgeting and its associated metrics. The speaker argues that the current metrics are flawed and unrealistic, particularly in the field of health promotion, where results cannot be achieved in the short term. This position is strongly outcome-based, emphasizing the necessity of deriving concrete benefits from financial investments (e.g., healthier people).
2024-10-23
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
It supports faster access to medicines and increased competition in the pharmaceutical market, especially in the treatment of rare diseases, but prefers a narrower wording of the draft bill. The political stance is cautious and policy-driven, emphasizing that the amendment should focus on life-saving drugs and emergency situations, rather than broad market intervention. Concern is expressed that granting broad import rights could lead to the nationalization of the market or increase bureaucracy for hospitals.
2024-10-16
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The speaker strongly supports the bill, which grants permanent funding to local governments for addressing mental health issues, replacing the previous project-based approach. This political stance is focused on enhancing services and trusting local authorities to find flexible solutions. The position is clearly policy- and solutions-driven.
2024-10-10
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fourth sitting, plenary session.
The political position focuses on balancing social welfare and data protection. The speaker is concerned about a provision in the new law that allows a social worker to visit a family based on a diagnosis, emphasizing the need to resolve the data protection issue. The stance is moderate and policy-driven, focusing on the procedural correctness of the law's implementation.
2024-09-17
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Political focus is currently directed towards serious crimes committed by minors and their prevention. The speaker views a specific brutal incident in Pärnu as the tip of the iceberg, stressing the necessity of solving a systemic problem, namely the sense of impunity felt by minors. This position is value-based and focuses on public safety and societal failings.
2024-09-11
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fourth session, plenary session
The political focus centers on national defense and the administrative reform of the healthcare system. Regarding national defense, strong financing is supported, but clarity is demanded concerning the allocation of costs between conventional warfare and cybersecurity. In healthcare, there is firm support for the proposal to transfer the regulation of medical devices from the Health Board to the State Agency of Medicines, emphasizing the latter's greater expertise. The speaker represents the political party Eesti 200 and supports the minister's positions.
2024-06-12
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session.
The political focus is heavily directed toward public health policy, stressing the need for evidence-based decisions rooted in extensive registries. The politician acknowledges the complexity involved in retrospectively evaluating crisis management decisions (COVID-19 restrictions) and supports the adoption of a new, comprehensive healthcare act. The positions taken are predominantly policy- and value-driven, emphasizing the importance of data over emotions.
2024-06-04
15th Riigikogu, third session, plenary sitting
The political position advocates for a comprehensive approach to emergencies, stressing that these situations are not confined solely to military threats but also encompass crises of international significance, such as pandemics. The speaker criticizes the narrow focus adopted by the Parliamentary Committee on National Defence and supports integrating societal experience into the legislative process. This position seeks to enhance both the substance of the policy and its procedural integrity.
2024-05-30
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting
The political focus is currently on the crisis state of the Estonian economy and finance, a situation being addressed with significant concern. As a solution, he proposes the formation of an independent expert council, which would assist the government in making decisions and explaining them to the public. This is a results-oriented approach that underscores the necessity of relying on non-political experts.
2024-05-29
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The most prominent political position is strong support for lowering the voting age and the candidacy age (from 18 to 16 and from 21 to 18, respectively). The position is value-based, emphasizing trust in Estonian youth and their ability to make major life decisions. He/She notes that Eesti 200 firmly supports this proposal.
2024-05-27
Fifteenth Riigikogu, third session, plenary session
The political focus is on two main demographic issues within the social sector: population aging and low birth rates. The speaker moderately supports the active participation of the elderly in working life and criticizes the continuous increase of financial family benefits, arguing that they have exhausted their potential. Preference is given to changing societal attitudes and positive nudging over financial resources. The political framework is value-based, emphasizing the worth of the elderly and the sense of security for families.
2024-05-16
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Third Session, Plenary Session
The political position focuses heavily on the problem of labor shortage, affecting education, healthcare, and skilled labor. The speaker considers the situation—a shortage across the board despite a 60% employment rate—illogical, suggesting either that people are living beyond their means or that the workforce is unevenly distributed. The approach to this problem is results-based, calling the structural efficiency of the economy into question.
2024-05-06
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
The political emphasis is placed on the positive impact of linguistic integration and education policy on society. The speaker strongly supports channeling children from Russian-speaking families into Estonian schools, seeing this as a solution for improving parents' language proficiency and thereby enhancing access to state services (such as hospitals). This stance is clearly value- and policy-driven, focusing on social cohesion.
2024-04-10
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
The political stance is one of moderate criticism, fundamentally supporting the submitted proposal while strongly emphasizing the necessity of accounting for crisis situations. The primary focus is on the state's crisis readiness and the practicality of disseminating health information, which prioritizes the safety of the population over strict language policy. The framework is rather policy- and results-driven, questioning the proposal's actual effectiveness during a crisis.
2024-04-09
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The political stance strongly favors data-driven decisions, positioning them in contrast to choices rooted in emotion. The primary political focus is on eliminating regulatory barriers that prevent the swift and practical utilization of collected data. This position is geared toward improving policies and processes, with a strong emphasis on efficiency.
2024-03-19
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The political focus is on reforming and stabilizing the healthcare system, emphasizing the resolution of labor shortages and the improvement of quality control. The stances taken are policy-driven, supporting the state taking the reins in planning to prevent wish-based medicine. Specific legislative proposals (such as a VAT reduction) are opposed due to their ambiguity and the resulting inequality towards patients suffering from other severe illnesses.
2024-03-06
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The political position is moderately supportive of the draft law currently under discussion, but is significantly more ambitious, as there is a desire to allow partial working much earlier than the 61st day of illness. This stance is clearly policy-driven, emphasizing the necessity of adapting legislation to the evolving work environment (hybrid work, digitalization). The objective is to ensure that individuals do not remain detached from the work process for an excessive period due to illness and continue to feel valued.
2024-01-23
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The political position is strongly evidence-based and supportive of innovation, emphasizing that Estonia’s very existence depends on decisions rooted in knowledge, not emotion. They demand stable funding for science (at least 1% of GDP) and oppose any proposals to cut from this budget. Regarding vaccines, the position is clear: supporting an approach based on the regulations of the State Agency of Medicines and the European Union, and recommending that the proposed bill be rejected.
2024-01-11
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
The political focus is on raising issues within the social and healthcare sectors and clarifying potential solutions. The speaker adopts a procedural stance, stressing the necessity of understanding existing systems (such as calling an ambulance in the event of a home birth) and acknowledging that a problem exists.