By Plenary Sessions: Heljo Pikhof
Total Sessions: 34
Fully Profiled: 34
2025-10-06
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The primary legislative activity is exercising oversight over the government by submitting an interpellation pursuant to Section 139 of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. The objective is to compel the government to provide clear and transparent information regarding the impacts of the transaction involving Swedish prisoners on internal security.
2025-09-24
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
The legislative focus is aimed at clarifying the government’s plans and timelines for rolling out high-speed internet in rural areas. The speaker is acting more as an interrogator and someone demanding accountability, rather than initiating specific pieces of draft legislation.
2025-09-22
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The focus is on criticizing a specific government decision (the transfer of Swedish prisoners to Tartu Prison) and challenging its consequences, rather than initiating or amending legislation.
2025-09-15
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting
The legislative focus is currently aimed at reforming the education system's funding model to better account for children's socio-economic background, as well as mitigating the social impacts of the transition to Estonian-language instruction. The speaker is actively initiating oversight, having submitted an interpellation concerning educational inequality. Furthermore, accountability is being demanded for the delay in adopting the Arms Act.
2025-09-10
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The legislative focus is on amending the Holidays and Important Dates Act to ensure an extra day off when a public holiday falls on a weekend. The speaker is the initiator and supporter of this draft bill, emphasizing that the regulation would provide certainty for both schools and entrepreneurs, guaranteeing exactly the same number of days off every year.
2025-09-08
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The legislative priority is the advancement of bioethics and euthanasia regulation, an issue that has been stalled for a long time. The speaker is taking a leadership role, demanding that the government address the matter more vigorously and find a solution.
2025-09-04
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
The speaker is an active initiator in legislation concerning social policy (the abolition of kindergarten fees, extra days off) and the cultural sector (the extension of the Estonia Theatre). They also handle the technical modernization of laws (the Estonian Academy of Sciences Act) and are critical of the procedures used for processing the Employment Contracts Act. They submit inquiries regarding policies aimed at reducing educational inequality.
2025-06-18
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The legislative focus is on establishing mandatory operating licenses and state supervision for debt collection firms, as well as bringing the positive credit registry into force earlier than 2028. Furthermore, the speaker supports the development of an anti-fraud action plan and is initiating an amendment proposal in the state supplementary budget regarding the abolition of kindergarten placement fees.
2025-06-12
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The legislative focus is to actively oppose the bills currently under consideration regarding the reorganization of the prison service and the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA), as well as the transfer of prisoners to Tartu Prison. The speaker sharply criticizes the procedure for processing these bills, citing "muddying the waters" and the evasion of questions.
2025-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The legislative focus is centered on amending the draft State Supplementary Budget Act by proposing an amendment to allocate 22 million euros toward eliminating kindergarten tuition fees in all local municipalities until the end of 2025. The objective is to initiate the transition to free pre-primary education and to require the government to budget for these funds in subsequent years as well.
2025-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting.
The legislative focus centers on the proper transposition of the European Union's updated Competition Directive into Estonian law. The speaker strongly opposes the specific draft bill (known as the "parallel procedure model"), deeming it both ineffective and legally questionable.
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The legislative priority is the regulation of light personal mobility device traffic, particularly concerning speed limits and the enforcement of drunk driving laws. The speaker is the initiator, seeking a solution through the amendment of national regulations to ensure a uniform safety standard.
2025-05-21
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing.
The legislative focus is aimed at amending regulations concerning the compensation for nature conservation restrictions and the income taxation of subsidies. The speaker calls on the government to take steps to ensure the payment of fair compensation and to abandon the income taxation of these subsidies.
2025-05-19
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
The legislative focus is directed toward demanding amendments to laws and development plans that accelerate the establishment of renewable energy production capacity. Existing or planned forestry laws concerning felling age and land use ratios are also sharply criticized, with opposition being mounted against them.
2025-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The legislative focus is centered on opposing a specific bill concerning the modification of the unemployment benefit system. The speaker is acting as an opponent of the proposal, demanding accountability and guarantees regarding the social consequences.
2025-05-05
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The legislative focus is aimed at the historical context of social policy drafts, particularly the 2007 pension indexation bill. The speaker is using previous legislative achievements to evaluate the current government's actions and correct the facts.
2025-03-19
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing.
The focus is on issues concerning government action and accountability in the field of national defense, particularly regarding procurement and communication. Specific legislative priorities or draft bills are not mentioned.
2025-02-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The main legislative focus is on the draft Act on the Organization of Research and Development and Innovation. The speaker is a critical supporter of the bill, focusing on its improvement to ensure stable funding, protect academic freedom, and strengthen the independent governance of research ethics.
2025-02-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
The legislative focus is currently on Riigikogu decision draft 550, which aims to map the situation and impact of young people's social media use and subsequently develop an action plan. The discussion will also address the need to establish a national framework for regulating the use of smart devices in schools, whether through legislation or a specific regulation. The submitters of the draft emphasize that the primary goal right now is analysis, not immediate prohibition.
2025-01-15
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The legislative focus is on amending the Adult Education Act to create a flexible and high-quality lifelong learning system. The goal is to legalize micro-qualifications and micro-degrees and ensure the quality of training through operating licenses and evaluation. The speaker is a strong supporter and advocate for this draft bill.
2024-12-04
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
The main legislative priority is to support and advance the education reform bill, which replaces mandatory school attendance with a duty to learn and establishes five flexible learning tracks. The objective is to guarantee adequate learning opportunities after basic education and to transform vocational education into a competitive alternative.
2024-11-20
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The primary legislative focus is on amendments to the Education Act (Bill 447), which addresses the extension of compulsory education until the age of 18 and the regulations governing tuition-free studies. In this matter, we are acting in the role of both a supporter and the manager of the legislative process. The second focus is the opposition to the draft amendments to the Constitution, emphasizing procedural requirements (impact assessment) and the necessity of analyzing security risks.
2024-11-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The legislative focus is currently centered on the Social Affairs Committee's previous discussions, particularly regarding the termination of pregnancy for minors and the issue of parental consent. The speaker draws upon their prior experience to establish the context of the legislative process, using it to criticize the opponent's value-driven stances.
2024-09-16
The 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting.
The legislative focus is directed towards amending or establishing national building codes to mandate the inclusion of shelter facilities in new homes. The Speaker initiated the political discussion, asking the minister for a concrete plan to implement the new regulation.
2024-06-12
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session.
The main legislative priority is Draft Bill 447 (amendments to education laws), which reforms the vocational and secondary education system, increases the flexibility of studies, and regulates fee-based education for adult learners. The goal is to establish a clear basis for the recognition of non-formal education and to link the credit points used in general secondary, vocational, and higher education.
2024-06-03
Fifteenth Riigikogu, third session, plenary sitting.
The main legislative priority is bringing the bill regulating the dissemination of pornographic and violent content to a final vote. The objective is to ensure that Estonian law complies with the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) and also to find solutions for regulating websites that do not fall under EU jurisdiction.
2024-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The primary legislative focus is on the adoption of the Early Childhood Education and Care Bill, which aims to standardize the requirements for childcare facilities and kindergartens and establish qualification requirements. Key amendments include the organization of support services, the elimination of kindergarten waiting lists, and ensuring Estonian-language education in every group.
2024-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The main legislative focus is ensuring the implementation of the Riigikogu's previous decision, which confirmed the Estonia extension's inclusion on the list of nationally important cultural buildings funded by the Cultural Endowment. The speaker is acting as a proponent who demands that the decision be realized.
2024-04-16
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The legislative focus is on implementing amendments to the Cultural Endowment Act and the Gambling Tax Act, which replaced the creative work allowance with creative work remuneration, thereby ensuring social protection. A further priority is the completion of construction and renovation projects for nationally important cultural buildings (including the new TV house and SÜKU). Government approval is also awaited for the rolling health insurance scheme.
2024-04-03
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The legislative focus is currently on the draft resolution (Draft 231), which involves proposing to the Government of the Republic the organization of education for Ukrainian children, specifically aiming to allow them to continue their studies under Ukrainian curricula. Significant attention is being paid to the procedural aspects, including the volume of amendments and the requirement to secure a majority vote of the Riigikogu membership (51 votes in favor) for the resolution to be adopted.
2024-03-20
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
The legislative focus is on amending the Cultural Endowment Act to establish a creative remuneration system that grants social protection to creative individuals, and to introduce flexibility in the financing of nationally important cultural buildings (including the ERR building). The speaker is a strong proponent and initiator of these amendments (through the Culture Committee).
2024-02-21
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The main legislative priority is the adoption of Draft Legislation 338, which amends the Estonian Cultural Endowment Act and the Gambling Tax Act. The purpose of this bill is to create social guarantees for creative professionals and ensure flexibility in the financing of cultural infrastructure projects. I am the initiator of the draft (via the Cultural Committee) and a strong supporter, while also dealing with the rejection of proposals to amend the ERR (Estonian Public Broadcasting) Act.
2024-01-24
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The legislative focus is on amending the Language Act, specifically by increasing the rates of fines and introducing new enforcement measures in draft bills 161 SE and 1 SE. One speaker is a representative of the lead committee, who is responsible for the procedure of the draft bill and submitting the proposal for its rejection, while emphasizing the timely handling of the legislative drafts.
2024-01-18
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The legislative focus is centered on streamlining the school network and finding a new operational model appropriate for Estonia. This model would encompass establishing community centers and developing frameworks for cooperation across local government units (LGUs). Furthermore, priorities include reviewing the teachers' career model, reducing excessive workload, and securing guaranteed salary increases.