Riigikogu discussed two Bills at its regular sitting today

The Riigikogu began the sitting by passing an act that bans the use of symbols that support acts of aggression by a foreign state, and then continued with the second reading of a Bill on producing and consuming renewable energy.

Act on Amendments to the Penal Code and the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure (supporting of aggression) (585 SE), initiated by Faction Isamaa and the Government, prohibits the exhibition of symbols connected with the commission of an act of aggression, genocide, a crime against humanity or a war crime in a manner that supports or justifies such acts. The Act also makes its a criminal offence to join foreign aggression.

The Act will introduce amendments to the Penal Code that have been prompted by Russia’s attack against Ukraine and will ensure an appropriate punishment if a person takes part in the aggression. Under the Act, joining the armed forces of a foreign state that is committing an act of aggression, or any other armed unit participating in an act of aggression committed by a foreign state, participation in the commission of or preparing an act of aggression by a foreign state as well as knowingly and directly, including financially, supporting an act of aggression by a foreign state is punishable as a criminal offence. An imprisonment of up to five years is provided for such an act. If a legal person commits such an act, it will receive a pecuniary punishment.

The Act also bans public exhibit of symbols connected with the commission of an act of aggression, genocide, a crime against humanity, or a war crime in a manner that supports or justifies such acts. The Act provides for a fine of up to three hundred fine units, that is EUR 1,200, or detention for such an act. If a legal person commits such an act, it will be punished by a fine of up to EUR 32,000. The section relating to the exhibition of symbols will enter into force on the day following the day of publication in the Riigi Teataja.

69 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of and 3 members voted against passing the Act on Amendments to the Penal Code and the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure (supporting of aggression) (585 SE), initiated by Faction Isamaa and the Government.

During the debate, representatives of factions Heljo Pikhof (Social Democratic Party), Signe Kivi (Reform Party), Marek Jürgenson (Centre Party), Tarmo Kruusimäe (Isamaa), and Anti Poolamets (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of one Bill

The Bill on Amendments to the Energy Sector Organisation Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (382 SE), initiated by the Government, will transpose the European Union Renewable Energy Directive, which aims to increase the production and consumption of renewable energy both in households and at the level of large producers and consumers.

The amendments made with the transposition of the Renewable Energy Directive can be divided into three groups according to their content and scope: the national renewable energy targets and the principles for the calculation thereof together with the issues of guarantees of origin; the boosting and facilitation of the consumption of renewable-source energy generated for own use, which includes spatial plans and administrative and authorisation procedures; and the sustainability criteria for biofuels.

During the debate, Kalvi Kõva (Social Democratic Party), Aivar Kokk (Isamaa), and Peeter Ernits (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor.

Source: Parliament of Estonia