NordenBladet —
The agenda today, the last regular sitting of the autumn session, did not include any draft legal acts for legislative proceeding; instead, the Riigikogu received a visit from Santa Claus who commented on the activities of the MPs and handed out humorous presents.
Santa Claus first gave the plenary chamber a once-over. “You all look so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, at least all of you who have taken the trouble to be here.” He complimented the MPs for taking the step of reducing their expense allowance by one quarter.
The first ones called to the rostrum for their present was the Board of the Riigikogu, who gave a presentation of the comments of Santa Claus during previous visits as well as his observations on the ending year. Santa Claus gave the Board an assorted gift bag to be shared among themselves. The President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar thanked Santa Claus for his care and words of wisdom, which he has bestowed on the MPs over the years.
Every parliamentary group received a present that came with an explanation by Santa Claus. MPs recited poems and sang funny songs to receive their presents. Non-attached MPs also received the gift of window sealing tape because they sit by the windows.
After leaving Toompea, Santa Claus planned to visit children.
Under the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, the next regular sitting of the Riigikogu will take place on 13 January next year.
Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)
Photos/ Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu/
Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Santa Claus visited the Riigikogu
Source: Parliament of Estonia