The 14th Riigikogu held its opening sitting

NordenBladet  – At the opening sitting of the new Riigikogu, Henn Põlluaas was elected the President of the Riigikogu, and Helir-Valdor Seeder and Siim Kallas were elected the Vice-Presidents.

The President of the Republic Kersti Kaljulaid opened the first sitting and also made a speech.

Kaljulaid presented her recommendations to the new Riigikogu. “Let us keep what we have and speak honestly about what to do better from now on by building, not by tearing down. Let us recognise our success as an e-state. We are proud of our role in the European Union and NATO, not merely as a member but as an active and dutiful contributor. Let us recognise and thank all those Estonian politicians who have led us so far. But let us also be honest about how to improve the functioning of society,” the President said.

“Today, the 14th composition of the Riigikogu commences work. Everyone who is here is here as a result of democratic processes. Estonia’s democracy works. Still, we should ask why, a month after the elections, a large portion of the people feel as if something has been broken in our society. Certain agreed limits no longer seem applicable. It is not a matter of world views but often of elementary politeness and respect. Of respect towards each other and the people,” Kaljulaid noted.

Then the members of the Riigikogu took their oath of office. The eldest member of the Riigikogu Enn Eesmaa read aloud the text of the oath.

After the members of the Riigikogu began to perform their duties, the elections of the Board of the Riigikogu were held, which were organised by Meelis Eerik, Chairman of the National Electoral Committee.

Member of the Riigikogu Martin Helme nominated Henn Põlluaas as a candidate for the President of the Riigikogu, and member of the Riigikogu Jevgeni Ossinovski nominated Sven Mikser.

100 members of the Riigikogu took part in the secret ballot. 55 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Henn Põlluaas, who was elected the President of the Riigikogu, and 45 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Sven Mikser.

Member of the Riigikogu Aivar Kokk nominated Helir-Valdor Seeder as a candidate for a Vice-President, and Member of the Riigikogu Jürgen Ligi nominated Siim Kallas.

100 members of the Riigikogu took part in the secret ballot. 55 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Helir-Valdor Seeder, and 44 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Siim Kallas. One ballot paper was invalid. Thus, Helir-Valdor Seeder was elected the First Vice-President of the Riigikogu and Siim Kallas was elected the Second Vice-President.

After the election of the Board of the Riigikogu, Prime Minister Jüri Ratas announced the resignation of the Government in accordance with the Constitution.

At the festive opening sitting of the new Riigikogu, Ellerhein Girls’ Choir conducted by Ingrid Kõrvits performed.

Source: Parliament of Estonia