Estonia: The Riigikogu appointed Juhan Sarv a justice of the Supreme Court

NordenBladet — At today’s plenary sitting, the Riigikogu appointed Juhan Sarv a justice of the Supreme Court. Sarv becomes a member of the Supreme Court from 3 February 2020.

The explanatory memorandum to the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Appointment of Juhan Sarv a Justice of the Supreme Court” (102 OE), submitted by Villu Kõve, notes that Juhan Sarv is an experienced and recognised lawyer. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court confirmed that Sarv’s long-time work experience as an adviser to the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court and as a judge of Tartu Circuit Court allowed him to contribute significantly to the work of the Supreme Court and the further development of Estonian criminal law.

67 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the Resolution and three were against.

On the motion of the Constitutional Committee, the Riigikogu suspended the second reading of the Bill to Implement Regulation (EU) 2019/788 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Citizens’ Initiative (74 SE), initiated by the Government. The Bill was intended lower the minimum age for signing a statement of support for a citizens’ initiative from the current age of 18 to 16.

The European citizens’ initiative is an instrument of participatory democracy that allows to make proposals on legal amendments in all fields where the European Commission has the competence to present legislative proposals (e.g. environment, agriculture, energy, transport and trade). A citizens’ initiative must receive the support of one million citizens from at least seven Member States. Initiatives allow citizens of different Member States to influence the policy-making of the European Union.

During the debate, Lauri Läänemets (Social Democratic Party), Hanno Pevkur (Reform Party), Tarmo Kruusimäe (Isamaa) and Henn Põlluaas (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor.

At the beginning of the sitting, the member of the Riigikogu Kalev Saare took his oath of office.

Source: Parliament of Estonia