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The Riigikogu updated the Accounting Act

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Act on Amendments to the Accounting Act and Amendments to Other Acts arising therefrom (516 SE), initiated by the Government, was passed. It transposes the European Union sustainability reporting directive. It also transposes a directive changing the size criteria for companies.

The Act amends national requirements in the preparation and auditing of annual reports of undertakings. As the emergence and scope of the sustainability reporting obligation depends on the size category of the company, the new thresholds for size categories are set at the highest level allowed under the Directive. The purpose of the Act is to keep the increase in the reporting burden due to the new requirements to a minimum in Estonia.

The updated requirements set an obligation for all large undertakings and listed undertakings to publish a sustainability report as part of their management report for the financial year and to prepare it in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standard. In Estonia, the sustainability reporting obligation covers an estimated 300 companies and groups i.e. approximately 1.4 percent of the private limited liability companies and public limited liability companies operating in Estonia. An estimated third of them will be able to use the consolidation exception under which no sustainability report will need to be prepared if the same information has already been published in the parent company’s report.

Evelin Poolamets (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor during the debate.

On the final vote, 59 members of the Riigikogu supported the Act and 17 were against.

Presentation by Minister of Finance

Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi presented the survey of the Government on the stability support granted by the European Stability Mechanism, and the participation of the Republic of Estonia in the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). The Minister recalled that the ESM had been born as a result of the global financial crisis and, as the Minister explained, there had been several crises in the 12 years of the ESM’s operation but currently the ESM does not have any active assistance programmes.

“The bailout loans granted from the ESM, and the EFSF, the predecessor of the ESM, during the financial crisis are in the post-programme monitoring phase. No risks have been identified that could jeopardise the ability of the beneficiary countries to repay the loans to the ESM,” said Ligi and specified that Spain had started loan repayments in 2022, and Greece had started to do the same in 2023. “I can confirm that last week the Greek Finance Minister endorsed the policy changes that Greece accepted as a condition of bailout loans. And now Greece’s current budget is in better shape than Estonia’s,” he said.

The minister also highlighted that the ESM had maintained its high credit ratings over its 12 years of operation, which was important when borrowing from the markets. The ESM can disburse loans to a maximum extent of 500 billion. Of this volume, EUR 417.5 billion, or the lion’s share, is currently available. However, the ESM invests the free funds on the basis of a conservative investment policy and has accumulated EUR 3.3 billion in reserves. “The ESM has fulfilled its role well in stabilising the euro area in the crises so far. Just knowing that the ESM exists has helped ensure stability in the markets. However, times are difficult, and we cannot rule out that some euro area countries will need ESM help in the future,” the Minister of Finance explained.

A Bill passed the first reading

The Bill on Amendments to the European Union Common Agricultural Policy Implementation Act and the Feed Act (546 SE), initiated by the Government, will bring the Act into conformity with the EU legislation and solve problems that have arisen in practice. A social conditionality system will be established for farms and farmers which will link area- and animal-based payments to the compliance with the working and employment conditions and employer obligations. Amendments will also be made in the measures for the common organisation of the markets in agricultural products as concerns school schemes, quality and composition requirements, and the implementation of marketing standards. In the case of school schemes, the Minister will be given the power to decide, at the level of regulation, on the more specific conditions for granting school scheme aid. The Bill also provides for measures to strengthen the protection of geographical indications.

Arvo Aller (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) and Urmas Kruuse (Reform Party) took the floor during the debate.

The Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group moved to reject the Bill. 14 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 51 were against and thus the Bill passed the first reading.

A Bill was dropped from the proceedings

The Bill to Bring the State Budget Act into conformity with the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, (525 SE), initiated by Isamaa Parliamentary Group, was dropped from the proceedings. Its purpose was to increase the transparency and understandability of the state budget and to give parliament a greater role in the legislative proceedings on the state budget.

Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart (Centre Party), Maris Lauri (Reform Party) and Aivar Kokk (Isamaa) took the floor during the debate.

46 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 20 were against.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
+372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu updated the Accounting Act

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Santa Claus visited the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

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

The Riigikogu passed an Act to reduce the number of end-of-life vehicles

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Act on Amendments to the Waste Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (461 SE), initiated by the Government, is connected with the Motor Vehicle Tax Act which also provides for taxation of vehicles the registry entry for which has been suspended but which cannot be deleted from the register in certain cases under the current regulation.

According to the Act, it will be possible to delete from the register vehicles that no longer exist or are unaccounted for. In 2025, the deletion of such vehicles from the register will be free of state fee, while a state fee of EUR 15 will have to be paid in 2026. In 2025 and 2026, a vehicle can be deleted from the register in this way if the registry entry for the vehicle has been suspended or if the vehicle has been temporarily deleted and has not passed a roadworthiness test for at least the last two years. From 2027, the state fee for deleting a destroyed or unaccounted-for vehicle from the register will be EUR 800. If a vehicle is handed over to a waste handler, the vehicle will be deleted from the register free of charge on the basis of a certificate of destruction.

From 2025, registry entries for vehicles will no longer be automatically suspended. The aim is to nudge owners to decide what to do with a vehicle that is not being used – whether to transfer it, take it to a scrap yard or temporarily delete it from the register in order to put it back into service later.

According to the Act, it will be possible to tow a parked vehicle from a public road if it does not have a registration plate, if the vehicle has not been registered for more than three months or if the vehicle is not complete, i.e. if it is a “scrap vehicle”. In addition to the right of the police and local authorities to tow vehicles the Transport Board is also given the right to tow vehicles in the case of national roads.

The Riigikogu also amended the Motor Vehicle Tax Act to specify the taxation of vehicles that are temporarily deleted and the registry entry for which is suspended. Such vehicles will be subject to a transitional period until the end of 2026 during which they will not be taxed. An amendment specifies that if a temporary deletion is terminated or a registry entry is reinstated, the motor vehicle tax will be due from the date of entry of the vehicle in the active part of the motor register to the end of the year.

Parliament also included a provision in the Act under which vehicles temporarily deleted from the motor register will be exempted from motor vehicle tax starting in 2027, in order to exempt from the tax burden persons who are not using their vehicle for a longer period due to it being restored, for example. If a temporary deletion is terminated, the tax will be due for the entire current year.

As of 1 November 2026, vehicles the registry entry for which has been suspended for more than seven years as of 1 July of the same year will be automatically deleted from the register. If the owner knows the location of the vehicle, they will have to have a roadworthiness test for the vehicle and insure it, temporarily delete the vehicle from the register or hand it over to a waste handler for destruction. A fine is provided for failure to perform the act.

In order to organize the register, the Transport Administration will have the right to temporarily delete vehicles from it if at least one year has elapsed since the death of the owner or at least one month has elapsed since the owner who is a legal person was deleted from the register. Since temporarily deleted vehicles are deemed to be unregistered vehicles and their use in traffic is not allowed, this should motivate the users and owners of such vehicles to update registry entries more quickly.

The Act creates the possibility for over-30-year-old vehicles with historical value to be deleted for up to five years, and vintage vehicles for the entire period of recognition as vintage vehicles. The status of a vintage vehicle must be renewed every 12 years. Vehicles of historical value will have to be stored in facilities with a rainproof and impermeable surface to avoid environmental disturbance.

End-of-life vehicles that have been deleted from the motor register will have to be handed over to a waste handler holding an environmental protection permit who has a contract with the producer or a producers’ responsibility organisation.

During the debate, Andres Metsoja took the floor on behalf of Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Rain Epler on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group, Lauri Laats on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Group, Igor Taro on behalf of Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group and Anti Allas on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group.

50 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act and 16 were against it.

The second reading of a Bill was concluded

The Bill on Amendments to the Status of Member of Riigikogu Act (545 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar, Toomas Kivimägi and Arvo Aller and Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group, the Social Democratic Party Parliamentary Group, the Estonian Reform Party Parliamentary Group and the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Parliamentary Group, passed the second reading.

The Bill will provide for lowering the upper limit for the reimbursement of work-related expenses of members of Riigikogu from 30 per cent to 25 percent of the salary of the members of the Riigikogu which is currently EUR 5,979.95. The salary of members of the Riigikogu changes on April 1 every year as a result of indexation.

As a result of the amendment proposed by the Bill it will be possible for the state to save approximately 400,000 euro annually. In the opinion of the initiators of the bill, reducing the limit for the reimbursement of work-related expenses of members of Riigikogu by one-sixth is reasonable, and the work of the 15th Riigikogu will not suffer as a result. Work-related expenses are reimbursed on the basis of expense receipts.

If the Act is passed, it is planned to enter into force on 1 January 2025.

The Riigikogu heard presentations by the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs

Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta presented to the Riigikogu a report on the implementation of “The Fundamentals of Criminal Policy until 2030”.

Pakosta said that right choices had been made in criminal policy for years and by and large our society was safe. She stated, however, that while crime had been on a downward trend in Estonia for over a decade, the number of recorded crimes had started to rise in 2023, and the total number of recorded crimes was continuing to grow this year as well. “Scams account for the largest part of the growth,” said Pakosta, pointing out the significant increase in computer scams and scam calls.

In her presentation, the minister also focused on juvenile delinquency. She pointed out that offences by minors were on a downward trend but recidivism among young people released from prison was high. At the same time, the minister emphasized the importance of prevention in her presentation.

Pakosta also addressed issues related to addiction disorders. She noted that harms from drug use, including overdoses, were on the rise. Speaking about drunk driving, she said that such offences had decreased. She pointed out that, since last year, first-time offenders were given the opportunity to change their behaviour without having their driving privileges revoked.

Pakosta also said that the use of digital solutions had made procedures faster for people, including in the case of international procedures.

During the debate, Jaanus Karilaid took the floor on behalf Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Anti Haugas on behalf of the Estonian Reform Party Group, Andre Hanimägi on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group, Kert Kingo on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Igor Taro on behalf of the Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group. Minister Liisa Pakosta also took the floor.

The Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs also gave to the Riigikogu an overview of the implementation of “The Fundamentals of Legislative Drafting Policy until 2030” in 2023, focusing on the legislative situation in Estonia.

According to Pakosta, 64 percent of existing laws were amended last year, which is worrying and indicates that more stable legislation is needed, as amending laws too often reduces trust in the state and burdens both people and businesses.

In her presentation, the minister also talked about the problems related to the involvement of interest groups. According to her, interest groups are often involved too late and given too little time to express their opinion. According to Pakosta, in the case of bills related to the state budget, the average coordination time last year was only five days, which is not enough time to discuss complex issues.

In her presentation, Pakosta also highlighted examples of good legislation and acknowledged that all drafts and legislative intents were public, and everyone could express their opinion. According to her, a feedback loop between ministries is also important in the interests of better legislation. She also stressed the importance of the constitutionality and constitutional review of legislation.

During the debate, Varro Vooglaid took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group, Igor Taro on behalf of Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group and Riina Solman on behalf of Isamaa Parliamentary Group. Minister Liisa Pakosta also took the floor.

During the open microphone Igor Taro from Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group and Rain Epler and Anti Poolamets from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Parliamentary Group took the floor.

After the sitting, it is planned to form the Estonia-Syria Parliamentary Friendship Group on the initiative of Eerik-Niiles Kross.

The sitting ended at 6.45 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu passed an Act to reduce the number of end-of-life vehicles

Source: Parliament of Estonia

End of Exercise Pikne and Snap Exercise Okas 24-2

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —Today, December 15, the multinational military exercise Pikne and snap exercise Okas 24-2, conduced from December 2 to 15, 2024, were announced completed. The exercise, involving nearly 2,000 Estonian and Allied troops, was conducted in the northern and north-eastern Estonia, as well as on the Gulf of Finland. “Exercise Pikne …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

The European Union Affairs Committee made Estonia’s positions for climate target negotiations more conditional

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali said that the Committee had decided to give fundamental support to the positions of the Government, taking into account the opinions of the Environment Committee, the Economic Affairs Committee and the Rural Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu, as well as the input of the Chancellor of Justice, the organisations representing employers and the Estonian Forest and Wood Industries Association.

“After a thorough and lengthy debate, the Committee reached a compromise. Estonia believes that a 90% greenhouse gas emissions reduction compared to 1990 levels across the European Union is not achievable without the availability of new technologies,” Tali said. “Therefore, Estonia can only conditionally agree to the European Commission’s proposal, which can be achieved by ensuring, for example, the availability of new technologies, the taking into account of the specific characteristics of countries, the equal access to funding, the mid-term assessment of climate targets and updating them if necessary. We must not in any way artificially put our businesses, industry and agriculture in a weaker competitive position.”

He pointed out that the European Union Affairs Committee held the debate on climate targets at a public sitting because the Committee had committed itself to being as open and transparent as possible and hear all parties when dealing with EU issues with a wide impact.

It was underlined at the sitting that regarding the Communication, Estonia was not taking on any new commitments or raising its ambition, but was choosing how to move towards its 2050 climate neutrality target. It was pointed out that each country must be able to decide for itself in which sector and at what pace it would reduce emissions. A legislative initiative on amending the European Climate Law is expected in the first half of the new year.

The European Union Affairs Committee underlined the importance of the competitiveness of the Estonian economy and the protection of Europe’s and Estonia’s security interests in achieving climate targets. The Committee added an amendment to the positions, where the need to ensure security in a broader sense is highlighted, with a particular focus on energy security along with food security and security of supply.

To emphasise parliamentary scrutiny, the Committee added a clause to the positions, according to which the committees of the Riigikogu must be kept informed about the climate target negotiations in Europe and involved as early as possible in the drafting of positions regarding the legislative proposals arising from the Communication, so that there would be time for in-depth debate.

The positions of the Government regarding the European Union’s 2040 climate target were presented at the sitting by Minister of Climate Yoko Alender and Deputy Secretary General for Green Transition at the Ministry of Climate Kristi Klaas. Adviser of the Foreign Relations Department Marina Bantšenko, Head of the Climate Department Laura Remmelgas and Adviser of the Climate Department Merilyn Möls from the Ministry of Climate, and Line Manager at the Land Use Policy Department of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Argo Peepson also attended the sitting.

The discussion of the public item of the agenda is available for viewing on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee made Estonia’s positions for climate target negotiations more conditional

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Reserve troops of the Engineer Battalion returned to snap exercise Okas 24-2

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —On Friday, December 13, the reservists of the Engineer Battalion (1st Infantry Brigade) returned to their duty stations to continue refreshment training as part of the flexible snap exercise (SNAPEX) Okas 24-2, announced on December 2. “The flexible format really suited me. I had arranged things at home so that …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

The Environment Committee discussed environmental protection with Ukrainian counterparts

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

At the meeting, Chairman of the Environment Committee of the Riigikogu Igor Taro expressed readiness to cooperate on environmental and nature conservation issues that are of interest to Ukraine.

Taro pointed out that it was important to claim compensation for the environmental damage caused to Ukraine by Russia’s aggression. “In addition to the loss of human life and destruction, Russia’s aggression is causing enormous damage to the environment, which must be compensated, and the aggressor must be held accountable for its crimes. Estonia is ready to share its experience in calculating the environmental damage caused by the Soviet occupation. We can also share our experience in adopting environmental legislation as a member of the European Union,” Taro said.

At the meeting, the Ukrainian delegation wished to hear about the experience of the Environment Committee of the Riigikogu in the application of EU law in the field of environment protection and civil protection, and the challenges connected with it, as well as about the organisation of waste management, the protection of forest resources, the establishment of national parks and the management of natural resources.

President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar also met with the representatives of the Ukrainian parliamentary committee. He affirmed Estonia’s strong support to Ukraine in its fight against Russia that was continuing a war of aggression.

He said that yesterday the Riigikogu had passed the next year’s state budget, where nearly 100 million euros had been allocated to supporting Ukraine, and Estonia would continue providing military assistance to Ukraine in the amount of at least 0.25 per cent of GDP also in the coming years. “We are working to encourage our allies and partners to increase their support to Ukraine. We also support the tightening of sanctions against Russia,” said Hussar, who also expressed strong support for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and NATO.

Three-member delegation of the Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management of the Verkhovna Rada that is headed by Deputy Chair of the Committee Olena Kryvoruchkina is on a visit to Estonia since Tuesday. At the Riigikogu, they also had meetings with the members of the National Defence Committee and the Estonia-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group. The Ukrainian delegation will also meet with Minister of Climate Yoko Alender and Director General of the Estonian Rescue Board Margo Klaos.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Environment Committee discussed environmental protection with Ukrainian counterparts

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Allied Live Fire Exercise Conducted at the Sirgala Training Area

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —From December 10 to 12, Estonian and Allied units conducted a Live Fire Exercise at Sirgala training area as part of multinational military exercise Pikne. “In the course of the exercise we practiced defensive activities against an adversary that was stopped at our first positions. The adversary then tried to …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

The Riigikogu passed next year’s state budget

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

56 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour and 29 against passing the State Budget for 2025 Act (513 SE), initiated by the Government.

Compared to this year’s budget, revenues will grow by EUR 0.9 billion or 5.8 % and expenditure by EUR 0.7 billion or 3.9 %. The budget foresees EUR 1.9 billion in investments and investment grants.

Military defence expenditure will be 3.3 % of the GDP. Investments are planned into defence industry, ICT, construction of Rail Baltica, roadworks, supporting the renovation of buildings, promoting the introduction of renewable energy, and renovating the Art Hall and the National Library. There is also an increase in the average old-age pension and in allowances for children and working aged people with a profound disability, as well as continued financing for transitioning to Estonian-medium education.

According to the Act, the tax burden in 2025 will be 35.8% of the GDP. The general government deficit remains at the level of three percent of GDP, which fulfils the Maastricht budget balance rule.

With the State Budget for 2025 Act, the Government set the goal of assuring the security of the people and the country, cleaning up public finances, and ensuring sustainable economic growth.

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu passed next year’s state budget

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Bill on the expense allowances of members of the Riigikogu passed the first reading

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Bill on Amendments to the Status of Member of Riigikogu Act (545 SE) passed the first reading. It will provide for lowering the rate for the reimbursement of work-related expenses of members of Riigikogu to 25 percent of the salary of the members of the Riigikogu. As a result, it will be possible for the state to save approximately 400,000 euro annually. In the opinion of the initiators of the bill, reducing the limit for the reimbursement of work-related expenses of members of Riigikogu by one-sixth is reasonable, and the work of the 15th Riigikogu will not suffer as a result. According to the Bill, the Act will enter into force from 1 January 2025.

Lauri Laats (Centre Party) and Marek Reinaas (Estonia 200) took the floor during the debate.

On the motion of the Constitutional committee, the first reading of the Bill was concluded and the deadline for submission of motions to amend was set for 4 p.m. on 11 January.

Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo replied to the interpellation concerning the activities of the Government committee on population policy (No.  661), Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna replied to the interpellation concerning Estonia’s voting in the United Nations General Assembly  (No.  663) and Minister of Climate Yoko Alender replied to the interpellation concerning plans to mine phosphate rock (No.  664), submitted by members of the Riigikogu.

The sitting ended at 5.54 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

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: The Bill on the expense allowances of members of the Riigikogu passed the first reading

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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