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Source: Estonian Defence Forces
Helena-Reet Ennet
The Riigikogu adopted the Churches and Congregations Act again
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63 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act unamended and 15 were against it. This means that the President must either proclaim the Act or turn to the Supreme Court with a request to declare the Act to be in violation of the Constitution.
At the new debate on the Act on Amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act (570 UA), the Chairman of the Constitutional Committee Ando Kiviberg and member of the Legal Affairs Committee Andre Hanimägi explained the discussions in their Committees and replied to questions.
Kiviberg quoted the President as saying that cutting dangerous administrative ties was probably in conformity with the Constitution and followed the main goal of the Act; however, the problem lied in the definition of the basis for teaching, and which instructional ties could remain and which had to be cut. Kiviberg suggested assessing the elements as part of a whole. He added that the Bill did not concern freedom of religion and that congregations could continue their religious practices even with the new Act in force.
Hanimägi reported that the sitting of the Legal Affairs Committee had focused on whether the Act was in conformity with the Constitution. “Restricting the freedom of religion has never been the intent of the Bill. This has also been emphasised by the Ministry of the Interior and great many other experts,” he said. Hanimägi also answered questions, saying that different legal experts have often retained different opinions on the Act and that it was therefore not at all wrong to let the judges decide the right position.
“Ensuring security is a basic function of the state and even the President of the Republic has not fundamentally questioned the need to possibly restrict the activities of religious associations for reasons of security,” said the Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee Madis Timpson. He added that the President had not contested the purpose of the Bill, that there was no conflict of values in that respect and that the dispute concerned proportionality.
The Bill makes a value-based judgement as an abstract standard—the Republic of Estonia does not tolerate interference into the internal matters of the state under the cover of freedom of religion and canonical activities. “These amendments do not restrict anyone’s freedom of religion, ban any religion in Estonia, dissolve any church, congregation, convent, or union of congregations,” Timpson assured and added that there was room for discretion when interpreting the Act.
The Riigikogu first passed the Churches and Congregations Act on 9 April. The purpose of the Act is to ensure, among other things, that religious organisations operating in Estonia cannot be used to spread hostile influence, disseminate extremist ideologies, or incite violence under the guise of freedom of religion and freedom of association guaranteed by the Constitution. According to the explanatory memorandum, Estonia stands for freedom of religion, and everyone has the freedom to choose whether to follow a religion and which religion to follow. However, in addition to respecting the freedom of religion, belief, and association, the state must also take into account the challenges that threaten national security and security in the society.
The President did not proclaim the Act on 24 April, arguing that it created disproportionate restrictions on religious freedom and freedom of association. On 14 May, the plenary of the Riigikogu decided that it would not pass the Act again without amendments but would begin to amend it. While discussing the Act again, the Riigikogu made several amendments, such as repealing the prohibition on being guided by a person of significant influence who resides abroad and extended the transitional period for introducing the necessary changes from two to six months. The Riigikogu passed the amended version of the Act on 18 June.
However, the President again refused to proclaim the Act on 3 July. He acknowledged that the Riigikogu had changed the text of the Act somewhat but not enough. He continued to see a violation with three provisions of the Constitution and a disproportionate restriction to the freedom of association and religion. He made a proposal to the Riigikogu to discuss the Act again and bring it into conformity with the Constitution. The Riigikogu decided to make no further amendments to the Act.
Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: The Riigikogu adopted the Churches and Congregations Act again
Source: Parliament of Estonia
Foreign Affairs Committees of the Baltic States and Türkiye discuss security situation and cooperation in Riga
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Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Marko Mihkelson believes the meeting will be important for strengthening regional security and the relations between the Baltic States and Türkiye. “As allies, we have many common interests. Defence cooperation has intensified, and Türkiye is also contributing more to ensuring security in our region,” he said, adding that close information exchange and cooperation with Türkiye were extremely important.
Mihkelson explained that the meeting in the Latvian parliament would focus on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the resulting changes in the European security situation, but the situation in the Middle East and broader geopolitical trends would also be addressed. Cooperation within NATO and relations with the United States will be discussed as well.
The meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committees will also discuss various hybrid threats, including refugee pressure originating from Russia, drawing on the experiences of the Baltic States and Türkiye. In addition to members of the Foreign Affairs Committees, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence of Latvia, and NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence will participate in the discussions.
On Wednesday, the delegations of the Foreign Affairs Committees will also meet with Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa, and visit Latvijas Mobilais Telefons, the largest mobile communications company in Latvia.
Estonia is represented at the meeting by Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson and member of the Committee Luisa Rõivas.
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Foreign Affairs Committees of the Baltic States and Türkiye discuss security situation and cooperation in Riga
Source: Parliament of Estonia
The Riigikogu heard the replies to ten interpellations
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Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur replied to the interpellation concerning obstruction of the development of the defence industry (No. 783), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Raimond Kaljulaid, Tiit Maran, Reili Rand, Heljo Pikhof, Züleyxa Izmailova, Tanel Kiik, Anti Allas, Helmen Kütt, Lauri Läänemets and Riina Sikkut.
The interpellators asked for the reason why the Minister of Defence had chosen a more time-consuming procedure for establishing the defence industrial park and whether the ministry had analysed what damage the delays had caused to the Estonian economy and defence capability.
Pevkur stated that expert knowledge from all agencies had been included in the development of implementing acts. The working group that developed the Bill included representatives from the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Police and Border Guard Board, the Estonian Internal Security Service, the Estonian Forensic Science Institute, as well as the Defence Forces and the National Centre for Defence Investments. In addition, defence industry companies. Two meetings were held with the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association. Thirty people from 20 companies participated in both meetings.
“Of course, it is our task and desire that when we change regulations, these regulations should be as clear and detailed as possible,” Pevkur explained.
According to the minister, a designated spatial plan had been the fastest and most reasonable solution in the legal space in place at that time. “According to § 271(1) of the Planning Act, the authority to arrange the creation of national designated spatial plans may dispense with the preparation of a detailed solution and may bring a plan into effect based on the decision on pre-selecting a location, and this was used,” Pevkur said. He added that, as the procedure for creating a national designated spatial plan had been initiated on 15 February 2024 and the plan had been brought into effect on 21 August 2025, looking at previous national designated spatial plans and all other types of plans, that had been at least two to three times faster.
“In other words, if you look at this whole timeline, the procedure for creating a national designated spatial plan was the fastest way to establish the plan for the defence industrial park,” Pevkur said. He pointed out that we have an environment in Estonia where we have to assess environmental impacts. “If we are in wartime, then of course there are different rules and these rules are currently being discussed by the Riigikogu in the Civilian Crisis and National Defence Act,” Pevkur explained the situation. In his opinion, this will not cause damage to the economy. “Quite the contrary: these decisions – both the amendments to the Weapons Act and the defence industrial park – will ultimately bring more money into the Estonian economy,” the minister noted.
“The procedure for creating a national designated spatial plan in the legal space of that time as well as in the current legal space has been the fastest possible way to take into account other impacts. Not only out of a desire and need to develop the defence industry, but also based on the fact that Estonia has nature and an environment that we must preserve and value in the same way,” Pevkur explained.
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras replied to interpellations concerning increasing the decision-making power of local governments (No. 777) and Latvian red deer in Estonia (No. 796).
Minister of Culture Heidy Purga replied to interpellations concerning the salaries of cultural workers (No. 781) and the amendment of the Public Libraries Act (No. 808).
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas replied to interpellations concerning school meals (No. 770), teachers’ salaries (No. 778), differences in teachers’ salaries (No. 790), educational inequality (No. 795) and the availability of upper secondary education in Estonia (No. 799).
The interpellation concerning inadequate public funding for school meals and the resulting inequality (No. 797) submitted to Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas was removed from the agenda for the working week on the motion of interpellators.
Lauri Laats, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart and Lauri Läänemets took the floor during the open microphone.
The sitting ended at 9.13 p.m.
Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)
Video recording of the sitting 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 Riigikogu heard the replies to ten interpellations
Source: Parliament of Estonia
The Riigikogu supports adopting European Union list of safe countries of origin
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Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali said that the European Union’s common list of safe countries would reduce the time spent on procedures for persons coming from safe countries. “For these asylum seekers, an accelerated procedure or border procedure can be applied, because it is known that the person is not at risk in their home country,” Tali explained.
“Member States have the right to make their own lists of safe countries, but the aim of the draft is to create a common list for the European Union in order to prevent abuse of the asylum system and reduce costs and bureaucracy. The list will help speed up asylum procedures and make returns more efficient, which is why we support the initiative. However, as Estonia has also stated in its positions, the list has to be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary.”
It was decided that, according to the draft, a whole country or a specific part of it could be designated as safe. It is also possible to make exceptions and to assess for whom the country is safe and for whom it is not safe. The European Commission has proposed declaring Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia, as well as EU candidate countries, as safe countries of origin.
The Committee also supported to initiative according to which it will be possible to reject asylum applications as inadmissible and to return the applicant to the transit country through which they transited to the European Union if that country is sufficiently safe. The amendment will accelerate decision-making and reduce abuse of the asylum system.
At the Committee sitting, Minister of the Interior Igor Taro outlined the positions of the Government regarding the initiatives and proposals on establishing a European Union list of safe countries of origin and the draft regulation on the application of the ‘safe third country’ concept.
The European Union Affairs Committee decided by consensus to support the positions presented by the Government on both points, in line with the opinion of the Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu.
Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: The Riigikogu supports adopting European Union list of safe countries of origin
Source: Parliament of Estonia
The Riigikogu heard the Annual Report of the Financial Supervision Authority
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Chairman of the Management Board of the Financial Supervision Authority Kilvar Kessler, who also had given the Riigikogu an overview of the work done in 2024 and in earlier years, pointed out that the annual reports presented to the Riigikogu set out four important issues on Estonia’s financial market. “First, mergers of companies in the financial market, alongside rapid growth of new banks and other financial intermediaries, a review of business models and moving away from non-transparent business practices, and successful risk mitigation in crises, like the ID-card crisis, COVID crisis and the initial phase of hot war in Ukraine,” the head if the Financial Supervision Authority said.
Among other things, Kessler explained that at the end of last year, one of the region’s largest banks, Sweden’s SEB, announced that it had decided to merge its Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian banks into a single entity and to bring the Baltic headquarters to Estonia. “This headquarters will not be established in Riga, nor in Vilnius, but here, in Tallinn. And this clearly demonstrates confidence in Estonia’s financial supervision,” he noted, adding that seven years ago, the Financial Supervision Authority had also convincingly demonstrated the best business environment to Luminor, which established a new bank, the headquarters of the merged bank, in Tallinn.
The head of the Financial Supervision Authority predicted that these mergers would also encourage other credit institutions operating across the Baltic region to review their structures. “Our financial supervision operates professionally, objectively, and transparently. I think that it would be unreasonable for the state not to use the work of the Financial Supervision Authority in shaping our business environment when selling Estonia’s favourable environment to investors. Tallinn and Estonia as banking centre clearly gives the foreign investors a signal of the suitability of the environment here, provides work for our financial experts, and, under certain conditions, increases competition. This can have a snowball effect in a good sense,” he said.
Secondly, Kessler addressed the legal framework and overregulation on the one hand, and the diversification of the supervisory toolbox, including issues related to the size of fines and to procedures, on the other. Thirdly, he outlined the work being done in new areas of financial supervision, such as the establishment of euro area banking supervision and crisis resolution and integration into its activities, supervision of credit providers, supervision of crowdfunding, supervision of credit collectors, and supervision of crypto-asset markets.
Fourthly, the head of the Financial Supervision Authority emphasized the maturation of the Financial Supervision Authority, the establishment of a crisis resolution function from zero, the merger of the Guarantee Fund with the Financial Supervision Authority for the sake of more efficient operation, and the achievement of outstanding results with very modest resources in the financial education of young people. Kessler assured that over the years, the Financial Supervision Authority had grown into one of the most efficient and effective institutions in Estonia. “We have fulfilled the tasks assigned to us in accordance with the law on a risk-based basis, we have implemented the current strategy, we have kept the financial sector running smoothly and the risks mitigated. We have not lost a single important court case. Our employees hold the Financial Supervision Authority in very high regard as an employer, and our staff turnover is low. We have achieved all this by acting decisively, professionally, and with an open mind,” he said.
During the debate, Maris Lauri (Reform Party) and Andre Hanimägi (Social Democratic Party) took the floor on behalf of their parliamentary groups.
Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)
Video recording will be available 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 heard the Annual Report of the Financial Supervision Authority
Source: Parliament of Estonia
Baltic members of Parliament call on the USA to continue funding the Baltic Security Initiative
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In the letter, the members of Parliaments thank the USA for supporting the security of the Baltic States, which over the years has evolved into a robust political, economic and military partnership, and note that the Congress has played a vital role in advancing this relationship. According to them, the Congress has for the last few years appropriated funds for the Baltic Security Initiative, which have been used to accelerate national military capability development and enhance regional and collective defence and deterrence.
Members of the Baltic Parliaments underline that historically the Baltic nations have been strong allies of the United States. “We were together with you in Iraq and Afghanistan, we stand by Taiwan, Israel and the democratic opposition in Cuba, we resist autocracies in Belarus and Russia, we fight alongside you for freedom democracy, peace worldwide. We work with the United States for the security, sovereignty, territorial integrity of Ukraine, and its transatlantic future,” they write, adding that the million strong Baltic American community is the bedrock of strong transatlantic links between our nations.
The MPs say in the letter that they fully recognize that the U.S. resources are stretched nationally and across the globe. “That is why we are resolute in our commitment to defend ourselves. Baltic countries will spend beyond 5% of GDP next year and provide the highest per capita military support to Ukraine. We have long spent above NATO’s minimum threshold for defense spending. We will continue enhancing our national resilience and civil preparedness, and we will further invest in host-nation support for U.S. forces stationed in our country,” they write.
Baltic MPs assure that security cooperation with the U.S. remains a strategic priority for all three countries. “This strong and successful ongoing military cooperation among our militaries provides key capabilities that benefit the NATO Alliance and are designed to prevent further conflict in Europe. We hope this enduring partnership will continue to receive strong support in the Congress,” the MPs write. “Your support will be instrumental in continuing the Baltic Security Initiative. Therefore, we kindly ask you to support the funding of the Baltic Security Initiative in the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill and its authorization in the National Defense Appropriations Act.”
The letter was sent to the leaders of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Appropriations, the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, the House National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the House Europe Subcommittee, and the House Baltic Caucus, and to the Senate Committee on Armed Services, the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus.
The joint letter was signed by 36 members of the Parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Members of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) from all parliamentary groups signed the letter: President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar, Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali, Chairman of the National Defence Committee Kalev Stoicescu, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson and members of the Riigikogu Mart Helme, Leo Kunnas, Urmas Reinsalu, Luisa Rõivas, Kristo Enn Vaga, Henn Põlluaas, Lauri Laats and Raimond Kaljulaid.
Text of the joint letter in Estonian and in English
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Baltic members of Parliament call on the USA to continue funding the Baltic Security Initiative
Source: Parliament of Estonia
The Riigikogu did not support the vote of no confidence in Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller
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25 members of the Riigikogu supported the vote of no confidence in the Minister. At least 51 votes would have been needed to express no confidence.
Martin Helme, who represented the initiators of the motion of no confidence, justified the motion first by pointing to the Estonian Health Insurance Fund’s glamorous summer retreat. According to him, no one has assumed political responsibility for organising that. “Yes, the Head of the Health Insurance Fund resigned, but the Minister distanced herself from the whole issue and thought that if her subordinate had already been dismissed, that was enough. Actually it is not enough,” he said.
Helme also said that it was irresponsible of the Minister to turn her back on the social sphere. “When Minister Joller took office, she said that she would focus solely on healthcare issues in her work, leaving the rest of her responsibilities, that is, the social sphere, to be handled by officials. This is not the way to run a ministry,” he said.
One of the reasons Helme mentioned was also the fact that the healthcare system was constantly lacking money and operated on reserves, but those reserves were running out. “Unfortunately, Minister Joller has not taken any steps to solve the problem. The budget deficit is just getting worse. The Minister’s passivity only serves the interests of private medicine, which is getting richer by grabbing the taxpayers’ money,” he said. Helme also criticized Joller for calling the US Secretary of Health a quack, thereby damaging bilateral relations and Estonia’s reputation in the world.
Joller said before the Riigikogu that she did not consider herself to be such a capable person that she would be able to “botch up” the entire Health Insurance Fund budget in just a few months. “I became minister precisely because of these problems, and I plan to go ahead and solve them,” she claimed.
Speaking of the summer retreat and the luxurious office of the Health Insurance Fund, the Minister said that it had also offended her sense of justice. “However, I can say that the Health Insurance Fund’s summer retreat is only a symptom that characterizes the spending of money in the entire sector,” the Minister pointed out. She added that the Health Insurance Fund had received around a billion euro over the past five years, though it remained unclear where exactly that money had gone. “But I have already started with these changes.”
Joller noted that although she had to focus on health care issues as a minister, social and population policy had not been less important for her. “I think that these two spheres have taken up more of my time and energy than the health issues. I have thoroughly acquainted myself with both fields,” she said, and pointed out that she had brought to the government the need to increase subsistence benefits, signed a regulation that decoupled technical aids from the diagnosing of disability, dealt with issues related to assessing the severity of disabilities, and made preparations for improving the interaction between the health and social sectors.
Joller underlined that changes did not take place overnight. “Whatever we start today cannot be completed quickly, because the medical system is large. For me, it is important that funding is transparent and that Estonian people receive help at the right time, with the right quality, and in the right place. Each euro the tax payers pay, that the Estonian people pay and entrust to the Estonian state, should be used for the benefit of the people,” she said.
In her speech, the Minister also rejected the claim that she had insulted the US Secretary of Health.
During the debate, Lauri Laats Estonian Centre Party Parliamentary Group, Mart Helme from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Urmas Reinsalu from Isamaa Parliamentary Group took the floor. Tanel Kiik took the floor on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group.
Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: The Riigikogu did not support the vote of no confidence in Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller
Source: Parliament of Estonia
The Riigikogu heard the annual report by Minister of Defence
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Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur began his speech by recalling recent history, pointing out that, in 1993, Estonia’s defence budget had been only 8 million euro, but in 2026 it would be over 2 billion euro and in four years a total of over 10 billion euro. “This represents more than five percent of our national wealth, which is being directed toward strengthening Estonia’s independent defence capabilities. This is 250,000 – I emphasize, 250,000 – times more than the first defence budgets of the newly independent Estonia,“ Pevkur said.
The minister emphasized that Estonia had made remarkable progress over the past 30 years, economically surpassing all former Soviet Union countries and significantly reducing the gap with Finland. “Today, Estonia is not just a survivor, but a role model – proof that a free nation, however small, can rise, develop, and bear responsibility. Estonia is no longer weak and troubled, but strong and upright. Estonia is capable of defending its freedom, home, and peace on its own,” Pevkur said.
The Minister of Defence highlighted Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine and emphasised the need to maintain pressure on Russia and support Ukraine. “We all, including our allies today, know that Russia understands only force. What is happening in Ukraine only confirms this historical rule. Therefore, our choice can only be one – to provide Ukraine with as much and more military assistance as possible and to keep Russia under constant pressure with all the means at our disposal, including sanctions,” Pevkur emphasized.
Pevkur thanked the Estonian people and all political parties who had supported the increase in defence spending and called on the Riigikogu to also approve the 5% defence spending level in the national security concept in the long term. “Of course, it has not been an easy road, because everyone knows that money does not grow on trees or come out of walls. It is collected at the expense of all our daily needs and habits. At the same time, we are proving that, for Estonians, their country and freedom outweigh inconveniences such as tax increases.”
The Minister also introduced specific steps for developing Estonia’s defence capabilities: “Currently, our wartime structure consists of approximately 44,000 active-duty personnel, reservists, members of the Defence League, and allied units. Here today, in front of you, I say that our goal is to increase this number to 55,000 within the next ten years.” He emphasized that increasing defence spending would enable the development of an air defence brigade, strengthen the navy, invest in infrastructure and ammunition, and support the domestic defence industry.
Pevkur emphasized that people were the backbone of Estonia’s defence capabilities: “The backbone of Estonia’s defence capability, through the national will to defend, is our people – trained active-duty personnel, conscripts, and reservists, whose preparation requires years and whose combat readiness requires consistent training, motivation, and support from society.” According to the minister, allowances for conscripts and reservists will be increased, salaries for active-duty personnel will be raised, and investments will be made in training.
To conclude his speech, Pevkur affirmed: “I repeat here clearly and without hesitation – as Minister of Defence, I do not intend to sit idly by and wait for a Russian boot to step on Estonian territory. We must act quickly and precisely. We must continue to strengthen Estonia’s national defence and increase its defence capability through planned activities at an accelerated pace.”
Kalev Stoicescu from the Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group, Urmas Reinsalu from Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Raimond Kaljulaid from the Social Democratic Party Group, Martin Helme from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Kristo-Enn Vaga from the Reform Party Parliamentary Group took the floor during the debate. Peeter Ernits took the of the floor on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Parliamentary Group.
A Bill passed the first reading
At today’s sitting, the Bill on Amendments to the Savings and Loan Associations Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (671 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading. Its aim is to increase the transparency of savings and loan associations and the activity of their members, and to guide associations towards a form of bank or association bank operating under greater supervision. Currently, the activities of savings and loan associations are not subject to financial supervision. The amendments will increase the credibility of associations.
The reform will be implemented in three stages between 2025 and 2029. In the first stage, the establishment of new associations and the advertising of deposit interest rates will be prohibited, and membership fees and contributions for new members will also be increased. In the second stage, authorization and the conclusion of loan and deposit agreements will be restricted, members’ rights will be strengthened, and management and control requirements will be tightened. In the third stage, associations wishing to accept deposits over time will have to reorganize their activities into an association bank and apply for an operating license from the Financial Supervision Authority. It will be possible to continue as a payment institution or creditor, but those ceasing operations will have to officially notify this.
Helir-Valdor Seeder from Isamaa Parliamentary Group took the floor during the debate.
Isamaa Parliamentary Group moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 12 members of the Riigikogu supported rejection and 41 were against it.
The sitting ended at 1.48 p.m.
Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)
The video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
Riigikogu Press Service
Maiki Vaikla
+372 631 6456, +372 5666 9508
maiki.vaikla@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: The Riigikogu heard the annual report by Minister of Defence
Source: Parliament of Estonia
Hussar: Trust is the basis for democracy to function
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According to Hussar, the question we hear more and more often in today’s information society is, “What time is this we are living in?” According to him, it seems to reflect the attitude that never before has the world been so anxious and out of balance. “We live in an age of anxiety disorder, where fears ranging from swine flu to car taxes, from war to online elections, from inflation to electricity prices, form a kind of ‘cluster anxiety’,” he said.
According to Hussar, a chain of fears triggers a flood of information and emotions that makes worries overwhelming but it should not and does not have to be that way. “So what helps? The whole of society has a role to play here, from the media to civil society, but the most important of these is certainly the role of constitutional institutions, and above all, parliament. As a parliament, we have all the necessary means at our disposal under the constitution. If we use them responsibly, trust will be restored – and trust is the basis for democracy to function. Parliament, government, president – all are ultimately based on the trust of the people,” he said.
Looking back on the past year, Hussar acknowledged the parliament’s decision to define the non-participation of Russian citizens in Estonian local elections. He expressed his satisfaction that several parliamentary groups had submitted a bill regulating the presidential elections and that amendments to the Political Parties Act had also entered the process. “And finally, I would also like to thank you for the solidarity cut, a decision I also referred to in my speech a year ago. The 400,000 euro saved is not a large amount when looking at the overall figures for the state budget, but it is certainly significant,” he said.
According to Hussar, the most important task of the Riigikogu in the upcoming busy and hard-working autumn is to adopt next year’s state budget. According to him, this decision will determine how much funding will be allocated to national defence, teachers, police officers, and healthcare but how these funds are collected is no less important. “Taxes should not be confusing slogans or ideological rhetoric. People are waiting for clarity. And this can be granted by parliament, which imposes, amends, and repeals taxes – on a regular basis, not on an extraordinary basis,” he said. He added that the responsibility of the Riigikogu for the country’s finances was final and absolute. “We need commitment, precision, and clarity – not cheap juggling with billions. The budget must be understandable, and not mysterious.“
Hussar thanked the members of the Riigikogu for their decision made in the spring to introduce end-of-life declaration but called for broader consideration of the next step, which would give terminally ill and suffering people the opportunity to make their own decision to leave this world with dignity. “A dignified way to end unbearable pain and incurable illness can certainly be formulated in a way that does not question the value of life but recognizes a person’s right to decide to end their suffering,” he said.
At the opening sitting of the autumn session, the Speaker of the Riigikogu also emphasized the need for continued support for Ukraine. “To prevent the axis of evil from expanding, it is even more important for all of us to stand united behind Ukraine and continue to support them. Estonia’s role and example have been decisive here, and we have done everything in our power to convince our partners of this as well. Parliamentary diplomacy has also played a significant role here, through which we have strongly supported Ukraine,” Hussar said before the Riigikogu.
Full text of the speech by the President of the Riigikogu
Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Hussar: Trust is the basis for democracy to function
Source: Parliament of Estonia