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The Riigikogu passed three Acts and heard an overview of Estonia’s participation in the European Stability Mechanism

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Three Acts were passed

The Act on Amendments to the Waste Act (676 SE), initiated by the Government, brings the Act into conformity with the relevant EU Regulation concerning batteries and waste batteries. The Act will help reduce the CO₂ footprint of batteries and accumulators, support the circular economy, and promote sustainable and innovative solutions in energy storage.

Battery and accumulator manufacturers will have to improve the efficiency of their battery and waste collection systems and invest more in outreach work, i.e. promote the return of old batteries and accumulators to collection points. Manufacturers of electric vehicle batteries, rechargeable industrial batteries and light means of transport batteries will be required to join a producer responsibility organisation.

56 members of the Riigikogu supported the passing of the Act and 12 voted against it. There was one abstention.

The Act on Amendments to the Chemicals Act (701 SE), initiated by the Government, specifies the requirements for hazardous and major-accident-hazard establishments arising from the EU directive in order to eliminate the shortcomings in the transposition of a directive referred to in European Commission infringement proceedings.

The Act concerns the obligation to inform the public, including neighbouring establishments, and the duties and cooperation of authorities in investigating major accidents. According to the explanatory memorandum, the Act does not add any new requirements, but the Act is made clearer.

In addition, the Act will reduce the administrative burden on hazardous and major-accident-hazard establishments, as in the future all documents required under the Chemicals Act will be submitted electronically in the information system of the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority.

64 members of the Riigikogu supported the passing of the Act and eight voted against it.

The Act on the Ratification of the Final Acts Extraordinary Congress of the Universal Postal Union in Riyadh (689 SE), initiated by the Government, ratifies two international agreements adopted by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in Riyadh in 2023: the fourth additional protocol to the general regulations and the first additional protocol to the postal convention. The amendments specify the role of a governing body of the UPU, raise the budget ceiling, and align postal services better with the needs of e-commerce, particularly in terms of traceability. These are mainly technical and internal organizational changes that will have a minor impact on end users.

63 members of the Riigikogu supported the passing of the Act, and one voted against it.

Overview of Estonia’s participation in the European Stability Mechanism

Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi gave members of the Riigikogu an overview of Estonia’s participation in the European Stability Mechanism (ESM).

According to the Minister of Finance, the ESM has been operating stably in recent years. “At present, it can be said that the 13 years of operation of the European Stability Mechanism have seen several crises, but the overview of the ESM has been very stable, even boring in recent years: currently there is no active assistance programme,” Ligi said.

According to Ligi, ESM clients have started repaying their loans and the stability mechanism is making a profit – as of the end of 2024, EUR 5.3 billion had accumulated in the reserve. Along with the enlargement of the euro area, the membership of the ESM is also expanding, and soon Bulgaria will also join the ESM.

The Minister of Finance emphasized that the ESM had maintained high credit ratings and was ready to support euro area countries, if necessary, especially in the event of banking crises.

Three Bills passed the first reading

The Bill on Amendments to the Maritime Safety Act  (756 SE), initiated by the Economic Affairs Committee, passed the first reading. Its aim is to support the continuation of international maritime transport through Estonian ports by reducing fairway dues and to motivate shippers to route their cargo flows through Estonian ports. The Bill will provide that, from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026, the fairway dues payable for ships entering an Estonian port or port roadstead will be reduced by 15 percent.

The Bill on Amendments to § 126 of the Law of Property Act and the Notary Fees Act  (691 SE), initiated by the Government, also passed the first reading. Its purpose is to amend the procedure for the relinquishment of immovable property ownership so that the ownership of a relinquished immovable would be transferred not to the state but to the local authority which is more familiar with local conditions and is responsible for the development of the living environment. Exclusions will also be established in the case of which an immovable cannot be relinquished – for example, in the cases where it involves complex obligations. Notaries will have an additional obligation to verify such circumstances and therefore the notary fee for the relevant transaction will also be increased. Financial support will be provided for to local governments for the management of immovable property.

The Bill on Amendments to the Language Act, the State Fees Act and the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act (740 SE), initiated by the Government, also passed the first reading. It will centralize the organization of language learning into the area of administration of the Ministry of Education and Research in order to end fragmentation between several ministries and ensure more functional solutions for society and the labour market.

The main goal of the amendment of the Act is to improve compliance with the requirements for the use of the Estonian language and to enhance supervision. To this end, supervision of compliance with language requirements will become stricter and non-compliance levies and fines will be increased. According to the Bill, the upper limit of non-compliance levy will increase from EUR 640 to EUR 1,280 for natural persons, and to 9,600 for legal entities. The rates of the fines for legal entities for violating the obligation to use the Estonian language will also be adjusted. An upper fine limit of EUR 10,000 will be provided for, and in certain cases with a wider impact, such as misrepresentation of an audiovisual work, up to EUR 15,000. Currently, non-compliance levies and fines are small, which often means that non-compliance levies and fines are paid, when necessary, but the activity is not corrected.

A broader definition of the language of administration will be introduced into the Act. Estonian-language administration will be required in all bodies providing public sector services, as well as in bodies governed by public law and in local governments. Thus, according to the Bill, administration will be expected to be in Estonian, for example, in universities and municipal councils and committees where discussions will have to be held in Estonian. Exceptions to language requirements remain in place for top specialists and teachers temporarily arriving from abroad in international and foreign-language curricula.

The Bill will establish a state fee of EUR 50 for taking the language exam at the same level for the third or subsequent time so that the exam is not used as a learning tool. Currently, many appeals are filed in the hope that the exam result will improve. The Bill will add the possibility that the result may also fall.

The distribution of grants and scholarships will also be consolidated into a single system in order to reduce administrative burden and improve the targeting of funding.

 Anti Allas from the Social Democratic Party Group, Tõnis Lukas from Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Ando Kiviberg from Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group, Margit Sutrop from the Reform Party Group and Helle-Moonika Helme from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group took the floor during the debate.

The deliberation of a Bill was adjourned

The first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Language Act and the Public Transport Act (723 SE), initiated by Isamaa Parliamentary Group, was adjourned due to the end of the working hours of the plenary sitting of the Riigikogu.

The Bill is intended to make amendments to update the legal framework in the field of language. The purpose of the Bill is to strengthen the status of the Estonian language as the official language, as well as the position and visibility of the Estonian language in the service sector. The amendments are intended to ensure that Estonian is the main language of information and communication in society. The most significant amendments concern the establishment of language requirements for platform workers. It is also intended to provide for a requirement for taxi drivers to have the required level of proficiency in the official language as a prerequisite for obtaining a service card.

The sitting ended at 1.58 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
Maiki Vaikla18
+372 631 6456, +372 5666 9508
maiki.vaikla@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu passed three Acts and heard an overview of Estonia’s participation in the European Stability Mechanism

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Issues related to the financing of general education were discussed in the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas replied to the interpellation concerning the financing of general education (No. 829), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Jaak Aab, Reili Rand, Züleyxa Izmailova, Madis Kallas, Tiit Maran, Helmen Kütt, Heljo Pikhof, Andre Hanimägi, Anti Allas, Lauri Läänemets and Riina Sikkut.

The interpellators wanted to know what funding was provided for for general education in the 2026 state budget.

Kallas explained that EUR 93.8 million had been planned for the costs of state-run general education schools and the costs of maintenance of municipal schools that teach according to the international curriculum, which by the way also included ensuring teaching in hospital which was fully funded by the state.

Kallas noted that, in the 2025 and 2026 school year, Estonia would have 43 state general education schools operating, including the International European School, which was a state school. Based on the Basic School and Upper Secondary School Act and the bases and conditions set for municipal schools, each year the state budget provides targeted subsidies for basic schools and upper secondary schools for the labour expenses of teachers, heads of school and head teachers, including places in boarding school facilities and educational literature. So, the total support for private schools in the state budget will be 53 million. The exact distribution of subsidies will, of course, be determined based on data in the Estonian Education Information System as of November 10 and it is currently still being calculated.

 According to Kallas, compared to 2025, an additional amount of EUR 60.1 million has been allocated for the increase in teachers’ labour expenses in the 2026 budget. “This amount will be divided between private schools, state schools, and local governments. This 60 million includes an 8.2 percent increase in the minimum salary for teachers next year and a 2% increase in the differentiation fund directed to municipalities for the implementation of the teachers’ career model,” the minister said.

Kallas explained that two million euro had been earmarked for local governments in the 2026 budget for the measure of primary schools close to home. “It is the same amount compared to last year. This school year, there has been no significant increase in the number of smaller primary schools close to home. Two million euro are allocated each year to support very small schools with up to six grades so that municipalities are not forced to close these schools,” Kallas said.

The in-prison education subsidy will be 0.7 million and the boardinghouse subsidy for general education schools will be nearly one million euro. “As is known, the state supports the running of school boardinghouses and the amount per student on general support will be EUR 2,000, the subsidy for a school boardinghouse place for a student on enhanced support will be EUR 2,700 and the school boardinghouse subsidy for a student on special support will be EUR 3,400,” Kallas said.

According to the minister’s explanations, the total support allocated to local governments for running general education schools will be almost EUR 500 million which is a large amount. “This is planned in the local government support fund. The support for running general education schools is intended for the labour expenses of teachers, heads of school and head teachers, in-service training, acquisition of educational literature, school lunches, and operating expenses of schools, including based on the number of enhanced and special support students, in order to ensure the necessary support services and organization of studies,” Kallas noted.  She recalled that, for students on enhanced and special support, the capitation coefficient was multiplied by four, and thus such students were allocated a separate capitation.

Kallas recalled that, a few years earlier, the education support for students in need of general support, which had otherwise been available through the support fund, had been directed to the revenue base of local governments – nearly eight million. “This is the additional funding for inclusive education, which is no longer part of the general funding for general education from the support fund, because it was directed to the revenue base of local governments,” the minister said.

Kristina Kallas also replied to the interpellation concerning parents funding activities included in the compulsory curriculum (No. 853).  

Minister of the Interior Igor Taro, replied to the interpellations concerning the action of the police at the memorial event in Sinimäed Hills (No. 820), concerning the risk of interference in elections on social media (No. 822) and concerning the temporary control line (No. 845). Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi replied to the interpellations concerning the Prime Minister’s statements regarding the 800 million euro (No. 813), the tax structure in Estonia (No. 817) and changes to VAT on food in neighbouring countries (No. 827).

The interpellation concerning the performance “ÖÖ25” in the Estonian National Museum (No. 840), submitted to Minister of Culture Heidy Purga , and the interpellation concerning the state budget strategy (No. 833), submitted to Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi, were removed from today’s agenda.

The sitting ended at 8.58 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: Issues related to the financing of general education were discussed in the Riigikogu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Baltic Assembly discussed security cooperation and the challenges facing Rail Baltic and Via Baltica

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar said in his speech at the opening of the BA Session that the geography and recent history of the Baltic region gave us a unique ability to almost read each other’s minds. Hussar pointed out that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine had lasted nearly four years by today, causing indescribable suffering to the people of Ukraine and threatening democratic world order. “It’s no longer about an odd hot air balloon above Vilnius airport or drones in Copenhagen—we are talking about Russian MIG fighter planes in the Estonian air space. These must be brought back to earth in the literal sense of the word—decisively and in the spirit of the alliance,” he underlined, and added that it was not possible to hide behind insufficient information, legal grey areas, or handy excuses. “Nobody believes the tears of Moscow, and if indeed there is a legal loophole somewhere—who better to fill it than us as parliamentarians?”

According to Hussar, we must continue giving every support to Ukraine on the level of states as well as through the EU and NATO. It is necessary to continue with military assistance to Ukraine and tightening of sanctions against Russia. We need to start using Russia’s frozen assets, help Ukraine in reconstruction, establish a special tribunal at the Council of Europe and support Ukraine’s progress towards EU and NATO membership. “Please allow me one rhetorical question: do we really have the time and the energy to quarrel among ourselves on topics such as withdrawing from the Istanbul convention? Is this the example we hope to set our allies?” the President of the Riigikogu asked.

In his speech, Hussar also expressed his happiness that the Tallinn-Vilnius train line had finally been launched this year. “Yes, it is not yet using the Rail Baltic route or the speed we would like—600 kilometres in 11 hours is more like the nostalgic Orient Express of Agatha Christie. It is still a step in the right direction,” he said, adding that in improving the rail transport, it was necessary to move forward with speed and determination. “We must finally shake off the Imperial Russian and Soviet heritage gauge and combine the express lines of the East and West. Rail Baltic is a strategic project for us as it connects us to the European infrastructure network while also strengthening the military mobility. That’s why we must find sustainable funding solutions.”

At the end of the BA Session, the Resolution was adopted, the Final Document was signed, and the BA budget for the next year was adopted. Latvia transferred the presidency of the Baltic Assembly to Estonia, and the new President of the Assembly Timo Suslov stated in his address that the aim of Estonia’s Presidency was strengthening our common voice and the resilience of the region. To achieve that, the focus will be on ensuring security and resilience, enhancing physical, digital and energy connectivity, and improving innovation-driven competitiveness.

“Our programme has a clear aim to further develop the Baltic region into a resilient, future-oriented space that meets the needs of its citizens,” Suslov said, and added that this would require intensifying cooperation between the Baltic States, as well as with long-standing partners such as the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, the Benelux Parliament, the Nordic Council, the Visegrád Group, and others.

“Together, we will work to coordinate our defence, cyber, and civil preparedness strategies so that the Baltic States are ready to meet any challenge. Our focus will be on enhancing military mobility through projects such as Rail Baltica and Via Baltica, advancing a Baltic cyber and digital defence network, and deepening cooperation in defence education and research,” Suslov said.

During the BA Session, the cooperation assembly of the Governments and the Parliaments of the Baltic States, the Baltic Council, held its 31st meeting and signed a joint statement. The Baltic Council focused on regional security and foreign policy. The meeting was chaired by President of the Baltic Assembly Jānis Vucāns and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Chair of the Cooperation Council of the Baltic Council of Ministers Baiba Braže. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Kęstutis Budrys, and Vice-President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Agnes Vadai spoke at the meeting of the Council.

The Baltic Assembly (Interparliamentary Assembly of the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania) is a consultative cooperation organisation of the parliaments of the three Baltic States that discusses issues of mutual interest. The Estonian Delegation to the BA is headed by Timo Suslov, Deputy Head of the delegation is Enn Eesmaa. Other members of the Delegation are Jaak Aab, Arvo Aller, Aleksei Jevgrafov, Meelis Kiili, Irja Lutsar, Tiit Maran, Helir-Valdor Seeder, Riina Solman, Margit Sutrop and Peeter Tali.

Full text of the Resolution (PDF, 175 kB)

Full text of the Final Document (PDF, 100 kB)

Photos of the event (Reinis Inkēns, Saeima of Latvia)

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

 

Link uudisele: The Baltic Assembly discussed security cooperation and the challenges facing Rail Baltic and Via Baltica

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Estonian Defence Forces launched an operation to enable rapid response to air threats

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

The National Defence Committee unanimously approved the national defence report

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the National Defence Committee Kalev Stoicescu said that the members of the Committee and rapporteur Meelis Kiili together with the working group formed by him had done a great job, significantly shortening the text of the report compared to the initial draft, and had presented specific recommendations for the preparation of a fundamental document of Estonia’s security policy. “I would like to thank everyone who participated in this process and contributed to it. I am pleased that, in good cooperation, we have achieved a result that received cross-party support in the National Defence Committee,” he said.

In the main text of the report, the Committee presents its proposals in nine areas: strategic management and accountability, parliamentary oversight and ethical management, the management culture at the Ministry of Defence and risk-based planning, energy security as part of national defence, defence industry policy and research and development, performance-based assessment, moral responsibility and management culture, regional management level and crisis cooperation, and national strategy coordination. The report also includes an annex presenting the working group’s vision for the organisation of Estonia’s national defence.

According to the document, the National Defence Committee’s report is a contribution of the legislative branch to ensuring that the executive branch can rely on a consistent, analytical, and forward-looking input, and that those who implement comprehensive national defence are strategically guided and supported.

The National Defence Committee will publish the report on its web page in the beginning of December at the latest, after the members of the Committee have presented their reasoned opinions to the annex of the document,

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The National Defence Committee unanimously approved the national defence report

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Baltic Assembly awards prizes and convenes for its 44th Session

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The 44th Session of the Baltic Assembly (BA) will begin tonight in Riga with the Baltic Assembly Prize and Medals Award Ceremony at the Brothers Kokari Hall of Mežaparks Grand Bandstand. The Prize in Science will be awarded to Estonian Professor of Political Theory Eva Piirimäe for her monograph “Herder and Enlightenment Politics”, the Prize in the Arts will be awarded to Latvian conductor Kaspars Putniņš for his performance with the Latvian Radio Choir in the concert program “The Dream Stream”, and the Prize in Literature will be awarded to Lithuanian poet, essayist, literary critic, and translator Tomas Andrius Venclova for his book of poetry “Už Onos ir Bernardinų”.

The medals of the Baltic Assembly will also be presented at the award ceremony. The BA medals are awarded to outstanding persons for upholding the unity and cooperation of the Baltic States. This year, the medals will be awarded to energy expert Reinis Āboltiņš, diplomat and writer Anna Žīgure, translator and diplomat Valvi Strikaitienė, zoologist Uudo Timm, former Prime Minister of Lithuania Gintautas Paluckas, Vice President of the Baltic Assembly Giedrius Drukteinis, Secretary General of the Baltic Assembly Agnija Antanoviča, Danish historian and retired officer Michael H. Clemmesen and Commander of the German Armoured Brigade in Lithuania Christoph Huber.

The Session of the Baltic Assembly will begin tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the Parliament of Latvia. The opening session will be chaired by President of the Baltic Assembly Jānis Vucāns (Latvia), as well as Vice Presidents of the Baltic Assembly Timo Suslov (Estonia) and Giedrius Drukteinis (Lithuania). Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa, President of the Riigikogu of Estonia Lauri Hussar, and Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania Juozas Olekas will address the Session.

The 31st Baltic Council will focus on regional security and foreign policy. The sitting will be chaired by President of the Baltic Assembly Jānis Vucāns and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Chair of the Cooperation Council of the Baltic Council of Ministers Baiba Braže. The Council will also be addressed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Kęstutis Budrys, and Vice-President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Agnes Vadai. The Council will conclude with the signing of the Joint Statement of the Baltic Council of Ministers and the Baltic Assembly. It will be followed by a press conference starting at 1 p.m., which will be streamed online.

In the afternoon, the Session will continue with the discussion “Transport connectivity as a pillar of regional unity, economic development and security guarantee in the Baltic States”. The discussion will be followed by addresses by foreign delegations and guests.

The 44th Session will conclude with the adoption of the BA Resolution and Final Document, and the election of the President, Vice Presidents, and Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Committees for 2026. Latvia will transfer the presidency of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers to Estonia.

Head of the Estonian Delegation to the BA Timo Suslov said that the motto of the Estonian Presidency in 2026 will be “Unity through connectivity, progress through partnership”. “The continued success of the Baltic States is ensured by cooperation – at the level of ideas, people, as well as cross-border connections. The Baltic Assembly will work to ensure that the voices of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are heard. To achieve this, we are strengthening cooperation on defence issues and key projects, such as Rail Baltic, Via Baltica, and the Baltic Energy Strategy. We will continue to work for the development of science, culture, and education. We will also focus on ensuring the resilience of the Baltic States and promoting health, birth rates, and environmental resilience,” Suslov said.

The Baltic Assembly (Interparliamentary Assembly of the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania) is a consultative cooperation organisation of the parliaments of the three Baltic States that discusses issues of mutual interest. The Estonian Delegation to the BA is headed by Timo Suslov, Deputy Head of the delegation is Enn Eesmaa. Other members of the Delegation are Jaak Aab, Arvo Aller, Aleksei Jevgrafov, Meelis Kiili, Irja Lutsar, Tiit Maran, Helir-Valdor Seeder, Riina Solman, Margit Sutrop and Peeter Tali.

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

Link uudisele: The Baltic Assembly awards prizes and convenes for its 44th Session

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Mihkelson attends meeting of Nordic and Baltic Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees in Finland

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

At the meeting in Helsinki, the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of eight countries will discuss developments in foreign and security policy and cooperation between the committees, as well as Russia’s military build-up and its rearrangements, and European security needs. Director of Finnish Defence Intelligence, Brigadier General Pekka Turunen, and Under-secretary of State at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland Outi Holopainen will also participate in these discussions.

The Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees will also meet with Secretary General of the Nordic Investment Bank Heikki Cantell to discuss reconstruction of Ukraine. China’s role in contemporary geopolitics, including China-Taiwan relations, will be addressed with the representatives of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. In addition, the Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees will visit the Finnish Border Guard’s patrol vessel Turva and meet with the leaders of Border Guard, with whom they will speak about strengthening maritime security and border defence.

The meeting, which is held in NB8 format, brings together the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Mihkelson attends meeting of Nordic and Baltic Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees in Finland

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu appointed a new justice of the Supreme Court

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Riigikogu passed the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Appointment of Martin Triipan a Justice of the Supreme Court” (744 OE), submitted by Villu Kõve, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. It provides for the appointment of Martin Triipan a justice of the Supreme Court as of 9 March 2026.

According to the reasoning of Villu Kõve, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Martin Triipan is an experienced and recognized lawyer whose long working experience as an attorney-at-law will enable him to contribute significantly to the work of both the Civil Chamber and the Constitutional Review Chamber of the Supreme Court as well as to the further development of Estonian civil and constitutional law.

Triipan also gave a presentation in which he pointed out that nearly 25 years of work as an attorney-at-law – representing and advising clients in civil, administrative, and criminal cases – had given him a fairly good picture of how the legal system worked at different levels and what expectations people had of the courts. “As a justice of the Supreme Court, I would definitely be able to contribute to the development of the legal system and help ensure that the courts are reliable, understandable and accessible to people,” he said. In addition, he highlighted the importance of thoroughness, speed, and cooperation in the work of a judge. “The administration of justice is a central part of the functioning of the constitutional order of a country. If it is thorough, swift, and cooperation-oriented, then I believe it is also fair and reliable.  If I receive your support, I will do my best to ensure that the Supreme Court fulfils its role with dignity and certainty,” he said.

In the final vote on the draft Resolution, 67 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the Resolution and nine were against.

Two Bills passed the second reading

The Bill on Amendments to the Chemicals Act (701 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the second reading. It will specify the requirements for hazardous and major-accident-hazard establishments arising from the European Union directive in order to eliminate the shortcomings in the transposition of a directive referred to in European Commission infringement proceedings.

The bill concerns the obligation to inform the public, including neighbouring establishments, and the duties and cooperation of authorities in investigating major accidents. According to the explanatory memorandum, the Bill will not add any new requirements, but the Act will be made clearer.

In addition, the Bill will reduce the administrative burden on hazardous and major-accident-hazard establishments, as in the future all documents required under the Chemicals Act will be submitted electronically in the information system of the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority.

The Bill on Amendments to the Waste Act (676 SE), initiated by the Government, also passed the second reading. It will bring the Act into conformity with the relevant EU Regulation concerning batteries and waste batteries. The bill will help reduce the CO2 footprint of batteries and accumulators, support the circular economy, and promote sustainable and innovative solutions in energy storage.

Battery and accumulator manufacturers will have to improve the efficiency of their battery and waste collection systems and invest more in outreach work, i.e. promote the return of old batteries and accumulators to collection points. Manufacturers of electric vehicle batteries, rechargeable industrial batteries and light means of transport batteries will be required to join a producer responsibility organisation.

A draft Resolution was dropped from the proceedings

The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to close the temporary control line between the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation” (722 OE), submitted by Isamaa Parliamentary Group, was intended to oblige the government to assess and implement measures that would ensure the security of Estonian residents and the state. According to the explanatory memorandum to the draft Resolution, closing the control line is one way to reduce risks, prevent unforeseen incidents, and strengthen the protection of the temporary control line.

Mart Helme (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) and Helir-Valdor Seeder (Isamaa) took the floor during the debate.

In the final vote, 20 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the resolution and 47 were against, and thus the draft resolution was dropped from the procedure.

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 appointed a new justice of the Supreme Court

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar: Opening Embassy in Tallinn gives new impetus to cooperation between Estonia and Israel

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

At the meeting with the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hussar acknowledged the excellent relations between Estonia and Israel, and noted that the opening of the Embassy of Israel in Tallinn would contribute to their further development. He highlighted opportunities for cooperation in the development of digital governance and in the field of defence. “Small countries must defend themselves, and we share a common understanding of how important it is to support each other,” he said.

In addition to cooperation between Estonia and Israel, Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East were discussed. The meeting of the Israeli Foreign Minister with members of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group also focused on those topics.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson pointed out that there was a strong consensus in the Riigikogu on foreign and security policy, including Estonian-Israeli relations, as demonstrated by statements made by the plenary assembly, the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Parliamentary Friendship Group.

According to Mihkelson, both countries are currently facing existential threats, and therefore security cooperation is of particular importance. He said that Russia’s continuing war of aggression in Ukraine was directly linked to the security situation elsewhere in the world, including the Middle East. “The growth of instability in one corner of the world directly affects the situation here, and vice versa. This is why it is necessary for us, as democratic countries, to work closely together,” he added.

Mihkelson also emphasised that the opening of the Embassy of Israel was a historic moment in bilateral relations. “For a small country like Estonia, it is important that our friends, allies, and partners are represented here,” Mihkelson said.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel also had meetings with Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsahkna and Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur today, and opened the Embassy of Israel in Tallinn.

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: Opening Embassy in Tallinn gives new impetus to cooperation between Estonia and Israel

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu amended the Vital Statistics Registration Act

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Riigikogu passed the Act on Amendments to the Vital Statistics Registration Act, the Population Register Act and the State Fees Act (687 SE), initiated by the Government. It makes amendments to streamline population procedures and to resolve bottlenecks.

The Act reduces the number of places where births can be registered and allows healthcare providers to register births without a birth certificate, based on other sufficient evidence, without having to go to court. In the residence registration procedure, the possibility is created to register a child’s residence at the initiative of the local government without the consent of the other parent with legal custody and to form a personal identification code for a citizen of the European Union or Switzerland upon registration of their residence. The registration of the residence of a citizen of the European Union from Estonia to a foreign country is also simplified.

The Act expands the administrative procedural capacity of 15-17-year-olds, allowing them to see their population register data and to restrict its availability, as well as to provide contact details, additional addresses, and statement-based data.

58 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act and one was against.

A draft Resolution was rejected at the first reading

The first reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Making a proposal to the Government of the Republic to develop an urgent suspension of online voting”  (679 OE), submitted by the Estonian Centre Party Group, which had been adjourned due to the end of the working hours of the sitting on 6 November, continued at today’s sitting.

The draft Resolution proposes to suspend the carrying out of online voting in Estonia until the deficiencies in the control systems will have been eliminated. The explanatory memorandum refers to the legal assessment on online voting in Estonia by ODIHR (OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights) in 2025 which acknowledges progress but also points to deficiencies.

During the debate, Aleksandr Tšaplõgin took the floor on behalf of the Centre Party Group, Martin Helme on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Parliamentary Group and Mart Maastik on behalf of Isamaa Parliamentary Group.

The Resolution was not passed because 25 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of it and one was against. The support of at least 51 members of the Riigikogu was needed for the Resolution to be passed.

Three interpellations were replied

Prime Minister Kristen Michal replied to the interpellations concerning tax reduction for online casinos (No. 806), concerning the explosion of an attack drone on Estonian territory (No. 810) and concerning the intention to send the Defence Forces to Ukraine (No. 814).

Three interpellations were excluded from the agenda for the day on the motion of the interpellators. They are the interpellation concerning the expansion of the rights of hospital pharmacies (No. 830), submitted to Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller, and the interpellations concerning ferry ticket prices (No. 824) and concerning the reduction of fishing rights for coastal fishermen in Pärnu County (No. 843), submitted to Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras.

Vladimir Arhipov, Peeter Ernits and Evelin Poolamets took the floor during the open microphone.

The sitting ended at 6.40 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 Riigikogu amended the Vital Statistics Registration Act

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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