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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
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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
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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

The Legal Affairs Committee sent the collective representative action bill to the second reading

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee Andre Hanimägi pointed out that the Bill would create means for better protection of customers. “The new type of procedural mechanism will allow the competent entity to go to court, with the consent of the victims, to collectively request compensation for damage from the service provider that has caused a problem. Thanks to collective representative action, consumers do not have to go to court themselves and they will also not have the risk of having to bear the costs.”

For the second reading, the Committee decided to add to the Bill an amendment, which determines the minimum number of consumers concerned by a representative action in order for the case to be proceeded as a representative action – ten persons if an organisation of consumers turns to court, or 20 persons if the action is brought by a state agency.

“The purpose of the Directive is to protect the consumers, and at the same time strengthen the entities representing the interests of consumers. As there are not many such entities in Estonia, we considered it right to grant the right to bring representative actions also to governmental authorities, or to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority, the Financial Supervision Authority and to the Data Protection Inspectorate. At the same time, we hope that the amendment will also encourage the emergence of consumer associations that would stand for the consumers,” Hanimägi said.

Before the second reading, the Committee also made a specification to the Bill, which ensures that it would be unambiguously clear that the collective representative action would be applied only in the case of infringement of collective interests of natural persons. It is also provided that all decisions made in collective representative actions will be made public, as there is a public interest in them due to the large number of consumers.

Accoeding to the Bill, the right to bring collective representative actions will be granted to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority, the Financial Supervision Authority and the Data Protection Inspectorate, as well as to other competent entities who will be entered in the list kept by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. The right to bring action may also be granted by the court.

The Bill will transpose an European Union directive that aims to ensure the availability of collective representative action to consumers in Member States. The aim is to boost consumer confidence, to promote fair competition and to create a level playing field for businesses operating in the internal market. It will be a new opportunity in the Estonian legal space where competent authorities, and not consumers who have been harmed, will be able to perform procedural acts in judicial proceedings.

Cross-border representative actions can be brought by competent entities entered in the list kept by the European Commission, or by organisations which have been designated by Member States of the European Union.

Stella Johanson, Adviser of the Courts Division of the Judicial Administration Policy Department of the Ministry of Justice, participated in the sitting.

The second reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure and Other Acts (establishment of collective representative action procedure) (334 SE), initiated by the Government, will take place at the plenary sitting of the Riigikogu on 11 December.

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

Link uudisele: The Legal Affairs Committee sent the collective representative action bill to the second reading

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Active Phase of Exercise Pikne Concludes with Intense Field Training

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —On Sunday, Dec. 8, the active phase of Exercise Pikne concluded with a field training exercise including offensive and defensive battles. The coming week will include live-fire exercises for Allied units at the Sirgala training area. “French Armed Forces have demonstrated the ability to deploy its units very quickly when …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

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