Pakosta said in her speech at the Winter Session of the PACE that the situation was very grave and demanded the immediate and unified action of states. “In recent times, we have witnessed the harrowing plight of the Ukrainian children falsely deported from their homeland to Russia and Belarus. We should not forget that these innocent children have been deeply traumatised and have had to experience violence, trauma, destruction, and displacement for a very long time. The tragedy is so vast that we do not even know the exact number of deported children,” she said at the debate on the situation of the children of Ukraine.
Pakosta pointed out that the aim of Russia’s criminal policy was to forcibly change the children’s identity and assimilate them in order to make them to forget about their homeland Ukraine, and not to be able to return to their families. “This act, which is a flagrant violation of international law and an offence against the dignity of these young lives, is nothing less than a war crime and a violation of the very essence of humanity” she stated.
The Head of the Estonian delegation said at the PACE plenary session that the Parliament of Estonia the Riigikogu took a firm stand against these atrocities. “We condemn the systematic deliberate actions of Russia and Belarus in this unlawful deportation, as well as Russia’s decision to grant citizenship to Ukrainian children under a simplified procedure,” she said, and called on the parliaments of other European countries to stand together in a unified response. “We must stand together to condemn these acts, to demand the immediate release and safe return of these innocent children to Ukraine.”
Pakosta acknowledged the efforts of the International Criminal Court to bring those responsible to justice, in particular the arrest warrants issued in March last year for the President of the Russian Federation and Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights. “Let us not forget that impunity only breeds more injustice. It is our duty, in the spirit of the values that bind us as members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, to ensure that such atrocities do not go unpunished,” she said, and also called on supporting the 10-point peace plan proposed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which includes the return of children deported to Russia and Belarus.
Spouse of the President of Ukraine Ms Olena Zelenska also spoke at the debate on the situation of children deported from Ukraine, and Pakosta repeated her call for acting together in her speech.
This week, the Winter Session of the PACE also discussed the conclusions from observing the parliamentary elections in Serbia, Hamas terror attack against Israel and Israel’s response, as well as OECD’s role since Russia launched its aggression against Ukraine. In addition, there was debate on the democratic future of Belarus, with a speech by the leader of the democratic opposition of Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The Assembly elected Theodoros Rousopoulos as its new President, and Michael O’Flaherty was elected as the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights.
At the meetings held during this week, the members of the Estonian delegation expressed their full support to the candidacy of the long-term member of the Estonian delegation to PACE Indrek Saar to the position of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe at the elections to be held this June. Other candidates to the position are Didier Reynders and Alain Berset.
The Estonian delegation to the Winter Session the PACE was made up of its head Liisa Pakosta, member Eerik-Niiles Kross, and substitute member Reili Rand.
Speaking to the Riigikogu, Laanet said that, in 2022, nearly a third of the Bills prepared by the Government had originated from European Union law, and the rest had stemmed from national needs. “For example, Bills aimed at the development of a specific sector, the implementation of political priorities, or the resolution of urgent issues, or resulting from unexpected changes in the external environment. All of these factors that necessitate legal intervention may change over time, but the process of preparing legislative amendments must be predictable and stable. In doing so, we will ensure that the rule of law works, and that businesses, stakeholders and the public have confidence in the Government,” he said.
According to Laanet, the legislative year 2022 will be characterised by the war that broke out in Ukraine, which directly or indirectly gave impetus to several legislative amendments. “It showed that, alongside long-term strategies and thoroughly analysed changes, the Government must also be ready to tackle unexpected challenges that need legal regulation. Several Bills related to the war in Ukraine were prepared as a matter of urgency, which was justified according to the Ministry of Justice,” he said.
According to him, business-as-usual legislative drafting had continued as well. Most of the Bills had been motivated by implementation bottlenecks in existing law, the aim of developing the sector, or the introduction of digital solutions. “The starting point for any legislative initiative is the question of why a particular issue needs to be regulated, what the problem to be solved is and what the objective to be achieved is. Clear and data-based statement of the problem is an integral part of high-quality legislative drafting,” the Minister of Justice said. He also promised to come the Riigikogu to present a report on the previous year soon.
During the debate, Urve Tiidus from the Reform Party Group, Hendrik Johannes Terras from Estonia 200 Group, Varro Vooglaid from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart from the Centre Party Group took the floor. Jaanus Karilaid took the floor on behalf of Isamaa Parliamentary Group.
Riigikogu changed membership of the Estonian delegation to PACE
The Riigikogu passed the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Amendment of the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe”” (360 OE), submitted by the Foreign Affairs Committee. Under the Resolution, alternate member of the delegation Hanah Lahe is excluded from the Estonian delegation to PACE and Reili Rand and Tõnis Lukas are appointed as new alternate members.
The members of the delegation participate in the sittings of the plenary of PACE which convenes four times a year. The head of the delegation represents the Riigikogu in the standing committee which works between sessions, and members take part in the work of sectoral committees. The Estonian delegation, which was formed in May last year, also includes the head of the delegation Liisa Pakosta, members Aleksei Jevgrafov and Eerik-Niiles Kross and alternate member Ants Frosch.
71 members of the Riigikogu supported the passing of the Resolution, and there was one abstention.
22 Bills were dropped from the proceedings
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Language Act (161 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas and Helle-Moonika Helme. It was intended to increase the rates of the fines related to violations of the Language Act and to include new sanctions in the Act in order to strengthen the protection of the Estonian language in companies and non-profit organisations as well as in the public sector.
42 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Cultural Affairs Committee to reject the Bill and 20 voted against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (111 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Martin Helme, Kert Kingo and Leo Kunnas. The aim of the proposal was to lower the rate of excise duty on leaded petrol from €563 to €359 per 1,000 litres from 30 April. According to the initiators, lowering the excise duty rate would have helped to reduce the decline in purchasing power and the reduction in the competitiveness of businesses due to high energy prices, while supporting businesses and helping to preserve jobs.
38 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 20 voted against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (119 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Kert Kingo, Rain Epler and Leo Kunnas. The aim of the proposal was to lower the rate of excise duty on diesel fuel for specific purposes to €60 per 1,000 litres of diesel fuel for specific purposes from 30 April. The relevant excise duty rate is €100 in the current Act.
32 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 11 voted against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (123 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Siim Pohlak, Martin Helme, Evelin Poolamets and Leo Kunnas. It was intended to reduce the rate of excise duty on aviation spirit from €563 to €359 per 1,000 litres of aviation spirit from 30 April.
31 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 11 voted against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (126 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller, Jaak Valge and Kert Kingo. It was intended to lower the reduced rate of excise duty on natural gas from €11,30 to €6 per 1,000 cubic metres of natural gas from 30 April.
31 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 11 voted against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (129 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Leo Kunnas and Siim Pohlak. It was intended to lower the rate of excise duty on heavy fuel oil to €330 per 1,000 litres of heavy fuel oil from 30 April. The relevant excise duty rate is €422 in the current Act.
31 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 9 voted against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (170 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Kalle Grünthal and Siim Pohlak. It was intended to lower the rate of excise duty on natural gas to €6 per 1,000 cubic metres of natural gas from 30 April. The relevant excise duty rate is €40 in the current Act.
30 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 9 voted against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (185 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Rain Epler, Siim Pohlak, Helle-Moonika Helme and Leo Kunnas. The aim of the proposal was to bring the rate of excise duty on liquefied petroleum gas to zero from 30 April. The relevant excise duty rate is €55 per 1,000 kg of liquefied petroleum gas in the current Act.
30 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 9 voted against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (202 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Martin Helme, Siim Pohlak and Helle-Moonika Helme. It was intended to lower the rate of excise duty on light heating oil to €330 per 1,000 litres of light heating oil from 30 April. The relevant excise duty rate is €372 in the current Act.
29 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 11 voted against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (237 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Evelin Poolamets and Rain Epler. It was intended to lower the rate of excise duty on motor liquefied petroleum gas from €193 to €125 per 1,000 kg of motor liquefied petroleum gas from 30 April.
30 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 9 voted against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (255 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller, Rene Kokk and Anti Poolamets. It was intended to lower the rate of excise duty on shale-derived fuel oil to €330 per 1,000 litres of shale-derived fuel oil from 30 April. The relevant excise duty rate is €414 in the current Act.
32 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 9 voted against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (117 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Martin Helme, Kert Kingo and Helle-Moonika Helme. It was intended to increase the tax-free threshold for personal car allowance for employees in view of the rise in fuel prices in recent years. Under the Bill, in the event that driving records are kept, the tax-free threshold for the allowance paid to a person would have been €0.39 per kilometre, instead of €0.3, but not more than €380 per month for each employer paying the allowance.
36 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 10 were against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (120 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Martin Helme, Kert Kingo and Helle-Moonika Helme. It was intended to increase the tax-free threshold for personal car allowance for employees in view of the rise in fuel prices in recent years. Under the Bill, in the event that driving records are kept, the tax-free threshold for the allowance paid to a person would have been €0.32 per kilometre, instead of €0.3, but not more than €345 per month for each employer paying the allowance.
36 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 9 were against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (125 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Helle-Moonika Helme, Kert Kingo, Evelin Poolamets and Leo Kunnas. It was intended to increase the tax-free threshold for personal car allowance for employees in view of the rise in fuel prices in recent years. Under the Bill, in the event that driving records are kept, the tax-free threshold for the allowance paid to a person would have been €0.5 per kilometre, instead of €0.3, but not more than €435 per month for each employer paying the allowance.
35 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 10 were against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (152 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Martin Helme, Kert Kingo and Helle-Moonika Helme. It was intended to increase the tax-free threshold for personal car allowance for employees in view of the rise in fuel prices in recent years. Under the Bill, in the event that driving records are kept, the tax-free threshold for the allowance paid to a person would have been €0.45 per kilometre, instead of €0.3, but not more than €410 per month for each employer paying the allowance.
35 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 9 were against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (154 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Martin Helme, Kert Kingo and Mart Helme. It was intended to increase the tax-free threshold for personal car allowance for employees in view of the rise in fuel prices in recent years. Under the Bill, in the event that driving records are kept, the tax-free threshold for the allowance paid to a person would have been €0.41 per kilometre, instead of €0.3, but not more than €390 per month for each employer paying the allowance.
37 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 9 were against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (179 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Kalle Grünthal and Jaak Valge. It was intended to increase the tax-free threshold for personal car allowance for employees in view of the rise in fuel prices in recent years. Under the Bill, in the event that driving records are kept, the tax-free threshold for the allowance paid to a person would have been €0.48 per kilometre, instead of €0.3, but not more than €425 per month for each employer paying the allowance.
36 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 11 were against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (180 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Martin Helme, Kert Kingo, Helle-Moonika Helme and Arvo Aller. It was intended to increase the tax-free threshold for personal car allowance for employees in view of the rise in fuel prices in recent years. Under the Bill, in the event that driving records are kept, the tax-free threshold for the allowance paid to a person would have been €0.33 per kilometre, instead of €0.3, but not more than €350 per month for each employer paying the allowance.
37 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 10 were against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (186 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Martin Helme, Kert Kingo, Helle-Moonika Helme and Leo Kunnas. It was intended to increase the tax-free threshold for personal car allowance for employees in view of the rise in fuel prices in recent years. Under the Bill, in the event that driving records are kept, the tax-free threshold for the allowance paid to a person would have been €0.37 per kilometre, instead of €0.3, but not more than €370 per month for each employer paying the allowance.
37 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 10 were against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (197 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Ants Frosch and Leo Kunnas. It was intended to increase the tax-free threshold for personal car allowance for employees in view of the rise in fuel prices in recent years. Under the Bill, in the event that driving records are kept, the tax-free threshold for the allowance paid to a person would have been €0.46 per kilometre, instead of €0.3, but not more than €415 per month for each employer paying the allowance.
38 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 10 were against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (219 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Martin Helme, Kert Kingo and Helle-Moonika Helme. It was intended to increase the tax-free threshold for personal car allowance for employees in view of the rise in fuel prices in recent years. Under the Bill, in the event that driving records are kept, the tax-free threshold for the allowance paid to a person would have been €0.42 per kilometre, instead of €0.3, but not more than €395 per month for each employer paying the allowance.
38 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 10 were against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (248 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas, Kert Kingo and Rain Epler. It was intended to increase the tax-free threshold for personal car allowance for employees in view of the rise in fuel prices in recent years. Under the Bill, in the event that driving records are kept, the tax-free threshold for the allowance paid to a person would have been €0.43 per kilometre, instead of €0.3, but not more than €400 per month for each employer paying the allowance.
40 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 10 voted against it.
Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
Kallas stressed that, in a changed economic and security environment, it was more important than ever to have the capacity to build critical capabilities on the ground. According to her, the only way to emerge victorious from today’s crises is to make society and the economy significantly more knowledge-based.
The Prime Minister’s speech showed that today’s challenges also offered new opportunities for development and innovation. “Our target to reach three per cent of GDP in R&D is more important than ever in these challenging circumstances. This is also the reason why, despite the exceptionally difficult budgetary situation, we decided to increase the funds allocated to R&D in the state budget,” she added. This year’s national budget allocates €409 million to research and innovation, which is €23 million more than last year. “With the help of these funds, it will be possible to increase both basic research funding and research grants, as well as services supporting business innovation. This is crucial for achieving a more science-intensive society,” Kallas said.
Growth in R&D investment has been driven by the private sector for several years already. “Last year, we were happy to see that the private sector invested the largest amount of money in history in research, €308 million, but a year later, despite the difficult times, business investment increased to €361 million,” she gave an example. According to Kallas, companies that have found the means to invest in difficult times also have greater opportunities to emerge as winners from crises. The positive change is also confirmed by the fact that Estonia has moved up to 16th place in the global innovation index, having ranked 20th two years earlier. “In the four areas assessed, Estonia is the absolute leader, that is, ranking first among all countries,” she said.
In her speech, Kallas pointed out that the state would strengthen the services and support that had been spoken of before to help businesses to come up with innovative products. “The applied research programme is helping companies to spread the risks related to development activities. The Centre for Applied Research is providing more permanent support to the areas with the greatest business potential,” the Prime Minister added. Support systems, both mentoring and administrative support, have also been developed for increasingly competitive Estonian researchers. “Ten new centres of excellence are about to be launched. For the first time, their impact on society was assessed as one of the three criteria for their selection, which is why more businesses, public authorities and other partners have been involved in their work now,” Kallas pointed out.
A big concern in science is that more people are needed, but young people do not want to be scientists. “Surprisingly, one of the first reasons is not money at all, but the fact that our social opinion and the working environment of research institutions do not offer young people the necessary support, work and rest time balance, and development opportunities,” Kallas said. However, according to the Prime Minister, the increase in higher education funding is helping to solve the problem, as it is often younger researchers who are doing the teaching. “For example, in addition to increasing enrolment in engineering disciplines, Tallinn University of Technology is increasing the salaries paid for teaching. Other higher education institutions are taking similar steps. And this is the right way forward to help young people balance their work and rest time,” she added.
Prime Minister Kallas said that new elements had constantly been added to the science and innovation ecosystem, such as the innovation ladder, the Centre for Applied Research, and research programmes based on the needs of society, all of which were filling a strategic gap and creating conditions for tomorrow’s growth. “We must dare to do things in new ways. And we must be open to the experience of the world,” she said.
During the debate, Tõnis Lukas from Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Irja Lutsar from Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group, Jaak Valge from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group, Margit Sutrop from the Estonian Reform Party Group and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart from the Estonian Centre Party Group took the floor.
Two Bills were dropped from legislative proceedings
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Medicinal Products Act (162 SE), initiated by Member of the Riigikogu Kalle Grünthal. It was intended to prohibit the sale and use in Estonia of medicinal products intended for the prevention of COVID-19 that have not been subjected to genotoxicity or carcinogenicity studies because, according to the initiator, they pose a risk to public health.
Anti Poolamets from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group took the floor during the debate.
53 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Social Affairs Committee to reject the Bill and 7 voted against it.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (345 SE), initiated by Isamaa Parliamentary Group. It aimed to increase the international competitiveness of Estonian road carriers and to improve the conditions of posting of Estonian international freight drivers. To this end, it was proposed to increase the income-tax-free daily allowance paid to posted international freight drivers to up to €75 per day for the entire duration of posting.
During the debate, Aivar Kokk from Isamaa Parliamentary Group and Priit Lomp from the Social Democratic Party Group took the floor.
39 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 13 voted against it.
The Minister of Climate Kristen Michal replied to the interpellation concerning power supply in Saaremaa (No. 68), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Mart Maastik, Riina Solman and Helir-Valdor Seeder.
According to the interpellators, the power supply on the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa is in a very bad state, and they asked what the minister was planning to do to ensure power supply on the large islands of Estonia in the event of extreme weather conditions.
“Reinforcement of the network is underway, weatherproofing the electricity systems of the large islands, both in the transmission network and distribution networks. In 2024, Elektrilevi will maintain a total of around 375 kilometres of medium and high-voltage power line corridors on the main islands. A total of 400 kilometres of line corridors will be extended in the coming years. In addition, in the period 2023–2025, Elektrilevi is planning to carry out investments in a total amount of nearly EUR 35 million on the large islands, which will replace about 450 kilometres of bare overhead lines with either covered overhead lines or underground cables,” the Minister of Climate commented.
According to Michal, through the European Resilience and Resilience Facility (RRF), Elering, the Estonian electricity and gas system operator, is implementing projects in wind-exposed areas, such as cabling overhead lines in the Small Strait. “On the island of Muhu, the 110-kilovolt overhead lines, which were previously on a single mast, have now been moved to separate masts, guaranteeing consumers security of supply for several decades. In Saaremaa, too, overhead lines will be moved to separate masts in several places and existing lines will be reinforced to ensure better capacity,” Võrklaev said. He outlined a number of other works that would contribute to ensuring security of electricity supply in Saaremaa in 2023–2028.
The minister pointed out that trees and branches falling on the lines during severe weather conditions were the main cause of breakdowns. He noted that, in 2023, Elektrilevi had started a large-scale line corridor widening project, where the line corridors would be cleared of trees and branches. According to Michal, the project concerns the most vulnerable overhead lines, i.e. bare overhead lines, which feed the most customers. “The extension of the corridor will be carried out along the entire protection zone. This means clearing ten metres on each side of the line axis for medium voltage networks and 25 metres for high voltage networks,” the Minister of Climate said.
Answering a question on whether Saaremaa would receive a 330-kilovolt power line to ensure security of electricity supply, Michal said that Elering’s existing 110-kilovolt transmission network had sufficient capacity and reliability to cover the current consumption of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa for several decades. He pointed out that additional capacity may be needed if additional generating capacity is added, notably offshore wind farms.
During the debate, Aivar Kokk, and Mart Maastik from Isamaa Parliamentary Group took the floor.
Michal also replied to the interpellations concerning the Environmental Sector Development Plan 2030 (No. 492), the environmental impact of mandatory renovation of buildings and people’s ability to pay (No. 123) and the underfunding of the state infrastructure (No. 334), submitted by members of the Riigikogu. The Minister of Finance Mart Võrklaev replied to the interpellations concerning the widespread unjustified classification of documents (No. 589), electricity supply security (No. 590), the establishment of a car tax (No. 310) and the taxation of people by inflation (No. 317).
Three interpellations which the interpellators had withdrawn were excluded from the agenda. So the interpellation concerning a permanent connection with Saaremaa (No. 260) and the underfunding of the state infrastructure (No. 473), submitted to the Minister of Climate, and the interpellation concerning the raising of personal income tax (No. 453), submitted to the Minister of Finance, were not discussed.
In the food prices, the share of traders has increased the most and the share of primary producers has fallen. Chairman of the Rural Affairs Committee Urmas Kruuse thinks that the supermarket chains have a great power to put pressure on prices, because they have the consumer in their hands. “If trade’s share in the price distribution in the supply chain remains so high for a long time, the investments of industries and farmers will come under pressure and it will be difficult to stay in competition, which could lead to a further decline in the share of Estonian food in shops,” he explained.
Kruuse pointed out that the food producers are constantly increasing their efficiency, while at the same time the trade sector is busy expanding and staying open 24/7. “This raises the question who pays for all this – it seems inevitable that in the end it will be felt by the consumer in their grocery shopping cart,” he added.
Director of the Estonian Institute of Economic Research Peeter Raudsepp and Head of the Agricultural Policy Department of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Kristel Maidre participated in the sitting of the Rural Affairs Committee.
The head of the Estonian delegation to PACE Liisa Pakosta defines the focus of the visit as making effort to convince the parliamentarians of other European countries to join forces against Russia’s cruelty, the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children. “The foundational values of the PACE are human rights, democracy, and strengthening the rule of law, and we need to act to keep it this way,” she said.
The Riigikogu is currently drafting a statement which clearly details the violation of international law and condemns Russia’s activities that have a tragic effect on innocent children. “Not only do we have to condemn the deportation of children, we also need to emphasise Russia’s culpability for crimes against humanity,” Pakosta said, also highlighting the importance of the International Criminal Court in prosecuting war criminals.
She also expressed support to the 10-point peace plan of the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which includes the return of the deported children from Russia. “As European citizens, we have the moral duty to show that we are not all right with Russia’s cruelty against defenceless children in any way or form,” Pakosta said.
The PACE Assembly will be electing a new President at its session because the term of office of the current President Tiny Kox is ending. A new Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights will also be elected.
This week, the session will also discuss the conclusions from observing last year’s parliamentary elections in Serbia, Hamas terror attack against Israel and Israel’s response, as well as OECD’s role since Russia launched its aggression against Ukraine. The agenda also includes accusations of systematic torture in European custodial institutions. In addition, there is an ongoing debate about the democratic future of Belarus, with a speech by the leader of the democratic opposition of Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
The Estonian delegation will take the opportunity to show its support to the candidacy of the long-term member of the Estonian delegation to PACE Indrek Saar to the position of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe at the elections to be held this June. Other candidates to the position are Didier Reynders and Alain Berset.
The Estonian delegation to the session of the PACE is made up of its head Liisa Pakosta, member Eerik-Niiles Kross, and Reili Rand who has been appointed an alternate member.
In light of allegations of massive electoral manipulations, the parliamentarians call on the EU to conduct an independent investigation of all reported election irregularities and claims of fraud during the elections that took place on 17 December. “Our common goal is to see Serbia as a member of the European Union within this decade. A necessary requirement for this is a functioning democracy and the rule of law. The massive electoral manipulations observed by the international election observation mission and independent civil society observers are clear violations of the principles of free, equal, and secret elections and incompatible with this requirement,” the parliamentarians write, and add that this raises grave concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral results.
According to the open letter, these events and the repressive state response in their aftermath indicate a further escalation in the autocratic development of the country. “This development includes Serbia’s continued cooperation with the Russian Federation regardless of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This poses a critical threat towards the stability of the entire Western Balkans. If there is no common European response now, it will invite similar actions by actors in neighbouring states in the future,” the European parliamentarians state in the open letter.
The parliamentarians call on the EU to support an independent investigation by the European Parliament into the allegations of electoral manipulation, to draft a list of recommendations to ensure free, equal, and secret elections, and a conditioning of further funding and progress in the accession process on their implementation before the next elections. Depending on the findings of the investigation, they invite the EU to call for a repetition of the elections.
The open letter addressed to the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Parliament, the President of the European Council, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and the EU Special Representative has been signed by 24 parliamentarians from Czechia, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Poland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the European Parliament. Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson signed the open letter on behalf of Estonia.
The Bill on Amendments to the Water Act (346 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading in the Riigikogu. It will include the provisions necessary to produce and use reclaimed water in the Act. The Bill will create the possibility to transfer used water, for example, treated effluent, quarry water, and mining water, after it will have been additionally treated, to businesses who will use it in agriculture, in the creation of green areas, in street cleaning, and in industrial processes. According to the Bill, the production of reclaimed water will require a water permit and the use of reclaimed water will bring about a registration obligation.
The environmental burden of the water discharged into recipients will decrease on account of the water directed to recovery. An average of 2,190 tons of nitrogen and 58 tons of phosphorus are discharged into recipients through outlets in a year. Upon the production and use of reclaimed water, the nutrient load on water bodies will decrease in correlation to how much reclaimed water will be put to use. Less water will be extracted from groundwater and surface water on account of the quantities of reclaimed water which will help save clean water resource.
During the debate, Tiit Maran from the Social Democratic Party Group, Züleyxa Izmailova from Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group and Evelin Poolamets from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group took the floor.
The Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group moved to reject the Bill at the first reading, but the plenary did not support the motion. 12 members of the Riigikogu supported rejection and 63 were against.
Two drafts were dropped from legislative proceedings
The Riigikogu did not support the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to remove the statue of ‘the Bronze Soldier’ from the public space” (104 OE), submitted by the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group. It was intended to make a proposal to the Government to remove the statue of the Bronze Soldier from the Defence Forces cemetery and the public space of Estonia within two months.
During the debate, Anti Allas from the Social Democratic Party Group and Juku-Kalle Raid from Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group took the floor.
At the final vote, 14 members of the Riigikogu supported the draft Resolution and 54 were against. Thus, the draft Resolution was not supported and was dropped from the legislative proceedings.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Prosecutor’s Office Act (105 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Kert Kingo, Varro Vooglaid and Martin Helme. It was intended to provide the Ministry of Justice with the possibility to exercise supervisory control over the prosecutor’s office without narrowing restrictions.
Varro Vooglaid from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group took the floor during the debate.
54 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Legal Affairs Committee to reject the Bill at the first reading and 15 voted against it. Thus, the Bill was dropped from the legislative proceedings.
After the sitting, members of the Riigikogu are planning to form the Resilient Space and Mobility Support Group on the initiative of Member of the Riigikogu Züleyxa Izmailova.
Pakosta addressed the meeting on the enlargement of the European Union, focusing on the need to overcome differences. She reminded her counterparts that enlargement was not about bilateral negotiations and that for the security and future of Europe as a continent, we must rise above this.
“Already today we can see 70 ways where one country has got something against another country, and there is a temptation to veto. But this will get us nowhere. Enlargement is and will be a unanimous decision where all must feel safe, but the newcomers have to be ensured the confidence that we really want enlargement,” she underlined.
Pakosta recalled Estonia’s accession to the European Union. “Our closest neighbour Finland had many concerns, for example the electricity market, but the Finnish government wisely understood that it was advantageous for the Finns to have a stable and secure neighbour, and to achieve this, Estonia must be accepted into the European Union. Estonia wanted to accede and felt that the EU looked forward to our accession. The new countries, starting with Ukraine and Moldova, now also need to feel that they are wanted. Vetoes can be imposed on the opening and closing of all 33 chapters, but please really stop this nonsense of bilateral vetoes,” Pakosta said, calling on EU member states to demonstrate their confidence.
“The credibility of the European Union in the enlargement process will be determined by the proposals for the budget of 2025, which will be the test for new accessions, and therefore we in Estonia must also keep a close eye on whether the budget proposals contain enough finances and whether our offer for accession is thus credible,” Pakosta emphasised.
The impact of the enlargement of the European Union was also on the agenda of today’s joint sitting of the European Union Affairs Committee, the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Finance Committee of the Riigikogu, where it was noted that enlargement was a process that would last for years and would have an impact on institutions, decision-making processes as well as the budget. It was pointed out that if eight or nine countries were to join, this would mean that the Union’s budget would increase by around 15%. Estonia’s contribution would increase by about 60 million per year, as our contribution will be 400 million euro per year in the coming years.
Estonia’s position that we are ready for a larger budget was approved at the sitting. It was decided that, in conclusion, the enlargement of the European Union was a great opportunity in terms of both the internal market and foreign trade.
For more information, please contact: Liisa Pakosta, phone +372 502 6191
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas replied to the interpellation concerning uniform Estonian school (No. 13), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas, Martin Helme, Rene Kokk, Siim Pohlak, Helle-Moonika Helme, Jaak Valge, Evelin Poolamets, Arvo Aller, Kert Kingo and Mart Helme.
The interpellators asked11 questions about various aspects of the transition to uniform Estonian school. The interpellators referred to the fact that there were already big problems in the current schools where Estonian was the language of instruction. With substantial numbers of children with other languages, this in turn brings problems to teachers.
Kallas explained the situation that had emerged and the action of the Government in the transition to uniform Estonian school. “The provisions of the Constitution stating that the official language of Estonia is Estonian, and everyone has the right to be taught in Estonian are in force,” the Prime Minister emphasised.
Kallas said that the Government had no intention of Russification of Estonian children. “On the contrary, the Government is intending to stop the funding of the education with Russian as the language of instruction and to transfer to uniform education with Estonian as the language of instruction,” she said. Kallas added that, in the transition to uniform education, when choosing the form of study, the child’s proficiency in the language of instruction needed to be take into account, and the study had to be adjusted to the child in terms of language and method. “It is not lawful to allocate a child whose native language is Estonian to a class where instruction in Estonian is intended for children who cannot speak Estonian,” the Prime Minister said.
Kallas underlined that the purpose of the transition to uniform education with Estonian as the language of instruction was that all people in Estonia would be in a single information space and that they would be proficient in Estonian and that there would be increasingly more people who would use Estonian. “So that we would not have two different systems, and we are making efforts to achieve this. This has been a big problem. I likewise agree that this should have been done already a long time ago. Better late than never. It is in any case necessary to move on with this,” the Prime Minister said.
Kallas also replied to interpellations concerning the establishment of a nuclear power station (No. 41), the increase of the indirect fire capability of the war-time Defence Forces (No. 72), immigration (No. 133), the demographic crisis and the resolution thereof (No. 232), the need for and construction of Rail Baltic (No. 262) and a permanent connection with Saaremaa (No. 278).
The Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets replied to the interpellations concerning the use of electronic cigarettes (No. 377), the capacity to ensure internal security in the new situation where uncontrolled immigration has made Estonian people worried about their property and their lives (No. 536), and the misuse of the funds of “Slava Ukraini” and the related investigation (No. 578), submitted by members of the Riigikogu.
Kalle Grünthal took the floor during the open microphone.
