ESTONIA

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of two Bills

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Bill on Amendments to the Courts Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (enhancing court administration) (632 SE), initiated by the Government, will reform the administrative organisation of  the courts of first and second instance so that it would be clearer, more efficient, and  autonomous.                  

At present, the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, the Council for the Administration of Courts, chief judges, directors of court and, to a certain extent, the Supreme Court are engaged in court administration. Such dispersed responsibility fragments the system and makes it difficult to manage.

According to the Bill, most of the court administration tasks will be transferred from the ministry to the courts themselves. To organise the administration and development of courts, a Council for the Administration and Development of Courts will be set up, following the restructuring of the current Council for the Administration of Courts. While the current body is more advisory and coordinating, the Council for the Administration and Development of Courts will be the highest decision-making body in court administration. It will guide the development of courts and organize administrative decisions at a strategic level. Thus, judges’ decision-making power over both support services and the direction of development of the courts will increase significantly.

A Court Administration Service will also be established which will provide day-to-day support services to the courts, such as translation, archiving, and financial and asset management. The Court Administration Service will take over the current tasks performed in court administration in the ministry, and by directors of court. The service will be headed by a director appointed for a term of five years whose activities will be monitored by the Council for the Administration and Development of Courts.

During the debate, Varro Vooglaid took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group. Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta also took part in the debate.

The Bill on Amendments to the Preschool Education Act and the Act on Amendments to the Republic of Estonia Education Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (establishment of an obligation to study) (644 SE),  initiated by the Rural Affairs Committee, will provide for the abandonment of the licence obligation for childcare facilities where catering is provided and for operators who provide the catering service for childcare facilities which was due to come into force on 1 September.

Since 2021, childcare service providers engaged in catering have not had the obligation to apply for an activity licence from the Agriculture and Food Board, but on 1 September, the Act on Amendments to the Preschool Education Act and Other Associated Acts is  entering into force, according to which the obligation to apply for a licence for childcare facilities would be reintroduced.

The Rural Affairs Committee took the view that, since such childcare facilities and operators providing catering services to them already have the obligation to notify the Agriculture and Food Board of their economic activities, including the provision of catering for children, a separate licence application process would lead to an excessive administrative burden for both the  facilities providing the childcare service, and the Agriculture and Food Board which processes the licences.

A draft Resolution was rejected

The Riigikogu rejected the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Holding a referendum on the issue of generating power from oil shale” (581 OE), submitted by the Estonian Centre Party Group. It was intended to put the question “Should Estonia abandon the use of oil shale in energy by 2040?” to a referendum on 1 August 2025.

During the debate, Evelin Poolamets took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Lauri Laats on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Group.

The lead committee moved to reject the draft Resolution. 41 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 20 voted against. Thus, the draft Resolution was dropped from the legislative proceedings.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

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

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

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of two Bills

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu discussed problems related to care reform

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller replied to the interpellation concerning  care reform (No. 719), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Lauri Laats, Aleksei Jevgrafov, Vladimir Arhipov and Vadim Belobrovtsev.

The interpellators referred to the fact that the state set as the goal of the care reform that a care home place should be available for a person for an average pension. The conclusions of an audit by the National Audit Office indicate that the goal is becoming increasingly unrealistic and that the funding of the care home service should be changed.

The interpellators wanted to know what measures the ministry had planned to prevent the uncontrolled increase in care home service prices which would undermine the achievement of the goal of the reform.

Joller explained that the aim of the care reform was to reduce the share of people’s costs in the financing of the 24-hour general care service. She referred to the fact that the cost per person for general care services had been 81% in 2022 and 51% in 2024. This is an important financial relief for the elderly and their families. “Before the reform, a person had to pay up to 100% of the care home fee, but now it is divided between the local government and the recipient of the service,” the minister noted. She added that the average pension, which is EUR 817, now covers a large part of the care home fee which makes access to the service a realistic option even for people on lower incomes. “This was also shown by the fact that we now have around 1,000 more people in the care home service than we had before the care reform, which means that the service has become more affordable for people,” Joller noted.

According to Joller, it is obvious that the general rise in prices in society is also affecting the cost base of care homes, and understandably the rise in the price of care home fees can cause concern among people. “The Ministry is aware of this concern, and we have taken several steps to ensure that price increases do not spiral out of control,” the minister said. She explained that the Social Insurance Board was developing a monitoring methodology for pricing and guidance materials for the verification of the transparency and justification of the price of the service. The Ministry supports local governments in price negotiations by providing analytical support and tools so that they can ask service providers substantive questions about price formation. “We use recommended pricing models to ensure that prices are not simply market-based but are based on the actual cost of the service,” Joller noted.

Joller explained that the care reform had been launched in July 2023. “It is not possible at this stage to assess the full impact of the reform on the basis of one year’s data. Before any further measures or changes can be decided, we will conduct an impact analysis of the reform, which will be completed by the end of next year,” the minister justified. According to her, this analysis will reveal what the biggest bottlenecks are, and then they will be able to assess whether and what changes will be needed. “The final result of the analysis will present specific proposals, including based on the practice of European Union member states, on how to ensure, with limited resources, a larger volume and higher quality of services supporting living at home, in order to prevent the worsening of the need for care and institutional care, as well as how to reduce the care burden on family members and support family members’ remaining in working life,” the minister said.

Joller also replied to the interpellation concerning livelihood policy (No. 736).

Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna replied to the interpellation concerning  the notification of NATO member states in connection with the elimination of the right to vote in local elections in Estonia (No. 744).

Minister of the Interior Igor Taro replied to the interpellations concerning the shooting range in Võru  (No. 737), the population register (No. 754) and potential amendments to the Weapons Act (No. 755).

The renewed deliberation of the Act on Amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act (570 UA) Act which the President of the Republic had refused to promulgate was included in the agenda for Wednesday’s sitting of this working week of the Riigikogu.

Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart and Riina Solman took the floor during the open microphone.

The sitting ended at 8.12 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recordings of the sittings of the Riigikogu can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/riigikogu.
(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

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

 

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu discussed problems related to care reform

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Training Phase in Exercise Hedgehog 2025 Began in Northeast Estonia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

The National Defence Committee supports Estonia’s leaving the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the National Defence Committee Kalev Stoicescu said that the Committee had supported withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention unanimously. According to him, the Baltic States, Finland and Poland have been discussing since the autumn whether, in addition to other measures that strengthen defence capabilities, the reintroduction of anti-personnel landmines and, consequently, withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention should be considered, and all five countries have now started the legal procedures necessary for withdrawal from the Convention.

“With this, we as countries on NATO’s Eastern flank are sending a clear message that we are ready and able to use all necessary means to defend our territory and our people,” Stoicescu stated. He added that before the withdrawal from the Convention, the members of the National Defence Committee would also meet with representatives of several international organisations.

According to the Bill initiated by the Government, Estonia will withdraw from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, which entered into force in 1999, and which Estonia acceded to in 2004.

The explanatory memorandum of the Bill points out that since Estonia ratified the Ottawa Convention more than 20 years ago, the security environment in Europe and in the Baltic Sea region has deteriorated significantly and the military threat to NATO member states has increased. At the same time, the Russian Federation is continuing its military aggression against Ukraine and is seriously violating its international obligations, including the standards of international humanitarian law. Russia has not acceded to the Ottawa Convention and is extensively using anti-personnel mines in the war against Ukraine.

According to the explanatory memorandum, withdrawal from the Convention will give the Estonian Defence Forces greater flexibility and freedom to choose the weapons systems and weapon solutions to be used when necessary. Withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention will enter into force six months after the date of notification, provided that on the expiry of that period, the withdrawing country is not engaged in an armed conflict.

The National Defence Committee decided to move to include the Bill on Withdrawal from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (642 SE) in the agenda of the plenary sitting on 22 May, and to conclude the first reading of the Bill. The final vote is planned to take place at the second reading of the Bill.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna gave an overview of the Bill and the activities relating to the withdrawal from the Convention at the sitting of the National Defence Committee.

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 supports Estonia’s leaving the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar called on the EU to increase support to and start accession negotiations with Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar said at the Conference that Ukraine’s security was Europe’s security, and an independent and sovereign Ukraine as part of the European family was the best guarantee against Russia’s imperialism. “Russia’s recent attacks and actions show no real intention to end the aggression. Our message must be clear: we will not leave Ukraine alone,” he emphasised.

In his speech, Hussar reaffirmed that the future of Ukraine, as well as Moldova, was in the European Union. “Their accession will strengthen Europe’s resilience, security and credibility, and send a strong message against Russia’s aggression The EU accession process is our most powerful tool to give hope to the Ukrainian people,” he said, and underlined that Estonia wanted to move as soon as possible to the next stage – the actual start of negotiations.

According to Hussar, the EU enlargement must remain performance-based, but at the same time, no Member State should hinder the progress of candidate countries if they have done their homework properly.

He pointed out that at the same time as supporting Ukraine, pressure on Russia must be increased. “Europe is facing a difficult decision: whether to use the 200 billion euros of Russia’s central bank’s frozen assets for the benefit of Ukraine, or to return them to Russia as a bonus in a few months’ time. If someone wants to release the frozen assets and return them to Russia, it must be understood that this money will go directly to finance the aggression against Ukraine and a hybrid war against us all,” he said.

Hussar believes that it must be ensured that the assets remain frozen, and that there must be a clear plan on how to use them in the future. He called on EU countries to mobilise their political will and to pay serious attention to this issue.

In response to the leaders of Hungary who support energy trade with Russia, Hussar said that cheap Russian energy drenched in the blood of Ukrainians was not cheap, and was not the solution in standing for European principles.

The Conference of Speakers, held in Budapest, Hungary, will discuss the future of the EU and the challenges facing Europe, as well as the issues relating to regionalism in Europe and safeguarding Europe’s cultural identity.

At the Conference, Hussar will have separate meetings with Walter Rosenkranz, the President of the lower house of the Austrian Parliament, the National Council of Austria, and Martin Bosma, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, the lower house of the bicameral parliament of the Netherlands. They will discuss cooperation between their countries, further support to Ukraine, increasing pressure on Russia and relations with the United States. Hussar and Bosma will also speak about the forthcoming NATO Summit in the Netherlands.

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

Link uudisele: Hussar called on the EU to increase support to and start accession negotiations with Ukraine

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar discusses supporting Ukraine and future of Europe with EU Speakers

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

At the Conference, the Speakers will speak about the challenges facing Europe and the future of the European Union. President of the National Council of Austria Walter Rosenkranz and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola will be the keynote speakers at the session dedicated to the future of the Union.

Hussar will also speak at the discussion on the future of Europe. He will underline the importance of continuing support to Ukraine, and use of Russia’s frozen assets. He will highlight that the future of Ukraine, as well as Moldova, is in the European Union. At the afternoon session, the Speakers will discuss issues relating to regionalism in Europe, and safeguarding Europe’s cultural identity.

At the Conference in Budapest, Hussar will have separate meetings with Walter Rosenkranz, the President of the lower house of the Austrian Parliament, the National Council of Austria, and Martin Bosma, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, the lower house of the bicameral parliament of the Netherlands. They will discuss cooperation between their countries, further support to Ukraine, increasing pressure on Russia and relations with the United States. Hussar and Bosma will also speak about the forthcoming NATO Summit in the Netherlands.

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

Link uudisele: Hussar discusses supporting Ukraine and future of Europe with EU Speakers

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Allies Deployed Additional Units to Estonia by Helicopters from Latvia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Pikhof and Sarapuu are observing parliamentary elections in Albania

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

“The Albanian parliamentary elections are a historical event because this is the first time the country admits votes by its citizens residing abroad and has made important changes in the election system,” said member of the Estonian delegation to the OSCE PA Heljo Pikhof. “Albania is engaged in accession negotiations with the European Union, which makes these elections an important litmus test for the democratic institutions of the country.”

Member of the delegation Kersti Sarapuu added that the task of the observers was to ensure that the elections respected the law and democratic values. “We place great emphasis on the transparency of the election process and equal treatment, especially as the political climate in the country is highly polarised. We also look at how independently the media is allowed to work and whether the results are reported as they should.”

Nearly 100 parliamentarians from 31 national parliaments will observe the Albanian parliamentary elections within the framework of the OSCE PA election observation mission. The purpose of the mission is to make sure that the elections adhere to the democratic commitments contained in the OSCE’s 1990 Copenhagen Document.

Deploying of election observation missions has been an important part of OSCE’s activities since 1993. The OSCE mission is observing elections in Albania for the tenth time, ever since 1996.

The observers’ preliminary findings and conclusions will be delivered at a press conference on Monday, May 12 at 4 p.m., which is streamed live on the website of the OSCE PA.

For more information, please contact:
Heljo Pikhof +372 511 9637
Kersti Sarapuu +372 503 9113

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

Link uudisele: Pikhof and Sarapuu are observing parliamentary elections in Albania

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The 1st Infantry Brigade of the Estonian Defence Forces achieved combat readiness at the Hedgehog 2025 Exercise

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Riigikogu committees discussed budget sustainability and economic competitiveness with IMF delegation

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The IMF delegation asked for an overview of the state of the economy, the impact of inflation on the competitiveness of businesses, and the impact of trade tariffs and international insecurity on Estonia’s economy. IMF also asked about the financing of defence spending and considerations around increasing tax revenue, but also about reforms for promoting competitiveness, improving investment environment, reducing bureaucracy, and labour policy.

The Chairman of the Finance Committee Annely Akkermann explained that Estonia had overcome three crises in a row and that the economy was showing a modest upturn. The new insecurities are the repercussions of policy changes in the USA, to a lesser extent also of trade tensions, but the strongest impact on Estonia’ budget has come from the need to increase our defence spending to 5 percent of the GDP. A better consolidated EU capital and energy market would give a huge boost to Estonia’s economic development.

The Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee Marek Reinaas referred to the fact that the IMF has acknowledged the steps taken by the Estonian government over the last few years to improve our budgetary position and turn the economy on a path to growth. It has also recommended giving more attention to developing an innovative and openminded economy and carrying out reforms with a longer perspective—recommendations we can absolutely agree with.

Also present at the meeting were members of the Finance Committee Riina Sikkut and Mart Võrklaev.

The IMF delegation will also meet with the Government, Bank of Estonia, ministries, and state authorities, as well as the leaders and analysts of the Financial Supervision Authority during its visit. There are also meetings scheduled with commercial banks, professional organisations, and representatives of private businesses.

The head of the IMF delegation Vincenzo Guzzo will present the conclusions of the visit at the press conference held in the Bank of Estonia on 19 May.

The International Monetary Fund discusses important economic policy issues with every member state once a year. The outcome of the consultation is a report reflecting the IMF experts’ assessment of Estonia’s economic policy.

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

 

Link uudisele: Riigikogu committees discussed budget sustainability and economic competitiveness with IMF delegation

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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