The Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Anneli Ott is participating at the meeting of the chairpersons of the European Union Affairs Committees of the parliaments of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland in Kaunas.
Ott said that the participating countries have similar views on the next budgetary period of the European Union. “The new budget is to include reduced Cohesion Policy payments, which is mainly the consequence of the British plan to leave the Union. The Baltic states and Poland are very keen that these payments should not be reduced significantly. Together we can defend these positions more strongly at the negotiations.” She added that Estonia would be among the transition regions during the new period, which could lead to increased cost-sharing in projects, and reduced payment volumes.
The Chairmen will discuss the status of the negotiations on the next European Union budgetary period (2021–2027).
In addition, the participants will discuss the programme of the Plenary Meeting of the COSAC (Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union), which will be held in Helsinki in the beginning of December, and which will put great emphasis on climate issues.
The Lithuanians will also report on the progress regarding Rail Baltica in Lithuania. The participants will visit Kaunas railway hub, where work started this spring on the first stretch of Rail Baltica in Lithuania.
NordenBladet —Amendments relating to the Income Tax Act and the Social Tax Act were on the agenda for today’s plenary sitting of the Riigikogu. Both Bills passed the first reading.
The Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (14 SE), initiated by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, is intended to exempt all pensions from income tax to the extent of average old-age pension.
The explanatory memorandum notes that such an amendment will also extend to survivor’s pension, and to working pensioners. The amendment covers payments from all pillars of the pension system.
According to the Bill, the Government will establish by its Regulation the procedure for calculating the average old-age pension in order to ensure that average old-age pension will be exempt from income tax monthly.
According to the data of the Social Insurance Board, the average old-age pension is 483 euro per month as of 1 April 2019. The next regular indexation of pensions is due in the first quarter of 2020.
Jürgen Ligi (Reform Party) took the floor during the debate.
The Bill on Amendments to § 7 of the Social Tax Act (42 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction, is intended to lower the social tax rate to 13 per cent for the contributions that the employer makes to the employee’s pension fund. At the same time, the lower rate would apply to contributions that do not exceed the income tax exemption limit provided for in the Income Tax Act.
Under the current Social Tax Act, contributions made to an occupational pension fund are subject to a 33 per cent social tax. The Bill is intended to motivate employers to make larger-scale contributions to the voluntary pension insurance of the employee and thereby also to prompt employees to save additionally for their pension.
An occupational pension fund is a voluntary employee pension fund where contributions can be made for employees, public servants, and members of the management and control bodies of legal persons. According to the Income Tax Act, such amounts must not exceed 15 per cent of the gross earnings of the person in a calendar year or 6000 euro.
During the debate, Helmen Kütt (Social Democratic Party) and Jürgen Ligi (Reform Party) took the floor.
Today, the European Union Affairs Committee discussed reaching Estonia’s climate targets for 2020 and 2030 with the Minister of the Environment Rene Kokk.
The Chairman of the Committee Anneli Ott said that there have so far been three hearings at the Committee. “We have heard the thoughts of experts, entrepreneurs and representatives of the Ministry of the Environment on achieving carbon neutrality in Estonia. Based on what I have learned, I can confirm that Estonia is actively seeking ways to enhance the ambitiousness of the 2050 climate targets, together with the other European Union Member States, as well as looking for ways to agree on the activities for achieving these,” Ott said. The Government has scheduled the discussion on increasing Estonia’s climate ambitions for 3 October, and the consequent decisions will be forwarded to the committees of the Riigikogu for further debate, the Chairman added.
Deputy Chairman of the Committee Riina Sikkut said that at the national level, Estonia needs a clear plan on achieving the climate targets, which needs to be negotiated with all the parties. “We will in any case have international agreements, and a high price set for carbon emissions quota. In addition to energy policy, the Riigikogu could also focus its discussions on specific measures in agriculture, transport, forestry, and housing sector. We must take the socio-economic impact of all the changes into account,” Sikkut emphasised.
The European Union Affairs Committee started a series of parliamentary hearings this autumn in order to prepare a resolution with which Estonia would participate in the European Union negotiations on 2050 climate targets.
NordenBladet —At today’s plenary sitting, the Riigikogu received an overview of the civil service report of 2018 from the Minister of Public Administration Jaak Aab. The minister spoke of the number of employees, the labour costs, recruitment, personnel changes and the training activities in the public service.
Jaak Aab gave an overview of the numbers of employees in the whole public and government sector.
“In 2018, 312,000 employees worked in the public sector as a whole as reduced to full-time working time; 88 per cent of them were employed in the government sector and 12 per cent in other public sector. The public sector accounts for around a fifth of the employment among 26-64-year-olds in Estonia,” the minister pointed out.
The number of working-age people in Estonia is declining, and therefore it is important to keep the number of government sector employees in balance with working-age population,” Aab noted. He said that the strategic aim was to maintain a 12 per cent proportion of government sector employees. In the minister’s words, that had been successfully maintained in the previous year when the percentage had been 11.9. “In 2018, the number of people working in the government sector decreased by 0.4 per cent, while the number of civil servants decreased by 720 persons, that is, by 2.5 per cent. In state authorities, the number of civil servants decreased by 612 persons, that is, by 2.7 per cent. In local governments, the number decreased by 108 members of staff, that is, by 1.9 per cent,” Aab said.
Aab noted that, in terms of the organisation of work, the previous year had been a year of great changes in civil service.
“First, the first stage of the administrative reform, that is, the administrative-territorial reform was concluded,” the minister said. “51 new local governments, that is, around two thirds of all today’s local governments were formed by mergers. In total, the number of local governments diminished from 213 to 79,” Aab said. In the minister’s words, as a result of the mergers, there are more funds to contribute to the provision of high-quality services and the performance of local government functions.
The minister pointed out that, as of 1 January 2018, county governments, that is, local representations of central government, had been eliminated. In Aab’s words, that meant that a number of sectors and functions had become the joint responsibility of local governments or local governments in counties, like for example the organisation of public transport or the development of the county as a region.
“More than 40 state authorities, foundations with state holding and public law institutions contributed to the reorganisations by creating new job opportunities outside Tallinn,” the minister said. Aab noted that new civil service posts had been created in counties and, in addition, hundreds of jobs had been moved out of the capital. In the minister’s opinion, such reorganisations have given an opportunity to work in state jobs in regions also to people who earlier were forced to commute to work in Tallinn.
The minister said that, in 2019 and in the future, the moving of state-salaried jobs out of the capital, and the favouring of flexible working conditions and teleworking would continue. “The state service bureaus to be established in county centres by the end of 2023 will allow to improve the working conditions of state employees in regions and to extend the opportunities for teleworking, in addition to increasing the availability of public services,” Aab noted. In the minister’s words, recruitment to the public service and to state-salaried positions more widely will have to be more flexible, and the best candidates will have to have the opportunity to work near home.
During the debate, Lauri Läänemets from the Social Democratic Party Faction, Hanno Pevkur from the Reform Party Faction and Heiki Hepner from Faction Isamaa took the floor.
The deliberation of the first reading of a Bill was adjourned in the Riigikogu due to the end of the working hours of the plenary:
The Bill on Amendments to the Citizenship Act and the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act (57 SE), initiated by the Government, will amend the provisions of the Citizenship Act to specify and harmonise with basic school studies the requirements for Estonian language proficiency and knowledge of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia and the Citizenship Act, set for application for citizenship.
The provisions relating to graduation from basic school and the external assessment of learning outcomes in the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act will also be amended.
When the Act enters into force, national final examinations in basic schools will be omitted from the conditions of graduation from basic school. The competence to decide on graduation from basic school will be given entirely to schools.
On the basis of the national curriculum, schools will have the right to establish for example school examinations corresponding to the specifics of the school, or for example carrying out creative work or research, as a condition of graduation. As a national feedback tool, national curriculum-dependent and proficiency tests will be retained. They provide an opportunity to track students’ development over time, and to analyse the learning outcomes in different years and the learning outcomes of a school or a class within the context of the overall national level.
National surveys of students, parents and school employees will be provided for as a new external assessment instrument.
According to the Bill, an examination in Estonian or Estonian as a second language will be conducted for all final year students of basic schools. Passing the examination will not be connected with graduation from basic school, but its aim will be to measure the level of Estonian language proficiency in persons who have acquired basic education.
A national test will also be conducted for all basic school graduates before graduation from basic school. The test will evaluate students’ knowledge of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, the fundamentals of the constitutional order and the functioning of society, and the rights and obligations of citizens.
According to the Bill, if a basic school graduate successfully passes the national tests conducted within the framework of his or her studies, he or she will also comply with the requirements for Estonian language proficiency and knowledge of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia and the Citizenship Act, set for application for citizenship.
The Riigikogu did not support a draft Resolution:
The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Appointment of Members of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia” (38 OE), initiated by the Finance Committee.
In connection with the termination of the mandate of the Members of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia, the Chairman of Supervisory Board Mart Laar proposed to appoint Enn Eesmaa, Kaie Kerem, Enn Listra, Rein Minka, Ivari Padar, Jaanus Tamkivi and Urmas Varblane as members of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia.
The Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia is the oversight body of the Bank of Estonia, which consists of a Chairman and seven Members. The Riigikogu appoints Members of the Supervisory Board of the central bank at the proposal of the Chairman of the Supervisory Board for five years.
Peeter Ernits from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction took the floor during the debate.
18 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the draft Resolution and 74 were against.
As a majority vote of the members of the Riigikogu was needed for the draft Resolution to be passed, it was not passed.
NordenBladet —The Bill on Amendments to the Citizenship Act (58 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, passed the first reading in the Riigikogu. The aim of the Bill is to ensure the possibility to acquire Estonian citizenship under a simplified procedure to minors who were born in Estonia and whose parents (or grandparents) have resided in Estonia before the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Estonia. The Minister of the Interior Mart Helme presented the Bill.
The Bill provides that a minor who is born in Estonia or who immediately after birth settles permanently in Estonia with a parent or parents who are permanent residents of Estonia, and who holds a long-term residence permit or the right of permanent residence, and one of whose parents is not recognised as its citizen by any state under legislation in force, and whose other parent is a national of another country, will acquire Estonian citizenship at the request of his or her legal representative if a parent or a grandparent of the minor was a resident of Estonia as at 20 August 1991.
The Bill sets a requirement that, with regard to such person of another nationality, the Resolution of the Government of the Republic on the granting of Estonian citizenship will enter into force as of the day following the day on which the certificate to the effect that the person has been released from the citizenship of the other state is submitted to the governmental authority authorised by the Government of the Republic.
During the debate, Jevgeni Ossinovski (Social Democratic Party), Taavi Rõivas (Reform Party) and Andrei Korobeinik (Centre Party) took the floor. They discussed various aspects related to the granting of Estonian citizenship, and dual citizenship.
The Minister of the Interior Mart Helme also took part in the debate.
The Reform Party Faction moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. The result of voting: 30 members of the Riigikogu in favour, 53 against. The Bill remained in the legislative proceedings.
At its today’s sitting, the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) heard the representatives of energy-intensive companies and green companies, who gave an overview of the challenges and opportunities that would accompany achieving of carbon neutrality in Estonia by 2050.
Chair of the Committee Anneli Ott believes that the approach to carbon neutrality should be integrated, and not sector-based. “Besides energy, it is also necessary to deal with the transport sector, with housing and agriculture sectors. These sectors influence the daily life of people more than the technological changes in individual large enterprises,” Ott said. “Unfortunately, at the moment there is no agreement and understanding in the society that the use of climate-friendly solutions means a change not only for businesses, but for all people,” she added.
Ott explained that the entrepreneurs had pointed out that it would be impossible to achieve zero emissions in the cement and energy industries of the European Union until there had been a technological revolution in the carbon emission sequestration technologies. “The entrepreneurs emphasised that global agreements are necessary for achieving carbon neutrality. If efforts are made only in the European Union, there is a risk that large concerns will move their production facilities outside the Union,” Ott summarized the problem of energy-intensive companies. She added that at the same time, more and more green technology development projects that focused on circular economy and provided smart possibilities for energy saving emerged in Estonia.
Managing Director of Kunda Nordic Tsement Meelis Einstein, Chairman of the Board of Viru Keemia Grupp Ahti Asmann, CEO of Cleantech ForEst Erki Ani and Head of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance Department at Eesti Energia Andres Tropp delivered reports at the sitting.
The European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu started a series of parliamentary hearings this autumn in order to prepare a resolution with which Estonia will participate in the European Union negotiations on 2050 climate targets. The next parliamentary hearing at the European Union Affairs Committee will take place on 27 September, when the Committee will discuss meeting of Estonia’s 2020 and 2030 climate targets with Minister of the Environment Rene Kokk.
NordenBladet —At today’s sitting, the Riigikogu heard the summary of the annual review by Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise. The Chancellor of Justice noted that the range of topics was wide, from taxes, banking and supervision of surveillance to environmental protection, heritage conservation, the rights of children and young people, and the concerns of disabled people.
In her report, Ülle Madise pointed out, among other things, the regulations of cities and municipalities that created problems for people after the administrative reform. She described a situation where, within the boundaries of a large local government formed after the reform, uniform rules of property maintenance had been established, and it had been prohibited for a person who lived several kilometres away from other households to cultivate their garden and dry their laundry outdoors without special permission. The Chancellor of Justice said that a number of situations like that had occurred. She thanked cities and municipalities for correcting such mistakes quickly and without judicial intervention.
Madise said that the agency of the Chancellor of Justice also spoke out when undesired results became apparent in practice in an Act or Resolution, and needed solution. “For example, tax burden increases for a person when they receive their redundancy payment or maternity benefit at the end of the year, or when a family with many children receives a grant from “KredEx” to renovate their housing, and they receive it as a natural person and not through an apartment association,” the Chancellor of Justice brought examples. She expressed the hope that such mistakes would be corrected quickly.
The Chancellor of Justice said that people often asked why officials were indifferent and did not make well-considered and sensible decisions. In Madise’s opinion, the greatest problem is the weakness of the front line of officials. She pointed out that, in offices and inspectorates, schools and hospitals, child protection and care homes, more often than not, specialists did not have a supportive working environment, equitable recognition or a salary consistent with their responsibility. In Madise’s words, a clever, active and decisive person is needed in an office where the official has discretionary power, listens to people’s worries and must make specific decisions under diverse circumstances. The Chancellor of Justice noted that the monthly salary of a front-line official who for example had to identify environmental pollution was currently around 900 euro.
Madise expressed concern about the mindset that everyone could be punished without any proof or justification, without the state having to compensate for the damage in the event of an error. The Chancellor of Justice said that they had therefore stood against the too wide reversed burden of proof in banking, the granting of an almost unrestricted and uncontrolled right to collect data to the prison service, and the intent to sell the health data of Estonian people to agencies abroad. Madise said that, thanks to Riigikogu’s intervention, in several cases plans that had been in conflict with the Constitution in the opinion of the Chancellor of Justice had not been realised.
During the debate, Heljo Pikhof (Social Democratic Party), Mihhail Lotman (Isamaa), Kaja Kallas (Reform Party) and Jaanus Karilaid (Centre Party) took the floor on behalf of factions.
NordenBladet —Prime Minister Jüri Ratas replied to the interpellation concerning connection with islands (No. 1), submitted by members of the Riigikogu Kalle Laanet, Heiki Kranich, Vilja Toomast, Urmas Kruuse, Hele Everaus, Madis Milling, Heidy Purga, Yoko Alender, Andres Sutt, Taavi Rõivas, Hanno Pevkur, Kaja Kallas, Toomas Kivimägi, Urve Tiidus, Jüri Jaanson, Signe Kivi, Kristina Šmigun-Vähi, Ants Laaneots, Andrus Seeme, Johannes Kert and Annely Akkermann on 13 May.
The interpellators referred to the fact that the residents of Saaremaa had already some time ago informed the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of their wish to have more flights on Tallinn–Kuressaare route, and with a bigger aircraft, because the 19-seat aircraft was too small to seat all who wanted to travel, and thus the ferry remained the only means of transport to the mainland. Ferry is more time-consuming compared to flight. The interpellators wished to know how and with what activities the Prime Minister was going to fulfil the promise that a good air service with a larger aircraft would begin to operate between large islands.
Ratas explained that 5.53 million euro had been planned for air services in 2019, including the air services to the island of Ruhnu. For the next periods, 5.73 million euro pear year have been planned for flight connections with islands in the national budget strategy, and this must ensure that the flight connection between Saaremaa and the mainland improves when a larger aircraft is put into service on the Kuressaare route. As an amendment to the Public Transport Act entered into force on 1 January 2018, the tasks of the public service contracts in air traffic were transferred from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications to the Road Administration.
Ratas noted that the challenging of the public procurement influenced the organisation of air traffic. The decision of the Road Administration to refuse to qualify “Regional Jet OÜ” had been in conflict with the requirements of the Public Procurement Act with regard to Tallinn–Kuressaare–Tallinn, and had been repealed. In order to prevent suspension of the route licence from 1 June this year, the Road Administration considered the hierarchical measures provided for in the Public Transport Act to prevent the risk of disruption of the service, and made a proposal to extend the contract to the current carrier on Tallinn–Kuressaare–Tallinn route. It is very important that this connection would not be disrupted. By agreement, the contract was extended until a new carrier is found, but not for longer than two years. That ensured uninterrupted provision of service on the air routes.
Ratas emphasised that it was important to make every effort to ensure that we would have a better air service as well as a better ferry connection by the high season of the following year. “We must find a solution, the best solution to the residents of Saaremaa and people living on the islands of Abruka, Vilsandi, Muhu and Kesselaid, so that people would be able to fly from Kuressaare to Tallinn if they wish. Two flights on Kuressaare–Tallinn route from Monday to Friday, and two flights on Tallinn–Kuressaare route; on Saturday and Sunday, too, but then there is one flight,” the Prime Minister explained.
The Minister of Education and Research Mailis Reps replied to the interpellation concerning the availability of translation of Estonian Sign Language (No. 2).
At today’s sitting, member of the Riigikogu Marko Šorin took his oath of office.
NordenBladet —At the festive opening of the Riigikogu autumn session, the President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas and the President of the Republic Kersti Kaljulaid made speeches.
Põlluaas spoke of several important anniversaries celebrated this year, of which the crowning point had been the celebration of the centenary of the parliament. He recalled the progress of the independent Estonia, and the political events connected with it, through the prism of historical events. Põlluaas also highlighted the issues relating to the commencement of the work of the new Riigikogu.
“Because of the prolonged coalition negotiations, our spring session was short. This situation must definitely be improved now. During the coming months and years, we need to make strong efforts to adopt and implement decisions and principles to improve the life in Estonia through legislative measures,” Põlluaas said.
“In jubilee years we habitually look into the past, and this is indeed what I have done. However, we eventually reach from the past to the future through the current moment. We must leave a beautiful, stable and successful Estonia to our children and grandchildren. The Riigikogu must actively contribute to the solution of long-term problems. To achieve this, the Riigikogu needs to have more initiative, be more aware of its role and independence, and pass only high-quality and expedient laws. This will definitely help increase trust in the Riigikogu. The number and scope of the challenges that we need to solve in legislative drafting is high. It is a hard, but definitely inspiring work,” Põlluaas noted.
He expressed hope that work in the Riigikogu would be more cooperative and mutually understanding, because together we can do much more for Estonia than we have done so far, in confrontation. “I wish all of you a good start of the new season, common sense, fruitful discussions and respect for your colleagues,” Põlluaas said.
Kaljulaid discussed the topical issues in the organisation of Estonian state affairs and the expectations for the Riigikogu to resolve them.
“I am worried by our prospects. The horizon. Or more specifically – what is beyond the horizon. There are so many threads we should be pulling on right now. Threads which lead to new opportunities, to new finds that help create growth and development. Also threads, which have been created by our previous aspirations, previous hopes and our desire to meet these expectations,” the President said. She analysed the urgent tasks facing the society, and presented her vision for solving them.
“You in this hall are the ones who are directly responsible for making sure these questions get answered. You are free to design the answers but only as long as you abide by the constitution approved by the Estonian people. You are free in your decisions but not completely – according to the constitution, you must keep in mind the expectations of all people in Estonia, rather than those of your voters,” Kaljulaid stressed.
“You are the wardens of the rule of law – this is a bigger responsibility than simply being a legislator. You cannot escape this duty or hide behind a group identity or your political affiliation. Do your decisions address questions important in society? I believe they do. Can the Estonian people continue to trust their constitution and the promises secured by law, even if they are long term? You can bring hope and security, but you can also bring cynicism and the belief that every one of us, including those in this hall, only stand for their own interests or those of a small circle of people,” the President said.
Kaljulaid wished that caring and benevolence would win. “It is all up to you. Good luck!”
The Concert Choir of Veronika Portsmuth Choir Academy, conducted by Veronika Portsmuth, who performed at the opening sitting, created a festive atmosphere.
NordenBladet —At today’s plenary sitting, the Riigikogu decided to appoint members of the Riigikogu Uno Kaskpeit and Kalle Laanet members of the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol.
The Resolution of the Riigikogu was based on the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Appointment of Members of the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group Monitoring the Activities of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation” (35 OE), submitted by the Legal Affairs Committee. 80 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of the Resolution.
Based on the directly applicable European Union Regulation, pursuant to Article 88 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the scrutiny of Europol’s activities is carried out by the European Parliament together with national parliaments. This constitutes a specialised Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group (JPSG) established together by the national parliaments and the competent committee of the European Parliament.
With 32 votes in favour and 44 against, the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Proposal to the Government of the Republic to Organise the Provision of Preschool and School Education in Estonia Uniformly and in the Estonian Language” (2 OE), submitted by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, was dropped from the proceedings of the Riigikogu. The initiators of the draft Resolution wished to make a proposal to the Government to organise the provision of preschool and school education in Estonia uniformly and in the Estonian language.
According to the explanatory memorandum, the transition would have begun with nursery schools as of 1 September 2020, ensuring classes in Estonian every day, contact with children who speak Estonian, at least one Estonian-speaking teacher per group, and readiness for school in Estonian.
During the debate, Kaja Kallas from the Reform Party Faction, Mihhail Stalnuhhin from the Centre Party Faction, Katri Raik from the Social Democratic Party Faction and Üllar Saaremäe from Faction Isamaa took the floor.