NordenBladet —The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Government of the Republic Act and Other Acts in connection with the Reorganisation of the Agricultural Board and the Veterinary and Food Board into the Agricultural and Food Board (164 SE), initiated by the Government, and sent it to the third reading.
Under the Bill (164 SE), on the basis of the Agricultural Board and the Veterinary and Food Board, the Agricultural and Food Board will be set up and it will start operating on 1 January 2021. The amendments conform to the state reform action plan 2019–2023 approved on the basis of the Government’s action programme. The merger of the authorities proceeds from a more general principle of the state reform, namely to reduce the duplication of activities in different state offices, to reduce the number of administrative agencies and to improve the quality and availability of public services.
The Agricultural and Food Board to be formed after the merger of the agencies will perform all the current main functions of the two agencies, which will require retention of the present staff, among other things. With the reorganisation of the two agencies, the capability of risk-based inspection will increase, the management of information in the entire food production chain will improve, and the quality of the prevention and information activities to reduce offences will grow. The communication aimed at clients will be more comprehensive, and the administrative burden to clients will be reduced.
Ivari Padar (Social Democratic Party) took the floor during the debate.
The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of two Bills
The Bill on Amendments to the Local Government Organisation Act and the Local Government Financial Management Act (194 SE), initiated by the Finance Committee, will extend the deadlines by which local governments must adopt amendments to the budget strategy and the development plan and, on the basis of that, submit the draft budget and the explanatory memorandum to the municipal councils.
The purpose of the Bill is to propose an operational and functioning solution for 2020. As a result of the emergency situation caused by the spread of COVID-19, the relevant provision of the State Budget for 2020 Act was applied, and therefore the adoption of the state budget strategy was postponed to this autumn. In connection with this, it will be necessary to extend the deadlines by which local governments must adopt amendments to the budget strategy and the development plan, and submit them to the municipal councils. This will enable local governments to take into account the information set out in the state budget strategy when making management decisions.
In addition, the Bill will provide for a simplification for the presentation of information in the explanatory memorandum to the budget. A similar rule is in place for the state budget strategy which enables the Government to make generalisations and simplifications in the state budget strategy as compared to the normal situation.
The main amendment provided for in the Bill on Amendments to the National Audit Office Act, the Political Parties Act and Other Acts (controlling body for political party funding) (193 SE), initiated by the Faction Isamaa, the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction and the Estonian Centre Party Faction, is to transfer the functions of the Political Parties Financing Surveillance Committee as a monitoring body to the National Audit Office.
The initiators of the Bill say in justification that the purpose of the Bill is to make the monitoring of the funding of political parties, election coalitions and independent candidates more professional. For that, the surveillance competence will be given to the National Audit Office. As the monitoring activities will become more professional, the monitoring of the funding of political parties will become more understandable and the transparency of the funding will increase.
The National Audit Office will continue the ongoing monitoring activities of the Political Parties Financing Surveillance Committee. The National Audit Office will also participate in the ongoing judicial proceedings as the legal successor of the Political Parties financing Surveillance Committee. The performance of the additional task will require reorganisations in the National Audit Office, recruitment and training of officials, etc. The Act provides for a sufficient period for entry into force in order to allow for preparation and implementation of the changes.
During the debate, Kaja Kallas (Reform Party), Priit Sibul (Isamaa), Tõnis Mölder (Centre Party), Indrek Saar (Social Democratic Party) and Siim Pohlak (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor.
Kallas referred to the fact that the tasks of the National Audit Office did not include the exercise of oversight over the activities of political parties. Therefore it is unjustified to make such an amendment. She moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. Sibul expressed support to the Bill. In his opinion, the discussion should be taken to the Supreme Court if necessary, in order to bring clarity as to whether the amendment is in conformity with the Constitution. He added that proceedings on the ongoing matters would definitely have to be continued on the basis of legal continuity. Mölder analysed the activities of the Political Parties Financing Surveillance Committee so far, and was very critical of it. He therefore considered it necessary to make changes regarding the issue of the oversight of the funding of political parties. Saar explained that if the National Audit Office were given the task of monitoring the covert funding of political parties, it might become more politically biased. Saar also drew attention to the fact that, now that the crisis situation was over, the Riigikogu was expected to address much weightier matters instead. Saar also moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. Pohlak justified why the Bill was necessary and called on to make proposals to amend the Bill in the course of the proceedings.
The results of the vote to reject the Bill at the first reading: 46 votes in favour and 53 against. The motion was not supported. The first reading was concluded. The deadline for submission of motions to amend is 15 May.
At the open microphone session, Helmen Kütt took the floor.
NordenBladet — Agenda for the 16th Working Week (1 June 2020–4 June 2020) of the 3rd Session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly
Monday, 1 June
1. Bill on Amendments to the Government of the Republic Act and Other Acts in connection with the Reorganisation of the Agricultural Board and the Veterinary and Food Board into the Agricultural and Food Board (164 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
Second reading
Report by Merry Aart, member of the Rural Affairs Committee
2. Bill on Amendments to the Local Government Organisation Act and the Local Government Financial Management Act (194 SE), initiated by the Finance Committee
First reading
Report by Aivar Kokk, Chairman of the Finance Committee
3. Bill on Amendments to the National Audit Office Act, the Political Parties Act and Other Acts (controlling body for political party funding) (193 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction and the Faction Isamaa
First reading
Report by Kert Kingo, Member of the Riigikogu
Report by Taavi Rõivas, member of the Constitutional Committee
Tuesday, 2 June
1. The 2019 Report of the Bank of Estonia
Report by Madis Müller, Governor of the Bank of Estonia
2. Bill on Amendments to the Environmental Charges Act (109 SE), initiated by the Environment Committee
Resumption of the second reading
Report by Erki Savisaar, Chairman of the Environment Committee
3. Bill on Amendments to the Fire Safety Act and Other Acts (120 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
First reading
Report by Mart Helme, Minister of the Interior
Report by Toomas Kivimägi, Deputy Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee
Wednesday, 3 June
1. Bill on Amendments to the Government of the Republic Act and Other Acts (formation of the Education and Youth Board, renaming of the Language Inspectorate as the Language Board) (163 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
Third reading (Majority vote of the members of the Riigikogu)
2. Bill on Amendments to the Obligation to Leave and Prohibition on Entry Act and the Act on Granting International Protection to Aliens (prevention of mass immigration) (110 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
Third reading
3. Bill on Amendments to the Aliens Act (135 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
Third reading
4. Overview of courts administration, administration of justice and uniform application of Acts
Report by Villu Kõve, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
5. Bill on Amendments to the Foreign Service Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (45 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
Second reading
Report by Marko Mihkelson, Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee
6. Bill on the Ratification of the Protocol amending the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (143 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
First reading
Report by Raivo Aeg, Minister of Justice
Report by Paul Puustusmaa, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee
7. Bill on Amendments to the Government of the Republic Act (187 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
First reading
Report by Taavi Aas, Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure
Report by Paul Puustusmaa, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee
8. Bill on Amendments to the Salaries of Higher State Servants Act (166 SE), initiated by the Faction Isamaa, the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction and the Estonian Centre Party Faction
First reading
Report by Viktoria Ladõnskaja-Kubits, Member of the Riigikogu
Report by Paul Puustusmaa, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee
Thursday, 4 June
1. The 2019 Report of the Financial Supervision Authority
Report by Kilvar Kessler, Chairman of the Management Board of the Financial Supervision Authority
2. Bill on Amendments to the Courts Act and the Code of Civil Procedure (175 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
Second reading
Report by Paul Puustusmaa, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee
On Monday, 1 June, after all items on the agenda have been discussed, the time for unscheduled statements begins, to continue until no further requests for the floor are made, but not longer than until 12 midnight.
On Wednesday, 3 June, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Question Time takes place.
NordenBladet —Today, on the 28th of May, the Estonian ambassador in Hungary, Kristi Karelsohn and the state secretary of the Hungarian Ministry of Human Capacities, Zoltan Lörinczi (photos attached), signed an agreement on a programme of cultural cooperation between the two countries, lasting from 2020 until 2022. This is already the ninth programme signed, based on cultural cooperation between the two states.
„Kinship plays an important role in the relationship between Estonia and Hungary. This is very important in communication with each other, as well as in supporting the other Finno-Ugric people, in the preservation and strengthening of their identity. Our cooperation therefore has a broader meaning. We are together with Hungary and Finland, in the Finno-Ugric world, important spokesmen and our support for groups of smaller people is very important“, said the Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Ministry of Culture, Kadri Jauram.
An important role, in the cultural cooperation amongst Estonia and Hungary themselves, is played by the Estonian Institute in Budapest and the Hungarian Institute in Tallinn. There is for example annually, an Estonian cultural week in Hungary, the programme of which includes concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions, literary events, as well as also a film programme. The Finno-Ugrian Days, held in October, in Estonia, have performers of Finno-Ugric people, among them Hungarian musicians, dance troupes, as well as craftsmen. A sign of broader cultural cooperation is imminent, as in 2021 the World Congress of Finno-Ugric People, organised by the NPO Fenno-Ugria Asutus, takes place in Tartu.
The cultural cooperation between Estonia and Hungary is based on the intergovernmental agreement, on cooperation in the fields of culture and education, signed on the 28th of April 1994, in Tallinn. The agreement is used as a basis for multi-year cooperation programmes of each of the two states, which establish the cooperation targets for the new period. It is possible to learn about all the foreign contracts and cooperation programmes on the Ministry of Culture website.
NordenBladet — The 2020s and 2030s will probably be the two most dynamic decades in human history, as a broad suite of technologies mature and combine to redefine the fundamental organizing principles of the economy.
So far, the digital transformation has been uneven, rolling out predominantly in services. But the potential combination of many new technologies promises radical change in the production as well. The changes we are seeing in industry may be early examples of a broader transition to a new economic model for the production and consumption of goods and services – one that is digitally intermediated, on demand, and highly distributed. The Next Digital Economy promises to revolutionize value chains, and dematerialize much of today’s special equipment, as new functions could be added to physical products by mere software update.
These developments pose new policy challenges in various fields, including industrial policy, labor market regulations and social policy, environmental sustainability and taxation. The seminar outlines challenges and opportunities of the Next Digital Economy from the policy perspective.
Kristel Van der Elst, Director General at Policy Horizons Canada Marcus Ballinger, Manager of Strategic Foresight at Policy Horizons Canada Taavi Rõivas, Member of the Estonian Parliament
Moderator:
Tea Danilov, Head of the Foresight Centre
Speaker Bios:
Kristel Van der Elst
Director General at Policy Horizons Canada
Kristel Van der Elst is the Director General at Policy Horizons Canada, Government of Canada.
She has about 20 years of experience in forward-looking strategy and policy advisory roles. She works with senior executives and policy makers, providing the insights, resources and processes to help them turn long-term strategic thinking into actions and impacts.
She is also the CEO of The Global Foresight Group, a member of the OECD Governmental Foresight Community, Fellow at the Center for Strategic Foresight of the US Government Accountability Office, and Visiting Professor at the College of Europe.
Kristel holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management, a Masters in Development Cooperation from the University of Ghent, and a Masters in Commercial Engineering from the Free University of Brussels. She is a Fulbright Scholar, a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar, a Global Leadership Fellow and a Certified Professional Facilitator.
Marcus Ballinger
Manager of Strategic Foresight at
Policy Horizons Canada
Marcus is a futurist who manages when needed. At Horizons, he has worked on geostrategic issues, changes in the global energy landscape, sustainability, infrastructure, and the next digital economy. He previously worked at Environment and Climate Change Canada on topics related to international environmental affairs. He sometimes tries living in the future, to the extent the present allows, and avoids being near internal combustion engines whenever possible. In his spare time, his Guardian alter-ego defends humanity from The Darkness.
Taavi Rõivas
Member of the Estonian Parliament
Taavi Rõivas is member of the Parilament and Vice-Chairman of the country’s Reform Party Faction. Taavi has been Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia since 26 March 2014. His second government took office on 9 April 2015. He is a member of the Estonian Reform Party. From 2012–2014, Taavi Rõivas was the Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Estonia and from 2011–2012, he was a member of the 12th Riigikogu, the Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee, and a member of the Finance Committee. From 2007–2011, Taavi Rõivas was a member of the 11th Riigikogu and first, a member of the Social Affairs Committee for two years and then the Chairman of the Finance Committee. From 2005–2007, Taavi Rõivas served as the Adviser to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia and previously from 2004–2005, he was the Elder of the Haabersti City District Government. He has previously performed the duties of Adviser / Office Manager for the Minister of the Population Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, Customer Account Executive for large corporate companies in the AS IT Grupp, and Adviser to the Minister of Justice. Taavi graduated from Tallinn Secondary Science School and from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of the University of Tartu in international economics and marketing.
Tea Danilov
Head of the Foresight Centre
Tea has graduated from the University of Tartu with a Master of Economics degree, specialising in econometrics and economic theory. She has worked in Enterprise Estonia as the Director of Export and Entrepreneurship Centre, and in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications as the Head of Internal Market Department and Economic Development Department.
NordenBladet —Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Enn Eesmaa hosts the chairmen of the foreign affairs committees of the parliaments of the Nordic and Baltic cooperation format (NB8) at a video conference today. The discussion will focus on the impact of the coronavirus and the spread of disinformation.
Eesmaa said that at today’s meeting, recent political developments and the unity and security of Europe in the context of the spread of the coronavirus would be spoken about. “The crisis has shown us clearly how important the cooperation between states is. Unity of the European Union was put to test, but now we can look back on what happened, and try to shape a common understanding of further actions and potential security threats,” he pointed out.
The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee emphasised that in the current crisis situation, it was important to recognise the spreading false information and to be aware of the dangers connected with it. “In troubled times, deliberate spreading and using of misleading information emerges as an urgent issue. Discussing the practices and lessons of national parliaments, and exchange of experience are certainly very important for achieving good results in fighting against information operations,” Eesmaa
The Nordic and Baltic chairmen of foreign affairs committees meet twice a year to discuss the current regional and international topics. The next meeting of the chairmen of the foreign affairs committees of NB8 will take place in autumn, and Iceland will be the host country.
NordenBladet —At today’s sitting, the Riigikogu did not pass unamended the Act on Amendments to the Rescue Act and the Weapons Act, which the President of the Republic had refused to proclaim.
88 members of the Riigikogu voted against passing the Act unamended again.
Consequently, the Riigikogu will continue proceeding the Bill. The deadline for motions to amend is 4 June. Possible amendments are subject to further debate.
The amendments proposed to the Act on Amendments to the Rescue Act and the Weapons Act (128 SE), which the President of the Republic refused to proclaim, are linked to the launch of the crisis information service, involvement of volunteer rescuers, tasks of the Rescue Board, and specification of the Weapons Act.
The provisions of the Act recognise the role of volunteer rescuers. The social guarantees in place for volunteer rescuers involved in rescue work are also extended to volunteer rescuers involved in prevention work. In addition, the five-year validity period of the medical certificate of rescuer is eliminated. In the future, family physicians are able to determine the validity period on the basis of the person’s health indicators.
The amendment creates a legal basis for the Rescue Board to process the causes of fires, and legal clarity about the content and activities of prevention work. In addition, it establishes the requirements for marking locations for blasting explosives during explosive ordnance disposal, and ensures the supply of food and drinking water to all people engaged in rescue work.
The Bill also introduces specifications into the Weapons Act and grants the right to carry and use firearms for self-defence to explosive ordnance disposal specialists of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Centre of the Rescue Board.
The classification of weapons is also specified. The data on the weapons belonging to weapons collections of museums does not need to be entered in the Register of Service and Civilian Weapons. The requirement that a person may acquire, own or possess a sporting firearm only if they are a member of a shooting sports club is restored.
The Act increases the tasks of the Emergency Response Centre, which consist in processing assistance and information notifications by providing crisis information service. The Emergency Response Centre may involve volunteers in the provision of crisis information service.
During the debate, Toomas Kivimägi (Reform Party), Signe Riisalo (Reform Party), and Jevgeni Ossinovski (Social Democratic Party) took the floor.
One Bill passed the second reading in the Riigikogu
Bill on Amendments to the Government of the Republic Act and Other Acts (formation of the Education and Youth Board, renaming of the Language Inspectorate as the Language Board) (163 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Bill concerns establishing an Education and Youth Board in the area of government of the Ministry of Education and Research, and the Language Inspectorate would be renamed the Language Board.
The Bill provides the establishment of the Education and Youth Board in the area of government of the Ministry of Education and Research. It would be formed on the basis of the services of the Foundation Innove, Archimedes Foundation, Information Technology Foundation for Education, and Estonian Youth Work Centre, a state authority governed by the Ministry of Education and Research. As a result, the activities that are of implementational nature and are not related to policy shaping in the Ministry of Education and Research will also be relocated to the new Board. The State Shared Service Centre will begin to perform the tasks of accounting, salary calculation and personnel records as well as those of the 2nd level intermediate body for structural assistance. According to the Bill, the Language Inspectorate, a government agency operating in the area of government of the Ministry of Education and Research, will be renamed the Language Board. The Language Board will continue to provide all the services currently provided by the Language Inspectorate. In addition, the language policy implementation activities in the Ministry of Education and Research and Archimedes Foundation will be transferred to the Language Board.
During the debate, Jevgeni Ossinovski (Social Democratic Party) and Katri Raik (Social Democratic Party) took the floor on behalf of their faction to propose suspending the proceeding of the Bill. 8 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of the motion and 56 were against it. The motion was not supported and the second reading of the Bill was concluded.
NordenBladet —At its today’s sitting, the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) amended the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. In the future, it will also be possible to hold the plenary sittings so that the members of the Riigikogu do not have to be physically present in the room where the sitting takes place, and they can participate with the help of electronic means.
Holding of a sitting by remote attendance is decided by the Board of the Riigikogu if there are strong reasons for it. The President of the Riigikogu notifies the members of the Riigikogu of holding such a sitting through the media at least three days before the date on which the sitting is to take place. The time for giving notice may be shorter if there are strong reasons for it.
Pursuant to the Act on Amendments to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act (176 SE), initiated by the Constitutional Committee, a sitting may be held by remote attendance if the members of the Riigikogu are ensured the opportunity to follow the sitting and carry out the proceedings of the sitting from a remote location. This means that it has to be possible to submit Bills, present reports, ask oral questions, make comments, protest and vote at the sitting. There also has to be a possibility of reporting of impediments to performing such activities. If there are impediments that do not allow conducting a sitting by remote attendance, the chair of the sitting suspends the sitting until such impediments are removed.
89 members of the Riigikogu voted for the passing of the Act.
NordenBladet —The National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) got an overview of the implementation of the National Security Concept of Estonia in national defence from Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, and decided that in addition to solving national issues, it was also necessary to focus on military mobility and the level of defence spending.
Chairman of the National Defence Committee Andres Metsoja said that the Committee had discussed the issues of national security of supply, and heard the representatives of the sector several times in its work. “It is clear that the emergency situations bring to the light challenges and problems, but they have to be faced,” Metsoja emphasised. He added that in connection with the National Defence Bill, the Committee had systematically focused on general crisis management. “The issue is in the levels of responsibility and in the support organisation,” Metsoja said. “In the case of crisis, there it has to be clear who is in charge, and responsibility must not be scattered.”
Deputy Chairman of the Committee Kalle Laanet underlined the importance of comprehensive national defence. He pointed out as a matter of concern that although we had a great number of volunteers, all agencies had their own databases. “In reality, there are much less people, because one person is often active in several fields,” Laanet said. In his opinion, it is necessary to have a central and common database of volunteers so that it could be seen how many of them there actually are and what competencies they have.
Prime Minister Ratas, who gave explanations to the Committee, thought that Estonia’s security was solid. He said that military threat against Estonia was low, although, as estimated in 2017, it could not be ruled out if NATO’s collective deterrence was not credible. The terrorist threat is also low, but not non-existent. Several hybrid threats also have to be kept in mind. “Our national defence readiness is good, and our membership in NATO and in the European Union, strong transatlantic relations with the United States and the Nordic-Baltic countries ensure our security,” Ratas assured.
The Prime Minister said that long-term planning and stable financing were the preconditions for successful security policy. He admitted that the state budget discussions were still ahead and the predictions were still coming, but the stable and targeted financing of national defence had to continue at the level of at least two per cent of GDP.
The Prime Minister will speak about the achievement of the Estonian security policy objectives at tomorrow’s sitting of the Riigikogu, which will be live streamed on the web.
NordenBladet — Agenda for the 15th Working Week (18 May 2020–21 May 2020) of the 3rd Session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly
Monday, 18 May
1. Bill on Amendments to the Product Conformity Attestation Act (125 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
Third reading
2. Bill on Amendments to the General Part of the Civil Code Act and Other Acts (extension of the electronic options in the organisation of meetings and the making of decisions) (180 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
Third reading
3. Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Implementation of the State Reform” (181 OE), submitted by the Government of the Republic
First reading
Report by Jaak Aab, Minister of Public Administration
Report by Paul Puustusmaa, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee
Tuesday, 19 May
1. Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Appointment of the Representative of Estonia to the Control Committee of the Nordic Investment Bank” (188 OE), submitted by the Finance Committee
First reading
Report by Kersti Sarapuu, member of the Finance Committee
2. Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Appointment of Acknowledged Experts in the Field of Activity of the Estonian Public Broadcasting as Members of the Estonian Public Broadcasting Council” (189 OE), submitted by the Cultural Affairs Committee
First reading
Report by Aadu Must, Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Committee
3. Draft of “The Foreign Policy Development Plan 2030”, submitted by the Government of the Republic
Report by Urmas Reinsalu, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Report by Enn Eesmaa, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee
Wednesday, 20 May
1. Bill on Amendments to the Courts Act and the Prosecutor’s Office Act (134 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
Third reading (Majority vote of the members of the Riigikogu)
2. Bill on Amendments to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act (176 SE), initiated by the Constitutional Committee
Third reading (Majority vote of the members of the Riigikogu)
3. Bill on Amendments to the Atmospheric Air Protection Act and the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (159 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
Third reading
4. Bill on the Approval of the Agreement Amending Section 14 of the Statutes, Annexed To the Agreement of 11 February 2004 between Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden Concerning the Nordic Investment Bank (174 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
Second reading
Report by Aivar Kokk, Chairman of the Finance Committee
5. Overview of the achievement of the Estonian security policy objectives
Report by Jüri Ratas, Prime Minister
6. Bill on Amendments to the Working Conditions of Employees Posted to Estonia Act (158 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
Second reading
Report by Signe Riisalo, member of the Social Affairs Committee
7. Bill on Amendments to the Obligation to Leave and Prohibition on Entry Act and the Act on Granting International Protection to Aliens (prevention of mass immigration) (110 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
Second reading
Report by Paul Puustusmaa, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee
8. Bill on Amendments to the Aliens Act (135 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
Second reading
Report by Lauri Läänemets, Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional Committee
9. Bill on Amendments to the Family Benefits Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (185 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
First reading
Report by Riina Solman, Minister of Population
Report by Priit Sibul, member of the Social Affairs Committee
10. Bill on Amendments to § 13 of the Citizenship Act (147 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction
First reading
Report by Jevgeni Ossinovski, Member of the Riigikogu
Report by Andrei Korobeinik, member of the Constitutional Committee
11. Bill on Amendments to the Waste Act and the Packaging Act (190 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
First reading
Report by Rene Kokk, Minister of the Environment
Report by Erki Savisaar, Chairman of the Environment Committee
Thursday, 21 May
1. Act on Amendments to the Rescue Act and the Weapons Act (128 UA) which the President of the Republic refused to proclaim
Renewed deliberation
Report by representative of the Constitutional Committee
Report by representative of the Legal Affairs Committee
2. Bill on Amendments to the Government of the Republic Act and Other Acts (formation of the Education and Youth Board, renaming of the Language Inspectorate as the Language Board) (163 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic
Second reading
Report by Marko Šorin, member of the Cultural Affairs Committee
On Monday, 18 May, after all items on the agenda have been discussed, the time for unscheduled statements begins, to continue until no further requests for the floor are made, but not longer than until 12 midnight.
On Wednesday, 20 May, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Question Time takes place.
NordenBladet —Today, the Riigikogu passed an Act that gives the Defence Forces additional rights in performing background checks and implementing authorisation for the use of human intelligence sources.
The Act on Amendments to the Estonian Defence Forces Organisation Act, the Security Authorities Act and the Chancellor of Justice Act (152 SE), initiated by the Security Authorities Surveillance Select Committee, provides for extending the rights of the Defence Forces to conduct background checks to the extent that would ensure meeting the essential purpose of the check, that is, assessment of a person’s suitability to serve or be employed in the Defence Forces or to cooperate with the Defence Forces. Pursuant to the planned amendments, the Defence Forces will be able to perform acts beyond the current “check against registers” in order to obtain the information necessary for background check. The Defence Forces are given the right to use covert measures when collecting information for the circumstances assessed within the framework of background checks, in order to ensure concealment of the collection of information.
A task of the Defence Forces is specified: the collection and processing of information to protect the restricted military area of the Defence Forces and to prevent threats. For that, it is provided that, in the case of persons posing an immediate threat to the restricted military area of the Defence Forces, the Defence Forces can verify the personal data of a person and do it covertly, use shadow information and covert measures, as well as conduct covert intelligence. The Act establishes more specific and effective guarantees that ensure performance of the notification obligation in the event of interference with the fundamental rights of a person. It is provided that a person whose fundamental rights are restricted and who is identified in the course of such activity is notified of the time and type of the act immediately after the declassification of the information collected.
The Chancellor of Justice Act is also amended. At least every two years, the Chancellor of Justice exercises supervision over the justification of the cases where persons are not notified of acts under the Security Authorities Act and the Estonian Defence Forces Organisation Act.
The Supreme Court has declared the Act on Amendments to the Estonian Defence Forces Organisation Act, passed by the Riigikogu on 29 May 2019, to be in conflict with the Constitution.
During the debate, Johannes Kert took the floor on behalf of the Reform Party Faction.
83 members of the Riigikogu voted for the passing of the Act.
The Riigikogu passed another Act
The Act on Amendments to the Medical Devices Act, the Emergency Act and Other Acts (165 SE), initiated by the Government, brings the Medical Devices Act into conformity with European Union law.
Under an amendment to the Emergency Act, the authority coordinating the resolution of an emergency may give authorities of executive power, local authorities and other public authorities orders taking into account the powers and authorities of such authorities and persons, in order to resolve a situation. Such orders include issue of administrative acts or performance of acts, termination of performance of acts or prohibition of performance of acts, and partial or full suspension of performance of acts.
The amendments to the Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Act are due to the urgent need to ensure that, after the emergency situation, the Health Board will have legal clarity and security to tackle situations that may arise. The purpose of the amendments is to ensure efficient and effective prevention of the spread of communicable diseases by giving the Health Board the right to implement various requirements and measures to control viruses, based on its powers and authorities.
The directives on medical devices, active implantable medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices have been regulating the field of medical devices in the European Union so far. Two new EU Regulations will be applied gradually in the future to replace them. The regulations aim to establish a more robust, transparent, predictable and sustainable regulatory framework for medical devices. This will ensure better safety of devices and a high level of health whilst supporting innovation. In connection with the application of the Regulations, the Medical Devices Act and other associated Acts need to be amended.
During the debate, Signe Riisalo (Reform Party) and Helmen Kütt (Social Democratic Party) took the floor on behalf of the factions. Riisalo said that it was not clear how long the restrictions provided for by the Act could last. She noted that the Reform Party had submitted a motion to amend the Bill at the second reading, according to which the provisions would remain in force until the end of this year. “Towards the end of this year, we would have been able to discuss a well-considered and well-prepared Bill,” Riisalo said. Kütt said that the concern was whether the restrictions imposed by the Act, and their scope and combined effect had been set out clearly enough. “Even if this Act is in conformity with the Constitution, the decisions made on the basis of it may not be. And the reason for this is precisely that the provisions set out are largely unclear which makes it all the more impossible to implement them lawfully,” she said.
47 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of passing the Act and 42 were against.
Three Bills passed the second reading
The Bill on Amendments to the Atmospheric Air Protection Act and the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (159 SE), initiated by the Government.
During the second reading, the lead committee had submitted a motion to amend the Bill to bring the Bill into conformity with the amendment to the Liquid Fuel Act that had entered into force on 1 April 2020. The committee had specified that, from the entry into force of the Act, suppliers would have to fulfil the monthly obligation to reduce fuel life cycle greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to year-based calculation.
The Bill will amend the definition of supplier in order to also include among reporting entities enterprises who make available electricity, gaseous fuels and hydrogen used in transport. Also, for the purposes of better functioning of the fuel monitoring database, the tasks of the chief processor of the Ministry of the Environment will be given to the Environment Agency who is the entity processing and collecting data, and the list of the data entered into the database will be specified.
The Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act will be amended to ensure legal clarity in the interpretation of the definition of shale-derived fuel oil. In addition, the Act will be amended by adding a new code of the combined nomenclature which will begin to be used in the definition of the main Estonian oil products in the future. The abovementioned amendment is due to the implementation of a new laboratory method for determination of aromatic compounds.
The Bill on Amendments to the Courts Act and the Prosecutor’s Office Act (134 SE), initiated by the Government. The amendment is necessary in order that Estonia could participate in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). The amendments mainly concern the legal status of the Estonian prosecutors working for the EPPO and the extent to which the Prosecutor’s Office Act is applied while they work for the EPPO.
Amendments will be made to the Courts Act so as to allow a judge to stand as a candidate for the position of European Prosecutor or European Delegated Prosecutor. The amendments proceed from the current principle according to which the authority and the service relationship of a judge are suspended when the judge assumes office as a judge at an international court institution or a post equivalent thereto.
The status of the European Prosecutors and the European Delegated Prosecutors, and the extent to which Estonian law will be applied to such persons, will be provided for in the Prosecutor’s Office Act. The European Prosecutors will not be included in the Estonian prosecutor service because they must be independent in the performance of their duties. Differently from the European Prosecutors, the Delegated Prosecutors must be members of the national prosecutor’s office in order that they could perform their duties equivalently to national prosecutors, and they must have all the powers of national prosecutors. The term of office of a European Prosecutor is six years and it can be extended only once for three years at the end of the six-year period. The term of office of the Delegated Prosecutors is five years and it can be extended repeatedly.
The EPPO is established with the aim of ensuring more efficient proceedings on criminal offences affecting the financial interests of the Union, and ensuring that criminal proceedings are not affected by the departmental or political interests or goals of a Member State. 22 Member States have officially joined the EPPO by now. The European Commission has promised that the EPPO will start operating at the end of 2020.
The EPPO consists of a “central level” with a seat in Luxembourg, and a local level located in the participating Member States. The central level is comprised of the European Chief Prosecutor and the European Prosecutors. The local level is comprised of European Delegated Prosecutors (at least two in each participating Member State) who are based in their own Member States and manage criminal proceedings there and represent prosecution in the court of the Member State.
The Bill on Amendments to the General Part of the Civil Code Act and Other Acts (extension of the electronic options in the organisation of meetings and the making of decisions) (180 SE), initiated by the Government, will eliminate unjustified differences between legal persons in the regulation of holding meetings and making decisions. Thus the Bill will extend the opportunities for all bodies of legal persons to make decisions without the need to hold regular meetings that require physical presence.
The explanatory memorandum notes that although the need to draft the Bill became apparent particularly clearly during the emergency situation declared on 12 March, the solutions proposed in the Bill are also meant to be used after the end of the emergency situation.
The Bill will eliminate the requirement that the list of participants in the general meeting which is an appendix to the minutes of the general meeting of members of a non-profit association must be signed in handwriting. With the amendment, the requirements for the preparation of the minutes and the registration of participants in the general meeting of members of a non-profit association will be harmonised with the requirements in place for other associations.
During the second reading, on the motion of the lead committee, an amendment was incorporated into the Bill under which the deadline for submission of the annual report was extended to 31 October 2020 for apartment associations, non-profit associations, foundations, commercial associations and companies.
In addition, the Bill contains an amendment to the Act on Amendments to the Commercial Code (transfer of share) under which the elimination of the formal requirement for a transaction constituting an obligation to transfer or pledge a share is enforced at the earliest opportunity. The elimination of the formal requirement for a transaction constituting an obligation to transfer or pledge needs to be enforced in short order because the notarial authentication of transactions has become complicated in the crisis situation due to the movement restrictions imposed by countries, as well as because the issuing of the documents of foreign countries and sending them to Estonia is requiring more time than usual.
During the debate, Heljo Pikhof (Social Democratic Party) and Toomas Kivimägi (Reform Party) took the floor.
Five Bills passed the first reading
The Bill on Amendments to the Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications Act and the Building Code (179 SE), initiated by the Government, will specify the provisions relating to the recognition of professional qualifications on the basis of a relevant EU directive that has been transposed into Estonian law; the European Commission has initiated infringement proceedings because it has found that the directive has not been transposed as required.
The purpose of the recognition of professional qualifications is to ensure access to the pursuit of regulated posts and professions in member states of the European Union, member states of the European Economic Area and the Swiss Confederation under equal conditions.
The Bill will specify the regulation of the recognition and the acquired rights of architects. The principles of automatic recognition of specialised doctors and specialised dental practitioners have been provided for by a Regulation of the Minister of Social Affairs which will also be brought into conformity with the relevant EU directive.
The Bill on Amendments to the Government of the Republic Act and Other Acts (merger of the Environmental Board and the Environmental Inspectorate) (184 SE), initiated by the Government, provides for the merger of the Environmental Board and the Environmental Inspectorate, two governmental authorities in the area of government of the Ministry of Environment. The name of the merged agency will be the Environmental Board. For that, amendments will be made to the Government of the Republic Act and 38 other Acts.
The merger of the Environmental Board, which implements the policy of environment use, nature conservation and radiation safety, and the Environmental Inspectorate, which exercises environmental supervision, is part of the state reform plan. The merger of the Environmental Board and the Environmental Inspectorate will also give a certain saving, in particular in terms of more effective use of vehicles and real estate.
According to the explanation, the Environmental Board and the Environmental Inspectorate employ a total staff of 512. The new agency will have its official address in Pärnu. Both agencies are already now in dispersed locations across Estonia. According to the current plan, the merged Environmental Board will start work on 1 January 2021.
The Bill on Amendments to the Public Holidays and Days of National Importance Act and the Estonian Flag Act (172 SE), initiated by the Government, provides for the inclusion of the Children’s Day, celebrated on 1 June, among days of national importance as a flag day. The Grandparents’ Day, which is celebrated on the second Sunday of September, will also be included among flag days.
Making the Children’s Day a day of national importance and a flag day is intended to pay attention to children’s rights and to value specialists who work with children.
The Grandparents’ Day is already now celebrated as a day of national importance in Estonia, but not as a flag day. Next to children, it is also very important to remember grandparents, and therefore it is appropriate to also make the Grandparents’ Day an official flag day in analogy to the Children’s Day.
The current Public Holidays and Days of National Importance Act establishes fourteen days of national importance, six of which are flag days.
The Bill on Amendments to the Public Holidays and Days of National Importance Act (131 SE), initiated by members of the Riigikogu Jüri Jaanson, Signe Kivi, Signe Riisalo, Toomas Kivimägi, Mart Võrklaev, Annely Akkermann, Kaja Kallas, Liina Kersna, Vilja Toomast, Yoko Alender, Andrus Seeme and Andres Sutt, provides for the inclusion of the Children’s Day, celebrated on 1 June, among days of national importance.
Siim Pohlak (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor during the debate.
The Bill on Amendments to the Public Holidays and Days of National Importance Act and the Estonian Flag Act (132 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction, is intended to amend the Public Holidays and Days of National Importance Act and the Estonian Flag Act by adding a clause providing that 1 June, the Children’s Day, is a day of national importance and a flag day.
Helmen Kütt (Social Democratic Party) took the floor during the debate.
