NordenBladet — At today’s sitting of the Riigikogu, substitute member Andrei Korobeinik took his oath of office. He became member of the Riigikogu in connection with the assumption of office by the new Government of the Republic.
The Board of the Riigikogu registered as members of factions the new members who had taken their oaths of office, and made changes to the membership of standing committees.
The Board of the Riigikogu registered Siim Pohlak as the Chairman of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, and Alar Laneman and Helle-Moonika Helme as Deputy Chairmen.
Urmas Espenberg, Tiit Kala and Kai Rimmel were registered as members of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction.
Andrei Korobeinik, Kerstin-Oudekki Loone, Natalia Malleus and Peeter Rahnel were registered as members of the Estonian Centre Party Faction.
Heiki Hepner and Mart Nutt were registered as members of the Faction Isamaa.
In connection with the assumption of office by the new members, the Board of the Riigikogu also made changes to the membership of standing committees.
The following was approved: Heiki Hepner as a member of the Rural Affairs Committee, Mart Nutt as a member of the Constitutional Committee, Kerstin-Oudekki Loone as a member of the Constitutional Committee, Natalia Malleus as a member of the Finance Committee, Peeter Rahnel as a member of the National Defence Committee, Urmas Espenberg as a member of the Social Affairs Committee, Tiit Kala as a member of the Finance Committee, Kai Rimmel as a member of the Economic Affairs Committee, Andrei Korobeinik as a member of the Constitutional Committee, Kert Kingo leaving the Constitutional Committee and becoming a member of the Legal Affairs Committee, and Paul Puustusmaa leaving the Legal Affairs Committee and becoming a member of the Constitutional Committee.
The first meeting of standing committees is at 2 p.m. today. Each committee will elect a Chairman and Deputy Chairman.
At today’s sitting of the Riigikogu, the substitute members of the Riigikogu took their oaths of office. They assumed office in connection with the suspension of the mandate of the members of the Riigikogu Jaak Aab, Taavi Aas, Mart Helme, Martin Helme, Rene Kokk, Jüri Luik, Jüri Ratas, Urmas Reinsalu and Mailis Reps due to being appointed members of the Government of the Republic.
Urmas Espenberg, Heiki Hepner, Tiit Kala, Kerstin-Oudekki Loone, Natalia Malleus, Mart Nutt, Peeter Rahnel and Kai Rimmel took their oaths of office.
Jüri Ratas, the Prime Minister of the new Government, read out the oath of office and signed the form of the oath. Then he called all ministers to sign the oath of office by their official titles. The Minister of Education and Research Mailis Reps, the Minister of Justice Raivo Aeg, the Minister of Defence Jüri Luik, the Minister of the Environment Rene Kokk, the Minister of Culture Tõnis Lukas, the Minister of Rural Affairs Mart Järvik, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Taavi Aas, the Minister of Finance Martin Helme, the Minister of Population Riina Solman, the Minister of Public Administration Jaak Aab, the Minister of the Interior Mart Helme, the Ministry of Social Affairs Tanel Kiik, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Information Technology Marti Kuusik and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu took their oaths of office.
After the ministers had taken their oaths of office, the President of the Republic Kersti Kaljulaid signed the Resolution on the release from office of the former Government. The new Government assumed their duties.
NordenBladet — Speech by President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas at the concert to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Riigikogu at the “Estonia” Theatre and Concert Hall on 26 April 2019.
Former and current members of the Riigikogu, President Rüütel, members of the Government of the Republic, Excellencies and guests, people of Estonia,
I have the honour to greet you in the beautiful Estonia Theatre Hall. We are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Estonian parliament. The 100th anniversary of the Estonian democracy.
90 minutes and exactly one hundred years ago, the fourth meeting of the Constituent Assembly was concluded right here. The participants were committed to their work and understood its gravity. After all, the War of Independence was still raging.
The night before, Russian cannons had lit a massive fire in Narva. One week before, the enemy had launched an offensive on the southern front. Men were being mobilised and our forces were mounting a counter-attack. The frontline was being held by the most patriotic and brave fighters. Our heroes.
The Constituent Assembly was also like a frontline unit in 1919. The average age was 36 years. They knew that by laying the foundations of democracy, they themselves would be under attack. However, the Constituent Assembly was supported by the whole Estonian society. They did not see themselves as the elite, but as part of the people.
The Constituent Assembly was brimming with self-confidence and courage to walk their own path. They adopted a radical Land Act, although their opponents called it alien to European values. This, as well as the Constitution, were passed against the backdrop of fiery but well-argued debates. They also introduced the right to conduct referendums by public initiative. However, we no longer have the possibility of public initiative that would lead to a referendum, the adoption of an Act, or an Act not being promulgated.
The Constituent Assembly did not worry about how we would be seen elsewhere, nor did they wait for foreign guidelines. They were thinking about how to serve the best interests of the Estonian state and people. They declared that the people of Estonia wanted to live independently in a nation state. Forever, as our Constitution confirms to this day.
In 1920s, Estonia was among the twelve most democratic states in the world, and among the top seven in Europe. Women’s suffrage had already been introduced here in 1917. Nearly thirty years before France or Switzerland.
By autumn 1944, more than one half of the members of the 1919 Constituent Assembly were either dead or missing. Half of the rest had to flee Estonia. They shared the fate of their people. The occupied Estonia remained at the mercy of the communist regime and Russification policy for half a century.
But we did not just accept that. Our yearning for freedom and democracy never went out. We survived as a people and restored our country in 1991. Our nation state. We clearly remember the emotional moment when we hoisted our national flags again. We had to start everything from the beginning once more. Just like the Constituent Assembly, the Riigikogu began to draft legislation, procedures, and provisions. Today, we are a member of the European Union and NATO.
Our time may not be as dramatic and dangerous as it was between the two world wars. Yet sometimes it feels like we have been our own worst enemy. Low self-awareness, lack of critical thinking when it comes to the recommendations of others, ignoring the real values, steam-roll policies that disregard the will of the majority, provoking polarisation… However, we can already sense the positive changes coming.
In his political testament, member of the Constituent Assembly Jaan Tõnisson said that ’If our generation wishes to rise to the height of a sovereign nation who would be capable of supporting the independent nationhood of Estonia and ensuring our national future, we must open our souls to the ideals that would take us further and higher.’
On the centenary of Estonian democracy and parliamentarianism, the key to our future is in our own hands. The courage, patriotism, and truly democratic attitude of the Constituent Assembly are an example to us. This has taken root in the mindset of our people. What brought us here will also take us forward.
I thank all the members of the Constituent Assembly and the Riigikogu throughout history. All those who have carried and still carry the spark of freedom and democracy in their hearts.
We are facing the future with optimism. Long live Estonia!
NordenBladet —The Riigikogu celebrated its 100th anniversary with a special sitting, where the President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas and President of the Republic Kersti Kaljulaid made speeches.
The President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas pointed out that just around the same time one hundred years ago, 117 men and women had convened in the Estonia Concert Hall. They could rightfully consider themselves the first people’s representatives in Estonia.
“Those brave men and women had no way of taking a lead from external models to solve their complicated tasks, unlike us. There simply were no good role models. Europe was only just coming out of a devastating world war,” Põlluaas noted. He emphasised: “They made their decisions fearlessly and independently. They did not think about the opinions of others. They thought about what the decisions should be like to serve the best interests of the Estonian state and nation. Their support base was their own people, the greatest possible foundation.”
In his speech, Põlluaas stressed the importance of public initiative. “Public initiatives and referendums were viewed as instruments of democracy, not as means for political parties to push their agendas. Just as it is in every country where direct democracy complements representative democracy,” Põlluaas said.
The Constituent Assembly existed for 19 months and 28 days, holding 170 sittings in five sessions. The Constituent Assembly had a wide grasp. “However, the main focus was on two topics: the passing of the Land Act, and, second, the drafting of the Constitution, the foundation of our nationhood, on which to build up the Republic of Estonia and to cement the everlasting dream of our nation – to be the masters in our own country,” Põlluaas noted.
“We have survived destructive historical storms; we persevered and restored our country. We have something to be proud of. I really hope that the members of the current Riigikogu will not forget the democratic and noble principles of the founders of the Republic of Estonia and the Constituent Assembly,” the President of the Riigikogu stressed.
President of the Republic Kersti Kaljulaid said that the parliament was a place to which different opinions convened. “They must be debated and discussed here. The parliament is a place where the people’s representatives most reasonably find their points of agreement, because we all have different wishes and opinions, and our points of agreement can indeed come out only in the course of reasonable discussions,” the President underlined.
“The Riigikogu is the representation of our people, and thus a model for our people. Your every word and opinion is under heightened scrutiny, and shapes the attitude towards not only you but the whole of our country,” the President said. She added that the same also went for the decisions taken in that session hall. If a representative body of a country has turned a hundred years old, citizens require great maturity and a greater responsibility of it, a deeper work on decisions.
“A hundred years ago, there was a lot of enthusiasm and, understandably, little parliamentary experience in the “Estonia” concert hall. By now, we have a sufficient experience, and I would very much like to hope that enthusiasm will never be lacking. We will have a more steadfast Estonia when we respect each other,” Kaljulaid emphasised.
In conclusion, the President repeated what had been said in that session hall at the beginning of April: the spirit of our Constitution is alive when we use democratic values as citizens and patriots of Estonia and let others use them as well.
Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, Chairman of the Administrative Chamber Ivo Pilving, Auditor General Janar Holm and Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise made welcoming speeches, discussing various aspects of the history and activity of the parliament.
On 23 April 1919, the first representative body elected by the people in independent Estonia – the Constituent Assembly – convened in Tallinn. The representative body who adopted the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Land Act, and solved other issues of vital importance for the Republic of Estonia, acted as a parliament. The decisions of the Constituent Assembly laid the foundation for the Republic of Estonia.
At the special sitting, the chamber choir “Collegium Musicale” under conductor Kristel Marandi created a festive atmosphere.
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Riigikogu, three conference rooms of Toompea Castle were named after the Speakers of the Riigikogu Otto Strandman, August Rei and Jaan Tõnisson today. Bas-reliefs of the statesmen were put up in the rooms.
“Up to now, all conference rooms of the Riigikogu were marked with numbers. But there have been many noteworthy people in the history of our Parliament, and on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Parliament of Estonia, we decided to give these rooms the names of Speakers of the Riigikogu,” Secretary General of the Riigikogu Peep Jahilo said.
Member of the Riigikogu Professor Aadu Must spoke at the naming ceremony. “All these three great historical statesmen believed in education. And education has ensured the national independence and continuity of Estonia,” Must said. Professor Must approves of the initiative of giving names to the rooms of the Riigikogu and thinks that it should be continued, because there are several other persons who have contributed to laying the foundations on which the state of Estonia stands.
Otto August Strandman (30 November 1875 – 5 February 1941) was the President of the 1st Riigikogu in 1921 and the State Elder in 1929–1931. Strandman has also been the Prime Minister (1919), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Courts and the Minister of Finance of Estonia.
August Rei (22 March 1886 – 29 March 1963) was the President of the 2nd Riigikogu in 1925–1926 and the State Elder in 1928–1929. Rei was also the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1932–1933, and the Prime Minister in capacity of the President of the Republic in exile in 1945–1963.
Jaan Tõnisson (22 December 1868 – 3 July 1941) was the President of the 2nd and the 5th Riigikogu, and the State Elder in 1927–1928 and in 1933. Tõnisson has also been the Prime Minister of Estonia (1919–1920) and the Minister without portfolio in the Estonian Provisional Government (1918–1919).
This week, the Riigikogu celebrates its 100th anniversary. On 23 April 1919, the first representative body elected by the people in independent Estonia – the Constituent Assembly – convened in Tallinn. This representative body acted as the Parliament, adopted the Declaration of Independence and Sovereignty, the Constitution of Estonia and the Land Act, and solved other issues of vital importance for the Republic of Estonia. The decisions of the Constituent Assembly laid the foundation for the Republic of Estonia.
NordenBladet —On Wednesday, 24 April, at 12 noon, the President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas will open the launch of the stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Riigikogu. This will take place in the White Hall of Toompea Castle.
“The stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Riigikogu has great historical value, because it records the birth of our independent parliamentary state of Estonia in the valuable collections of stamp collectors,” Henn Põlluaas said. “The commemorative stamp on an envelope is also an important messenger that makes the history of our country better known around the world.”
On 23 April 1919, the first representative body elected by the people – the Constituent Assembly – convened in Estonia. It made many decisions that laid the foundation for our state. We celebrate this day as the birthday of the Riigikogu. The task of the Constituent Assembly was to lay the foundations for the Estonian statehood, and to adopt the Constitution and the Land Act. The Constituent Assembly acted as the national representative body and the legislative power of Estonia from 23 April 1919 until 20 December 1920.
The commemorative stamp was issued by Eesti Post. The stamp will be launched in Toompea Castle, along with an envelope and a date stamp. The first day cover is also available. Later on, the stamps will be sold and the envelopes franked by the Omniva post office on Toompea Hill.
The stamp has been designed by artist Riho Luuse. As he also designed the stamp commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Riigikogu 10 years ago, the two form a beautifully harmonious pair. The nominal price of the stamp is 65 cents, which is the current postage for sending a letter within Estonia.
NordenBladet —On Wednesday, 24 April, there will be a public presentation of the book Estonian Parliament 1917–1940 in the National Library.
The author, Jaak Valge PhD., has written a 700-page study on the early years of the parliament, from the Constituent Assembly until the last sitting of the 6th Riigikogu in 1940.
Valge began the book commissioned by the Chancellery of the Riigikogu in 2015. The emphasis of the book is on the political activities of the Parliament. “This is not a glossed-over study. Estonia’s history in the turbulent Europe of inter-war years is so unique and interesting, full of extraordinary successes but also sorry failures that it would be a sin against history to gloss it over,” Valge explained.
The author found the work on the book fascinating. “The main sources – protocols of plenary sittings and parliamentary committees – were very colourful. Of course, I also used many other sources, including documents in archives abroad,” Valge said.
Jaak Valge is now a member of the new Riigikogu himself, and expects to be recorded in the history of the parliament by future researchers. “I hope to at least appear in an annex that lists all the members of the Riigikogu,” he said.
The book presentation will take place from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. on 24 April, in the Humanities Reading Room on the 7th floor of the National Library. Jaak Valge will present the book together with its reviewer Meelis Saueauk.
Copies of the book are on sale at the presentation.
E-book Members of the 1st Riigikogu and virtual exhibition Parliament and Time will be presented in the same location from 5 p.m. until 5.30 p.m.
NordenBladet — Today at 12 noon, the Riigikogu is holding a special sitting to celebrate its 100th anniversary. This will begin with an opening address by Henn Põlluaas.
“The Constituent Assembly shaped Estonia’s developmental avenues as the first representative body. It declared that the people of Estonia wanted to live independently in a nation state. Forever, as our Constitution also confirms,” said Põlluaas. He emphasised that we have survived destructive historical storms, we have persevered and restored our country. “We have something to be proud of. I really hope that the members of the current Riigikogu will not forget the democratic and noble principles of the founders of the Republic of Estonia and the Constituent Assembly,” the President of the Riigikogu stressed.
President of the Republic Kersti Kaljulaid will also speak at the sitting, as will Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, Chairman of the Administrative Law Chamber Ivo Pilving, Auditor General Janar Holm, and Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise.
On 23 April 1919, the first representative body elected by the independent Estonian nation – the Constituent Assembly – convened in Tallinn. The Assembly was essentially our first parliament, passing the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of Estonia, and the Land Act, and solving other issues of vital importance for the Republic of Estonia. The decisions of the Constituent Assembly formed the foundation of the Republic of Estonia.
The festive spirit is heightened by the chamber choir Collegium Musicale, under conductor Kristel Marandi.
NordenBladet —Today at 1 p.m., the President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas will open the travelling exhibition Riigikogu 100, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Riigikogu, in the Governor’s Garden. The exhibition presents the century-long history of the Estonian representative bodies, and covers the activities of the Estonian Provincial Assembly, the Constituent Assembly, and the Riigikogu.
Põlluaas said that the Riigikogu is starting its anniversary week with a homage to the one hundred years long parliamentary history. “The exhibition will remind us of the significant contribution of the Constituent Assembly and the Riigikogu to the building of the Republic of Estonia and its parliament,” the President of the Riigikogu noted. He invited everyone to visit the exhibition, which will remain open in the Governor’s Garden until 27 May.
The exhibition dedicated to the centenary of the parliament is designed as a street, with pairs of houses on both sides representing the decades in the history of the national assemblies. The exhibition is accompanied by texts and pictures in the styles of the time. Historical figures and events can be seen through the doors and windows.
The exhibition covers two long periods: the years 1917–1940, and 1991–2018. These are separated by a gap of 50 years, when the Estonian representative body was unable to convene. At the exhibition, this is represented by empty houses.
On 23 April 1919, the first representative body elected by the independent Estonian nation – the Constituent Assembly – convened in Tallinn. The Assembly was essentially our first parliament, passing the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of Estonia, and the Land Act, and solving other issues of vital importance for the Republic of Estonia. The decisions of the Constituent Assembly formed the foundation of the Republic of Estonia.
The exhibition area is 10.5 metres long, and 3 metres wide and high. The exhibition is transportable and lit by LED lamps. It has been designed by design agencies Identity and Ruumilabor, and built by design agencies Ruutu6 and Red Hat. The curator of the exhibition is the Parliamentary Information Centre of the National Library of Estonia.
NordenBladet —At today’s sitting, the Riigikogu authorised the candidate for Prime Minister Jüri Ratas to form a Government. 55 members of the Riigikogu supported the authorisation and 44 were against.
In his speech, Ratas said that Estonia had been doing well after regaining its independence. “I have felt this, I have seen a constant development of my daily life, and I have witnessed our country becoming a European welfare society,” Ratas stated.
The candidate for Prime Minister said that many different values were represented in society, but they should not be in conflict with one other, and people should not be in conflict with one another either. Ratas said that it was necessary to rely on what united all people in Estonia, and not to emphasise differences.
Jüri Ratas said that three political parties – the Centre Party, the Estonian Conservative People’s Party and Isamaa – had formulated the major principles in the social and health care sector, education, development and research, foreign and security policy, internal security and the business environment. The issues concerning the cultural, environment and energy policies, the development of e-government, the governance and civil society sector, and transport and infrastructure had also been pointed out.
“We will continue to stand for a cohesive and strong country with a growing population, and we will support local life in Tallinn and Tartu, in Kärdla and Kanepi, as well as in Rakvere and on the island of Ruhnu. In doing so, we will pay more attention in particular to those who need help the most,” Ratas said.
The candidate for Prime Minister pointed out the main priorities of the coalition: “Together and with the support of the whole society, we wish to build a family-friendly Estonia where society is cohesive and the economy is successful and knowledge-based, that is governed effectively, and that is free and protected.”
“Estonia will continue steadily on its current foreign and security policy course, an important part of which is our membership in the European Union and NATO. In the foreign and security policy, we will proceed from the national interests of Estonia, national sovereignty and international law, observing international agreements and the principles of the UN,” Ratas said.
Jüri Ratas said that Estonia was a democratic state governed by the rule of law, where important values, human rights, the freedom of speech and personal freedoms were ensured. “We must respect all people who live in Estonia, and their views and opinions, and everyone must have an opportunity for self-realisation,” Ratas said.
After having delivered the speech, Jüri Ratas answered questions from members of the Riigikogu.
Images: the Riigikogu authorised the candidate for Prime Minister Jüri Ratas to form a Government (9x Riigikogu fotoarhiiv /Erik Peinar)
Source: Parliament of Estonia
