NordenBladet – Queen Margrethe will pay a visit to Estonia in June, the Royal House announced, in conjunction with the 800th anniversary of the Danish Flag. The Queen will visit Tallinn, the Estonian capital, on 15 June. The capital shares a mythical connection to Denmark and its flag, known as the Dannebrog.
On that date 800 years ago, according to the Royal House, “According to the legend, Dannebrog descended from Heaven and helped the Danish king Valdemar Sejr win the dominion of northern Estonia.” The Danish king gained dominion over the town of Lyndanisse – which is now known as Tallinn (Taani Linn is an Estonian phrase that means ‘the Danish city’).
Queen Margrethe’s visit will coordinate with this anniversary and will also include commemorations for Estonia’s independence, which was marked last year with a visit from Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary.
The Queen will arrive on the royal yacht Dannebrog. During her visit, Queen Margrethe and Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid will open an exhibit at the Kadriorg Castle Art Museum focusing on the Dannebrog.
‘Dannebrog: The Flag That Fell From the Sky’ will feature artwork by Christen Købke, CW Eckersberg and Nicolai Abildgaard that depict this event; and CA Lorentzen’s painting, ‘The Battle of Lyndanisse’, which will be exhibited for the first time outside of Denmark.
Queen Margrethe will also participate in the opening of The Danish Queen’s Garden, the opening of a historical exhibition, and will present research scholarships during her visit.
Further tying into the Dannebrog theme, Queen Margrethe will visit the Frihetspladsen to attend an event for the Danish and Estonian flags and which will feature Danish and Estonian performers.
The Queen and President Kaljulaid will attend a concert at the Estonia Concert Hall, as well as a gala dinner in the Queen’s honour.
Queen Margrethe’s visit will wrap up with a service at Tallinn Cathedral, which was founded in 1219 shortly after the Danish conquest.
Featured image: JOHANNES JANSSON (CC BY 2.5) VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
NordenBladet —The Board of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) approved the number of members in its ten standing committees, and decided how many seats each faction would have in the committees.
The allocation of seats in the committees depends on the size of the factions and the proposals made by the factions. It is also necessary to take into account that each member of the Riigikogu can belong to only one committee, and the members of the Board of the Riigikogu cannot serve on standing committees, with the exception of the European Union Affairs Committee.
When distributing the seats in committees between the factions, the Board of the Riigikogu also had to keep in mind that the composition of the committees should reflect the true correlation of political forces in the Riigikogu, or the proportions of the coalition and the opposition. The Board will approve the specific membership of the committees after receiving the proposals from the factions.
The Environment Committee (9 members) will have 3 members from the Reform Party Faction, 2 members from the Centre Party Faction, 2 members from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, 1 member from the Faction Isamaa and 1 member from the Social Democratic Party Faction.
The Cultural Affairs Committee (9 members) will have 3 members from the Reform Party Faction, 2 members from the Centre Party Faction, 2 members from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, 1 member from the Faction Isamaa and 1 member from the Social Democratic Party Faction.
The Rural Affairs Committee (9 members) will have 3 members from the Reform Party Faction, 3 members from the Centre Party Faction, 1 member from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, 1 member from the Faction Isamaa and 1 member from the Social Democratic Party Faction.
The Economic Affairs Committee (9 members) will have 3 members from the Reform Party Faction, 2 members from the Centre Party Faction, 2 members from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, 1 member from the Faction Isamaa and 1 member from the Social Democratic Party Faction.
The Constitutional Committee (9 members) will have 3 members from the Reform Party Faction, 2 members from the Centre Party Faction, 2 members from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, 1 member from the Faction Isamaa and 1 member from the Social Democratic Party Faction.
The Finance Committee (11 members) will have 4 members from the Reform Party Faction, 3 members from the Centre Party Faction, 2 members from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, 1 member from the Faction Isamaa and 1 member from the Social Democratic Party Faction.
The National Defence Committee (11 members) will have 4 members from the Reform Party Faction, 3 members from the Centre Party Faction, 2 members from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, 1 member from the Faction Isamaa and 1 member from the Social Democratic Party Faction.
The Social Affairs Committee (9 members) will have 3 members from the Reform Party Faction, 3 members from the Centre Party Faction, 1 member from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, 1 member from the Faction Isamaa and 1 member from the Social Democratic Party Faction.
The Foreign Affairs Committee (13 members) will have 4 members from the Reform Party Faction, 3 members from the Centre Party Faction, 2 members from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, 2 members from the Faction Isamaa, 1 member from the Social Democratic Party Faction, and there will be 1 seat for independent member.
The Legal Affairs Committee (9 members) will have 3 members from the Reform Party Faction, 2 members from the Centre Party Faction, 2 members from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, 1 member from the Faction Isamaa and 1 member from the Social Democratic Party Faction.
The membership and the allocation of seats between the factions in the European Union Affairs Committee will be determined later. Under the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, the European Union Affairs Committee must have not less than15 members, including at least one member from each of the other standing committees.
Select committees are formed after the Riigikogu has passed the relevant resolutions. The previous Riigikogu had the Security Authorities Surveillance Committee, the Anti-Corruption Select Committee and the State Budget Control Select Committee.
NordenBladet —At today’s sitting, the Riigikogu did not support authorising the candidate for Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to form a Government. 45 members of the Riigikogu supported Kallas and 53 were against.
At the beginning of her speech, Kallas admitted that she would not become Prime Minister that day. “We all know that. At this point, I might put a full stop, congratulate the coalition and go back to my seat in the fourth row, and keep my mouth shut in the future. However, I will not do that. No one in my Party or among the Social Democrats is going to do that,” Kallas said. She spoke of the events of the recent weeks and meetings with supporters of various political parties, where anxious emotions had prevailed in various places. However, at peaceful and business-like meetings, there had been interest in finding solutions to the real concerns of the people.
Kallas said the following about the new coalition: “You are afraid of change. You will not change anything, and you are not even concealing it. Estonia needs reforms, however. Salary rise, development of business, labour shortage, increasing of competitiveness, keeping abreast of the developments in the global economy, the environment, development of a smart economic model, a modern education system − these are just a few of the challenges of which entrepreneurs and state officials, analysts and top-level managers have spoken to me. These are the problems to which solutions are needed, but you are not offering any. Instead of that, you speak of spending and borrowing, and you do that in a situation where the financial situation of the country is poor. And I will not even ask how your ideas of an Estonia absolutely independent of all others agree with loan slavery.”
Kallas went on to say: “You have read the document on our values which we published last weekend. Understandably, this is not a coalition agreement, but it sets out the values and principles on the basis of which our Government would act. Our task and your task before this country and its people is to aspire for a better future, and not for a new coalition at any cost. Every one of us has been elected here not to just press the green button, but to think, to listen and to take responsibility. For our voters, our children, and our county.”
Kallas said: “Voters all over Estonia, I want to assure you that Estonia is still a democratic country. The new coalition may be accused of lacking content, but it is democratic. And please do not blame anything on the voters of the new coalition. Their voice must be audible, their needs must be catered for, their concerns must be addressed − do not silence or label them. There is still very much that needs to be done in our country, and as the new coalition is indifferent to that need, many people feel ignored. This is real and true, and addressing these concerns must also be real and true. Then will we have hope. Because we do have hope.”
Kallas said that the speech she had made had not been an announcement of surrender and good-bye. “In a few days’ time, the beginning of government will be announced from this rostrum − I have just announced the beginning of our opposition. I am still ready to govern Estonia on an equal basis with most of you, but until this happens, we will not let Estonia to be destroyed. We will not let our country to be steered into hatred and stagnation,” she said.
After her speech, Kallas replied to questions from members of the Riigikogu.
NordenBladet —The Head of the Estonian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Marko Mihkelson spoke at the high level Kyiv (Kiev) Security Forum, saying that without a strong strive for independence from the part of Ukraine, Estonia and many other Eastern European states would not be members of NATO today.
In his speech yesterday, Mihkelson stressed that the peaceful, democratic and yet politically unwavering decision of Ukraine to leave the Russian empire in 1991, and the consequent voluntary renunciation of nuclear weapons, opened the door for many European nations to secure their freedom and security through NATO membership.
“The impact of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence in 1991 can be compared to the fall of the Berlin Wall. This paved the way for the conclusive collapse of the Soviet empire, and the sovereignty of the Eastern European nations in the field of security,” Mihkelson said.
“Now it is up to us to do everything in our power to defend Ukraine’s efforts to join the European Union and NATO. It is a marathon; but even the longest marathon has a finish line. Estonia must combine forces with its allies to point out the exact finish line to Ukraine,” Mihkelson said.
Other participants in the panel Joining forces to fight for freedom were Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov, Minister of Defence of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak, and Minister of National Defence of Lithuania Raimundas Karoblis.
The patron of the high level Security Forum is the former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. Speakers of the forum included President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov, Minister of Justice Pavlo Petrenko, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, recent presidential candidate Anatoliy Hrytsenko, and many others. The Forum was launched in 2007.
NordenBladet —At the meeting of President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Henn Põlluaas and President of the Republic of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis today, the discussion focused on regional cooperation and the excellent relations between the two countries.
Põlluaas said that Estonia and Latvia were good partners and cooperated closely in different fields of life. “We have similar history, our economic connections are strong, we have close cultural cooperation, and we are interested in having both closer digital cooperation and closer cross-border cooperation,” Põlluaas emphasised.
Põlluaas believes that Estonia and Latvia share common values also in strengthening of the security in the region and in NATO, which is proven by the establishment of NATO Multinational Division Headquarters North in Ādaži, where the command is comprised of officers from Denmark, Latvia and Estonia.
Public services in the border regions and possibilities for improving the cross-border cooperation between Estonia and Latvia, as well as regional connectivity were also spoken about at the meeting.
The President of Latvia congratulated the President of the Riigikogu on his appointment to office. He assured that Latvia was a good friend of Estonia, and agreed that there was much in common in the history and today’s cooperation of the two countries. Vējonis said that the cooperation between the three Baltic States was constantly developing, and it was very effective and necessary.
The President of Latvia was also interested in the forming of the Government of Estonia. The President of the Riigikogu gave an overview of the situation in Estonia after the elections, and expressed hope that in a few weeks, the new Government would assume office.
Chairman of the Estonia-Latvia Parliamentary Group Aadu Must also participated in the meeting. He gave a brief overview of the parliamentary cooperation of the Baltic States and wished Latvia success in the Presidency of the Baltic Assembly.
NordenBladet —At today’s plenary sitting of the Riigikogu, Member of the Riigikogu Mihhail Lotman took his oath of office. As the activity of this composition of the Riigikogu had just started, there were no documents to deliberate on the agenda.
After today’s sitting, the new Riigikogu began to form parliamentary groups and associations of the members of the Riigikogu.
The Board of the Riigikogu registers the membership of these groups and associations.
The Board of the Riigikogu registered the withdrawal of Raimond Kaljulaid from the membership of the Estonian Centre Party Faction.
NordenBladet —This week, the members of the Estonian Delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) attend the 140th Assembly of the IPU, held in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The main topics discussed at the Assembly are democracy, peace, education and sustainable development.
Head of the Estonian Delegation Helmen Kütt said that the states had to cooperate so that everyone would be ensured rights and liberties – rights to personal freedom, security, education and equal treatment. “As long as there are countries and regions in the world where these fundamental values are not valued, or are ignored, the cooperation between parliaments has a crucial role in solving this issue,” Kütt added.
The Assembly also discusses the opportunities for encouraging women to participate in politics. “According to a recent IPU analysis, women form 18 per cent of the members of the parliaments in the Middle East and Africa. As recently as in 1995, only 4 per cent of the members of these representative bodies were women. The progress is obvious, but it is still not enough, and the Assembly is trying to find solutions, so that women would not be afraid of being involved in politics,” Kütt said.
Fight against terrorism, ensuring of human rights and investments in renewable energy are also spoken about at the Assembly.
The Estonian Delegation to the 140th Assembly of the IPU in Doha consists of Head of the Delegation Helmen Kütt and members of the Delegation Toomas Kivimägi and Marika Tuus-Laul.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the oldest and largest organisation of parliaments in the world. It was established 130 years ago, and has 178 member states from the entire world. Estonia was a member of the IPU in 1921–1940, and restored its membership after regaining independence in 1991.
NordenBladet —This week, the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) participates in the Spring Session (Second Part of the Ordinary Session) of PACE in Strasbourg, where the focus issues are the challenges faced by the PACE in the future, and hate speech as well as the role of political leaders in combating hate speech.
Another topic to be discussed at the Session is the creation of a new EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights. Combating organised crime and money-laundering will also be spoken about. Besides that, strengthening co-operation with the UN and implementation of the sustainable development goals, and promoting of parliaments free of sexism and sexual harassment will be discussed.
“Which other organisation in Europe would stand for the values of the rule of law than the oldest international parliamentary assembly, the already 70 years old PACE? What would its creators, who emphasised the need to stand for common European values, think us? Noblesse oblige – nobility obliges,” Head of the Estonian Delegation to the PACE Marianne Mikko said.
Besides Marianne Mikko, members of the Estonian Delegation Andres Herkel and Tiit Terik participate in the PACE Spring Session.
Pace is the oldest international parliamentary assembly in Europe that held its opening session on 10 August 1949. The task of the Council of Europe is to protect the fundamental values of its member states: human rights, the principle of the rule of law and democracy.
NordenBladet —Today, the local governments celebrate the 100th anniversary of the elections of the first democratic representative body of the Republic of Estonia, the Constituent Assembly, in the places of birth of the deputies elected to the Constituent Assembly.
The eldest member of the 14th Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Enn Eesmaa invites everybody to participate in these events in their home counties. “Let us recall with gratitude the activities of those 120 men and women who laid the foundations of our state and adopted the first Constitution of the Republic of Estonia,” Eesmaa said.
The events will be held in the places of birth of all members of the Constituent Assembly, in 49 local governments. The places of birth of the 120 members of the Constituent Assembly are marked on the map that can be found on the home page of Estonia 100 (EV100).
More information about the events is available in the information channels of local governments.
Elections of the Constituent Assembly took place from 5 to7 April 1919 all over Estonia on the basis of a general and uniform right to vote by secret ballot on the principle of proportionality. All citizens of Estonia who were at least 20 years of age had the right to vote.
The task of the Constituent Assembly was to lay the foundations for the Estonian statehood, 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.
NordenBladet —The newly elected members of the Board Henn Põlluaas, Helir-Valdor Seeder, and Siim Kallas held a press conference after the opening sitting of the 14th Riigikogu, stressing the importance of parliamentary democracy.
The President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas reflected that the new Riigikogu is assuming office in a politically fraught situation, but that this is a sign of democracy. Põlluaas explained that the Riigikogu must stand for the interests of the Estonian sovereignty, democracy, freedom of speech, and the people. The President expressed his conviction that the new Riigikogu and the new Board will fulfil their tasks with flying colours.
Vice-President Helir-Valdor Seeder declared himself a firm believer in democracy, and named improving the authority of the parliament as a working goal. The Vice-President called for a better balance between the legislative and the executive powers. Seeder added that debates should remain within the wall of the Riigikogu and politics should spill less out onto the streets.
Vice-President Siim Kallas called the parliament and the government two sides of a single coin. Kallas promised that the newly elected Board of the Riigikogu will do everything in its power to make sure the parliament has a worthy and weighty place in the democratic decision making process in Estonia. The Vice-Chairman said that the Board has a number of ideas on how to achieve this.
