President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Henn Põlluaas met with Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary László Kövér in Budapest today. The Speakers found that Estonia and Hungary could deepen their cooperation at the level of parliamentary friendship groups and committees.
Põlluaas pointed out that Estonia and Hungary were united by related languages and close cultural cooperation, and the two countries had always had excellent relations. He added that it was now possible to tighten them even further. “So far, Estonia has looked more towards Western Europe, but it is time to turn our attention also to Central Europe, and to Visegrád countries,” Põlluaas said. Cooperation possibilities in security issues as well as in economy and culture were discussed with the Hungarian colleague.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Enn Eesmaa agreed that the future cooperation between the two countries could be more coordinated at parliamentary level. He emphasised that both Estonia and Hungary should be more active in the Eastern Partnership programme. The countries we are thinking and speaking about – Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine – certainly wish that,” Eesmaa said.
Member of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu Madis Milling welcomed Hungary’s decision to increase defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP by 2024. Hungary is also vigorously replacing the Soviet equipment and weapons that have remained in the country from the times of the Warsaw Pact with newer and more modern technology and weapons that completely conform to NATO standards,” Milling added.
This week, President of the Riigikogu is on a visit to Budapest at the invitation of the Speaker of the Parliament of Hungary. The purpose of the visit is to promote bilateral relations and learn about the latest developments in Hungary. Tomorrow, the Estonian delegation will visit the Estonian Institute in Hungary that promotes cooperation in culture and education, and meet with President of Hungary János Áder.
NordenBladet —Today and tomorrow, the IT experts from the parliaments of Europe meet in Tallinn, Estonia, to discuss how artificial intelligence can be used to support the work in the parliament.
Administrative Director of the Chancellery of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Ahto Saks said that artificial intelligence (in Estonian, kratt) was already used in some parliaments for speech recognition, automatic translation and preparing of sitting reviews. “In the work of the Riigikogu, it is planned to involve kratt in speech recognition next year,” Saks pointed out.
“Speech recognition and automatic translation are two examples where the implementation of artificial intelligence has reached technological maturity,” Saks said. “We will discuss with colleagues if this will open the way also for other kratts in supporting the work in the parliament.”
At the seminar, the representatives of the parliaments of Switzerland, France, Finland, the Netherlands and Denmark, and the European Parliament will tell about their experience in working with artificial intelligence.
During the two days of the seminar, introduction of different forms of i-voting and innovation in the public sector will also be discussed. Colleagues from the Danish and Norwegian parliaments and the European Parliament will share their experience in preparing the parliament for digital innovation.
Representatives of Spain, the Netherlands and Hungary will give an overview of work with structured data and using of cloud services in the information and communication technologies of the parliaments.
NordenBladet —This week, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Henn Põlluaas is on a visit to Budapest at the invitation of the Speaker of the Parliament of Hungary. The purpose of the visit is to promote bilateral relations and learn about the latest developments in Hungary.
“Estonians and Hungarians are united by ethnic fraternity, and we both consider it important to keep the identity of Finno-Ugric peoples,” Põlluaas said. He added that next year the World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples would be held in Tartu, Estonia, and the President of Hungary had also been invited to attend. Põlluaas emphasised that mutual reopening of embassies in Tallinn and Budapest a year ago was a sign of the good cooperation between the two countries.
Today, the President of the Riigikogu and the Estonian delegation will visit the Embassy of Estonia. Tomorrow, Põlluaas will meet with Speaker of the National Assembly (Parliament) of Hungary László Kövér and Chairman of the Hungary-Estonia Friendship Group of the Hungarian Parliament Dr. Attila Tilki. On Friday, the Estonian delegation will visit the Estonian Institute that promotes cooperation in culture and education, and meet with President of Hungary János Áder Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó.
The President of the Riigikogu is accompanied on the visit by Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Enn Eesmaa and member of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu Madis Milling.
NordenBladet —At the meeting with President of Albania Ilir Meta today, President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas expressed support to Albania’s efforts to open accession negotiations with the European Union.
“Estonia strongly supports the opening of accession negotiations between the European Union and Albania. Further enlargement of the European Union is important to the stability of the Western Balkan region and the security of the whole Europe,” Põlluaas said. “Albania has good prospects of becoming a member state of the European Union in the future if the country meets the accession criteria. Estonia is ready to share its experience in this field.”
Põlluaas thinks that it is welcome that already now Albania has joined several European Union initiatives, like supporting the sanctions against Russia. As a member of NATO, Albania also contributes to the common security of Europe and has sent its troops to serve with the allied forces in Ādaži in Latvia.
“The relations between Albania and Estonia are excellent, but we could enhance primarily economic and trade relations,” Põlluaas said. “Estonia’s companies are interested in going to the Albanian market, and Albania is also an interesting but so far little known travel destination for the Estonians. And all Albanian tourists are welcome in Estonia.”
At the meeting, Põlluaas expressed his happiness that in spite of the earthquake that hit Albania a week ago, the President of Albania could make his first visit to Estonia. The President of the Riigikogu hopes that Albania will recover from the consequences of the earthquake soon.
Põlluaas thanked Albania for its support to Estonia at the elections of the non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and assured that Estonia would support the candidacy of Albania for 2022–2023.
The President of Albania was interested in Estonia’s experience in e-governance and cyber issues, and gave an overview of the political situation in the Western Balkan region and the impact of the trends of the globalising world.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Enn Eesmaa, who also participated in the meeting, underlined the good relations between the two countries and expressed hope that relations at the parliamentary level would become closer.
Autumn Session of the PACE, held in Strasbourg this week, is to draw the attention of the majority of member states to the problems caused by Russia.
Head of the Estonian delegation, member of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski considers it important that the dialogue continues and Estonia participates in the Assembly. “In this complicated situation, Estonia has to take part in the dialogue and not boycott the work of the Assembly.”
Jufereva-Skuratovski said that the recent issue of restoring Russia’s rights was not on PACE’s agenda this time, but the main task of the Estonian delegation in Strasbourg was to keep an eye on and draw the attention of other member states to the consequences of Russia’s political activities.
“Russia’s rights in the Assembly were restored this summer on certain conditions, but we are not satisfied with it, because they break international agreements. We wish to cooperate with all member states who understand that for the restoration of full voting rights, Russia has to meet all requirements set to it,” Jufereva-Skuratovski said.
Member of the delegation Eerik-Niiles Kross added that the key activity at this session would be making the large Western countries aware of the seriousness of the crisis in PACE. “We will also continue to discuss with the like-minded countries the joint future actions that could restore PACE’s authority in longer perspective.”
“At the critical times for the Council of Europe, it is important for the Estonian delegation to be present and actively ask also sharp questions,” member of the Estonian delegation Indrek Saar said. “We and the countries that share our views have to do our best to ensure that this major organisation would not lose its purpose to stand for democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
Today, French Secretary of State for European Affairs Amelie de Montchalin will make a speech at the session. Tomorrow, President of France Emmanuel Macron will address PACE and give an overview of the activities of France during its Presidency.
The Autumn Session of PACE will last until Friday. The Assembly will focus on the protection of whistleblowers and the victims of terrorism. It will also discuss reports on climate refugees and labour migration in Eastern Europe, and on obstetrical and gynaecological violence.
Estonia became a member of the Council of Europe in 1993. Our country is represented in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe by the delegation appointed by the Riigikogu.
The Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Anneli Ott is participating at the meeting of the chairpersons of the European Union Affairs Committees of the parliaments of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland in Kaunas.
Ott said that the participating countries have similar views on the next budgetary period of the European Union. “The new budget is to include reduced Cohesion Policy payments, which is mainly the consequence of the British plan to leave the Union. The Baltic states and Poland are very keen that these payments should not be reduced significantly. Together we can defend these positions more strongly at the negotiations.” She added that Estonia would be among the transition regions during the new period, which could lead to increased cost-sharing in projects, and reduced payment volumes.
The Chairmen will discuss the status of the negotiations on the next European Union budgetary period (2021–2027).
In addition, the participants will discuss the programme of the Plenary Meeting of the COSAC (Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union), which will be held in Helsinki in the beginning of December, and which will put great emphasis on climate issues.
The Lithuanians will also report on the progress regarding Rail Baltica in Lithuania. The participants will visit Kaunas railway hub, where work started this spring on the first stretch of Rail Baltica in Lithuania.
NordenBladet —Amendments relating to the Income Tax Act and the Social Tax Act were on the agenda for today’s plenary sitting of the Riigikogu. Both Bills passed the first reading.
The Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (14 SE), initiated by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, is intended to exempt all pensions from income tax to the extent of average old-age pension.
The explanatory memorandum notes that such an amendment will also extend to survivor’s pension, and to working pensioners. The amendment covers payments from all pillars of the pension system.
According to the Bill, the Government will establish by its Regulation the procedure for calculating the average old-age pension in order to ensure that average old-age pension will be exempt from income tax monthly.
According to the data of the Social Insurance Board, the average old-age pension is 483 euro per month as of 1 April 2019. The next regular indexation of pensions is due in the first quarter of 2020.
Jürgen Ligi (Reform Party) took the floor during the debate.
The Bill on Amendments to § 7 of the Social Tax Act (42 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction, is intended to lower the social tax rate to 13 per cent for the contributions that the employer makes to the employee’s pension fund. At the same time, the lower rate would apply to contributions that do not exceed the income tax exemption limit provided for in the Income Tax Act.
Under the current Social Tax Act, contributions made to an occupational pension fund are subject to a 33 per cent social tax. The Bill is intended to motivate employers to make larger-scale contributions to the voluntary pension insurance of the employee and thereby also to prompt employees to save additionally for their pension.
An occupational pension fund is a voluntary employee pension fund where contributions can be made for employees, public servants, and members of the management and control bodies of legal persons. According to the Income Tax Act, such amounts must not exceed 15 per cent of the gross earnings of the person in a calendar year or 6000 euro.
During the debate, Helmen Kütt (Social Democratic Party) and Jürgen Ligi (Reform Party) took the floor.
Today, the European Union Affairs Committee discussed reaching Estonia’s climate targets for 2020 and 2030 with the Minister of the Environment Rene Kokk.
The Chairman of the Committee Anneli Ott said that there have so far been three hearings at the Committee. “We have heard the thoughts of experts, entrepreneurs and representatives of the Ministry of the Environment on achieving carbon neutrality in Estonia. Based on what I have learned, I can confirm that Estonia is actively seeking ways to enhance the ambitiousness of the 2050 climate targets, together with the other European Union Member States, as well as looking for ways to agree on the activities for achieving these,” Ott said. The Government has scheduled the discussion on increasing Estonia’s climate ambitions for 3 October, and the consequent decisions will be forwarded to the committees of the Riigikogu for further debate, the Chairman added.
Deputy Chairman of the Committee Riina Sikkut said that at the national level, Estonia needs a clear plan on achieving the climate targets, which needs to be negotiated with all the parties. “We will in any case have international agreements, and a high price set for carbon emissions quota. In addition to energy policy, the Riigikogu could also focus its discussions on specific measures in agriculture, transport, forestry, and housing sector. We must take the socio-economic impact of all the changes into account,” Sikkut emphasised.
The European Union Affairs Committee started a series of parliamentary hearings this autumn in order to prepare a resolution with which Estonia would participate in the European Union negotiations on 2050 climate targets.
NordenBladet —At today’s plenary sitting, the Riigikogu received an overview of the civil service report of 2018 from the Minister of Public Administration Jaak Aab. The minister spoke of the number of employees, the labour costs, recruitment, personnel changes and the training activities in the public service.
Jaak Aab gave an overview of the numbers of employees in the whole public and government sector.
“In 2018, 312,000 employees worked in the public sector as a whole as reduced to full-time working time; 88 per cent of them were employed in the government sector and 12 per cent in other public sector. The public sector accounts for around a fifth of the employment among 26-64-year-olds in Estonia,” the minister pointed out.
The number of working-age people in Estonia is declining, and therefore it is important to keep the number of government sector employees in balance with working-age population,” Aab noted. He said that the strategic aim was to maintain a 12 per cent proportion of government sector employees. In the minister’s words, that had been successfully maintained in the previous year when the percentage had been 11.9. “In 2018, the number of people working in the government sector decreased by 0.4 per cent, while the number of civil servants decreased by 720 persons, that is, by 2.5 per cent. In state authorities, the number of civil servants decreased by 612 persons, that is, by 2.7 per cent. In local governments, the number decreased by 108 members of staff, that is, by 1.9 per cent,” Aab said.
Aab noted that, in terms of the organisation of work, the previous year had been a year of great changes in civil service.
“First, the first stage of the administrative reform, that is, the administrative-territorial reform was concluded,” the minister said. “51 new local governments, that is, around two thirds of all today’s local governments were formed by mergers. In total, the number of local governments diminished from 213 to 79,” Aab said. In the minister’s words, as a result of the mergers, there are more funds to contribute to the provision of high-quality services and the performance of local government functions.
The minister pointed out that, as of 1 January 2018, county governments, that is, local representations of central government, had been eliminated. In Aab’s words, that meant that a number of sectors and functions had become the joint responsibility of local governments or local governments in counties, like for example the organisation of public transport or the development of the county as a region.
“More than 40 state authorities, foundations with state holding and public law institutions contributed to the reorganisations by creating new job opportunities outside Tallinn,” the minister said. Aab noted that new civil service posts had been created in counties and, in addition, hundreds of jobs had been moved out of the capital. In the minister’s opinion, such reorganisations have given an opportunity to work in state jobs in regions also to people who earlier were forced to commute to work in Tallinn.
The minister said that, in 2019 and in the future, the moving of state-salaried jobs out of the capital, and the favouring of flexible working conditions and teleworking would continue. “The state service bureaus to be established in county centres by the end of 2023 will allow to improve the working conditions of state employees in regions and to extend the opportunities for teleworking, in addition to increasing the availability of public services,” Aab noted. In the minister’s words, recruitment to the public service and to state-salaried positions more widely will have to be more flexible, and the best candidates will have to have the opportunity to work near home.
During the debate, Lauri Läänemets from the Social Democratic Party Faction, Hanno Pevkur from the Reform Party Faction and Heiki Hepner from Faction Isamaa took the floor.
The deliberation of the first reading of a Bill was adjourned in the Riigikogu due to the end of the working hours of the plenary:
The Bill on Amendments to the Citizenship Act and the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act (57 SE), initiated by the Government, will amend the provisions of the Citizenship Act to specify and harmonise with basic school studies the requirements for Estonian language proficiency and knowledge of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia and the Citizenship Act, set for application for citizenship.
The provisions relating to graduation from basic school and the external assessment of learning outcomes in the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act will also be amended.
When the Act enters into force, national final examinations in basic schools will be omitted from the conditions of graduation from basic school. The competence to decide on graduation from basic school will be given entirely to schools.
On the basis of the national curriculum, schools will have the right to establish for example school examinations corresponding to the specifics of the school, or for example carrying out creative work or research, as a condition of graduation. As a national feedback tool, national curriculum-dependent and proficiency tests will be retained. They provide an opportunity to track students’ development over time, and to analyse the learning outcomes in different years and the learning outcomes of a school or a class within the context of the overall national level.
National surveys of students, parents and school employees will be provided for as a new external assessment instrument.
According to the Bill, an examination in Estonian or Estonian as a second language will be conducted for all final year students of basic schools. Passing the examination will not be connected with graduation from basic school, but its aim will be to measure the level of Estonian language proficiency in persons who have acquired basic education.
A national test will also be conducted for all basic school graduates before graduation from basic school. The test will evaluate students’ knowledge of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, the fundamentals of the constitutional order and the functioning of society, and the rights and obligations of citizens.
According to the Bill, if a basic school graduate successfully passes the national tests conducted within the framework of his or her studies, he or she will also comply with the requirements for Estonian language proficiency and knowledge of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia and the Citizenship Act, set for application for citizenship.
The Riigikogu did not support a draft Resolution:
The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Appointment of Members of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia” (38 OE), initiated by the Finance Committee.
In connection with the termination of the mandate of the Members of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia, the Chairman of Supervisory Board Mart Laar proposed to appoint Enn Eesmaa, Kaie Kerem, Enn Listra, Rein Minka, Ivari Padar, Jaanus Tamkivi and Urmas Varblane as members of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia.
The Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia is the oversight body of the Bank of Estonia, which consists of a Chairman and seven Members. The Riigikogu appoints Members of the Supervisory Board of the central bank at the proposal of the Chairman of the Supervisory Board for five years.
Peeter Ernits from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction took the floor during the debate.
18 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the draft Resolution and 74 were against.
As a majority vote of the members of the Riigikogu was needed for the draft Resolution to be passed, it was not passed.
NordenBladet —The Bill on Amendments to the Citizenship Act (58 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, passed the first reading in the Riigikogu. The aim of the Bill is to ensure the possibility to acquire Estonian citizenship under a simplified procedure to minors who were born in Estonia and whose parents (or grandparents) have resided in Estonia before the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Estonia. The Minister of the Interior Mart Helme presented the Bill.
The Bill provides that a minor who is born in Estonia or who immediately after birth settles permanently in Estonia with a parent or parents who are permanent residents of Estonia, and who holds a long-term residence permit or the right of permanent residence, and one of whose parents is not recognised as its citizen by any state under legislation in force, and whose other parent is a national of another country, will acquire Estonian citizenship at the request of his or her legal representative if a parent or a grandparent of the minor was a resident of Estonia as at 20 August 1991.
The Bill sets a requirement that, with regard to such person of another nationality, the Resolution of the Government of the Republic on the granting of Estonian citizenship will enter into force as of the day following the day on which the certificate to the effect that the person has been released from the citizenship of the other state is submitted to the governmental authority authorised by the Government of the Republic.
During the debate, Jevgeni Ossinovski (Social Democratic Party), Taavi Rõivas (Reform Party) and Andrei Korobeinik (Centre Party) took the floor. They discussed various aspects related to the granting of Estonian citizenship, and dual citizenship.
The Minister of the Interior Mart Helme also took part in the debate.
The Reform Party Faction moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. The result of voting: 30 members of the Riigikogu in favour, 53 against. The Bill remained in the legislative proceedings.