ESTONIA | NordenBladet

A contingent of US marines arrived in Estonia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

April 14, 2023

NordenBladet —This week, more than 70 United States Marines arrived in Estonia for a nearly four-month operation. “This deployment is a fantastic opportunity for the Marines and Sailors from Task Force 61/2’s Mobile Reconnaissance Company (MRC) to train alongside our Estonian Allies, ” said Capt. Brandon Klewicki, MRC Company Commander. “Integrating …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

The Riigikogu convened for sitting

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

April 13, 2023

NordenBladet —

There were no items on the agenda for the sitting.

After the sitting, the members of the new Riigikogu continued to form parliamentary friendship groups and associations.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

The video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
Phone: +372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
E-mail: maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu convened for sitting

Source: Parliament of Estonia

General Herem in Finland: Finland joining NATO is of significant importance for the security of our region

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

April 13, 2023

NordenBladet —The Chief of Estonian Defence Forces, General Martin Herem, visited Finland this week, where he discussed cooperation between the defence forces with the Chief of the Finnish Defence Forces, General Timo Kivinen. The Chief of Estonian Defence Forces, General Martin Herem, visited Finland this week, where he discussed cooperation between …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

The Riigikogu authorised Kaja Kallas to form a Government

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

April 13, 2023

NordenBladet —

Kallas made a report on the bases for forming a Government already on Tuesday but due to the end of the working hours there was no vote and the questions and answers continued at today’s sitting. Each member of the Riigikogu could ask up to two oral questions in total of the candidate for Prime Minister.

At the vote, 59 members of the Riigikogu supported the authorisation of the candidate for Prime Minister to form a Government and 38 were against. A majority vote was needed for the authorisation.

After the sitting, the members of the new Riigikogu continued to form parliamentary friendship groups and associations.

Voting results

Photos of the sitting (Author: Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

The video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel. (Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu authorised Kaja Kallas to form a Government

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Kaja Kallas presented to the Riigikogu a report on the bases for forming a Government

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

April 12, 2023

NordenBladet —

In her speech, Kallas pointed out that the Reform Party, Estonia 200, and Social Democrats had prepared a coalition agreement that contained their vision on the most important and the challenges facing Estonia. The candidate for Prime Minister added that the agreement was a compromise and a result of a search for a common ground. “The greatest common ground of the coalition is based on Estonia’s independence, sound public finances, our economic success, and value issues,” Kallas said.

The candidate for Prime Minister pointed out that the document had the face of the war because every analysis soon came to an assessment of the impacts of the war. “The war has changed everything: our economy, our people’s livelihood, and the prices of energy carriers and the availability thereof,” Kallas listed. She added that the war had changed the challenges facing us and in particular the ways in which we were looking for solutions to them. “Last year, our eastern neighbour showed that it was capable of taking the most unpredictable and illogical steps,” Kallas noted. She remarked that all neighbours were in danger.

Kallas emphasised that therefore Estonia’s defence spending had to increase. “Without strengthening our defence capability, we cannot seriously talk about either of the future of our economy or about the kind of Estonia we will be leaving to our children and grandchildren,” Kallas said. “The purpose of increasing our defence spending is not to destroy our enemy, but the purpose is to destroy our enemy’s will to attack us,” Kallas said. She noted that we had to rethink our state budget priorities and it was necessary to return to seeking a balanced state budget.

“This is not going to be simple. This will mean sacrifices for all of us, and I must ask for patience and understanding from all Estonian people. An understanding that we are not doing all this because we like it but because it needs to be done. If we do not put our public finances in order now, it will be very much harder to put them in order in a few years’ time,” Kallas emphasised. She pointed out that the loan burden of the state had doubled in a few years. Borrowing is no longer an alternative in a significantly more expensive credit environment. The national reserves have been spent and the only right way is to take a course towards a balanced state budget.

In Kallas’s words, according to the current calculations, it is necessary both to cut expenses and to increase the incomes of the state. The candidate for Prime Minister said that the coalition was going to do a state budget revision. “We will be reviewing every cost item in order to eliminate unnecessary expenses and to use budget funds as wisely and economically as possible. We will reshape governance and reform the structure of ministries. We will reduce the number of ministers by two. We are not asking only the people to economise. We are seeing that state agencies will also have to make their contribution to this.”

“The political goals of the common Government will be, first, the ensurance of security, second, the sustainability of public finances, third, the carrying out of green reforms, fourth, the reduction of regional disparity, fifth, the reduction of the inequality of incomes and an increase of healthy life years and life expectancy, and sixth, the development of a personal state and high-quality education,” she said. She expressed the conviction that, together, the people would be able to achieve all that.

In Kallas’s words, the new coalition will continue with the transition to Estonian-language education and the organisation of the school network, extending the opportunities to preserve primary schools close to home. She pointed out that that was directly linked to Estonia’s security. “Communicating in a common language and living in a common information space is one of the best ways to ensure our defence capability and will to defend. A divided society is a tempting prey to an aggressor. Unity is a deterrent that makes the aggressor hesitate, fear, and abandon their attack,” Kallas explained.

Finally, Kallas said that the Estonian people had always managed and had been extremely successful. She pointed out that we could achieve anything we wanted because we were a headstrong, stubborn, hardworking, and successful people. “We have both reason and heart. We are able to help those in need and at the same time to organize the life of our country in such a way that our descendants will also be happy and proud to live here,” Kallas said.

The candidate for Prime Minister replied to numerous questions of members of the Riigikogu. Due to the end of the working hours of the sitting, the discussion will continue at the sitting starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

At the sitting, Auditor General Janar Holm took his oath of office.

After the sitting, the new Riigikogu began to form parliamentary friendship groups and associations of the members of the Riigikogu.

Photos of the sitting (Author: Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

The video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
Phone: +372 631 6592, +372 510 6179
E-mail: merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Kaja Kallas presented to the Riigikogu a report on the bases for forming a Government

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The 15th Riigikogu held its opening sitting

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

April 11, 2023

NordenBladet —

The President of the Republic Alar Karis opened the first sitting and also made a speech.

Karis presented his recommendations to the new Riigikogu. “Over the next four years, decisions will have to be taken in this chamber in order to adapt to the life-changing events we are currently experiencing,” the President said.

“The country’s electors have granted each of you a mandate to represent them. At the same time, the Constitution states that members of parliament are not bound by their mandate. What does this mean? It means that it behoves each and every one of you to represent the nation as a whole. You must take all of the concerns raised during the election into consideration. It is easy to list them in general terms: security; the economy; the cost of living; the climate; protection of nature; education; the ability of local governments to cope. And there are many others which may not spring to mind immediately but which are no less important – such as the development of technology and young people’s mental health, both of which I have spoken about and will continue to do so,” the President said.

“It has been said that politics is the art of the possible. However, we must be more ambitious than that: politics is also the art of doing that, which is initially deemed impossible. Estonia has reached a point where our aim is not merely to catch up to others on the path ahead of us, but to find new paths to go down. Indeed, this is something we have no choice but to do. In a situation where the state’s debt burden threatens to grow, our objective cannot be limited to making savings where we can. Our target must be to find opportunities for development that boost efficiency and allow us to achieve more in future than we are capable of achieving today,” Karis emphasised.

Then the members of the Riigikogu took their oath of office. The eldest member of the Riigikogu Enn Eesmaa read out the text of the oath.

After the members of the Riigikogu began to perform their duties, the election of the Board of the Riigikogu was held, which was organised by the National Electoral Committee. Until the election of the President of the Riigikogu, the Chairman of the National Electoral Committee Oliver Kask chaired the sitting.

Member of the Riigikogu Marek Reinaas nominated Lauri Hussar as a candidate for the President of the Riigikogu, and Member of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas nominated Martin Helme.

101 members of the Riigikogu took part in the secret ballot. 59 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Lauri Hussar, and 20 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Martin Helme. 22 ballot papers were invalid.

After the election, Hussar thanked the members of the Riigikogu and wished everyone success.

Member of the Riigikogu Erkki Keldo nominated Toomas Kivimägi as a candidate for a Vice-President, Member of the Riigikogu Tanel Kiik nominated Jüri Ratas and Siim Pohlak nominated Martin Helme.

101 members of the Riigikogu took part in the secret ballot. 56 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Toomas Kivimägi, 27 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Jüri Ratas and 17 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Martin Helme. One ballot paper was invalid. Thus, Toomas Kivimägi was elected as the First Vice-President of the Riigikogu, and Jüri Ratas was elected as the Second Vice-President.

After the election of the Board of the Riigikogu, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas announced the resignation of the Government according to the Constitution.

At the festive opening sitting of the new Riigikogu, the Estonian National Male Choir sang, conducted by Mikk Üleoja.

The sitting ended at 6.56 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Photos of the opening sitting:

Video recordings of the sittings of the Riigikogu can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/riigikogu.

(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal, +372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The 15th Riigikogu held its opening sitting

Source: Parliament of Estonia

New composition of the Riigikogu convenes for opening sitting

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

April 6, 2023

NordenBladet —

The first sitting of the 15th Riigikogu will be opened by President Alar Karis. After the President’s speech, the members of the Riigikogu will take the oath of office. The oath of office will be read out by the oldest member of the Riigikogu, and after that all members of the Riigikogu will sign the text of the oath.

Elections of the President and the Vice-Presidents of the Riigikogu will also be held during the first sitting. First, the President of the Riigikogu will be elected by secret ballot, and after that, two Vice-Presidents. After the elections of the Board, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas will present a statement on the resignation of the Government of the Republic.

The opening sitting of the new composition can be followed on the Riigikogu web page and YouTube channel. TV channel ETV2 will make a live broadcast of the sitting.

15 minutes after the end of the opening sitting (at around 5.15 p.m.), the President and Vice-Presidents of the Riigikogu will give a press conference. The press conference will be held in Otto Strandman Conference Room of Toompea Castle (next to the White Hall), and it will be live streamed online.

After the press conference, the new Board of the Riigikogu will meet for its first sitting, where it is planned to register the parliamentary groups and adopt the agenda for the first working week.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: New composition of the Riigikogu convenes for opening sitting

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Sester and Šorin are observing parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

March 15, 2023

NordenBladet —

The Head of the Delegation explained that there was wide international interest in Kazakh elections and democratic development. The country suffered violent unrest in January last year, a referendum to change the Constitution was held in June, and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was re-elected as the President at the early elections in November. “Kazakhstan has launched into political and economic reforms. We want to see how the introduced changes are being applied during these elections and what impact these have,” Sester said.

Member of the Delegation Marko Šorin is also interested in observing whether Tokayev’s Kazakhstan would be able to distance itself from Russia. “Although Tokayev does not recognise the Russian-occupied territories as part of Russia and values the territorial integrity of countries, it is not so easy to break free from Russia’s influence. Considering the influence of Kazakhstan on the region, we need to keep an eye on developments there,” Šorin said.

The President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dissolved the lower house of the Parliament of Kazakhstan on 19 January this year and set the early parliamentary elections for 19 March. President Tokayev expressed his hope that the elections would give an extra push to modernising the country. The last parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan were held on 20 March 2019, and were also early.

More than 60 members of 24 national parliaments will observe the parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan within the framework of the mission organised by the OSCE PA. The observers follow the voting procedure, fairness and freedom of the campaign, access to media, and correct and accurate proclamation of the election results.

Election observation missions have been an important part of OSCE’s activities since 1993. The missions monitor whether the elections are conducted legitimately and respect the democratic standards.

For more information, please contact:
Sven Sester +372 504 9222
Marko Šorin +372 5647 6950

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
Phone +372 631 6592, +372 510 6179
e-post merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Sester and Šorin are observing parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan

Source: Parliament of Estonia

National parliaments focus on peaceful coexistence and fighting intolerance

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

March 14, 2023

NordenBladet —

Head of the delegation of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Toomas Kivimägi said in his speech at the IPU Assembly today that protecting peace and democratic values as well as the sovereignty of countries was the greatest challenge to the world. Speaking of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, he pointed out that the countries of the world had to show more resolve because an aggressor’s victory in a war would inspire other authoritarian regimes to use the same means as well. In his speech, Kivimägi also addressed China. “Once Russia understands that it can no longer count on China’s tacit support together with its implications, this may indeed become the factor that will bring Russia back to earth,” he said. Kivimägi emphasised that the values underpinning the rules-based world order – freedom, democracy, human rights, and equality – were at stake.

Today, the Estonian delegation to the IPU met with Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, Speaker of the Council of Representatives of Bahrain, and Abdulnabi Salman Ahmed, First Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives. Launching of the parliamentary cooperation between Estonia and Bahrain, forming of mutual parliamentary friendship groups and the visit of an Estonian business delegation to Bahrain during the second half of the year were discussed at the meeting. Kivimägi underlined that in order for the war to end, Ukraine needed the support of all countries, including Bahrain. Al Musallam fully supported achieving peace in Ukraine, recalling the suffering when Bahrain itself was at war.

On Tuesday, the Estonian delegation together with the representatives of Latvia and Lithuania will meet with the Swedish delegation to discuss at the initiative of Sweden the security situation in the Baltic Sea region, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and issues relating to NATO.

The Assembly plans to adopt resolutions on cyberattacks and cybercrimes as the new risks to global security, and on parliamentary efforts in achieving negative carbon balances of forests. Extraordinary debate will focus on humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and Ukraine. The proposal for resolution was presented with the support of the 12+ group, which also includes Estonia.

The Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union is held in Manama, Bahrain, on 11–15 March. Estonia is represented by the President of the Estonian IPU Group Toomas Kivimägi, and Vice-Presidents Helle-Moonika Helme, Helmen Kütt, and Marika Tuus-Laul. Hundreds of MPs from around 110 parliaments are meeting at the Assembly. The Ambassador of Estonia Jaan Reinhold will also attend the Assembly.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union is the oldest and largest global organisation of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 and has 178 member states from the entire world. Liberia, whose membership was interrupted in 2011, is re-joining the IPU as its 179th member. Estonia was a member of the Union between 1921–1940 and restored its membership after regaining independence in 1991.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
Phone: +372 631 6592, +372 510 6179
E-mail: merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: National parliaments focus on peaceful coexistence and fighting intolerance

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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