ESTONIA

The Riigikogu did not support the formation of a committee of investigation on online elections

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Riigikogu did not support the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Riigikogu committee of investigation to investigate the security of the process of online elections of the Riigikogu” (576 OE), submitted by the Centre Party Group. Its purpose was to form a committee of investigation consisting of representatives of all parliamentary groups that would analyse the risks related to and the legality of e-elections and, if necessary, make proposals on how to improve the process of online elections and to make it more secure. According to the initiators, the security of online elections is critical to safeguarding the fundamental principles of democracy.

 Varro Vooglaid from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Lauri Laats from the Estonian Centre Party Parliamentary Group took the floor as representatives of their parliamentary groups during the debate.

The Constitutional Committee moved to reject the draft Resolution at the first reading. 48 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 16 were against. The draft Resolution was dropped from the legislative proceedings.

Evelin Poolamets, Varro Vooglaid, Mart Helme, Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Lauri Laats and Vladimir Arhipov took the floor during the open microphone.

The sitting ended at 6.04 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

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 Riigikogu did not support the formation of a committee of investigation on online elections

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Riigikogu did not support the reduction of the VAT rate on food products

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Making a proposal to the Government of the Republic to lower the VAT on food to 9 per cent” (579 OE), submitted by the Estonian Centre Party Parliamentary Group, proposed to lower the VAT on the main food groups (vegetables, cereals, dairy, meat, and fish products) to 9 per cent. The purpose of the draft Resolution was to lower the price of food products in the context of the general price increase.

Vadim Belobrovtsev from the Estonian Centre Party Group and Tanel Kiik from the Social Democratic Party Group took the floor during the debate.

15 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the draft Resolution. The draft Resolution dropped from the legislative proceedings as a majority vote of the members of the Riigikogu was needed for the Resolution to be passed.

The aim of the Bill on Amendments to the Value-Added Tax Act (593 SE), initiated by the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group, was to lower the VAT rate on foodstuffs to 5 per cent in order to curb the increase in foodstuff prices. The VAT rate on foodstuffs, including potatoes, fruit and vegetables, is 22 per cent in the current Act.

Arvo Aller from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group took the floor during the debate.

The Finance Committee as the lead committee moved to reject the Bill. 44 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 14 voted against. The Bill was dropped from the legislative proceedings.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Maiki Vaikla
+372 631 6456, +372 5666 9508
maiki.vaikla@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Riigikogu did not support the reduction of the VAT rate on food products

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Mihkelson stressed the importance of strong allied relations and NATO unity

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Mihkelson said at the meeting with Republican Senators Rick Scott and Mike Lee that the threat from Russia and China, and tensions in many parts of the world, had led the Alliance into one of its most challenging periods since the Second World War. “Putin believes strongly that to go down in history, Russia must conquer, expand, kill and threaten. His aim is not only destroying Ukraine as a state, but also dismantling NATO and the existing security architecture of the whole Europe,” Mihkelson stated. In his opinion, China is also involved in the plans to change the world order.

The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee underlined the need to continue providing strong support and military assistance to Ukraine and to ensure that Ukraine remained a sovereign state. “We must keep in mind that Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine is not an isolated local process. Russia’s shadow war against the West has been going on for years. Force is the only answer that Russia understands,” he said.

According to Mihkelson, the West must show Russia that aggression does not pay, because otherwise their ambitions will not be limited to Ukraine. He said that for this reason, Estonia had sharply increased its defence spending, which would be at least five per cent of GDP from the next year, and had consistently supported Ukraine. “We understand that it is dangerous to remain alone. This is why we are investing, carrying out defence procurements and the necessary capability developments, and supporting strong partnerships with like-minded countries in Europe and North America,” he noted, adding that Estonia also stood for raising the defence spending target agreed upon in NATO.

Mihkelson believes that protecting trans-Atlantic security and NATO unity is of utmost importance today. “Your presence in Europe and on NATO’s eastern flank, as well as a strong and united allied space, will also work as a deterrent to Russia, who would like to see the Alliance divided and weak,” Mihkelson said at the meeting with US senators, and called for strengthening transatlantic cooperation also in energy.

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

Link uudisele: Mihkelson stressed the importance of strong allied relations and NATO unity

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Issues relating to the energy sector were discussed in the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Members of the Riigikogu Urmas Reinsalu, Riina Solman and Priit Sibul submitted an interpellation concerning the energy sector (No. 724) to Prime Minister Kristen Michal.

The interpellators wanted to know why the government had started making individual decisions with far-reaching effects in the energy sector, violating the principle that long-term decisions in the energy sector are made on the basis of the energy sector development plan, the draft of which is still in the approval phase.

Michal explained that, in the energy sector, the new coalition had agreed on a common goal to ensure security of supply and economic competitiveness. “To this end, we are initiating a designated spatial plan for a nuclear power plant, which was questionable or would not have succeeded in the previous coalition. We are announcing a call for tenders for onshore wind farms,” Prime Minister said. This is necessary to obtain higher added value, so that our industries are export-capable, and so that there is more affordable and clean energy. “The goal is, of course, to reduce our dependence on imported energy and fossil fuels. The concern with fossil fuels, in addition to pollution, is their very high price,” Michal said. 

He pointed out Finland as an example that we needed both renewable and nuclear energy to get more affordable electricity. “However, building a nuclear power plant is a long process. Even if you act very quickly – this is a rough estimate – it will take about 10-15 years,” Michal stated.  According to him, this means that wind can produce affordable and clean energy for us in the meantime. “Therefore, we will move forward with a designated spatial plan for a nuclear power plant, as well as with a call for tenders for onshore wind farms, and we will create regulation and opportunities for the further development of storage,” Michal said.

He also noted that Estonia definitely needed new external electricity connections, because the stronger Estonia is connected to neighbouring countries, the safer we can feel. “We also definitely need more connections from a market or electricity trading perspective,” Michal noted.

He emphasised that electricity would be generated where it was cheapest at the time, and electricity generated in that way would also reach places where it would be impossible to generate cheap electricity at the time. Estonia needs more transmission capacity both in the north and south directions, Michal said. 

Michal also replied to the interpellation concerning continuing as Prime Minister (No. 728).

Minister of Energy and the Environment Andres Sutt replied to the interpellation concerning the security of energy supply (No. 717), offshore wind farms (No. 722) and the cormorant population that has exploded in numbers (No. 725).

The interpellators withdrew from the proceedings the interpellation concerning a minister lacking authorization to access NATO classified information  (No. 727), submitted to Prime Minister Kristen Michal.

Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Anti Poolamets, Lauri Läänemets and Vladimir Arhipov took the floor during the open microphone.

The sitting ended at 8.04 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

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: Issues relating to the energy sector were discussed in the Riigikogu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Cultural Affairs Committee did not send heritage impact assessment to UNESCO

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Cultural Affairs Committee continues to hold the position that the impact assessment is incomplete and contains errors, which should be corrected before it is forwarded. This position was also expressed by the Committee at its sitting on 10 March. Members of the Committee have also underlined that sending a deficient assessment would not be in the interests of the Estonian culture and would be harmful to Estonia.

The Minister of Culture has stated at the Committee sitting that an explanation of the cultural policy relevance of the annex to the Estonian National Opera would be included in the preamble of the impact assessment, and the Committee would be able to add its cover letter to the document.

The Commission points out that the heritage impact assessment has to be submitted on behalf of the state of Estonia and signed by the head of the governmental authority responsible for the area, and that it has to be clearly documented who submitted the heritage impact assessment and when. Regrettably, this has not been done. According to UNESCO, the documents must be forwarded through the Department of Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture.

Last week, the Committee also discussed the fact that, as a working document had been forwarded to UNESCO through unofficial channels, it was only natural that UNESCO would be informed that it was impossible to form an opinion on the basis of that document. When the document is ready, it will be forwarded to UNESCO, digitally signed, and through official channels.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Cultural Affairs Committee did not send heritage impact assessment to UNESCO

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The European Union Affairs Committee: In the future, accompanied 17-year-old drivers will be able to drive across Europe

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali said that Estonia had entered into negotiations two years ago with the view that young persons aged at least 16 years could have the right of accompanied driving of vehicles in category B throughout the EU, as such a solution had been in use in Estonia for years.

“As minors have not had the right to drive in many Member States, this proposal was not supported. However, as a compromise, the directive will in the future give the drivers who have reached the age of 17 years the right of accompanied driving,” Tali said. “A very positive change is that, in the future, young drivers will not have to pass a new national test or exchange their driving licence when they reach the age of 18 years, and the right of accompanied driving will apply throughout the European Union.”

To transpose the Directive, Estonia has to amend its regulations on limited driving rights. This does not mean, however, that 16-year-olds will no longer be allowed to drive with an accompanying person in Estonia – they can drive with an instructor as part of their driving practice. Currently, the requirements for instructors are stricter than those for a person accompanying a young driver, but the amending of the requirements can also be considered when the Directive will be transposed.

In addition, the Directive aims to give drivers who have reached the age of 17 years the right of accompanied driving of motor vehicles in category C1 and C. As a compromise, Estonia agrees to support that the accompanied driving scheme for vehicles in category C1 and C applies across the EU or as a national option.

If the directive enters into force in its current form, the amended accompanied driving scheme will apply in Estonia from 2029.

At the sitting of the European Union Affairs Committee, Ministry of Climate Deputy Secretary General for Mobility Sander Salmu gave an overview of the revised positions of the Government regarding the proposed Driving Licence Directive.

The European Union Affairs Committee decided to approve the positions of the Government by consensus, taking also into account the opinion of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee: In the future, accompanied 17-year-old drivers will be able to drive across Europe

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu committees get an overview of Special Report on EU Military Mobility at a public sitting

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali was pleased that the audit set out as a matter of concern that the administrative procedures of military mobility in the EU were complicated and there was no single point of contact. “The need to facilitate the exchange of information between Member States was also highlighted in the Committee when we approved Estonia’s positions on strengthening Europe’s civilian and military readiness,” Tali said. “It must be clear who does what in this area, and information must reach all necessary actors smoothly and rapidly.”

Chairman of the National Defence Committee Kalev Stoicescu noted that the special report showed that the dual-use infrastructure projects selected by the European Union may not be the most effective from military point of view, as geopolitical aspects were not sufficiently considered. “The audit helps to get a good understanding of what can be done better in the future. One important observation is that more consideration needs to be given to geopolitical and military aspects when selecting for funding infrastructure projects that need to serve both civil and military purposes,” Stoicescu said.

The report of the European Court of Auditors examined the progress made regarding the EU policy on military mobility. The focus was on the EU’s second Action Plan (2.0) of November 2022, which was developed under time pressure, amid Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and covers the period 2022-2026. The objective of the action plan is ensuring swift and seamless movement of military personnel, materiel and assets at short notice and on a large scale, and progress towards this has so far been variable.

The Court of Auditors presents various recommendations to strengthen the EU’s impact on military mobility. The recommendations cover governance, funding predictability and the selection of dual-use infrastructure projects under the next multiannual financial framework. The Court of Auditors believes that their audit provides an opportunity both to improve implementation of the current 2021–2027 multiannual financial framework and to prepare for the next period.

The joint sitting of the Committees starts at 1:30 p.m. in the Conference Hall of the Riigikogu and will be live streamed online. Video recording will be available on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu committees get an overview of Special Report on EU Military Mobility at a public sitting

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The European Union Affairs Committee will hold a sitting on European connections in Pärnu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali pointed out that the high-speed railway Rail Baltic and the Via Baltica road were large-scale and important infrastructure projects and their construction had to be completed, as good connections with Europe must be our priority.

“A double-track railway connection and a 2+2 road are important in terms of security, economy and tourism. In the foreseeable future, the east-west connections from the days the Russian Empire will not contribute to Estonia’s development, nor to the movement of people, goods and services within the European Union. If our land connections from north to south are not fast enough and do not have good capacity, this is a clear security risk,” Tali stated.

Experts in the field and representatives of Pärnu region have been invited to open the debate. Head of Mobility Development and Investments Department of the Ministry of Climate Eva Killar will speak about connections and their importance from the aspect of military mobility. Chairman of the Management Board of Rail Baltic Estonia Anvar Salomets will give an overview of the current situation of the Rail Baltic.

Mayor of Pärnu Romek Kosenkranius will focus on the importance of regional land and air connections in his speech. Andrus Kärpuk, Head of Pärnu County Public Transport Centre, will discuss the regional cross-border connections created with the support of the European Union, using the example of the project of bus service between Estonia and Latvia. Erik Reinhold, Head of Pärnu County Development Centre, will speak about Pärnu Airport and state aid targeted at regional airports.

The sitting will take place in the premises of Pärnu Airport, starting at 11 a.m. It is scheduled to last until 2 p.m. After the sitting, the European Union Affairs Committee plans to visit the first section of the Rail Baltic Pärnu Logistics Centre.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee will hold a sitting on European connections in Pärnu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu adopted amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The explanatory memorandum of the Act states that Estonia stands for freedom of religion, and that everyone has the freedom to choose whether to follow a religion and which religion to follow. However, in addition to respecting freedom of religion, belief and association, the state must also take into account the challenges that threaten national security and the security of society.

According to the Act (570 SE) passed by the Riigikogu, the churches, congregations or monasteries operating in Estonia may not be guided in their activities by a person or association located in a foreign country and having significant influence, nor linked by statutes, contracts or other documents, or economically, to a religious association, spiritual centre, governing body or spiritual leader located in a foreign country, if they pose a threat to the security or constitutional or public order of the Estonian state. Such a threat may occur, among other things, when a spiritual centre, governing body, spiritual leader, person or association supports or has supported military aggression or has called for war, a terrorist crime or otherwise unlawful use of armed force or violence.

The Act also specifies who can serve as a minister of religion or be a member of the management board of a religious association in Estonia. A person who is not allowed to reside or stay in Estonia cannot be a minister of religion or a member of the management board of a religious association. In addition, the requirements for the statutes of a religious association are specified, and the possibility is created for leaving a church whose activities, statutes, or membership of the management board do not meet the established requirements. To do this, a congregation or a monastery has to adopt new statutes and to enter the amendments complying with the requirements into the register without the approval of the church’s governing body, as it may not be realistic to obtain such approval.

According to the Act, churches and congregations that need to bring their statutes, the membership of their management board, or their activities into line with the Act will have two months from the entry into force of the Act to do so.

60 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the passage of the Act, and 13 were against it.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu adopted amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar stressed the importance of defence and economic cooperation between Estonia and Poland

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar acknowledged the excellent relations between Estonia and Poland and their close cooperation in various formats. He highlighted the common interests of the two countries in foreign and defence policy, including in ensuring European security and supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia, which continues its war of aggression.

Speaking of supporting Ukraine, Hussar underlined the need to increase pressure on Russia. “More pressure has to be exerted on Putin. The European Union must stand firm and continue with sanctions on Russia. We also need to work to start using Russia’s frozen assets to help Ukraine,” he said, and added that the European Union had more than EUR 200 billion worth of Russia’s frozen assets.

The economic cooperation between Estonia and Poland was acknowledged at the meeting, and it was considered important to continue with major infrastructure projects that are vital for the region, such as Via Baltica and Rail Baltic. The increasing of defence spending, the development of defence industries and combating hybrid threats from Russia were also discussed.

Further cooperation with the United States was also spoken about at the meeting. “The USA is an important ally for us, with whom we have had fruitful cooperation in many areas,” said Hussar, and added that the focus should be on how to maintain transatlantic cooperation.

Chairman of the Estonia-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu Ants Frosch and Deputy Chairman of the Group Kristo Enn Vaga participated in the meeting of the President of the Riigikogu with the President of Poland.

President Duda and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda are on a state visit to Estonia at the invitation of President Alar Karis.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

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

Link uudisele: Hussar stressed the importance of defence and economic cooperation between Estonia and Poland

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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