Results for "Riigikogu"

Riigikogu member Kalle Grünthal appeared in court where prosecutors formally charged him with misappropriating over €3,000 in public funds.

An audit by Estonia’s National Audit Office revealed that the Ministry of Defense had falsely assured lawmakers last year that the country had not taken on binding commitments under EU arms procurement agreements.

Estonian-ness becomes visible when a person takes conscious responsibility for what belongs to them, Riigikogu Speaker Lauri Hussar (Eesti 200) said in a speech marking the 35th anniversary of…

Internal tensions are growing within Estonia's Reform Party following the loss of its Riigikogu majority, with experts predicting more member departures, though the coalition is not expected to collapse.

Estonian Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise stated she would be prepared to run for president if she receives broad support from the Riigikogu, emphasizing her intention to maintain political impartiality.

Estonian Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise stated she has not put herself forward as a presidential candidate but would seriously consider the role if the Riigikogu could find enough votes to support her.

The Riigikogu Council of Elders is scheduled to discuss the presidential election in early August, with Speaker Lauri Hussar expressing optimism for a new head of state to be elected by early September.

Riigikogu Speaker Lauri Hussar stated he is considering convening the Riigikogu Council of Elders in August, while the second deputy speaker, Toomas Kivimägi, also believes there is no need to rush the next steps in the search for a presidential candidate.

In the next European Parliament elections, 16‑year‑olds may gain the right to vote and 18‑year‑olds the right to run as candidates, if the Riigikogu approves amendments to the election law this…

Estonian parliamentary parties are discussing strategies to agree on a joint presidential candidate for election in the Riigikogu. A former Prime Minister suggested that an apolitical candidate could be a viable option to achieve consensus.

The Riigikogu Anti-Corruption Select Committee has initiated a bill that would impose a ban of up to one year on senior public officials taking jobs with companies linked to the sectors they previously oversaw.

Estonia's Riigikogu is set to pass amendments to the Prosecutor's Office Act, which will limit the prosecutor general's term in office to a single consecutive seven-year period.

The Riigikogu, Estonia's parliament, has approved a new 'consent law' which establishes that clear and explicit consent is required for sexual relations.

The Central Criminal Police have concluded an investigation into Riigikogu member Lauri Läänemets' expense allowances, clearing him without charges after finding no evidence of a crime.

A journalist predicts that the Estonian Reform Party's support will recover but not sufficiently to win the next Riigikogu election.

The Estonian government has approved the Climate Resilient Economy Act, which will be sent to the Riigikogu to outline a strategy for phasing out fossil fuels and enhancing national security.

Varro Vooglaid's recent departure from the EKRE group has resulted in the Riigikogu having the highest number of unaffiliated or independent Members of Parliament in the 21st century.

The Riigikogu has passed a law requiring all conscripts entering compulsory military service in Estonia to have at least B1-level proficiency in Estonian, effective from the beginning of 2027.

The Estonian government has approved a €29.3 million supplementary budget to fund 'priority areas' and has sent it to the Riigikogu for parliamentary approval.

Estonia's Riigikogu passed a bill on Monday to simplify the process of bringing skilled foreign labor into the country.

Estonian President Alar Karis met with Riigikogu speaker Lauri Hussar, but remains undecided on whether he will seek a second term.

Estonian MP Varro Vooglaid has appealed to the Riigikogu's board, arguing that the ban on entering the parliament with a weapon is unlawful.

The Riigikogu, Estonia's parliament, failed to pass a vote to strip independent MP Tõnis Mölder of his parliamentary immunity, despite suspicions of bribery offenses.

The Riigikogu in Tallinn has opened a high-stakes debate on the draft Nuclear Energy and Safety Act, aiming to establish a legal framework for a potential power plant and sparking intense clashes between proponents and skeptics.

The Estonian Heritage Society has formally proposed to the government and Riigikogu that the anniversary of the Tartu Peace Treaty be recognized as a national holiday. The proposal aims to elevate the historical significance of the treaty.

Urmas Reinsalu, chair of Estonia's Isamaa party, has vowed to reverse key policies and implement reforms to rebuild trust if his party wins the 2027 Riigikogu elections.

Expert Külli Taro stated that while Riigikogu members are responsible for lawmaking, the Riigikogu Chancellery is ultimately responsible for ensuring the legal precision and correctness of draft legislation in Estonia.

Piia Schults, a veteran official of the Riigikogu Chancellery, who was dismissed due to an error in the Gambling Tax Act and a comment made to a journalist, intends to challenge her dismissal in court.

On Wednesday, the Riigikogu passed amendments to the Law Enforcement Act that allow authorities to impose a restraining order of up to 72 hours on a person threatening a victim of domestic violence.

Estonia's opposition Social Democrats (SDE) plan to test the ruling coalition by running their MP Riina Sikkut against incumbent Lauri Hussar (Eesti 200) in the upcoming Board of the Riigikogu speaker election.

Estonia's Riigikogu is set to review proposed amendments to the Traffic Act that would introduce age verification and usage limits for rental e-scooters and mopeds, aiming to improve safety.

Nearly €2.07 billion remained unused in the state treasury in the past fiscal year, which is mostly due to the slow movement of European Union funds, Aivar Sõerd (Reform), a member of the Riigikogu Finance Committee, said.

The Riigikogu Constitutional Committee has sent to the floor a resolution to form a parliamentary committee to investigate the ISS's handling of the police chiefs criminal saga.

Several members of the Riigikogu have submitted a bill that would require warning signs to be placed in front of mobile traffic cameras, arguing that drivers' privacy should be protected.

Speaker of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar stated on Independence Day that Estonia's birth was rooted in the courage to exercise self-determination, emphasizing that freedom should never be taken for granted and Europe must free itself from fear of the future.

Political observers say Estonia's minority government is no disaster, with opposition parties unlikely to take government responsibility before next year's Riigikogu elections.

A bill to clarify the Financial Intelligence Unit's (FIU) access to banking data and restore its on-site inspection capabilities has passed its first reading in the Riigikogu, awaiting full restoration of its powers.

Kalev Stoicescu, a member of the Riigikogu who recently left the junior coalition party Eesti 200, announced on Wednesday that he has joined the non-parliamentary party Parempoolsed.

Estonia's ruling Reform Party has put forward a former Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE) Member of Parliament as their candidate for the next chair of the Riigikogu's National Defense Committee.

Riigikogu Speaker Lauri Hussar announced that Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise is prepared to run for President of the Republic of Estonia, with the collection of signatures for her nomination now set to commence.

Ülle Madise, a potential presidential candidate, has secured the backing of 67 members of the Riigikogu, according to Kristina Kallas, chair of Eesti 200.

Justice and Digital Affairs Minister Liisa Pakosta (Eesti 200) has expressed opposition to a cross-party bill proposing the establishment of special military courts to be active during conflict situations.

Independent members of the Riigikogu in Estonia are set to propose their candidates for the upcoming presidential election, though some unaffiliated lawmakers do not intend to participate.

The Estonian Greens and Left Alliance, both planning to run in the upcoming Riigikogu elections, have stated that the Social Democrats do not represent their political views, ruling out a potential coalition.

Several political parties in Estonia have already commenced campaigning for the Riigikogu elections scheduled for March 2027, utilizing banners and newspaper advertisements.

Estonia's Riigikogu has passed amendments to a law that will require police to place warning signs ahead of mobile speed cameras, informing drivers of their presence.

Estonian lawmakers in the Riigikogu have approved legislation to establish a nationwide credit register. This new system aims to provide lenders with a clearer view of borrowers' existing loans.

Estonian lawmakers are proposing an amendment that would grant the Riigikogu (parliament) the ultimate authority on whether a nuclear power station can be built in the country.

The Riigikogu, Estonia's parliament, is considering new legislation to introduce restrictions, such as a 'cooling off' period, for senior public sector officials transitioning to the private sector.

A new bill currently before the Riigikogu in Estonia, if passed, would permit 16- and 17-year-old wait staff to serve alcoholic beverages in cafés and restaurants.

Hanno Pevkur has become the longest-serving government minister in Estonia with 4,227 days in office, while Marko Mihkelson is now the longest-serving Riigikogu member, having served over 23 years and six parliamentary compositions.

Estonia's Riigikogu Legal Affairs Committee has sent a bill defining sexual intercourse without consent as rape to its second reading, following the addition of amendments to clarify the definition of consent.

Estonia's Riigikogu members have approved legislation that will prohibit citizens of 'hostile' third countries from making donations to Estonian political parties.

Estonia's opposition Social Democratic Party (SDE) has proposed an amendment to give the Riigikogu, rather than the government, the ultimate decision-making power on any potential nuclear power plant in the country.

Estonia's Riigikogu is set to hold a third reading of amendments to the Building Code, aiming to streamline the planning and construction of national defense facilities by curbing environmental groups' tools for contesting such projects.

A long-serving bureaucrat in Estonia, who was fired by the Office of the Riigikogu due to an error in drafting a bill that exempted online casinos from tax obligations, is now taking the matter to court.

The Estonian Riigikogu is moving forward with an amendment to the Political Parties Act, which aims to broaden the investigative powers of the Political Parties Financing Oversight Committee (ERJK).

Ando Kiviberg, chair of the Riigikogu Constitutional Committee, voiced concerns that Estonia is on track to becoming a police state after the government's last-minute withdrawal of a procedural restrictions decriminalization bill.

Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Riigikogu Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that the NATO Secretary General cannot make agreements over the heads of alliance members, following a recent controversy.

Lauri Hussar of Eesti 200 has been re-elected as the President of the Riigikogu, Estonia's parliament, securing 52 votes in favor.

Opposition parties Center and Isamaa, along with independent Members of Parliament in Estonia's Riigikogu, plan to file a draft statement proposing a thorough reform of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the repeal of ETS2 to the European Commission.

Urmet Kook criticizes the dismissal of a Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) advisor after 32 years, calling it a callous decision that negatively impacts journalism in Estonia.

The Riigikogu Chancellery dismissed a long-serving adviser whose error in the Gambling Tax Act has cost the state several million euros.

Three coalition MPs in the Riigikogu are pushing for drivers to be notified with warning signs about the presence of mobile speed cameras. The opposition is split over the idea.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected claims from opposition politicians of a rift between Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna's (Eesti 200) stance on Iran and that of the Riigikogu's Foreign…

A legal expert states that a bill on consent, which may pass in the Riigikogu this year, requires clarification on the definition of consent in the context of sexual activity.

Opposition MPs in Estonia believe Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna disregarded the Riigikogu Foreign Affairs Committee's position in his comments on the Iran conflict and criticized EU foreign policy.

The Prosecutor's Office in Estonia is requesting that Riigikogu member Tõnis Mölder be stripped of his parliamentary immunity to allow a criminal investigation into bribery accusations to proceed to court.

The government has submitted a bill to the Riigikogu to amend the Traffic Act, enabling traffic data to be sent directly to smartphone apps instead of being entered manually by users.

Estonia’s two largest private broadcasters have taken opposing editorial stances regarding calls from opposition parties to hold early Riigikogu elections ahead of the scheduled March vote.

A ceremonial joint sitting of the 15th Riigikogu and the August 20 Club was held to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Estonia's independence.

The Center Party's board and Riigikogu faction have decided to support Tallinn University of Technology rector Tiit Land as their candidate in the Estonian presidential election.

Former Reform MP Meelis Kiili has proposed that unaffiliated members of the Riigikogu support the nomination of Tiit Land as a presidential candidate. This move aims to ensure that at least two viable candidates make it onto the ballot for the upcoming presidential election.

Martin Helme, head of the EKRE party, stated that his party would not support Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise as a presidential candidate and suggested that her conflict of roles could lead to the election result being challenged in court.

Experts observe that preparations for this year's Estonian presidential election are unusual, with only one party having nominated a member and no nationwide campaigning yet seen.

Experts believe there is a strong likelihood that Estonia's next president will be elected by the Riigikogu this time. Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise is considered a leading candidate among those publicly mentioned.

The recently renamed Estonian Free Party is evaluating its financial capacity to compete in the 2027 Riigikogu election, with party leader Märt Meesak stating the decision will be made based on evolving circumstances.

Estonia's ruling Reform Party expects the Riigikogu speaker to lead discussions on the presidential election, believing the initiative for candidate proposals should come primarily from the opposition.

Estonian politicians are facing a compressed timeline for the upcoming presidential election in the Riigikogu, with only 70 days until the election and 61 days until the deadline for candidate submissions following President Karis' decision.

Estonia's Center Party has officially endorsed President Alar Karis for a second term, while also advocating for direct presidential elections where the head of state is chosen by the public rather than the Riigikogu.

Estonia's Riigikogu has passed amendments allowing the country to rent out prison space to foreign nations, with a vote on a prison agreement with Sweden also scheduled.

The Estonian Riigikogu is expected to vote on a bill requiring warning signs before mobile speed cameras, likely passing it before the midsummer break.

Public statements from Riigikogu politicians indicate that no serious process has been initiated to ensure the re-election of President Alar Karis, suggesting a lack of urgency for the upcoming presidential election.

The Riigikogu passed a government-initiated Planning Act and related amendments, aiming to significantly simplify and speed up planning procedures for municipalities and developers.

Members of the Riigikogu's motorcycle support group in Estonia have submitted a draft bill to the government that would grant motorcyclists the right to use bus lanes.

Varro Vooglaid announced his departure from the Estonian Conservative People's Party's (EKRE) Riigikogu group due to a loss of confidence in him. He will, however, remain a member of parliament.

Social Democratic Party deputy chair Jevgeni Ossinovski believes that the chances of Estonia's next president being elected in the Riigikogu are slim, as Isamaa and Center parties are turning the presidential election into an anti-government campaign due to extremely low trust between political parties.

Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro has prohibited the Riigikogu's Security Authorities Surveillance Select Committee from publishing data he presented regarding covert surveillance permits in Estonia.

Riigikogu member Jaak Valge won his case against the police in Harju District Court, overturning a misdemeanor decision after he raised the flag of the Estonian SSR on the wall of the Writers' House in Tallinn's Old Town.

Martin Mölder writes that while the next Estonian elections will likely change the Riigikogu's makeup, it may mean little unless certain mindsets change or become clearer.

Marko Mihkelson, chair of a Riigikogu committee, stated that Spain's actions, including blocking US bases, rejecting higher NATO spending, courting China, and buying Russian fuel, are concerning Estonia and undermining NATO.

During an investigation into MP Tõnis Mölder, the Estonian Internal Security Service (ISS) collected communications metadata of Riigikogu members to identify contacts between parliamentarians and ministry officials.

Estonia's opposition Center Party and Conservative People's Party (EKRE) have submitted a bill to the Riigikogu that would introduce direct presidential elections if passed.

Estonian Riigikogu member Tõnis Mölder will lose his parliamentary immunity, allowing criminal proceedings against him to continue, following approval from Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise.

Due to consistently low ratings, a board member of Estonia's coalition party Eesti 200 has publicly questioned the party's strategy and the wisdom of running in the upcoming March 2027 Riigikogu election.

Political scientist Ott Lumi stated that the dismissal of a Riigikogu official was unseemly and damaged parliament's credibility, placing responsibility on politicians.

Riigikogu President Lauri Hussar assured Members of Parliament that the Riigikogu Board had no role in the disciplinary proceedings that resulted in an official's dismissal.

Toomas Luhats, a member of the ERR Management Board, proposed that experts for Estonian Public Broadcasting's (ERR) supervisory board should be selected by independent institutions rather than the Riigikogu.

From April 1, Estonia's top public servants will see their salaries rise, pushing the president, Riigikogu speaker and Supreme Court chief justice above €10,000 a month.

Estonian police have stated that a bill drafted by Riigikogu members, which would mandate warning signs hundreds of meters ahead of mobile speed camera zones, is 'driven by emotion' rather than practical considerations.

Estonian opposition parties Center Party and Isamaa have each submitted separate bills to the Riigikogu proposing to cancel the fuel excise duty increase scheduled to take effect on May 1.

A bill initiated by Estonia's opposition Social Democratic Party faction, aiming to set an upper limit on individual donations to political parties, has passed its first reading in the Riigikogu.

Parliamentary parties agreed at an expanded meeting of the Riigikogu Council of Elders that they will first speak with incumbent President Alar Karis when seeking a possible joint candidate for president.

Members of Estonia's Riigikogu National Defense Committee with military backgrounds are calling for the establishment of a separate national defense court, citing concerns that the current court system is unprepared for potential wartime scenarios.