Riigikogu ratified protocol increasing number of members of European Parliament
The Riigikogu passed with 79 votes in favour the Act on Ratification of the Protocol on Amendments to the Protocol on the Transitory Provisions of the Treaty on European Union, the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (807 SE), initiated by the Government. The Act ratified the Protocol which raises the number of the Members of the European Parliament elected for the 2009–2014 legislature to 754, instead of the current 736, in accordance with the political agreement concerning the establishing of the transitory provisions which was reached at the European Council meeting on 18 and 19 June 2009. The Act enters into force on the following day after its publication in the Riigi Teataja.
On the motion of the Legal Affairs Committee, the second reading of the Transformation of Debts and Debt Protection Bill (743 SE), initiated by the same Committee, was concluded. The purpose of the Bill is to enable to natural persons who have payment difficulties (debtors) transformation of their debts in order to overcome payment difficulties and to avoid bankruptcy proceedings. Legitimate interests of both the debtor and his or her creditors are taken into account in this process. Transformation is possible with all kinds of debt claims, including also partially the claims which have not yet fallen due with regard to which extension of the deadline for payment, allowing of the performance of an obligation in parts or reduction of debt obligations may be applied. The Bill was sent to the third reading.
On the motion of the Environment Committee, the second reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Fishing Act (798 SE), initiated by the Government, was concluded. The Bill provides the amendments to the Fishing Act that are necessary for implementation of the relevant European Union regulation. The purpose of the amendments is to avoid, prevent and terminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. They specify issues relating to the fishing gear used upon recreational fishing and the electronic issuing of the fishing card for recreational fishing, the requirements relating to the exchange of commercial fishing opportunities and the fishing fleet register, and the requirements for implementation of the electronic fishing logbook. The Bill was sent to the third reading.
On the motion of the Environment Committee, the Bill on Amendments to the Nature Conservation Act and the Building Act (825 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction, was rejected at the first reading. 45 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 19 members of the Riigikogu voted against. Thus, the Bill was dropped from the legislative proceeding.
On the motion of the Economic Affairs Committee, the first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the State Assets Act (783 SE), initiated by the Foreign Affairs Committee, was concluded. The purpose of the amendment of the Act is to grant to the Riigikogu and the President of the Republic the right to found foundations. Although generally the regulation concerning the participation in foundations falls within the competence of the authorities of executive power, in exceptional cases it may also be expedient for the Riigikogu and the President of the Republic to exercise the rights of a founder. The President of the Republic would continue to exercise the rights of a founder in the foundations founded up to now. The Bill was sent to the second reading.
On the motion of the Constitutional Committee, the Bill on Amendments to § 5 of the Citizenship Act (796 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, was rejected at the first reading. 39 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 25 members of the Riigikogu voted against. The Bill was dropped from the legislative proceeding.
The verbatim record of the sitting:
The Riigikogu Press Service
