At the meeting with the Minister, members of the Foreign Affairs Committee raised the question about the emergence of the proposal, which had reached the public, of not including the Solikamsk Magnesium Plant that supplied raw materials to the Silmet plant, and its director in the next sanctions package being prepared by the European Commission. The Minister and the officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee an overview of the background of the decision-making process behind the preparation of the sanctions package, as well as of the strategic importance of NPM Silmet to the industry of Estonia and the whole Europe.

Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee noted at the meeting that the exclusion of the Solikamsk Magnesium Plant from the sanctions list was a very unpleasant political precedent for Estonia. They pointed out that, in cooperation with the European Commission and other Member States, it was necessary to take steps to reduce dependence on Russia and China regarding the supply of raw materials that were important to Europe. According to the members of the Riigikogu, the aim is to transform the supply chains of strategically important companies with the support of the European Commission and to open up opportunities for sourcing raw materials from other countries.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson emphasised that Estonia, together with its allies, had to constantly strengthen the pressure of sanctions on Russia that was waging a war of aggression against Ukraine. “Our consistent and unwavering policy is to raise the cost of aggression for Russia. To this end, we must take active measures both at the European Union level and at home. To avoid confusing messages about our sanctions policy in the future, both the Foreign Affairs Committee and the wider public need to know about the strategically important Estonian companies that depend on Russian supplies and be aware of the potential impacts the tightening of sanctions may cause, and the steps being taken to reduce these dependencies,” he said.

According to him, Estonia has to cooperate with other countries to find ways to exert greater economic pressure on Russia and, at the same time, reduce damage to our strategic interests. “The Foreign Affairs Committee will soon hold an even more detailed discussion on the topic of sanctions,” Mihkelson said.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs attended today’s sitting of the Foreign Affairs Committee to present Estonia’s positions for the meeting of EU foreign ministers to be held on Monday in Luxembourg, where the topics will include the impact of EU enlargement on security, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, a campaign of anti-European sabotage acts, and the situation in the Middle East.

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According to Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson, the establishment of the Estonian embassy in Baku marks a new level in the relations between Estonia and Azerbaijan. For this reason, the Committee’s delegation hopes to discuss further development of bilateral relations, including economic cooperation, during the meetings.

Mihkelson said that during the three-day visit, the Committee also wished to gain a better understanding of how both regional and global security issues were perceived in Azerbaijan. “Developments in the region, including in relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, play an important role in the context of the international security picture,” he pointed out, and added that Estonia’s positions would also be clarified during the meetings and that support for Ukraine would be discussed separately.

In Baku, the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu will have meetings with Deputy Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ziyafat Asgarov, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign and Interparliamentary Relations of the Milli Majlis Samad Seyidov and Head of the Working Group on Azerbaijan-Estonia InterParliamentary Relations of the Milli Majlis Afat Hasanova. The delegates will also meet with Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Hikmat Hajiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Fariz Rzayev. In addition, the delegation will have meetings with the representatives of Caspian Energy Club and several think tanks.

The delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee consists of Chairman of the Committee Mihkelson and members of the Committee Eerik-Niiles Kross and Henn Põlluaas. Last time the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu visited Azerbaijan was in 2004.

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Head of the Estonian delegation, Member of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Peeter Tali will emphasise in his speech that there is no point in talking about trust and opportunities for all when, at the same time, violence, conflicts, and wars are gaining momentum around the world. “Russia’s war against brave Ukraine has been ongoing for the 13th year now. I call on Russia’s delegates to end the war in Ukraine,” Tali says.

“Politicians must communicate with each other more and more honestly,” Tali highlights the importance of parliamentary diplomacy. He points out that the key principle of the IPU is to resolve international challenges through cooperation and diplomacy, to support peace and international security, and to reduce the risk of conflicts. Tali underlines that Estonia was occupied for half a century and is now free thanks to the will of the international community.

Vice-President of the Riigikogu Toomas Kivimägi will note in his speech that countries must preserve their unique character, but all efforts in culture, sports, and nature conservation become futile if a country is not safe to live in or for travelling. “We must all contribute more to security together. Economic gain must not become more important than peace.”

Speaking about Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, Kivimägi will point out that it negatively affects many neighbouring countries, as well as Europe more broadly. “Terrorist attacks naturally do not create security. If we give in to the use of force, we will never know who will be the next,” he says.

The representatives of Estonia also participate in the work of Twelve Plus Group that is made up of European countries, and Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The Group plans to elect a new president. The Estonian delegation will also attend meetings of the delegations of the Nordic-Baltic cooperation (NB8) and the Finno-Ugric cooperation group, and have bilateral meetings with the delegations of Ukraine, Canada and the United Kingdom.

All the statutory bodies of the IPU will convene at the Assembly, including the IPU Governing Council, the Standing Committees, the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, the Committee on Middle East Questions, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians, the Forum of Young Parliamentarians, and the Task Force on the peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine. The election of a new IPU President is also on the agenda of the session; the representatives of Azerbaijan, Australia and Chile run for the position.

The 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union will take place in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, on 5–9 October 2026. Hundreds of MPs from parliaments across the world will attend the Assembly. Estonia will be represented by Vice-Presidents of the Estonian Interparliamentary Union Group Helle-Moonika Helme, Helmen Kütt and Peeter Tali, and Vice-President of the Riigikogu Toomas Kivimägi.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union is the oldest and largest global organisation of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 and has 183 member states from the entire world. The Republic of Naoero, an island state in Oceania, is about to join the IPU as its 184th member state. Estonia was a member of the Union between 1921–1940, and restored its membership after regaining its independence in 1991.

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Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Peeter Tali explained that the recent global chip shortage had disrupted supply chains, caused product shortages ranging from cars to medical devices, and in some cases had even forced to close factories. “The broader goal of these reforms is to bring chip manufacturing back to Europe. Since Estonian companies have also shown interest in the designing of chips, we will primarily support local chip design and the patenting of intellectual property with the amendments to the Regulation,” the Chairman said. “The European technology industry must not remain dependent on what Elon Musk or Asian countries are doing.”

According to the positions, the proposal covers, among other things, design and manufacturing capabilities, supply chain security, attracting investment, and the development of research, innovation and skills. Based on the European Commission’s forecast, the global semiconductor market will grow to 1.37 trillion euros by 2030, with nearly 70 per cent of growth coming from components related to artificial intelligence. The purpose of the Chips Act 2.0 is to ensure that Europe gains a larger share of this growth and strengthens its position in the areas where it already has a competitive advantage.

In Estonia, the initiative primarily concerns the companies engaged in chip design, testing, and product development, as well as the electronics industry more broadly, where the main operators are electronics manufacturing service providers, original equipment manufacturers, original design manufacturers, and engineering firms. Estonian companies may get better opportunities to use European design platforms, pilot lines, and centres of excellence, as well as to participate in measures supporting research and development, innovation, and investment. Considering the structure of the Estonian electronics industry, it is important that these measures cover not only semiconductors but also printed circuit boards, electronics assembly, packaging, and systems integration.

The European Union Affairs Committee approved the positions presented by the Government regarding the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a framework of measures for strengthening the Union’s semiconductor ecosystem (Chips Act 2.0), taking into account the opinions of the Economic Affairs Committee.

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The Bill on Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure, the Electronic Communications Act and Other Acts(retention and use of communications data) (1007 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, passed the first reading. The aim of the Bill is to amend the procedure for collecting telecommunications data in Estonia and to ensure that the retention of communications data, requests for such data, and the use of data obtained as a result of such requests are in compliance with the European Union law. The Bill will affect the organisation of the work of law enforcement authorities and the way they collect evidence.

The Bill on Amendments to the Code of Enforcement Procedure and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (927 SE), initiated by the Government, also passed the first reading. The purpose of the amendments is to render the enforcement procedure more efficient, clearer and more consistent, and to reduce the disputes between the parties to proceedings. They are also aimed at ensuring the sustainability of enforcement agents’ work in situations where the recovery of enforcement costs has so far been insufficiently regulated.

The amendments will revise the procedure for processing complaints against enforcement agents’ actions in order to render the exercise of the right to appeal quicker and clearer for both debtors and enforcement agents. The procedure for continuing enforcement proceedings after the debtor’s death will also be revised, as the regulation currently in force has not been sufficiently efficient and proceedings have often stalled due to the inactivity of the parties involved. The aim of amendments is to speed up the determination of successors or to enable inactive proceedings to be concluded within a reasonable period of time.

Furthermore, enforcement agents will be given the possibility, in justified cases, to temporarily restrict access to information about enquiries made during the enforcement proceedings in order to prevent the obstruction of proceedings or the concealing of assets before the enforcement notice is delivered. The Bill specifies the rules governing the payment of enforcement proceedings’ costs in various situations, including bankruptcy proceedings, joining in compulsory enforcement, and in the event an enforcement document is cancelled or a claim is terminated.

In addition, a clearer procedure will be established for covering the costs arising upon the expiry of claims resulting from misdemeanour and criminal proceedings, in order to reduce the debt burden of debtors. The principles governing fees for the collection of maintenance will also be amended in order to improve its collection. The supervision competence of the Chamber of Bailiffs and Trustees in Bankruptcy over the activities of enforcement agents will also be strengthened, and the Board of the Chamber will be given additional possibilities for developing consistent and lawful practice. The Bill will have different impacts on debtors, enforcement agents, and successors. Although the initial administrative burden may increase in certain proceedings, in the longer term, clearer rules and fewer disputes should simplify proceedings and reduce the burden.

At today`s sitting, the Bill on Amendments to the Commercial Code and Other Acts (1008 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, passed the first reading. The bill is intended to make the rules governing the business environment more flexible and to reduce the administrative burden on associations. Among other things, the requirements concerning the quorum for meetings of members and shareholders, the share capital contributions, meetings of the supervisory board, and notices of general meetings will be simplified. The right of members and shareholders to obtain information about the association and its subsidiaries will also be expanded.

The procedure for the transfer of shares of a private limited company will be significantly amended. In the future, the parties will be able to agree on the time of the share transfer, and the transfer will no longer depend on the entry in the commercial register. The list of members in the commercial register will become declarative and will be maintained by the Board.

As a new option, it will be possible to establish a private foundation, or a foundation operating in private interests, in order to hold and manage assets (for instance, to ensure the consistent management of family assets or a farm). Furthermore, the founder of a foundation will be allowed to waive their founder’s rights.

The possibilities of automating the commercial register will also be expanded. For example, it will be possible to automate the checking of business names, which will further simplify the process of establishing a private limited company.

The Bill on Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure (facilitating international cooperation) (933 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, also passed the first reading. The Bill proposes amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure in order to bring it into line with European Union law, and to make international cooperation in criminal procedure with other EU Member States simpler and more efficient. 

Firstly, the recognition of financial penalties and fines (primarily traffic fines) imposed in other Member States will be simplified. Secondly, the possibilities of recognising in Estonia a punishment imposed in a foreign country will be expanded. Thirdly, national rules will be established for implementing a new EU regulation concerning the transfer of a criminal proceedings from one Member State to another. Fourthly, the procedure for European arrest warrant will be clarified.

The Bill on Amendments to the Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure (934 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, also passed the first reading. The Bill brings the chapter of the Penal Code on offences against environment and the division on offences relating to ionising radiation into line with the revised and updated version of the European Union Environmental Crime Directive. The new version of the directive concerns the protection of the environment through criminal law.

The aim of the Bill is to ensure a high level of protection of the environment, including natural resources, fauna and flora, and to improve environmental quality through criminal law measures. The scope, scale and “profitability” of environmental crime have increased over the years, giving rise to the need for a new and updated directive. The latest EU directive provides for a revised and more detailed list of such environmental offences. New offences in the list include, for example, the violation of the requirements governing the use, spread or cultivation of invasive alien species that threaten the natural balance, where this seriously threatens native species or otherwise causes significant damage to the balance of the ecosystem. A new provision also covers the unlawful handling of fluorinated greenhouse gases, such as the illegal import of refrigerants, where this causes or poses a risk of significant environmental damage.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

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The memorial ceremony for the reburial, which begins at 2 p.m., will be conducted by Anti Toplaan, Bishop of the Saare-Lääne Diocese of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Hannes Nelis, Chaplain of Saaremaa District of the Estonian Defence League. President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar, representative of the Pukk family Kiku Pukk Härenstam and representative of Academic Corporation Fraternitas Estica Paul Antsaar will deliver speeches at the ceremony.

After the laying of wreaths, flowers and candles, the burial site will be blessed, followed by a moment of silence and then a gun salute. Flag guards will be lined up at the gravesite; Kuressaare City Orchestra and Saaremaa United Men’s Choir will provide musical accompaniment for the ceremony.

Otto Pukk, the grandson of Otto and Agnes Pukk, recalled that due to the war and the occupation of Estonia, his grandparents’ life journey had led them from their homeland to Sweden, and their final resting place had been there for decades. “Their story is not just the story of our family – it is a part of Estonian history. My grandfather Otto Pukk was a prominent Estonian statesman and lawyer. He served as the Speaker of the Riigivolikogu, actively participated in Estonia’s underground struggle for freedom, was one of the architects of Otto Tief’s government (the last government of independent Estonia before Soviet occupation), and continued his political activities in exile. He was also an honorary alumnus of the academic corporation Fraternitas Estica and a long-time president of its alumni association,” he said.

In the history of Estonian parliamentarianism, Otto Richard Pukk (1900–1951), a native of the village of Loona on the island of Saaremaa, ranks among those statesmen whose activities spanned the most challenging years in the history of the Republic of Estonia. As a volunteer in the Estonian War of Independence, a lawyer, a journalist and a politician, his entire life was dedicated to serving the Estonian state and its democratic legal order.

In 1926, Pukk was elected to the 3rd Riigikogu, and in 1932 to the 5th Riigikogu. In the lower house of the 6th Riigikogu, the Riigivolikogu, which was elected in 1938, he first served as the second Vice-Speaker and, from October 1939, as the Speaker. In this role, he went down in history as the leader of the Republic of Estonia’s last legitimate parliament before the Soviet occupation.

Pukk consistently acted as a staunch defender of Estonia’s constitutional order. In the summer of 1940, when sham parliamentary elections were staged in Estonia under pressure from the Soviet Union and the annexation of the country began, Pukk as the Speaker of the legitimate Riigivolikogu tried to publicly challenge these events and draw attention to their illegality. He was arrested for this, but his actions became a symbolic example of resistance to the destruction of Estonia’s independence.

During the complicated times of World War II and the occupations, Pukk, together with Jüri Uluots, August Rei, Otto Tief and other state leaders, was a person who upheld the principle of the legal continuity of the Republic of Estonia. Even after fleeing to Sweden in 1944, he continued his work to ensure that the world would not forget the existence of the Republic of Estonia and that faith and hope in the restoration of independence would be kept alive. His actions helped preserve the continuity of the Republic of Estonia at a time when the country itself was under occupation.

Pukk died in 1951. His funeral service was held on the 33rd anniversary of the Republic of Estonia at the Holy Cross Chapel of the Stockholm Woodland Crematorium, and the urn with his ashes has been kept in the Högalid Church columbarium.

Photos of the memorial ceremony at the reburial of Otto and Agnes Pukk will be published on Saturday in the Riigikogu photo archive (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

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The Riigikogu passed the Act on Amendments to the Fishing Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (887 SE), initiated by the Government. It brings the Acts into line with the European Union’s updated rules on fisheries control.

Under the new requirements, the collection and submission of fishing data will become more precise, and the movement of fish must be digitally traceable throughout the entire supply chain—from catch to marketing. The use of the location tracking system for fishing vessels will also be gradually expanded, and the capacity of supervisory authorities to detect violations will be strengthened.

The amendments primarily affect commercial sea fishing and businesses operating in the fisheries sector. Amendments relating to the weighing of fish will come into force on 1 January 2027, the provision relating to continuous measurement of engine power will come into force on 10 January 2028; and the obligation of location tracking for all fishing vessels under 12 metres in length operating at sea will enter into force by 1 January 2030 at the latest.

Andres Metsoja from Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Madis Kallas from the Social Democratic Party Group and Urmas Kruuse from the Reform Party Group took the floor during the debate.

47 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of passing the Act and 24 voted against.

The Riigikogu passed the Act on Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (888 SE), initiated by the Government. Its aim is to reduce the administrative burden on both employers and the Labour Inspectorate.

The Act eliminates duplicative obligations, reduces reporting, and makes the occupational safety system clearer, while at the same time preserving employee protection. Among other things, the organization of first aid is specified, allowing for joint solutions between companies, and it is provided that employers will no longer be required to notify the Inspectorate of the appointment of a working environment specialist or working environment representative. Nor will a company with fewer than 10 employees be required to submit a risk assessment of the working environment or conduct an analysis of the occupational health situation. The administrative burden on employers will also be reduced with regard to posted workers.

To strengthen oversight, the Act grants the Labour Inspectorate access to data from the employment register and the subcontracting chain, which will help more effectively detect undeclared work and violations, especially in the construction sector.

During the proceedings, amendments were made to the Act, under which in the future the Social Insurance Board, which already holds the necessary data, would make entries regarding suspensions of employment arising from paternity and maternity leave in the employment register. This will avoid the need to transmit data additionally and enter it multiple times.

The amendments also correct an inaccuracy in the Taxation Act. Under the Act, Statistics Estonia receives tax data for the purpose of compiling national statistics. Under an amendment, the performance of the tasks set out in the Gender Equality Act are included in the grounds for sharing tax data. At the employer’s request, Statistics Estonia will be tasked with calculating the gender pay gap, or indicators in the salary comparison tool; the amendment does not entail any new obligation for employers to submit data.

Tanel Kiik took the floor behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group in the debate.

59 members of the Riigikogu supported the passing of the Act, and one voted against it.

The Riigikogu passed the Act on Amendments to the Funded Pensions Act and the Taxation Act (935 SE), initiated by the Government. It is intended to strengthen the second pension pillar and more clearly restore the principle that funds are accumulated there for retirement.

The Act provides that people who leave the second pillar will be able to rejoin it after just five years, instead of the previous 10 years. For example, those who left the pension fund in 2021 or 2022 will be able to submit an application to resume contributions once the amendments take effect.

Another important amendment concerns early withdrawal of funds. In the future, a person will no longer have to withdraw the entire accumulated amount when taking money out of the second pension pillar before retirement age; instead, they will be able to use only part of the money if necessary. After a partial withdrawal, the person will be able to start accumulating funds again once five years have passed.

At the same time, the rule is changed so that if a person has already used the option to withdraw second-pillar pension funds before retirement age and later re-joins, they will then continue to accumulate money until retirement. Rejoining the second pillar will remain voluntary, and the conditions for retiring will not change: it will be possible to retire from the second pillar five years before the retirement age or in the event of no work ability.

Under the Act, the amendments will come into force on 1 November; however, partial withdrawal of funds and resuming accumulation without restrictions after suspension of contributions will enter into force on 1 January 2028, as they require IT developments in the pension register.

Õnne Pillak from the Reform Party Group and Urmas Reinsalu from Isamaa Parliamentary Group took the floor during the debate.

56 members of the Riigikogu supported the passing of the Act and there was one abstention.

Three Resolutions were passed

The Riigikogu passed the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Appointment of an Auditor to Supervise the Activities of the National Audit Office in 2026–2028” (1014 OE), submitted by the Finance Committee, which designated AVAC Audit OÜ to supervise the activities of the National Audit Office.

The parliament designates an auditor to audit the activities of the National Audit Office in a financial year on the proposal of the Finance Committee. When making its proposal, the committee had taken into account the results of the procurement procedure organised by the National Audit Office.

60 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Resolution.

The Riigikogu passed the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Appointment of Members of the Estonian Public Broadcasting Council from among the Acknowledged Experts in the Field of Activity of the Estonian Public Broadcasting” (1027 OE), submitted by the Cultural Affairs Committee. Veronika Kalmus, Merit Kopli and Marek Tamm were appointed as members of the Estonian Public Broadcasting Council as experts in the relevant field.

The Cultural Affairs Committee began seeking new experts for the Estonian Public Broadcasting Council in connection with an Act passed at the start of this summer, under which the Estonian Public Broadcasting Council must include more acknowledged experts in the field of activity of public broadcasting than representatives of the parliamentary groups in the Riigikogu. As there are currently six parliamentary groups in Parliament, three experts had to be found to supplement the existing four.

The committee announced a public competition to find three new members for the Estonian Public Broadcasting Council from among acknowledged experts. By the deadline, 40 candidates had declared their intention to run, 38 of whom met the requirements. A vote among these candidates was held in the Cultural Affairs Committee, with Kalmus, Kopli, and Tamm receiving the most support.

The mandate of the members of the Council who are acknowledged experts in the field of activity of the Public Broadcasting lasts for five years. Other members who are experts in the field include Paavo Nõgene, Raul Rebane, Rein Veidemann and Chairman of the Council Sulev Valner. The Estonian Public Broadcasting Council also includes a representative from each parliamentary group of the Riigikogu until the date of termination of the authority of the composition of the Riigikogu.

Martin Helme from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group, Priit Sibul from Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Vadim Belobrovtsev from the Centre Party Group and Madis Kallas from the Social Democratic Party Parliamentary Group took the floor during the debate.

58 members of the Riigikogu supported the passing of the Resolution and 24 were against it.

The Riigikogu passed the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Appointment of Members of the Judicial Council” (1023 OE), submitted by the Constitutional Committee, under which Members of the Riigikogu Lea Danilson-Järg and Madis Timpson were appointed to the Judicial Council to be established.

The primary task of the Judicial Council, which begins its work this October, is to guide the strategic management of the court system. Its membership comprises the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, two judges of circuit courts of appeal, three judges of courts of first instance, two members of the Riigikogu, an attorney-at-law appointed by the Board of the Estonian Bar Association, and the Chancellor of Justice and the minister in charge of the policy sector or their representatives.

The establishment of the Judicial Council is provided for in an Act adopted in June this year, which introduced changes to the organisation of the courts, civil and administrative court proceedings, as well as court fees, with a view to speeding up the administration of justice. Among other things, the aim of the changes is to streamline court administration and improve the organization of the work and specialization of the courts.

66 members of the Riigikogu supported the passing of the Resolution.

Two Statements were passed

The Riigikogu adopted the Statement of the Riigikogu “To Ensure Victory for Ukraine and Security for Europe” (1015 AE), submitted by 67 Members of the Riigikogu. It confirms Estonia’s unwavering support to the victory of Ukraine in Russia’s war of aggression. It underlines that Ukraine’s victory and strategic defeat of Russia are necessary preconditions for ensuring a lasting and fair peace and security in Europe.

The Riigikogu calls on the allies and partners to prioritise the delivery of air defence systems and missiles to Ukraine in the conditions of the approaching winter and Russia’s increasing terror in the sky and emphasises that Ukraine’s defence industry basis needs to be supported and the economic capability of the country ensured through long-term financial aid.

In the Statement, countries are called to ensure the critical stocks for Ukraine for the coming winter. The Statement also supports increasing economic pressure against Russia, more efficient application of sanctions, and the prosecution of violators.

The Riigikogu condemns the terror, including sabotage, cyberattacks, torchings, murders, and other violent acts perpetrated by Russia in European countries and calls on allies to fight against Russia’s state-organised terror as a united front. The Riigikogu also condemns the planning and organisation of the 20 September “elections” to the State Duma of Russia in the temporarily occupied territories as a gross violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

In the Statement, the Riigikogu reaffirms its support for Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the European Union, also highlighting political unity of Ukraine, democracy, rule of law, human rights, and the continuation of the necessary reforms. It also emphasises the importance of combating corruption, strengthening democratic institutions, and respecting the rights of the opposition and political pluralism.

The Riigikogu calls for the completion of the establishment of the special international tribunal for the crime of aggression and compensation mechanisms for aggression, and underlines that a lasting peace in Europe cannot be born out of rewarding the aggression or restoring the spheres of influence. “A fair and lasting peace requires the preservation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as reliable security guarantees that prevent any new aggressions from the part of the Russian Federation,” the Statement says.

Eerik-Niiles Kross from the Reform Party Group and Raimond Kaljulaid from the Social Democratic Party Parliamentary Group took the floor during the debate. Henn Põlluaas made a speech on behalf of Isamaa Parliamentary Group.

78 members of the Riigikogu supported the adoption of the Statement, and one voted against it.

The Riigikogu also passed the Resolution of the Riigikogu “On the Authoritarian Regime and the Silencing of the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia in 1934“ (915 AE), submitted by 29 members of the Riigikogu. It describes the events of 1934 and the following years, which resulted in the silencing of the democratically elected parliament, the banning of political parties, the subjection of the press to censorship, and the establishment of an authoritarian regime.

In its statement, the Riigikogu condemns the actions taken at that time to suppress Estonia’s constitutional order and democracy, and, referring to the words of the Preamble to the Constitution, emphasises the need to prevent the recurrence of such events and practices in Estonia. “In the current geopolitical situation, where both regional and global uncertainty have been on the rise from Estonia’s perspective, the Riigikogu’s statement is a significant way of recalling the lessons of history, as well as emphasising the importance of national unity,” the proposers noted.

During the debate, Jaanus Karilaid took the floor on behalf of Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Eerik-Niiles Kross spoke on behalf of the Reform Party Parliamentary Group and Leo Kunnas participated in the debate on behalf of the Centre Party Group.

28 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Statement and nine were against it.

Eleven Bills passed the first reading

The Bill on the State’s Second Supplementary Budget for 2026 (1019 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading. It will specify the volume of state expenditure.

Under the bill, revenues will increase by €14.1 million due to the projected income from prison leasing. Expenditure will decrease by six million euro and investments will increase by €5.8 million, but the total volume of expenditure and investments remains unchanged under the bill.

The draft supplementary budget amends the allocation of expenditure across the years: expenses and investments that cannot be carried out this year are being shifted from this year’s budget to future years. Budget reallocations between areas of government also constitute a significant part of the bill. Among other things, funds are being allocated from the government reserve to the budgets of areas of government to cover the increased cost of membership fees and to prepare for the organization of the Ukraine reconstruction conference.

Revenues totalled EUR 18.6 billion and expenditures 19.5 billion, while investments totalled EUR 1.3 billion and financing transactions 1.5 billion in the 2026 state budget adopted by the Riigikogu last December. The first supplementary budget adopted in June reduced revenues by €24 million and increased expenditures by €4.4 million. Investments decreased by €1.5 million, and the budget for financing transactions increased by €37.9 million.

Aivar Kokk from Isamaa Parliamentary Group took the floor during the debate.

Isamaa Parliamentary Group moved to reject the Bill at the first reading, but the motion was not supported. 28 members of the Riigikogu supported rejection but 50 were against.

The Bill on Amendments to the Medicinal Products Act (917 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Parliamentary Group and Members of the Riigikogu Andre Hanimägi, Tanel Kiik and Züleyxa Izmailova, passed the first reading. Its aim is to reduce the cost of medicines intended for the treatment of rare diseases, cancer and other malignant tumours, and to support charitable funds in purchasing such medicines.

The bill proposes the establishment of a new type of grant that would enable support to be provided to private legal entities when they use donations to purchase medicines intended for the treatment of rare diseases, cancer, and other malignant tumours, with a view to improving the availability of treatment. Under the bill, the Health Insurance Fund would be able to reimburse non-profit organisations, foundations and religious associations an amount equal to the VAT paid on the purchase of medicines.

During the debate, Tanel Kiik took the floor on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group and Aivar Kokk made a speech on behalf of Isamaa Parliamentary Group.

The Social Affairs Committee moved to reject the Bill at the first reading, but the plenary did not support the motion. Two members of the Riigikogu supported rejection but 74 were against.

The Bill on Amendments to the Public Health Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (changing of the rehabilitation system) (998 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading. It will reorganise the rehabilitation service.

The aim of the bill is to simplify the person’s path to receiving assistance, align the content of rehabilitation services with the person’s need for assistance, and reduce duplication within the healthcare and social system. According to the explanatory memorandum, the current rehabilitation service is fragmented between the social and healthcare systems; access to the service has depended on formal assessments; services with similar content are provided in two sectors; and their funding and organisation are based on different principles.

Under the bill, a person will be referred to a service on the basis of their need for rehabilitation arising from their state of health. In the future, a healthcare professional authorised to provide online consultations will refer the person to a rehabilitation team comprising a medical specialist or nurse, a mental health expert, a physiotherapist, a speech therapist or an occupational therapist, a social worker, and other specialists, who will assess the need for the service and provide it for as long as it is required.

The bill provides that, from 1 October 2027, the rehabilitation service will be integrated into the healthcare system, and the organisation and funding thereof will be transferred from the Social Insurance Board to the Health Insurance Fund.

During the debate, Jaanus Karilaid took the floor on behalf of Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Diana Ingerainen made a speech on behalf of Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group, and Tanel Kiik spoke on behalf of the Social Democratic Group. Signe Riisalo from the Reform Party Parliamentary Group also took the floor.

The Bill on Amendments to the Public Health Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (cooperation between health and social sectors) (999 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading. It will integrate the currently separate healthcare and social systems into a more unified whole and improve the organization of care for people who require support from both sectors simultaneously.

At present, healthcare is primarily the responsibility of the state and the Health Insurance Fund, whilst social services fall under the remit of local authorities; as a result, differences in the organisation of work and inadequate data exchange may lead to delays and duplication in assistance.

The bill provides for the establishment of county-level welfare regions and cooperation councils, and for the creation of a cooperation organisation for the healthcare and social sectors – known as TERVIK – in each region which will bring together local authorities, family physicians, and hospitals. A health and welfare profile will be used to link the needs of a region’s residents with service usage and costs. The role of the Health Insurance Fund will expand from the funding of treatment to include support for regional cooperation, prevention, and health promotion.

Under the bill, a coordination service will be established for people with complex service needs. A health navigator will draw up a welfare plan for a person, consolidate information from the health and social sectors, and coordinate support and health services as well as information exchange. Health navigators will begin helping people with multiple chronic health conditions to navigate the maze of support services, enabling them to access help sooner.

According to the explanatory memorandum, regional integrated care organisations (TERVIK-s) will be established by 1 November 2027, and the work of health navigators will commence on 1 May 2028. The estimated total cost of the reform for the period 2026–2032 is nearly €64 million, and the payback period for the reform is estimated at four years.

Helmen Kütt from the Social Democratic Party Group and Riisalo from the Reform Party Group took the floor during the debate.

The Bill on Amendments to the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System Act and the Heritage Conservation Act (950 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading. Its aim is to speed up the environmental impact assessment procedure and to reduce the administrative burden on developers, licensing authorities and the agencies participating in the procedure.

The bill will eliminate duplicative procedural steps that offer little added value and will simplify the environmental impact assessment process. For example, in certain cases, it will be possible to omit the preparation of the environmental impact assessment programme – or the terms of reference – if the extent and nature of the impact are already known on the basis of previous similar assessments. This can shorten the proceedings by up to five months.

The bill will also amend the rules regarding the mandatory nature of environmental impact assessment. For several activities, the automatic obligation to conduct an assessment will be replaced by an obligation to provide a preliminary assessment, so that a comprehensive environmental impact assessment takes place only when the risk of significant impact actually warrants it. The procedure for preparing a preliminary assessment will also be harmonized, which will help to decide more quickly whether an environmental impact assessment is necessary.

In addition, the bill will improve public involvement by incorporating the public discussion of environmental impact assessment reports into the public display period. The aim of the amendments is to speed up the implementation of developments and make the procedures clearer.

The Bill on the Ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (988 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading. The aim of the agreement to be ratified by the bill is to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction.

This agreement represents the first global legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in marine areas that fall outside the jurisdiction of any single state. Such areas cover nearly two-thirds of the global ocean, encompassing the high seas and the seabed, where living natural resources and deposits of potentially valuable natural resources are found.

Estonia, the European Union and other Member States signed the agreement in September 2023; a total of 92 countries had acceded to the agreement as of the end of July this year.

The Bill on Amendments to the Equal Treatment Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (948 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading. It will transpose two European Union directives into Estonian law in order to strengthen the role of equality bodies and improve the protection of individuals against discrimination. In Estonia, the amendments concern the Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner and the Commissioner’s Office.

The bill will expand the Commissioner’s powers and tasks: in future the Commissioner will be able to represent victims of discrimination in court, resolve discrimination disputes at the request of the parties, gather more comprehensive statistics, and conduct more awareness-raising and prevention work. Requirements regarding the availability of services and information will also be set out, and the need to take into account the impact of intersectional discrimination will be emphasised.

The bill will also strengthen the Commissioner’s institutional independence by specifying the procedure for their appointment and the safeguards relating to the budget.

The Bill on Amendments to the Planning Act, the Building Code and an Act to Implement the Building Code and the Planning Act (949 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading. Its aim is to speed up planning and building procedures.

The bill will restructure the Land and Spatial Development Board’s current procedure for approving plans, replacing it with a solution based on the principle of coordination. The tasks to be addressed through the detailed spatial plan, as well as their scope and necessity, will also be specified, and clearer deadlines will be established for both the initiation of a spatial plan and the intermediate stages of the procedure.

To increase the transparency of proceedings, under the bill, applications for initiating detailed spatial plans will be submitted via the database of spatial plans. In addition, a principle will be established that agencies participating in the procedure must submit their proposals and comments at the earliest possible stage in order to avoid subsequent delays.

The Bill on Amendments to the Labour Market Measures Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (972 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading. It will amend the conditions for receiving labour market services, unemployment insurance benefits, and work ability allowances in order to increase the activity of jobseekers and support their faster return to the labour market.

The bill will specify the conditions for registration as unemployed, the associated obligations, and the grounds for termination of such registration; it will update the definition of ‘suitable work’; and it will direct the services provided by the Unemployment Insurance Fund more than before towards people who are ready to take up employment.

The bill will also bring the Social Tax Act into line with the amendments to the employment programme by removing the reference to the abolished work practice service.

The Bill on Amendments to the Bank of Estonia (Eesti Pank) Act (1013 SE), initiated by the Finance Committee, passed its first reading. It will establish rules for the prevention of conflicts of interest at the Bank of Estonia at the legislative level.

The bill will enable the implementation of the European Central Bank’s guidelines regarding the avoidance of conflicts of interest and restrictions on post-employment activities. To this end, provision is made for the possibility of restricting the financial transactions of employees who have regular access to market-sensitive information, and for imposing a cooling-off period following the termination of their service or employment relationship. The bill will also establish a legal basis for conducting vetting for posts involving heightened trust requirements.

In addition, the bill will modernise other provisions of the Bank of Estonia (Eesti Pank) Act, clarify the division of powers, and update the regulations governing the capital and reserves of the Bank of Estonia.

The Bill on Amendments to the Traffic Act (911 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Toomas Uibo, Tanel Tein, Varro Vooglaid, Kalle Laanet, Madis Timpson and Rene Kokk, also passed the first reading. It is intended to allow motorcycles in public transport lanes.

Under the bill, the right to use public transport lanes will be extended to motorcycles as well, in order to make traffic management smoother, safer, and more efficient.

According to the initiators, the amendment will enable the existing road infrastructure to be used more efficiently and will not have a negative impact on the operation of public transport. According to them, the amendment is also in line with the general trend towards promoting more space-efficient and flexible modes of transport in urban traffic.

A draft Resolution was dropped from the proceedings

The Riigikogu rejected the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to establish the institution of a financial ombudsman” (912 OE), submitted by the Social Democratic Party Group. The draft Resolution proposed that the Government develop and submit to the Riigikogu a bill to establish the institution of a financial ombudsman in Estonia.

In the view of the proposers, establishing the institution of a financial ombudsman is necessary to ensure that individuals and businesses have a better, faster, and more accessible way to resolve disputes related to financial services. “The role of the Financial Ombudsman would be to resolve disputes between financial service customers and financial service providers out of court, independently, swiftly and at a cost that people can afford,” they said.

Andre Hanimägi took the floor on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group in the debate.

At the final vote, 15 members of the Riigikogu supported the draft Resolution while at least 51 votes would have been needed for the Resolution to be passed.

The first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Rescue Act and Other Acts (989 SE), initiated by the Government, was cancelled at Wednesday’s sitting due to the absence of the presenter. The first reading of the bill was originally due to take place on Tuesday, but it was postponed to Wednesday’s agenda due to the end of the working hours.

The sitting ended at 12.17 a.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

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The Riigikogu calls on the allies and partners to prioritise the delivery of air defence systems and missiles to Ukraine in the conditions of the approaching winter and Russia’s increasing terror in the sky, and emphasises that Ukraine’s defence industry basis needs to be supported and the economic capability of the country ensured through long-term financial aid.

In the Statement, countries are called to ensure the critical stocks for Ukraine for the coming winter. The Statement also supports increasing economic pressure against Russia, more efficient application of sanctions, and the prosecution of violators.

The Riigikogu condemns the terror, including sabotage, cyberattacks, torchings, murders, and other violent acts perpetrated by Russia in European countries and calls on allies to fight against Russia’s state-organised terror as a united front. The Riigikogu also condemns the planning and organisation of the 20 September “elections” to the State Duma of Russia in the temporarily occupied territories as a gross violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

In the Statement, the Riigikogu reaffirms its support for Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the European Union, also highlighting political unity, democracy, rule of law, human rights, and the continuation of the necessary reforms in the country. It also emphasises the importance of combating corruption, strengthening democratic institutions, and respecting the rights of the opposition and political pluralism.

The Riigikogu calls for the completion of the establishment of the special international tribunal for the crime of aggression and compensation mechanisms for aggression, and underlines that a lasting peace in Europe cannot be born out of rewarding the aggression or restoring the spheres of influence. “A fair and lasting peace requires the preservation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as reliable security guarantees that prevent any new aggressions from the part of the Russian Federation,” the Statement says.

78 members of the Riigikogu supported the adoption of the Statement and one voted against it.

67 members of the Riigikogu submitted the draft Statement of the Riigikogu “To Ensure Victory for Ukraine and Security for Europe” (1015 AE) for legislative proceedings on 16 September.

Earlier Statements of the Riigikogu in support of Ukraine

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When presenting the budget, Michal said that the government’s aim was to ensure that Estonia was safer, more prosperous and better prepared for the challenges of the future. He stated that next year’s budget was based on six principles: sustainable public finances, strong security, a growing economy, the adoption of new technologies, modern and resilient infrastructure, and good physical and mental health.

“First, we decided to reduce next year’s budget deficit. The initial forecast projected a budget deficit of 4.9 percent of GDP for 2027. The corresponding figure in the summer economic forecast was 4.4 percent. As a result of decisions made by the government, we will bring the deficit down to four percent,” Prime Minister said. He noted that, to achieve this, expenses would need to be cut by an additional approximately €235 million.

According to Michal, the strengthening of security will continue uncompromisingly. “The economy grows in a country whose security is assured,” he said. “If we expect our allies to be prepared to defend Estonia, we must ourselves be prepared to do our part. Therefore, Estonia’s defence spending will remain above five percent of GDP in 2027. It’s a huge effort, but these times call for huge efforts.”

The Prime Minister pointed out that the budget also provided for investment in the economy, education, technology, and infrastructure, so that the future would be more prosperous and offer greater opportunities. “The wage bill for teachers, cultural workers, police officers and rescuers will rise by three per cent next year. The government is allocating a total of over €32 million in the state budget for all salary increases,“ he said.

Extensive investments will be made in infrastructure, and the construction of Rail Baltic will continue. “Our aim is for Rail Baltic to be completed and for trains to start running during the next European Union budget period. Next year, road construction will continue on a larger scale than before the introduction of the vehicle tax. We are channelling an additional nearly €70 million into roads from vehicle tax revenue,” Michal said.

According to the Prime Minister, over €30 million will be invested to boost the adoption of artificial intelligence and new technologies. The budget also focuses on supporting people’s mental and physical health. “We value people, because ultimately the whole point of economic growth and national strength is this:  Estonia must be the best place for us to live,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

The total volume of next year’s state budget is €21.3 billion. The volume of budget revenues is €19.4 billion, expenditures approximately €20.2 billion, and investments approximately €1.2 billion.

During the debate, Lauri Laats took the floor to comment on the draft state budget on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Group, Riina Sikkut on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group, Urmas Reinsalu on behalf of Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Õnne Pillak on behalf of the Estonian Reform Party Group, Rain Epler on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Toomas Uibo on behalf of Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group. Prime Minister Kristen Michal also took the floor.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of a Bill

The Bill on Amendments to the Notary Fees Act and Other Acts (941 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Madis Timpson, Mart Helme, Toomas Uibo, Madis Kallas, Peeter Ernits and Lea Danilson-Järg, will streamline the system of notary fees as a whole, update notary fees which have remained unchanged for years, and abolish the fee for the remote authentication of notarial acts.

The biggest amendment concerns fees for acts related to companies and fees related to real estate transactions. The explanatory memorandum notes that, as fee rates have not been adjusted for years, many notaries find it difficult to cover the costs associated with providing services and maintaining an office. This primarily concerns regions where the value of real estate transactions is lower. The aim of the bill is to create the conditions for notary services to remain regionally available in the future as well.

Under the bill, in the future, notary fees will be, for example, €50 for a power of attorney of a natural person, €120 for a power of attorney of a legal person, €60 for a marital property contract, €55 for a will, €283 for simple succession proceedings, €613 for complex succession proceedings, €503 for highly complex succession proceedings, €250 for the transfer of a share, and €238 for an agreement for the establishment of an easement for road purposes between several neighbours.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of a Bill

The Assistant Police Officer Bill (931 SE), initiated by the Government, will establish a new consolidated text of the Assistant Police Officer Act. The bill will develop the assistant police officer system by clarifying and expanding the role of assistant police officers and increasing opportunities to involve them in police work.

Under the bill, assistant police officers will in future be able to assist the police not only in maintaining public order but also in tasks relating to border control, migration monitoring, operations at detention facilities, and support activities. To this end, the training of assistant police officers will become more thorough, systematic, and tiered, and opportunities for specialization will be introduced. In addition, the authority of assistant police officers to employ law enforcement measures in dangerous situations will be expanded.

Alongside the expansion of assistant police officers’ duties and increased training, the regulations governing liability and supervision will become more precise and clearer.

Peeter Ernits took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Group during the debate.

The deliberation of three Bills was deferred

The first reading of three Bills – the Bill on Amendments to the Rescue Act and Other Acts (989 SE), initiated by the Government, the Bill on the State’s Second Supplementary Budget for 2026 (1019 SE), initiated by the Government, and the Bill on Amendments to the Medicinal Products Act (917 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Parliamentary Group and Members of the Riigikogu Andre Hanimägi, Tanel Kiik and Züleyxa Izmailova, – was deferred to the agenda for Wednesday’s sitting due to the end of the working hours of the plenary.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

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The Bill on Amendments to the Value-Added Tax Act (992 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Group, will transpose amendments to the European Union’s VAT Directive, which aim to reduce the administrative burden. The amendments will expand the scope of the use of the special scheme for distance sales (one-stop-shop, OSS), so that businesses will be able to fulfil their VAT obligations arising in other Member States through their country of establishment and will not have to register for VAT separately in each country.

The Bill on Amendments to the Insurance Activities Act and the Law of Obligations Act (993 SE), initiated by the Government, will make the insurance market more flexible and reduce the administrative burden on undertakings. A significant amendment is that insurance brokers will be able to use representatives when offering insurance. This will create a new opportunity for customers to conclude insurance contracts and will help increase the availability of insurance. Representatives will be subject to the same insurance distribution requirements as brokers and agents, and the insurance broker will be responsible for their activities. The supervision of the Financial Supervision Authority will also extend to representatives. In addition, cross-border insurance activities will be simplified. In the future, insurers from other countries will be able to operate in Estonia on a permanent basis without establishing a branch here, and Estonian insurers will have the same opportunity when operating in other countries. To reduce administrative burden, the obligation for insurance brokers to publish their annual report on their website and at their place of business will also be abolished.

The Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (994 SE), initiated by the Government, will simplify and modernise the filing of tax returns in order to reduce both the administrative burden on taxpayers and the workload on the state. Instead of the current static return forms, in the future the legislation will set out lists of the data to be provided, which will enable the Tax and Customs Board to design their online environment more flexibly and to develop automated data exchange between business software and the Tax and Customs Board’s systems. The amendments will restrict the submission of returns on paper. From now on, employers must submit their income tax and social security contribution returns electronically, regardless of the number of employees. Until now, it was possible to submit returns on paper for up to five employees. However, in the event of an objective obstacle, it remains possible to apply for permission to submit the documents on paper.

Three interpellations were replied

Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi replied to the interpellation concerning losses to the state caused by insolvent companies (No. 1022), submitted by members of the Riigikogu.

Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller replied to the interpellations concerning the low healthy life expectancy of Estonian people (No. 1021) and the funding for women’s support centres (No. 1024).

The interpellation concerning the lawfulness, proportionality, and supervision of the viewing of health data (No. 1019) was excluded from the agenda for the day at the request of the interpellators. It had been submitted to Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller.

Vladimir Arhipov took the floor during the open microphone.

The sitting ended at 5.48 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

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