On the first day of the Conference, the Speakers of the member states of the Council of Europe will hold debates on resilient democracies and standing united against hybrid threats, and on the impact of artificial intelligence on labour market. Hussar will be one of the keynote speakers at the debate on artificial intelligence, together with President of the Senate of the Netherlands Mei Li Vos and Speaker of the Parliament of Albania Niko Peleshi. The debate will be chaired by President of the Senate of the Italian Republic Ignazio La Russa.

The debate on the second day of the Conference will be dedicated to renewing the rules-based international order and the role of parliaments in addressing and responding to crises. Hussar will make a speech at this discussion.

During the Conference, Hussar will have meetings with Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands Thom van Campen and Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary Ágnes Forsthoffer.

Speakers and presidents of parliament from the member states of the Council of Europe and its partner and observer countries, as well as the representatives of parliamentary delegations participate in the Conference.

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59 members of the Riigikogu supported and 28 were against the passing of the Act on Amendments to the European Parliament Election Act (lowering of the voting age and the age for standing as a candidate) (414 SE).

While currently citizens aged at least 18 can vote and people aged at least 21 can stand as candidates in European Parliament elections, the Act will lower the voting age to 16 and the age for standing as a candidate to 18. Estonian citizens, as well as European Union citizens without Estonian citizenship who have their permanent residence in Estonia, have the right to vote and stand as candidates in European Parliament elections.

The amendment was initiated in March 2024 by 45 members of the Riigikogu with the aim of involving young people more in the discussion and deciding of European issues. They pointed out in the explanatory memorandum that, as Estonia’s population was ageing, political engagement and decision-making was increasingly skewed towards the elderly electorate. According to the initiators, the amendment will put youth issues more in the public spotlight, encourage young people to participate in social life as active citizens, as well as help influence European-level decisions concerning young people’s interests, needs, and future.

The first reading of the Bill took place in May 2024 and the second reading in June this year. During the legislative proceedings, the Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu discussed the Bill at nine sittings, four of which were public. In addition to meetings with experts, researchers and interest groups, the Committee commissioned a report on lowering the voting age and its impact in European countries from the Legal and Research Department of the Chancellery of the Riigikogu. The Committee also commissioned a study on the young people’s decision-making ability and the factors that influence it from the University of Tartu, through the Foresight Centre.

The Act passed today will be implemented for the first time during the elections of the European Parliament in 2029. Voting age for local elections has already been lowered in Estonia and young people aged 16 and 17 can vote at municipal councils elections since 2017.

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The Bill on Amendments to the Social Welfare Act and the General Part of the Social Code Act (special care services) (1001 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading. Its aim is to simplify the process of applying for special care services, assessing the need for assistance, and making referrals to services.

The amendments are intended to simplify procedures and reduce the repeated collection and processing of the same data. Currently, the Social Insurance Board assesses the need for special care services separately from the assessment conducted by the local government; consequently, the same data must be submitted to both the local government and the Board, and parallel assessments must be undergone. Furthermore, currently, in order to receive the service, a new application must be submitted each time the period specified in a previous decision for the provision of the service expires, regardless of whether the need for assistance has actually changed.

Under the bill, local governments and the Social Insurance Board will be able to cross-use existing assessment data, and procedures relating to special care services will be incorporated into the Social Services and Benefits Registry (STAR). When referring people to services, greater account will be taken of the urgency of their need for assistance than has been the case to date.

In order to support the development of services close to home, the bill will grant local governments the option to offer service places they have created primarily to residents of their own area. At present, no distinction is made between service providers based on their form of ownership when allocating service places; consequently, local authorities have no assurance that the places they create will primarily serve residents of their own area.  However, this dampens local governments’ interest in creating new service places.

The bill will also simplify the calculation of reimbursement for the shortfall in an individual’s co-payment.

During the debate, Tanel Kiik took the floor on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group and Signe Riisalo on behalf of the Estonian Reform Party Group.

The Bill on Amendments to the Early Childhood Education Act (937 SE), initiated by the Government, will provide for the numerical indicators serving as the basis for the allocation of support for the labour costs of early childhood education teachers.

The bill has been prompted by an amendment to the State Budget Act under which the existing legal basis that allowed these numerical indicators to be laid down in the Regulation on the support fund will be repealed as of 1 January next year. The bill will not alter the purpose of the support provided to local governments, the basis for its allocation, or the principles determining the amount of the support.

During the debate, Vadim Belobrovtsev took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Group and Tõnis Lukas on behalf of Isamaa Parliamentary Group.

The Bill on Amendments to the Labour Dispute Resolution Act (1005 SE), initiated by the Government, will amend the procedures for the recruitment and development of chairpersons of labour dispute committees.

The aim of bill is to pay greater attention to maintaining the competence of the heads of labour dispute committees and to developing their knowledge and skills. The amendments will supplement the application process and regulate dismissal from office. Among other things, a system for the onboarding and professional development of chairpersons will be established, and the assessment of suitability for the office will be overhauled.

There are eight labour dispute committees operating in Estonia, which resolve disputes between employees and employers out of court.

The Platform Work Bill (1003 SE), initiated by the Government, will transpose the European Union Platform Work Directive into Estonian law. The aim of the bill is to improve the working conditions of people working through digital labour platforms, such as couriers and ride-hailing drivers, and their opportunities to protect their rights.

Platform work often employs automated systems that help allocate tasks, determine pay, and evaluate workers. The bill is intended to increase the transparency and fairness of automated organisation of work. Under the bill, platforms will have to explain to workers in an understandable manner which automated systems the platforms use and how they affect the workers. For example, a person needs to know how their pay is determined and whether a client’s rating or a refusal of an order will reduce the amount of work offered to them in the future. This helps them better understand how their job opportunities and income are determined.

It will also be provided that an automated system must not collect sensitive data or draw conclusions based on such data. For example, it will not be permitted to analyse a worker’s emotional or psychological state or private conversations, to collect data at times when the person is not performing platform work, or to draw conclusions about their health, disability, religion, political views or trade union membership.

The bill will also ensure worker’s control over important decisions. It will be provided that any decision to restrict, suspend or terminate an account will have to be made by a human being.  If an automated system makes or supports decisions such as restricting, suspending, or terminating an account, refusing payment, or changing contractual status, the platform will have to provide the worker with a reason for the decision. A platform worker may contest such automated decisions and request that a human review the decision. The request will have to be responded to within 14 days, the decision will have to be substantiated, and in the event of an unfair decision, the decision will have to be rectified or, if that is not possible, compensation will have to be provided for any damage.

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 sitting began with a formal ceremony of the inauguration of the President of the Republic of Estonia, which opened with a speech by President Alar Karis.

 President-elect Ülle Madise took the oath of office, after which the chain of office was placed around her neck.  Then the new President of Estonia delivered a speech before the Riigikogu.

Following the formal ceremony, the Riigikogu approved the agenda for the work week, under which responses to six interpellations were heard at today’s sitting.

Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis replied to the interpellation concerning the future of Rail Baltic (No. 1030), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Lauri Laats, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Vadim Belobrovtsev, Aleksei Jevgrafov and Vladimir Arhipov.  

The interpellators requested an overview of the timetable and funding for the construction of Rail Baltic.

Leis explained that the basis for reviewing and updating the Rail Baltic construction timetable in Estonia had been laid by the agreement reached at the meeting of the Prime Ministers of the Baltic States on 22 September, according to which Rail Baltic would be completed by 2034, making maximum use of funds from the next European Union budget period.

“Construction work that has already begun in Estonia, including at the Ülemiste joint terminal, will not be halted, and work on the Tallinn–Pärnu main route is continuing as planned over a distance of more than 100 kilometres. However, it is sensible to update the pace and sequence of the subsequent construction phases so as to make maximum use of European Union grants during the next European Union budget period, thereby reducing the disproportionate burden on the state budget, including loan-based financing, and to align the completion of the cross-border rail link with the corresponding pace of construction in Latvia,” Minister of Infrastructure said.

Leis added that the prime ministers of the three Baltic states had agreed that the main Rail Baltica route, as part of the cross-border link, would be opened to traffic during the European Union’s next budgetary period, 2028–2034, whilst adhering as closely as possible to the previously agreed timetable when implementing the construction phases of the various national sections of the route. “Within Estonia, the Tallinn–Rapla–Pärnu link is scheduled for completion by 2032 at the latest, which will enable, for example, public transport services to be provided even before the cross-border link is fully completed,” Leis noted.

According to the minister, based on current knowledge—that is, during the 2027–2030 State Budget Strategy process—the investment requirement for the first phase of Rail Baltic in Estonia totals approximately €3.55 billion. Regarding the 2034 schedule, the consumer price index will be added to it. During November, Rail Baltic Estonia will present new forecast figures based on the year 2034, which will also serve as the basis for planning and applying for funding for the European Union’s new budgetary period. These figures will be updated accordingly during the subsequent state budget procedure and budget strategy process. External funds from the European Union’s next budget period, 2028–2034, in particular the CEF or Connecting Europe Facility, supplemented by revenue from the European Union’s CO₂ trading system and Estonian national co-financing, are envisaged as a key source of funding for the construction. 

Leis said that the Rail Baltic timetable, as well as the funding and cross-border risks, were assessed on an ongoing basis. “The risk in question does not exist under the current government, nor does the government deem it appropriate to draft guidelines for future governments regarding specific risk scenarios; this is because, should a risk materialize, each government would make decisions within its remit based on the political considerations and priorities of the governing coalition at that time, as well as the outcomes of consultations with European Union institutions, culminating in relevant discussions and decisions in the Riigikogu,” the minister explained.

Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis also replied to the interpellations concerning the technical specifications and operational resilience of a ferry (No. 993) and infrastructure works on the Tallinn–Tartu railway (No. 1078).

Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller replied to the interpellations concerning the lawfulness, proportionality, and supervision of the viewing of health data (No. 1019), the development of the hospital network and Tallinn Hospital (No. 1049),and the reduction of funding for advocacy for people with disabilities (No. 1069).

The interpellation concerning assisted suicide and legal clarity (No. 1060) 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.

Helmen Kütt and Madis Kallas took the floor during the open microphone.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

The sitting ended at 8.46 p.m.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

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

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In her oath of office, President Ülle Madise said to the people of Estonia: “In assuming the office of the President of the Republic, I, Ülle Madise, solemnly swear to steadfastly defend the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Estonia, to exercise the power entrusted to me in a just and impartial manner, and to faithfully perform my duties with all of my abilities and to the best of my understanding, for the benefit of the people of Estonia and the Republic of Estonia.”

After that, outgoing President Alar Karis placed the presidential chain of office, featuring the national coat of arms, around the neck of President of the Republic Ülle Madise.

President Madise said in her speech before the Riigikogu what she considered important when assuming the office of the President.

“In my speech on 2 September I said that Estonia’s biggest treasure was the people. I said that we needed to do everything in our power to make sure that there are many people who take forward the Estonian language and culture. So that Estonia was the best place to raise children, and to grow old; to invent things and write poetry; to do science and business. So that our children would be among the smartest, most balanced, and happiest in the world. So that no one would lose their joy in life among the family or at work, or because of their age or health,” she emphasised.

“Everyone here in Estonia must feel that they are an asset, as are their life, work, and creation. We must all feel at our ease—however different we are. With our interests, views, lifestyles, tastes, and mother tongues,” Madise said. “Can we keep and continue building this kind of Estonia? That depends on trust, hopes for the future, and courage.”

In her speech, Madise focused on the challenges faced by Estonia, for which we must find solutions together.

“The President of the Republic cannot and must not replace the Riigikogu, elected by the people, nor the government or the courts. The separation and balance of powers is an important value. The President plays a weighty role in this equation of balance. The date for the National Defence Council provided in the Constitution has already been set. I would complement the saying “A hard drill makes an easy battle” by adding that a particularly hard drill would prevent a battle. After all, our goal is peace,” Madise said.

“Great care has been taken to make Estonia stronger. Defence Forces, Defence League, Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation. The whole comprehensive national defence. Dedicated neighbours in the Baltic states and Nordic countries. Poland. All our allies in Europe and NATO. This is what our security is about,” the President underlined.

She explained that lack of ideas and lack of diversity could be fought on our home soil with bold ideas and dreams. One place for this is the Academic Advisory Board of the President. “Seeking, thinking, arguing, and joking together brings out the best in people, from members of the academy to schoolchildren. This is how new ideas are born,” Madise noted.

“The President can acknowledge and support all those who work to ensure that families have a place to live and raise their children, that the birth of a child would not lead to financial hardship, and that those who want to build a home in the countryside would get a loan. I hope that child- and family-oriented Estonia will be the focus of all elections. Not by driving anyone into a corner or a defensive position, but by joyfully showing how well something could be done,” Madise said.

In conclusion of her speech, President Ülle Madise said: “Thank you, President Alar Karis. Particular thanks to Mrs Sirje Karis. Her work for the children of Ukraine alone would deserve the highest recognition. I feel great awe and responsibility in taking over from my predecessors. If we trust each other, value freedom and responsibility, and clear communication, if we are not afraid to be good people, trust in life, believe in Estonia, and maintain a hopeful outlook, then all good things are possible. Long live Estonia!”

At the beginning of the ceremony, President Alar Karis delivered a speech in which he thanked for the trust that had been placed in him.

“Five years ago, here in the Riigikogu, I pledged to uphold the Constitution, and the internal and external peace enshrined in its preamble, and to listen and observe with patience. I spoke about people who can manage. People who are not afraid to meet the unknown.” Karis said, and recalled the events that had taken place during his term of office, and the problems that had to be solved.

“He said that he had been asked a lot, especially over the past week, what positive things he was taking with him from those five years.

“I have replied that it is a firm conviction, certainty that the Estonian people can manage. The ability to adapt to difficulties and crises. The wisdom of the Estonian people lies precisely in their ability to manage in any situation. That is precisely our ingenuity, our essence, and the key to our survival.

The joy and knowledge that we live in a free country, with an excellent living environment, good education, and a safe home, outweigh the difficulties and drive our daily actions and decisions. I also wish for more courage in decision-making from politicians and officials. Otherwise, things will not move forward, and problems will pile up.

The ageing and shrinking Estonia, and Europe as a whole, need new approaches. Bold decisions, smart solutions, the courage to take risks. To amend decisions if necessary. Listening to younger generations and trusting them,” Karis emphasised.

President Karis concluded his speech with the words: Dear President-elect Madise. The office of the Head of State of Estonia is a great honour and an even greater responsibility. I wish you the ability to observe, to notice, to ask the right questions, and to find time for reflection as well. But above all – to remain true to yourself. Not to be afraid to meet the unknown. I wish you strength, wisdom, and resolve to carry out this office.”

The Estonian National Male Choir, conducted by Mikk Üleoja, sang the national anthem of Estonia at the ceremony.

After the ceremony, the Presidents went to the White Hall of Toompea Castle, where the signed the entry in the guestbook of the Riigikogu: “Today, on 12 October 2026, President Alar Karis officially handed over his presidential powers to President-elect Ülle Madise.”

Afterwards, both presidential couples posed for an official group photo in front of the flags.

The official part of the presidential transition ceremony began a quarter of an hour before the start of the Riigikogu sitting, when President-elect Ülle Madise and outgoing President Alar Karis arrived at Toompea from Kadriorg in the same car.

The orchestra played the national anthem upon the presidents’ arrival, and the outgoing President greeted the honour guard of the Guard Battalion. Then the presidents and their spouses proceeded to the Riigikogu Building, where the formal ceremony took place.

As they departed from Toompea, the national anthem of Estonia was played once more, and President Ülle Madise greeted the honour guard of the Guard Battalion.

After the ceremony at Toompea, both presidential couples proceeded to Kadriorg. This time, President Ülle Madise with her husband Lauri Madise was in the first car, and President Alar Karis with his wife Sirje Karise in the second car.

The election of the President of the Republic took place on 2 September 2026 in the Riigikogu, where Ülle Madise was elected President in the first round of elections with 71 votes in favour.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu).

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.)

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The European Commission submitted a project for EU KIDS Act (Keeping Internet Digital Spaces Accountable and Trustworthy) in September, intending to introduce common rules for protecting minors across the EU. “Estonia is of course extremely keen to keep our children safe online. This is why we emphasise that platforms must ensure the safety of their services for all users, most importantly for children, and that the European Commission supervision over very large web platforms and search engines must also be strengthened,” said the Chairman of the EUAC Peeter Tali.

The explanatory memorandum explains that the regulation stems from the report of the European Commission Special Panel on child safety online, which was published in July and included a suggestion to set out a minimum age for using social media across Europe. “Estonia does not support a blanket ban on digital services, social media, or AI companions for children because in our experience banning has not led to the desired results. We should instead look at the root causes that are linked to the business models of the platforms and the service design. The goal should be defined as shaping safe digital services for everyone,” Tali said.

The approved positions set out that the measures taken to protect children must be risk based, targeted, proportional, conscious of the abilities and needs of different user groups, and supportive of participation in a digital society, and that the society must continue to trust in the functionality and reliability of digital services. In order to solve the problems linked to minors using social media, we need a systematic and age-appropriate digital awareness training for children, teenagers, parents, and teachers, as well as in the society more broadly. Estonia also supports the recommendation in the report of the co-chairs of the Special Panel not to allow children under three years to use social media or other digital services and to make sure that their screen time is as short as possible. Estonia does not support the use of addictive design in digital services.

The EUAC approved the government positions on the EU KIDS Act by consensus.

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Monday, 12 October

Festive ceremony of the inauguration of the President of the Republic of Estonia

1. Interpellation concerning the technical specifications and operational resilience of a ferry (No. 993), submitted by members of the Riigikogu Reili Rand, Heljo Pikhof, Andre Hanimägi, Tanel Kiik and Züleyxa Izmailova on 15 April 2026

           Reply by Kuldar Leis, Minister of Infrastructure

2. Interpellation concerning the future of Rail Baltic (No. 1030), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Lauri Laats, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Vadim Belobrovtsev, Aleksei Jevgrafov and Vladimir Arhipov on 8 June 2026

           Reply by Kuldar Leis, Minister of Infrastructure

3. Interpellation concerning infrastructure works on the Tallinn–Tartu railway (No. 1078), submitted by Member of the Riigikogu Aivar Kokk on 16 September 2026

           Reply by Kuldar Leis, Minister of Infrastructure

4. Interpellation concerning the lawfulness, proportionality, and supervision of the viewing of health data (No. 1019), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Urmas Reinsalu, Tõnis Lukas, Mart Maastik, Priit Sibul, Andres Metsoja, Henn Põlluaas, Jaanus Karilaid, Helir-Valdor Seeder and Lea Danilson-Järg on 1 June 2026

           Reply by Karmen Joller, Minister of Social Affairs

5. Interpellation concerning the development of the hospital network and Tallinn Hospital (No. 1049), submitted by Members of the Tanel Kiik, Andre Hanimägi, Jaak Aab, Riina Sikkut, Helmen Kütt, Anti Allas, Lauri Läänemets, Tiit Maran, Züleyxa Izmailova, Kersti Sarapuu, Enn Eesmaa, Tõnis Mölder and Reili Rand on 15 June 2026

           Reply by Karmen Joller, Minister of Social Affairs

6. Interpellation concerning assisted suicide and legal clarity (No. 1060), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Andre Hanimägi, Tiit Maran, Reili Rand, Helmen Kütt, Riina Sikkut, Jaak Aab and Tanel Kiik on 16 June 2026

           Reply by Karmen Joller, Minister of Social Affairs

7. Interpellation concerning the reduction of funding for advocacy for people with disabilities (No. 1069), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Tanel Kiik, Andre Hanimägi, Reili Rand, Riina Sikkut, Ester Karuse, Züleyxa Izmailova, Tiit Maran, Heljo Pikhof, Madis Kallas, Lauri Läänemets, Anti Allas, Helmen Kütt and Jaak Aab on 14 September 2026

           Reply by Karmen Joller, Minister of Social Affairs

Tuesday, 13 October

1. Bill on Amendments to the Social Welfare Act and the General Part of the Social Code Act (special care services) (1001 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic

          First reading

          Report by Karmen Joller, Minister of Social Affairs

          Report by Helmen Kütt, member of the Social Affairs Committee

2. Bill on Amendments to the Early Childhood Education Act (937 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic

          First reading

          Report by Kristina Kallas, Minister of Education and Research

          Report by Liina Kersna, Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Committee

3. Bill on Amendments to the Labour Dispute Resolution Act (1005 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic

          First reading

          Report by Liina Vahtras, Minister of Economy and Industry

          Report by Mihkel Lees, member of the Social Affairs Committee

4. Platform Work Bill (1003 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic

          First reading

          Report by Liina Vahtras, Minister of Economy and Industry

          Report by Tanel Kiik, Member of the Social Affairs Committee

5. Bill on Amendments to the Family Benefits Act (1022 SE), initiated by the Social Affairs Committee

          First reading

          Report by Tanel Kiik, Member of the Social Affairs Committee

Wednesday, 14 October

1. Bill on Amendments to the European Parliament Election Act (lowering of the voting age and the age for standing as a candidate) (414 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Enn Eesmaa, Irja Lutsar, Tanel Kiik, Kristo Enn Vaga, Raimond Kaljulaid, Annely Akkermann, Helmen Kütt, Igor Taro, Priit Lomp, Toomas Uibo, Kalev Stoicescu, Marek Reinaas, Lauri Hussar, Õnne Pillak, Anti Haugas, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Eero Merilind, Toomas Kivimägi, Anti Allas, Karmen Joller, Züleyxa Izmailova, Tarmo Tamm, Reili Rand, Andre Hanimägi, Tõnis Mölder, Peeter Tali, Hanah Lahe, Erkki Keldo, Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski, Eerik-Niiles Kross, Margit Sutrop, Pipi-Liis Siemann, Luisa Värk, Kristina Šmigun-Vähi, Mati Raidma, Andres Sutt, Andrus Seeme, Katrin Kuusemäe, Liina Kersna, Mario Kadastik, Yoko Alender, Tanel Tein, Juku-Kalle Raid, Tiit Maran and Jaak Aab

          Third reading (Majority vote of the membership of the Riigikogu)

2. Draft Statement of the Riigikogu “In Support of Higher Education” (894 AE), submitted by members of the Riigikogu Lauri Läänemets, Madis Kallas, Andre Hanimägi, Riina Sikkut, Tanel Kiik, Heljo Pikhof, Züleyxa Izmailova, Anti Allas, Jaak Aab, Tõnis Mölder, Enn Eesmaa, Leo Kunnas, Tiit Maran, Ester Karuse, Helmen Kütt, Kersti Sarapuu, Vladimir Arhipov, Peeter Ernits, Aleksei Jevgrafov, Andrei Korobeinik, Lauri Laats, Reili Rand and Vadim Belobrovtsev

          First reading

          Report by Member of the Riigikogu

          Report by Margit Sutrop, member of the Cultural Affairs Committee

3. Bill on Amendments to the Weapons Act and the Explosives Act (855 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic

          Second reading

          Report by Anti Haugas, member of the Legal Affairs Committee

4. Bill on Amendments to the Law of Obligations Act and Associated Acts (prevention and deterrence of financial fraud) (936 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic

          Second reading

          Report by Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski, member of the Legal Affairs Committee

5. Bill on Amendments to the Consular Act and Other Acts (896 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic

          Second reading

          Report by Luisa Värk, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee

6. Bill on Amendments to the Animal Protection Act and the Veterinary Act (899 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic

          Second reading

          Report by Urmas Kruuse, Chairman of the Rural Affairs Committee

7. Bill on Amendments to § 5 of the Strategic Goods Act (958 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic

          Second reading

          Report by Leo Kunnas, Deputy Chairman of the National Defence Committee

8. Bill on Amendments to the Maritime Safety Act (987 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic

          First reading

          Report by Kuldar Leis, Minister of Infrastructure

          Report by Reili Rand, member of the Economic Affairs Committee

9. Bill on Amendments to the Road Transport Act (971 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic

          First reading

          Report by Kuldar Leis, Minister of Infrastructure

          Report by Mario Kadastik, member of the Economic Affairs Committee

10. Bill on Amendments to the Traffic Act (986 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic

          First reading

          Report by Kuldar Leis, Minister of Infrastructure

          Report by Mario Kadastik, member of the Economic Affairs Committee

11. Bill on Amendments to the Maritime Safety Act (930 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Jüri Jaanson, Toomas Järveoja, Mait Klaassen, Mati Raidma, Annely Akkermann, Tarmo Tamm, Kalle Laanet, Jaak Aab, Anti Haugas, Toomas Uibo, Reili Rand, Mart Maastik and Aleksei Jevgrafov

          First reading

          Report by Member of the Riigikogu

          Report by Urve Tiidus, member of the Economic Affairs Committee

12. Bill on Amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia for Changing the Procedure for the Election of the President of the Republic (872 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Lauri Laats, Vadim Belobrovtsev, Andrei Korobeinik, Vladimir Arhipov, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Peeter Ernits, Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, Martin Helme, Helle-Moonika Helme, Siim Pohlak, Rene Kokk, Rain Epler, Evelin Poolamets, Arvo Aller, Varro Vooglaid, Aleksei Jevgrafov, Anti Poolamets, Mart Helme, Enn Eesmaa, Tõnis Mölder, Kersti Sarapuu, Kalle Grünthal, Leo Kunnas and Jaak Valge

          First reading

          Report by Member of the Riigikogu

          Report by Timo Suslov, member of the Constitutional Committee

13. Bill on Amendments to the Riigikogu Election Act and Other Acts (904 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Lauri Laats, Vladimir Arhipov, Peeter Ernits, Vadim Belobrovtsev, Aleksei Jevgrafov, Mart Maastik, Helir-Valdor Seeder, Aivar Kokk, Jaanus Karilaid, Henn Põlluaas, Priit Sibul, Varro Vooglaid, Anti Poolamets, Helle-Moonika Helme, Rene Kokk, Evelin Poolamets, Arvo Aller, Leo Kunnas, Jaak Valge, Siim Pohlak and Martin Helme

          First reading

          Report by Member of the Riigikogu

          Report by Ando Kiviberg, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee

14. Bill on Amendments to the Government of the Republic Act (942 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Parliamentary Group

          First reading

          Report by Member of the Riigikogu

          Report by Ando Kiviberg, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee

15. Bill on Amendments to the Status of Members of the Riigikogu Act (943 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Group

          First reading

          Report by Member of the Riigikogu

          Report by Timo Suslov, member of the Constitutional Committee

16. Bill on Amendments to the National Defence Act (the presence of nuclear weapons in Estonia) (960 SE), initiated by Member of the Riigikogu Varro Vooglaid

          First reading

          Report by Varro Vooglaid, Member of the Riigikogu

          Report by Peeter Tali, Chairman of the National Defence Committee

17. Bill on Amendments to the Rescue Act and Other Acts (989 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic

          First reading

          Report by Igor Taro, Minister of the Interior

          Report by Valdo Randpere, member of the Legal Affairs Committee

18. Bill on Amendments to the Restrictions on Acquisition of Immovables Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (990 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic

          First reading

          Report by Igor Taro, Minister of the Interior

          Report by Urmas Kruuse, Chairman of the Rural Affairs Committee

Thursday, 15 October

1. Report for 2026 by Minister of Social Affairs on the implementation of the long-term national development strategy “Estonia 2035”

          Report by Karmen Joller, Minister of Social Affairs

On Monday, 12 October, after all items on the agenda have been discussed, the time for unscheduled statements begins, to continue until no further requests for the floor are made, but no longer than until 12 midnight.

On Wednesday, 14 October, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Question Time takes place.

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Today, the Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees will meet with Deividas Matulionis, security adviser to the President of Lithuania. Tomorrow, they will travel to the Lithuanian-Belarusian border, where they will visit Padvarionys Frontier Station. There they will meet with representatives of Lithuanian State Border Guard Service and National Crisis Management Centre who will give an overview of the situation on the border, including hybrid threats and new trends in cross-border crimes.

The meeting, which is held in NB8 format, brings together the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

After the meeting of the chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees, Mihkelson will travel on to Poland, where he will speak at a panel discussion on Nordic-Baltic defence at the prestigious Warsaw Security Forum. The Warsaw Security Forum, which takes place for the 13th time, is organised by the Casimir Pulaski Foundation, a Polish think tank focusing on Central and Eastern European issues.

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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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