At the beginning of today’s sitting, the Riigikogu stood up in commemoration of the victims of the March deportation.

 

The Riigikogu suspended the second reading of two Bills: 

The structure of the Chapter concerning the proprietary rights of spouses has been reorganised in the Family Law Bill (55 SE), initiated by the Government. 

The Civil Status Acts Bill (68 SE), initiated by the Government, provides that prospective spouses choose their marital property relationship upon signing the application for marriage and indicate in their application which regulation arising from the Family Law Act they wish to be applied to the proprietary relations between them – joint property, accretion set-off or separate property. 

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of seven Bills: 

The purpose of the Bill on Amendments to the Local Government Council Election Act (450 SE),initiated by the Constitutional Committee, is to keep the current organisation of elections with eight electoral districts in Tallinn. The Estonian Centre Party Faction moved to reject the Bill.The motion was not supported. The result of voting: 24 votes in favour, 54 against. 

The Bill on Amendments to the Local Government Organisation Act (451 SE), initiated by the Constitutional Committee, prohibits local government councils to liquidate a rural municipality or city district or to alter their boundaries in the year of regular local government council elections. The Estonian Centre Party Faction moved to reject the Bill. The motion was not supported. The result of voting: 23 votes in favour, 48 against. 

The Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Bill (412 SE), initiated by the Government, provides separation of basic schools and upper secondary schools. The Bill includes important fundamental principles of the national curriculum: the fundamental values, the functions of the basic school and the upper secondary school, the principles of the organisation of studies. Several new provisions are aimed at improving the fulfilment of the obligation to attend school by students. The Estonian People’s Union Faction moved to reject the Bill. The motion was not supported. The result of voting: 3 votes in favour, 42 against. 

The Bill on Amendments to the Penal Code (416 SE), initiated by the Government, re-organises the provisions and concepts concerning offences against the state. In addition to penal law liability for organising a mass disorder, a punishment for incitement to commission of such act, as well as for preparation of a mass disorder, is added. According to the Bill, disregard of a lawful order will also be commission of offence during mass disorder. The amendment is intended to help prevent organising of mass disorders. 

the Bill on Ratification of the Agreement between the Republic of Estonia and the Republic of Macedonia for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income (440 SE), initiated by the Government. 

the Bill on Amendments to the Environmental Charges Act and the Fishing Act (441 SE), initiated by the Government. 

the Bill on Amendments to the Electronic Communications Act (424 SE), initiated by the Government. 

At Question Time, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip answered the questions asked by Members of the Riigikogu on the spot, concerning the economic situation, transition to Euro, the situation in labour market and co-operation with NATO. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet answered the question about the European security and defence policy. The Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo answered the question about the use of the defence forces in ensuring public order. 

The sitting ended at 7.54 p.m.

The Riigikogu Press Service

 

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