The alternate member of the Riigikogu Siim-Valner Kiisler took the oath of office

Chancellor of Justice Allar Jõks replied to the interpellation (No. 253) concerning the application of the Anti-corruption Act in the case of the organisation of public transport in Järvamaa and the alleged interference of the Mayor of Paide proceeding form personal interests. The interpellation was submitted on 13 November by Members of the Riigikogu Tõnis Kõiv, Jaanus Marrandi, Sven Mikser and Andres Jalak.

Mr. Jõks explained that the Chancellor of Justice is not competent in assessing whether an official had respected or violated the Anti-corruption Act under specific circumstances. In order to give such an assessment, concrete circumstances must be studied thoroughly and profoundly. § 26 ³ of the Anti-corruption Act stipulates a fine of up to 300 fine units for the violation of restrictions on activities or procedural restrictions. The body conducting extra-judicial proceedings of the relevant misdemeanour is the Police Prefecture.

Chancellor of Justice also answered the question on the impact of confusing personal interests with public interests to the authority and prestige of the local government. Mr. Jõks takes the view that intertwined public and private interests of officials have a negative influence on the authority and prestige of the public authority. In order to avoid any conflict of interests, the regulator has established restrictions on employment and activities, as well as procedural restrictions in the Anti-corruption Act.

Chancellor of Justice said that the enforcement of measures for avoiding corruption is the task and the right of the regulator. It should of course be taken into account that the means of the anti-corruption fight impose lesser or greater restrictions to the right to inviolability of family and private life protected by § 26 of the Constitution, the right to freely choose the area of activity, profession and place of employment in § 29 and the right to deal with business activities and to form non-profit associations in.§§ 31 and 48. Thus the restrictions to be established must be thoroughly considered and proportional with the desirable objective.

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The first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Public Service Act (935 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction, will not take place this working week, according to the motion made by its initiators.

The Riigikogu Press Service