On the motion of the Constitutional Committee as leading committee, the second reading of the Draft on Amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia (47 SE), initiated by the President of the Republic, was concluded. The purpose of the Draft is to regulate the management of the state defence and to strengthen the civilian control over the Defence Forces. The amendment of the Constitution provides an opportunity for the Riigikogu to regulate the appointment to office and release from office of the Commander of the Defence Forces and other leaders of the Defence Forces in accordance with law, based on the principle of parliamentary state. The institution of the Commander and the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces is omitted from the Constitution; they are also excluded from the addressees of interpellations of Members of the Riigikogu. The provision pursuant to which the leadership of Defence Forces is appointed to office and released from office by the President of the Republic is repealed. The Draft was sent to the third reading and the term for submission of motions to amend was established to be February 25, 2008.

On the motion of the Constitutional Committee, the first reading of the Draft Resolution on Amendments to the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Security Authorities Surveillance Committee of the Riigikogu” (132 OE), submitted by the Estonian People’s Union Faction, was concluded. Pursuant to the Draft, Karel Rüütli is appointed a member of the committee instead of Villu Reiljan and Tarmo Mänd is appointed an alternate member instead of Karel Rüütli.

The Riigikogu Press Service