The Riigikogu re-appointed Mihkel Oviir to the office of Auditor General as of 1 April 2008. 68 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the Resolution, 22 voted against it and 1 member of the Riigikogu abstained.

The Minister of Justice Rein Lang gave the Riigikogu an overview of implementation of development objectives of criminal policy in 2007. The overview revealed a remarkable progress in criminal policy in 2007. The major steps are related to various organisational and administrative issues as well as development of legislative drafting. Extended confiscation of proceeds from crime was applied for the first time, a significant number of crimes were solved by expedited procedure, and application of conciliation procedure was started. The provisions of the Penal Code concerning combating of cyber crime were tightened. Also, a new forensic examination institution was established in 2007. In connection with amendments in legislation, especially owing to a more flexible regulation of release before the prescribed time, the number of prisoners dropped to the lowest level in sixteen years. Also worthy of mentioning are successful implementation of electronic surveillance and completion of new anti-corruption strategy. The overview also touches upon prevention of trafficking in human beings, combating of money laundering and drug addiction, victim support and many other issues. Rein Lang also replied to questions of Members of the Riigikogu. Comments were presented by Members of the Riigikogu Ken-Marti Vaher, Hanno Pevkur, Kalle Laanet and Marek Strandberg.

On the motion of the Finance Committee as leading committee, the second reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Investment Funds Act, the Guarantee Fund Act and the Securities Market Act (172 SE), initiated by the same Committee, was concluded. This Bill specifies the possibilities of investment funds upon investment in securities and the procedure for takeover bids of publicly traded companies, and corrects the errors encountered in the sizeable Act on Amendments to the Securities Market Act and Associated Acts which was passed last year. The Draft was sent to the third reading.

On the motion of the Legal Affairs Committee as the leading committee, the Bill on Amendments to the Security Act (174 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, was rejected at the first reading. 41 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion of the Committee and 27 members voted against, nobody abstained. Thus, the Bill was withdrawn from the legislative proceeding.

The Riigikogu Press Service