The Riigikogu ratified with 73 votes in favour (1 against) the Act on the Ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe (645 SE). The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe consolidates the earlier fundamental agreements of the European Union into one document, simplifies the EU legislation system and gives the EU a status of a legal person.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Electronic Communications Act, Information Society Services Act, Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Code of Misdemeanour Procedure (800 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The purpose of the Bill is to impose restrictions on the spread of offensive and hostile comments on the Internet. The motion of the Res Publica Faction to suspend the second reading of the Bill was not supported: 33 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 48 members of the Riigikogu against it.

On the motion of the Isamaaliit Faction, the second reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Riigikogu Election Act, Referendum Act and the European Parliament Election Act (836 SE), was suspended with 60 votes in favour. The purpose of the Bill is to specify provisions concerning electronic voting, in order to apply electronic voting also during the following elections.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Artificial Insemination and Embryo Protection Act (835 SE), initiated by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, Estonian Centre Party Faction and Estonian People’s Union Faction. The purpose of the Bill is to increase the birth rate by providing assistance to childless couples, who have no possibility to conceive naturally, who cannot take advantage of artificial insemination due to lack of material resources.

Due to the end of the working hours of the sitting, the first reading of the Children Support Bill (850 SE), initiated by the Res Publica Faction, was adjourned. The legislative proceeding of the draft will be resumed on Wednesday’s sitting.

The Riigikogu Press Service

9 May 2006