The Riigikogu passed with 53 votes in favour (7votes against, one abstention) the Act on Amendments to the Participation in Legal Persons in Private Law by the State Act (591 SE), initiated by the Economic Affairs Committee, which is necessitated by the new European Union Directive on internal market in electricity. According to the Directive, Member States have to ensure the independence of transmission operators from the activities relating to the generation or sale of electricity. In Estonian context, for implementation of the principles of the Directive, Elering Ltd has to be transferred from the ownership of Eesti Energia AS to direct ownership of the state. This will create a precondition for ensuring smooth launching of electricity stock exchange and effective functioning of the electricity market. The Act was amended such that the state can acquire the stocks or share of a company in which the state is not a shareholder or stockholder.

 

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Packaging Act (594 SE), initiated by the Estonian Green Party Faction. The purpose of the Bill is to avoid waste management and recovery becoming a dominant branch of economy in a monopoly position where control over prices and charges may be lost. The Bill is intended to adjust Acts in such a way that a reasonable balance and sufficient transparency would be ensured in price formation.

 

The Riigikogu Press Service