The Riigikogu passed with 51 votes in favour (20 against) the Act on Amendments to § 27 of the Privatisation Act (903 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Act entitles the state and local governments, in case of their minority participation, to veto the resolutions of supervisory boards and minutes of general meetings of public limited companies. Such a right is provided for only in case of public limited companies acting in strategic fields or if public limited companies have “special or exclusive rights or they own essential facilities”, and in case the participation of the state or local governments in them, after a partial privatisation of shares, falls below a half of the total number of shares giving the right to vote. This means legalising the status of so-called “gold share”.

 

The Riigikogu passed with 75 votes in favour the Organic Farming Act (920 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Act establishes requirements necessary for acting in the organic farming field which is not subject to the Regulations of the European Union. The bases and scope for exercising supervision over persons acting in the field of organic farming and liability for the failure to meet the established requirements are also identified. The Act enhances the state supervision over the persons acting in the field of organic farming and extends the credibility of marked products.

 

The Riigikogu passed with 72 votes in favour the Explosive Substances Act Amendment Act (892 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, which tightens and specifies several provisions related to the handling of pyrotechnic products. The Act is to contribute to decreasing offences and accidents related to the use of pyrotechnic products. 

 

 

The Bill on Amendments to the Building Act, Apartment Associations Act, Apartment Ownership Act, Housing Associations Act and Energy Efficiency of Equipment Act (895 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

 

The Bill on Amendments to the Liquid Fuel Stocks Act, Taxation Act and Liquid Fuel Act (921 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

 

The Bill on Amendments to the Probation Supervision Act, Imprisonment Act, Penal Code, Penal Code Implementation Act and Code of Criminal Procedure (923 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

 

The Bill on Amendments to the Local Government Council Election Act (891SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The motion of the Isamaaliit Faction and Res Publica Faction to suspend the second reading of the Bill was not supported. The result of voting: 8 votes in favour, 41 against.

 

The Bill on Amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure, Code of Administrative Court Procedure, State Liability Act, Code of Misdemeanour Procedure and the Code of Criminal Procedure (545 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

 

 

The Bill on the Ratification of the Agreement for the Establishment of the International Organisation for the Development of Fisheries in Eastern & Central Europe (EUROFISH) (958 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

 

The Bill on the Ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement Establishing a Partnership between the European Communities and Their Member states of the One Part, and the Republic of Tajikistan, of the Other Part (956 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

 

The Estonian Development Fund Bill (946 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

 

The Bill on Amendments to the International Military Cooperation Act (932 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

 

The Bill on Amendments to the Strategic Goods Act (949 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

 

The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu On the Use of the Estonian Defence Forces Unit in Performance of International Duties of the Estonian State in the Membership of the NATO Response Forces (950 OE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

 

The Bill on the Approval of the Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War of the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which May be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (960 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

 

The Bill on Amendments to the Study Allowances and Study Loans Act (957 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

 

The Bill on Amendments to the Structural Assistance Act and Administrative Cooperation Act (936 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

 

The Bill on the Ratification of the Convention on the Accession to the Convention on the Elimination of Double Taxation in connection with the Adjustment of Profits of Associated Enterprises and the Signing of the Protocol thereto (959 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

 

The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu On Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic (941 OE), submitted by the Social Democratic Party Faction, was not passed. The result of voting: 19 votes in favour, 46 against.

 

At Question Time of the Riigikogu Minister of Culture Raivo Palmaru answered the questions of the members of the Riigikogu about the cultural policy, freedom of expression, media and about the wages of cultural workers. Minister of the Environment Villu Reiljan answered the questions about the civil society and the use of natural resources. Minister of Education and Research Mailis Reps answered the question about the management of education.

 

 

 

The Riigikogu Press Service