The Riigikogu passed with 69 votes in favour (1 against) the Resolution of the Riigikogu On the Release of Tarmo Kõuts from Office of the Commander of the Defence Forces (1015 OE), submitted by the President of the Republic. On 24 August 2006 the Commander of the Defence Forces Tarmo Kõuts informed the President of the Republic of his resignation. On 26 October 2006 the President heard the opinion of the National Defence Council, who recommended the President to make a proposal to the Riigikogu on the release of the Commander of the Defence Forces from office. The President as the highest leader of the national defence was of the opinion that in the interests of stability of the management of the Defence Forces, the replacement of the Commander of the Defence Forces should have to be done as quickly as possible. The Act provides the appointment to office and the release from office of the Commander of the Defence Forces on the proposal of the President of the Republic upon a Resolution of the Riigikogu. The Commander of the Defence Forces informs the President of the Republic of his resignation from office at least four months in advance.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of the War Graves Protection Bill (1001 SE), initiated by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, Social Democratic Party Faction, Res Publica Faction and Isamaaliit Faction. The term for submission of motions to amend is 28 November, 6 p.m. The purpose of the Bill is to regulate the protection of remains of persons, who died due to the war activities, in accordance with international duties of Estonia. According to the explanatory memorandum of the Bill, the obligation to mark and honour the war graves as required may also create the need to rebury the remains located therein if the war graves are located in a place where the war graves and human remains cannot be taken care of in a sufficient and dignified manner, and which could not be viewed as dignified last resting places.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the Bill on Amendments to the European Parliament Election Act (937 SE), initiated by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, Estonian Centre Party Faction and Estonian People’s Union Faction. The Isamaaliit Faction and Res Publica Faction moved to suspend the second reading. The motion was not supported. The result of voting: 27 votes in favour, 47 against.

The Riigikogu Press Service 

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