The second panel discussion will focus on the role of parliament in anti-corruption policy-making. Topics such as beneficial ownership, whistleblowers, public expenditure, as well as oversight of the executive branch will be addressed. Member of the Riigikogu Margit Sutrop will participate in the discussion.

The Seminar will take place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and will be live streamed on the Riigikogu web page. The language of the seminar is English.

The seminar takes place within the framework of the Open Government Partnership Global Summit, which is held in Tallinn, Estonia, on 6 and 7 September. The seminar is organised in the cooperation of the Riigikogu, Open Parliament e-Network and Open Government Partnership.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Open Parliament Day seminar focuses on the role of parliaments in fight against corruption

67 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the Resolution and 13 voted against.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Amendment of the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the State Budget Control Select Committee”” (336 OE), submitted by the Estonian Reform Party Faction and the Estonian Centre Party, changes the principle for the formation of the membership of the State Budget Control Select Committee. According to the Resolution, in the future, the membership of the committee will be formed under the principle of equal representation of the coalition and the opposition.

During the debate, Jevgeni Ossinovski (Social Democratic Party), Peeter Ernits (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Toomas Kivimägi (Reform Party) and Tarmo Kruusimäe (Isamaa) took the floor.

54 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the Resolution and 35 voted against.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Amendment of the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee”” (337 OE), submitted by the Estonian Reform Party Faction and the Estonian Centre Party, changes the principle for the formation of the membership of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee. According to the Resolution, in the future, the membership of the committee will be formed under the principle of equal representation of the coalition and the opposition.

During the debate, Eduard Odinets (Social Democratic Party), Kalle Grünthal (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) and Jevgeni Ossinovski (Social Democratic Party) took the floor.

56 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the Resolution and 37 voted against.

Due to the end of the working hours of the sitting, the second reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Animal Protection Act and the Nature Conservation Act (219 SE), initiated by members of the Riigikogu Indrek Saar, Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, Jürgen Ligi, Signe Riisalo, Yoko Alender, Helmen Kütt, Lauri Läänemets, Siret Kotka, Andrei Korobeinik, Raimond Kaljulaid, Oudekki Loone, Katri Raik, Jüri Jaanson, Toomas Kivimägi, Johannes Kert, Mart Võrklaev, Jevgeni Ossinovski, Kalvi Kõva, Jaak Juske, Riina Sikkut, Heljo Pikhof, Liina Kersna and Madis Milling, was adjourned. It will continue at tomorrow’s sitting.

For the same reason, the first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (370 SE), initiated by the Faction Isamaa, the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Resolution of the Riigikogu “Approval of the Shortlist for the Establishment and Renovation of Cultural Construction Works of National Importance”” (387 OE), submitted by the Cultural Affairs Committee, and the Bill on Amendments to § 55 of the Health Insurance Act (363 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction and Member of the Riigikogu Raimond Kaljulaid, was transferred to the agenda for tomorrow’s sitting.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

The video recording of the sitting will be available on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
Phone: +372 631 6592, +372 510 6179
E-mail: merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
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Link uudisele: The Riigikogu amended the principle for the formation of membership for three committees

“We had a lengthy discussion on the situation in the Committee and reached a consensus, and we are asking the Government to speed up the drafting of a Bill that would specify the rights of the Political Parties Financing Surveillance Committee in carrying out its tasks,” Odinets said. He added that the Committee also recommended the Government to use the proposals of the Political Parties Financing Surveillance Committee as a basis.

In their communication, the Select Committee underlines that, in the political parties surveillance, the ways of covert funding should also be focused on at the legislative level. Considering that municipal council elections will be held already this October, the Select Committee considers it necessary that such a Bill should be drafted and submitted for the legislative proceedings of the Riigikogu as a matter of urgency.

For the drafting of the Bill, the Select Committee proposed to summon a roundtable, representative of all political parties, at the earliest opportunity, to discuss potential initiatives and to find a political consensus. The Select Committee also asks the Government to include measures pertaining to the funding of political parties in the Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2021–2025.

The communication of the Select Committee has been drafted on the basis of the reports of its public sitting of 15 March. The sitting was attended by Minister of Justice Maris Lauri and representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Political Parties Financing Surveillance Committee and Transparency International Estonia.

iigikogu Press Service
Epp-Mare Kukemelk
+372 631 6356, +372 515 3903
epp-mare.kukemelk@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Select committee turned to the Government about political parties financing surveillance

Odinets noted that the Committee wished to contribute to creating all legislative possibilities to ensure that Estonia would move up in terms of the global corruption perceptions index. According to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which measures public sector corruption, Estonia is ranking 17th together with Iceland among 180 countries.

Minister of Justice Maris Lauri, Director of the Analysis Division of the Ministry of Justice Mari-Liis Sööt and Adviser Kätlin-Chris Kruusmaa, Chair of the Political Parties Financing Surveillance Committee Liisa Oviir, Deputy Chair Kaarel Tarand and member Airi Mikli, and Chairman of the Board of Transparency International Estonia Steven-Hristo Evestus and Executive Director Carina Paju have been invited to attend the sitting.

iigikogu Press Service
Epp-Mare Kukemelk
+372 631 6356, +372 515 3903
epp-mare.kukemelk@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Select Committee discusses corruption prevention with partners

Katri Raik is the Chairperson and Marek Jürgenson is the Deputy Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee of the Riigikogu. Mart Nutt, Paul Puustusmaa and Andres Sutt are members of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee.

Jürgen Ligi is the Chairman and Martin Repinski is the Deputy Chairman of the State Budget Control Select Committee of the Riigikogu. Peeter Ernits, Aivar Kokk and Kalvi Kõva are members of the State Budget Control Select Committee.

Photos (will be uploaded with a delay)

Riigikogu Press Service
Marie Kukk
Phone: +372 631 6456; +372 5821 3309
E-mail: marie.kukk@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Select committees of the Riigikogu elected their chairs

The new Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Committee were elected after a repeat poll because the initially elected Chairman Anneli Ott resigned promptly after learning the election results. A repeat poll was held immediately, and Artur Talvik was elected Chairman. It is a parliamentary custom that the Anti-Corruption Select Committee is chaired by a representative of the opposition.

The Anti-Corruption Select Committee has six members. The other members of the Committee are Mart Helme, Ants Laaneots, Jaanus Marrandi, and Mart Nutt.

The Anti-Corruption Select Committee of the Riigikogu supervises the implementation of anti-corruption measures provided in the law. The Select Committee discusses and assesses the potential incidents of corruption involving officials specified in the Act, exercises supervision over compliance with the restrictions on activities of the members of the Riigikogu, and verifies the declarations of interests. The Select Committee submits an overview of its activities to the Riigikogu once a year.

Photos.

Riigikogu Press Service
Marie Kukk
+372 631 6456; 58 213309
marie.kukk@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Artur Talvik became Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee

The extraordinary elections took place as a result of the proposal submitted by the Estonian Free Party Faction to appoint Andres Herkel a member of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee in replacement of Artur Talvik.

Anti-Corruption Select Committee of the Riigikogu supervises over the implementation of anti-corruption measures provided in the law. The Select Committee discusses and assesses the potential incidents of corruption involving officials specified in the Acts, exercises supervision over compliance with the restrictions on activities of the members of the Riigikogu and verifies the declarations of interests. The Select Committee submits an overview of its activities to the Riigikogu once a year.

Riigikogu Press Service
Marie Kukk
+372 631 6456; +372 58 213 309
marie.kukk@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Andres Herkel became the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee

The Anti-Corruption Select Committee of the Riigikogu monitors that the anti-corruption measures provided for in Estonian Acts are actually implemented. The Select Committee discusses and assesses the potential incidents of corruption involving officials specified in the Acts, exercises supervision over compliance with the restrictions on activities of the members of the Riigikogu and verifies the declarations of interests. The Select Committee submits an overview of its activities to the Riigikogu once a year.

Photos (will be uploaded with a delay)

Riigikogu Press Service
Marie Kukk
+372 631 6456; +372 58 213 309
marie.kukk@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Artur Talvik became the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee

The Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee noted that the stakeholders were already being involved in the legislative process. Considering the importance of the topic, it is necessary in Talvik’s opinion to strive for even better, higher-quality and more transparent legislative work. “With our committee, we have reopened the debate on whether there should be lobbying rules. During the debate, we have also found that the members of the Riigikogu have different understanding of lobbying activities. Therefore it is important to write down the lobbying rules and to create a common lobbying culture,” Talvik said.

“Besides establishing lobbying rules, the Committee wishes that the Good Practice would not be just a paper in the folder for members of the Riigikogu, but would be really implemented and followed by them,” Talvik added.

The purpose of amending the Good Practice of Members of the Riigikogu is to increase the transparency and openness of the activities of the members of the Riigikogu. In the opinion of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee, Estonia has to continue its efforts in the field of supervision and sanctions in order to ensure that the members of the Riigikogu observe the Good Practice.

Good Practice of Members of the Riigikogu

Submitting of the amended draft of the Good Practice of Members of the Riigikogu

Riigikogu Press Service
Marie Kukk
+372 631 6456; +372 58 213 309
marie.kukk@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Anti-Corruption Select Committee wants to add lobbying rules to the Good Practice of Members of the Riigikogu

The State Budget Control Select Committee (9 OE) includes Jaak Aaviksoo, substitute member Andres Metsoja; Andres Ammas, substitute member Külliki Kübarsepp; Kristjan Kõljalg, substitute member Meelis Mälberg; Henn Põlluaas, substitute member Martin Helme; Mihhail Stalnuhhin, substitute member Tarmo Tamm; and Tanel Talve, substitute member Kalvi Kõva. 85 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of the formation of the committee, one member abstained.

The purpose of the State Budget Control Select Committee is to ensure, in cooperation with the National Audit Office, control over the Government in terms of the implementation of the state budget and sustainable, efficient and lawful use of the state assets and state budget funds.

The Anti-Corruption Select Committee (10 OE) includes Raivo Aeg, substitute member Kalle Muuli; Ants Laaneots, substitute member Johannes Kert; Jaanus Karilaid, substitute member Kersti Sarapuu; Jaanus Marrandi, substitute member Helmen Kütt; Raivo Põldaru, substitute member Arno Sild; and Artur Talvik, substitute member Jüri Adams. In the course of the proceedings, an amendment was made to the draft Resolution according to which Jaanus Karilaid is member of the committee instead of Lauri Laasi. 84 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of the formation of this committee.

The Anti-Corruption Select Committee monitors that the anti-corruption measures provided for in Estonian Acts are actually implemented. The committee also discusses and assesses the potential incidents of corruption involving officials specified in the Act, exercises supervision over compliance with the restrictions on activities of the members of the Riigikogu and verifies the declarations of interests.

The Security Authorities Surveillance Select Committee (11 OE) includes Krista Aru, substitute member Andres Herkel; Uno Kaskpeit, substitute member Henn Põlluaas; Martin Kukk, substitute member Kalle Laanet; Erki Savisaar, substitute member Aadu Must; Ken-Marti Vaher, substitute member Mart Nutt; and Hardi Volmer, substitute member Andres Anvelt. 82 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the formation of the committee, one member abstained.

The Security Authorities Surveillance Select Committee has been formed for the verification of the lawfulness of the activity and surveillance activities of the Internal Security Service and the Information Board. The committee also verifies the compliance of the activities of the Police and Border Guard Board, the General Staff of the Defence Forces, the Prisons Department of the Ministry of Justice, and the Investigation Department of the Tax and Customs Board with the Code of Criminal Procedure.

There are 11 standing committees and three select committees in the Riigikogu. For the solution of problems of special importance, investigation or study committees are formed.

The Riigikogu Press Service

Epp-Mare Kukemelk

T: 631 6356; 51 53 903

epp-mare.kukemelk@riigikogu.ee

Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Riigikogu approved membership of three select committees