• General information
• Electoral system
• Last elections
• Election archive
• Presidency
• Mandate
• Oversight
• Specialized bodies
• Full text

This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Oversight and Specialized bodies modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.

Parliament name (generic / translated) Riigikogu / The Estonian Parliament More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Unicameral Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 1928 - 1939 1991 - LEADERSHIP President Ene Ergma (F)  Notes Re-elected on 26 March 2009, 25 March 2010 and 4 April 2011. Secretary General Heiki Sibul (M)  COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 101 / 101 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 20 (19.80%) Mode of designation directly elected 101 Term 4 years Last renewal dates 6 March 2011 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address Riigikogu Lossi plats 1A 15165 TALLINN Estonia (Export mailing lists) Phone (372) 631 6331 Fax (372) 631 6334 E-mail riigikogu@riigikogu.ee Website http://www.riigikogu.ee

Parliament name (generic / translated) Riigikogu / The Estonian Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 7 June 1994 Last amendment: 14/12/1994 Mode of designation directly elected 101 Constituencies 12 multi-member (6 to 13 seats, according to population) constituencies. Voting system Proportional: Direct party-list voting with proportional distribution of seats in three rounds of counting according to a simple electoral quotient. The distribution of leftover "compensation mandates" (26 seats) takes place on the basis of a modified d'Hondt method. Candidates are listed on the ballot paper on which each elector indicates his or her choice. In determining the electoral results, a simple quotient is calculated for each district by dividing the number of valid votes cast by the number of seats allocated to the district; each candidate who obtains more votes than this quotient is declared elected. Moreover, candidates presented on party lists are enumerated by order of votes obtained; each of these lists is allocated a number of seats equal to the number of times its votes obtained exceed the quotient, those candidates receiving the most votes being declared elected. Finally, mandates not assigned at the district level are distributed as national "compensation mandates" on the basis of a modified d'Hondt method among those parties and electoral coalitions whose candidates obtained at least 5% of the national vote. Vacancies which occur between general elections are filled by candidates who are "next-in-line" on the list of the party or electoral coalition which formerly held the seat. They are also known as "substitute members". Voting is not compulsory. Voter requirements - age: 18 years - Estonian citizenship - disqualifications: mental incompetence, court conviction, detention CANDIDATES Eligibility Qualified electors - age: 21 years - Estonian citizenship Incompatibilities - other public office Candidacy requirements - candidates may be nominated by political parties, electoral unions or individual citizens - an amount equal to approximately US$ 75 must be deposited with the National Election Committee in each case. The amount will be reimbursed provided the candidate in question is elected, obtains votes equal to at least 1/2 of the electoral quotient or appears on a national list entitled to "compensation mandates" - nominations must be submitted at least 45 days prior to the elections

Parliament name (generic / translated) Riigikogu / The Estonian Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 6 March 2011 Timing and scope of renewal Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament on the normal expiry of the members' term of office The March 2011 elections were the first to be held following the global economic crisis that began in 2008. In the previous elections held in March 2007, three parties in the outgoing government - Prime Minister Andrus Ansip's Reform Party, the Centre Party, and the Estonian People's Union - took a total of 66 seats in the 101-member parliament. After the elections, Mr. Ansip formed a new coalition government comprising his Reform Party (which won 31 seats), the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL, 19 seats) and the Estonian Social Democratic Party (SDE, 10 seats). The country of 1.3 million inhabitants was severely hit by the global economic crisis, with gross domestic product (GDP) shrinking by 14 per cent in 2009. Prime Minister Ansip undertook a series of austerity measures, notably cutting civil servants' salaries and raising taxes. In May 2009, he dismissed the SDE ministers after they opposed the government's plan to abandon a planned increase in unemployment benefits. The Prime Minister argued that the country could not afford to pay such benefits with an unemployment rate at 11.4 per cent, while the SDE insisted that the government should increase income tax to generate more revenue. Prime Minister Ansip has led a minority government since. The country's economy showed signs of recovery in 2010. Official statistics put GDP growth at 3.1 per cent and in December 2010, Estonia was admitted to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). On 1 January 2011, it adopted the euro. GDP is expected to grow by 4.2 per cent in 2011, the highest in the European Union (EU), although unemployment remained high, at 10.4 per cent. In 2011, the Prime Minister's coalition government was challenged by the Centre Party, the SDE, the Estonian Greens and the Estonian People's Union. The leading parties focused on taxation. The two parties in the outgoing government - Prime Minister Ansip's Reform Party and the IRL - pledged to maintain a single rate for value-added tax (VAT), income tax and corporate tax, set at 21 per cent in 2010. The Reform Party ran on the government's record, underscoring economic recovery following the global economic crisis. The Prime Minister promised to invest more in education, provide support to needy children and families, and increase pensions. The IRL, led by Mr. Mart Laar, pledged to work to balance the budget, arguing that this objective should be enshrined in the Estonian Constitution. It promised to work for economic growth so as to reduce unemployment and to introduce a 13th month of pension for mothers with two or more children who have reached retirement age. The IRL said it would not enter into a post-election coalition with any party that would not give priority to budgetary balance. The opposition parties promised to introduce a progressive taxation system, reducing the VAT on food to 5 per cent. The SDE, led by Mr. Sven Mikser since October 2010, promised to levy a 26 per-cent income tax on persons earning more than 1,000 euros per month while maintaining it at 21 per cent for persons earning less. The SDE also promised to triple the child allowance for all under-19s and guarantee each child a place in nursery, in addition to providing free education. The Centre Party criticized the government's economic policies. It argued that the VAT increase and budget cuts had weakened the economy and affected the financial situation of many Estonians. The Centre Party - led by incumbent Mayor of Tallinn and former Prime Minister, Edgar Savisaar - draws support from the Russian-speaking community in Estonia. It was reportedly losing ground due to a fund-raising scandal, revealed by the Estonian secret services (Kaitsepolitsei) in December 2010. The Kaitsepolitsei's report indicated that Mr. Savisaar had requested 1.5 million euros from the Russian railway company for his party's election campaign. He denied the allegation and retained his post as party leader and Mayor of Tallinn. The leading parties, with the exception of the Estonian People's Union of Mr. Andrus Blok, rejected the idea of forming a post-election coalition with the Centre Party. President Toomas Hendrik Ilves (SDE) stated that he would never propose Mr. Savisaar for the post of Prime Minister. In all, 62.9 per cent of the 912,000 registered voters turned out at the polls. Of them, 15.43 per cent or 140,846 citizens voted online via their computer or mobile phone, up from 5 per cent in 2007. The parties in the outgoing government increased their presence, together securing a majority in the newly elected parliament. Prime Minister Ansip's Reform Party won 33 seats, up from 31; and the IRL took 23 seats, up from 19. The SDE also increased its seats to 19, up from 10, while the Centre Party fell from 29 to 26 seats. The Estonian People's Union and the Estonian Greens failed to surpass the 5 per-cent threshold required to win parliamentary representation. On 4 April, the newly elected parliament held its first session and re-elected Ms. Ene Ergma (IRL) as its Speaker. Prime Minister Ansip announced that he would continue to lead the coalition government with the IRL. Mr. Ansip's new government took the oath of office in Parliament on 6 April. STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 6 March 2011 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 913'346 580'264 (63.53%) 5'131 575'133 Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Reform Party 164'255 28.56 Center Party 134'124 23.32 Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) 118'023 20.52 Estonian Social Democratic Party (SDE) 98'307 17.09 Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats Gain/loss Number of women Reform Party 33 2 4 Center Party 26 -3 7 Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) 23 4 4 Estonian Social Democratic Party (SDE) 19 9 4 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 82 19 18.81% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Note on distribution of seats according to sex: Nineteen women were elected on 6 March 2011. However after the formation of the new government on 6 April 2011, some members who had been elected resigned to take up ministerial posts. As at 11 April 2011, there were 20 women parliamentarians (19.80 per cent). Sources: http://rk2011.vvk.ee/ The Estonian Parliament (04.04.2011, 11.04.2011)

Parliament name (generic / translated) Riigikogu / The Estonian Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title President of the Riigikogu Term - duration: 1 year - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, entering upon other office, enforcement of conviction, resolution of the Supreme Court about the continuous incompetence in fulfilling his/her duties, death Appointment - elected by all the Members of the Riigikogu during the first sitting of the Parliament - after Members' mandates are validated and after Members are sworn in Eligibility any Member may be a candidate but formal notification is required Voting system - formal vote by secret ballot - if no candidate obtains the required majority in the first ballot, the voting will be repeated: the candidates must get more than 50% of valid votes in the 1st and in the 2nd ballots, there will be a drawing of lots in the 3nd ballot Procedures / results - the Chairman (or the Vice-Chairman) of the Election Committee of the Republic presides over the Assembly during the voting - the Election Committee of the Republic supervises the voting - the Chairman of the Election Committee of the Republic announces the results without any delay - the results must be confirmed by the resolution of the Election Committee of the Republic - the results can be challenged STATUS Status - ranks 2nd in the hierarchy of State, after the Head of State - represents the Assembly with the public authorities - in the absence of the President, one of the 2 Vice-Presidents can assume his/her role and functions Board - the Board of the Riigikogu consists of the President and 2 Vice-Presidents - meets at the initiative of the President, usually every week of the plenary sitting - it is a collegiate presidency where there are equal rights for all Material facilities FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - may convene extraordinary sessions - gives the floor according to the law and may give permission for extending or interrupting the speeches - refers texts to a committee for study, together with the other Members - examines the admissibility of request for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting up of such committees, like the other Members of the Parliament Chairing of public sittings - can open and close sittings, only the 2/3 majority can interrupt the sitting - ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders - makes announcements concerning the Assembly - may interrupt the speech by switching off the microphone, if a speech is longer than permitted or does not correspond to the parliamentary etiquette - will put the questions to the voting, but the order of voting is regulated by law - checks the quorum - signs the adopted legal acts, does not endorse the shorthand reports - the Board interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly Special powers - has equal rights with other Members for establishing the budget - the Board is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments - is responsible together with the other Members of the Board- for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Assembly Speaking and voting rights, other functions - takes the floor in legislative debates - takes part in voting - proposes bills or amendment - intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure - signs the laws adopted by the Assembly, and transmits it to the President of the Republic for promulgation

Parliament name (generic / translated) Riigikogu / The Estonian Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral NATURE Nature of the mandate · Free representation (Art. 62 of the Constitution of 29.06.1992) Start of the mandate · When the results are declared (Art. 61 (1) of the Constitution, Art. 40 (1) of the Electoral Law) Validation of mandates · No validation End of the mandate · On the day when the election results are declared (Art. 61 (1) of the Constitution) (for early dissolution, see Art. 89 (6), 97 (4), 105 (4), and 119 of the Constitution) Can MPs resign? Yes · Of their own free will (see also Art. 64 (2) No. 3 of the Con-stitution) · Procedure: application to the Board of the Riigikogu; the reason for resigning must be specified · Authority competent to accept the resignation: Can MPs lose their mandate ? Yes (a) Loss of mandate by judicial decision: - Loss of eligibility: guilty verdict of a court (Art. 64 (2) No. 2 in connection with Art. 58 and 60 (2) of the Constitution) - Sentence of the National Court declaring an MP permanently incapable of fulfilling his duties (Art. 64 (2) No. 4 of the Constitu-tion) (b) Loss of mandate for incompatibilities (Art. 64 (2) No. 1 in con-nection with Art. 63 (1) of the Constitution) (c) Death (Art. 64 (2) No. 5 of the Constitution) (d) Loss of mandate for refusal to take the oath of conscience or for confirmation of untrue information by the oath (Art. 6 (2) and 7 (1) of the Law on the Application of the Constitution) STATUS OF MEMBERS Rank in hierarchy · Within Parliament: 1. The President 2. The two Vice-Presidents 3. The Chairmen of the committees 4. The Deputy Chairmen of the committees 5. The Chairmen of the factions 6. The Deputy Chairmen of the factions · Outside Parliament: the official order of precedence ranks the President in the 2nd position. Indemnities, facilities and services · Diplomatic passport (at this moment, approximately one third hold diplomatic passports) Basic salary (see Art. 75 of the Constitution): approx. US$ 1,050 per month (MP), approx. US$ 1,570 per month (President) + Al-lowance for representation expenses: 20% of the basic salary · Total exemption from tax · Pension scheme (Law on Remuneration, Pension and other Social Guarantees for Members of Riigikogu) · Other facilities: (a) Secretariat, assistants for the factions (b) Official housing if residence outside of Tallinn (c) Postal and telephone services (d) Travel and transport (e) Others: National Library (Law on the National Library of Estonia) Obligation to declare personal assets Yes Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The concept does exist (Art. 62 of the Constitution). · Parliamentary non-accountability is limited to words spoken or written by MPs and votes cast within Parliament. · Derogations: slander and libel · Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins and offers, after the expiry of the mandate, protection against prosecution for opinions expressed during the exercise of the mandate. Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The concept does exist (Art. 76 of the Constitution). · It applies only to criminal proceedings, covers all offences with the exception of minor offences which do not involve criminal proceedings, and protects MPs only from the opening of judicial proceedings. · No derogations are foreseen. · Parliamentary inviolability does not prevent MPs from being called as witnesses before a judge or tribunal. · Protection is provided from the start to the end of the mandate. It does not cover judicial proceedings instituted against MPs before their election. · Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) can be lifted (Art. 76 of the Constitution): - Competent authority: the Riigikogu - Procedure (Art. 76 and 139 (3) of the Constitution). In this case, MPs cannot be heard. They do not have means of appeal. · Parliament cannot subject the prosecution and/or detention to certain conditions. · Parliament cannot suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members. · In the event of preventive custody or imprisonment, the MPs concerned cannot be authorised to attend sittings of Parliament. EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE Training · There is a training/initiation process on parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs. · It is provided by the Chancellery of Parliament. · Handbook of parliamentary procedure: - Special Collection of Legal Acts Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is compulsory for MPs to be present at plenary sittings, committee meetings and other meetings. · Penalties foreseen in case of failure to fulfil this obligation: no sanction, apart from publication of participation in the press Discipline · Specific cases : MPs cannot be accused of offending or insulting Parliament. Code (rules) of conduct · This concept does not exist in the country's juridical system but there are some relevant provisions (Art. 64 (2) No. 1 in connection with Art. 63 (1) of the Constitution, Art. 6 (2) and 7 (1) of the Law on the Application of the Constitution). For the declaration of interests, see Obligation to declare personal assets. · Penalties foreseen for violation of the rules of conduct (Art. 64 (2) No. 1 in connection with Art. 63 (1) of the Constitution, Art. 6 (2) and 7 (1) of the Law on the Application of the Constitution): loss of mandate (incompatibilities, refusal to take the oath of conscience or confirmation of untrue information by the oath) Relations between MPs and pressure group · There are no legal provisions in this field.

This page was last updated on 12 April 2011
Copyright 1996-2011 Inter-Parliamentary Union

• Also on PARLINE
• Search
• Modules
• At a glance
• Recent elections
• New in PARLINE
• Toolbox
• Photo gallery
• About
• Newsfeeds