Citizen’s Handbook. Mart Jagomägi

Riigikogu are elected in free elections according to the principle of proportional representation. Elections are general, uniform and direct. Voting is secret.

      Elections are free if each voter has the possibility of deciding whether and for whom to vote. This also involves the freedom to nominate candidates.

      Proportionality of elections means that the distribution of Riigikogu mandates between electoral districts is based on the number of citizens eligible to vote in the district. Such arrangement is used in order to ensure that all regions of Estonia are represented in the Riigikogu. There are twelve electoral districts in Estonia. One can only vote for the candidates of his or her electoral district.

      Generality of elections means that all Estonian citizens eligible to vote can participate in the elections regardless of their sex, nationality or other circumstances.

      Uniformity of elections means that each voter has one vote and thus equal opportunity for affecting the voting results.

      Elections are secret if it cannot be determined in favour of whom a voter voted.

      Advance voting is held on the week preceding the elections. Advance voting is possible in one’s voting district of residence or in some other voting district, but only for a candidate of one’s electoral district. During advanced voting, electronic voting is also possible via the home page www.valimised.eewww.valimised.ee. During the advance voting period, e-votes submitted can be changed by re-voting electronically or in a voting district by ballot paper.

      The Riigikogu is elected for a four-year term, the elections are held on the first Sunday in March. Compositions of the Riigikogu are numbered; the XII composition of Riigikogu commenced work on 26 March 2011.

      Every Estonian citizen who has attained 21 years of age has the right to stand as a candidate.

      Duties of the Riigikogu

      Legislative authority is vested in the Riigikogu. This means that only the Riigikogu has the right to adopt legislation.

      The Riigikogu is a representative body elected by Estonian citizens with the right to vote that:

      • passes laws and regulations

      • passes the state budget as a dedicated Act

      • elects the President of the Republic

      • ratifies international treaties

      • authorises a Prime Minister candidate to form the Government of the Republic

      • determines motions to express no confidence in the Government of the Republic, the Prime Minister or individual ministers

      • appoints various higher officials and performs other duties in accordance with the Constitution

      The duties and procedures of the Riigikogu are regulated by the ConstitutionConstitution and the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules ActRiigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.

      The Riigikogu

      Some of the political parties represented in the Riigikogu form the Government of the Republic. These parties are referred to as the government or coalition parties. Political parties not associated with the Government are referred to as the opposition parties.

      The right to initiate an Act, i.e. submit a draft Act rests with each member, faction, and committee of the Riigikogu, as well as with the Government of the Republic. The discussion of a draft Act by the Riigikogu is referred to as a reading of the draft. In general, draft Acts are passed after three readings. In most cases, a majority of votes in favour is sufficient for passing an Act: a draft Act is adopted if more members of the Riigikogu vote in favour than against. Section 104 of the Constitution lists the laws of special importance that require at least 51 votes in favour to be passed (e.g. the Citizenship Act, several elections-related Acts).

      Voting in the Riigikogu is open. Secret ballots are taken only for the election or appointment of officials in the cases provided in the Constitution or in the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure Act.

      Sittings of the Riigikogu are held in Tallinn, in Toompea Castle. The activities of the Riigikogu include:

      • sittings of the plenary assembly

      • sittings of committees and factions

      • work with constituents

      Acts and decisions are passed at sittings of the plenary assembly. Sittings of the Riigikogu are public (unless decided otherwise by a two-thirds majority). All persons interested can follow sittings of the Riigikogu from the guests’ gallery. Broadcasts of the sittings of the Riigikogu are also accessible in real time at the home pagehome page.

      The Riigikogu exercises control over the Government’s activity

      The majority of votes in the Riigikogu authorises the Prime Minister candidate presented by the President to form the Government of the Republic. If the majority of the Riigikogu expresses no confidence in the Government of the Republic (or individual ministers), this leads to their release from office. Also, each member of the Riigikogu is entitled to submit interpellations to members of the Government. The addressee of the interpellation is required to deliver a public speech before the Riigikogu, in which replies are given to the questions posed in the interpellation.

      The ConstitutionConstitution also specifies the preconditions to calling extraordinary Riigikogu elections.

      The Riigikogu holds two regular sessions per year:

      • the spring session from the second Monday in January to the 3rd Thursday in June

      • the autumn session from the second Monday in September to the 3rd Thursday in December

      Between these sessions, an extraordinary session can be held in order to decide on pressing matters. The Riigikogu has a quorum at an extraordinary session if more than one-half of the members of the Riigikogu are present.

      Members of the Riigikogu elect the President of the Riigikogu and two Vice-Presidents from among themselves, who will organise the work of the Riigikogu pursuant to the Riigikogu Internal Rules and Rules of Procedure Act.

      Faction

      Members of the Riigikogu have the right to form factions (political groups). A faction may be formed by at least five members of the Riigikogu who are elected from a list of candidates of the same political party. In factions, opinions are formed on how to vote (whether in favour or against draft acts) and the opinions of Government members, experts, and officials are heard. A member of the Riigikogu is entitled to vote differently than decided by the faction. A member may leave the faction if he or she no longer shares its views, but cannot join another faction.

      Committees

      All members of the Riigikogu (with the exception of the President of the Riigikogu) belong to committees. A committee of the Riigikogu is a work group that discusses the problems and draft Acts related to a specific field. Such an arrangement allows dividing the work load of the members of the Riigikogu and processing the matters more thoroughly. The number of the members of a committee is determined by the Board of the Riigikogu. The work done in committees takes up a major share of the work time of the Riigikogu. The plenary assembly of the Riigikogu discusses a matter only if the relevant committee has analysed it thoroughly and formed its opinion.

      Currently there are 11 standing committeesstanding committees in the Riigikogu:

      • European Union Affairs Committee

      • Environmental Committee

      • Cultural Affairs Committee

      • Rural