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Newly elected President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas (Center) said on the “Otse Postimehest” webcast that he wants to return two EU flags to the floor. “The White Hall has room for four flags two of which should be our beloved blue, black and white and two European Union flags,” the politician said.
Your political career has been a colorful one: mayor of Tallinn, prime minister, while you are still chairman of the Center Party. What is the significance of the position of speaker for you?
I proceed based on the Constitution. Namely that supreme power is wielded by the people and the people elect the Riigikogu. Estonia is a parliamentary country and upholding the spirit of the Constitution is crucial. The work of the Riigikogu also means looking to the future, to what happens tomorrow, five and ten years from now. The Riigikogu has a document (Estonia 2035) that treats with this question – a strategy to oversee all others.
What meaning will Mr. Ratas attach to the position of Riigikogu speaker?
I do not think the Riigikogu needs to be turned upside down overnight. The Riigikogu has very strong traditions. It has been developed by all compositions of the parliament since Estonia regained its independence. Of course, the president of the Riigikogu gives the parliament its countenance. It is important to look to the future as well as to make sure that the speaker does not represent a single party of coalition. I also want to be active outside Toompea Castle, listen to what makes people happy and what worries them all over Estonia. Foreign relations are another task of the Riigikogu president.
Therefore, you plan to be domestically visible and outspoken?
Definitely visible. The work of the Riigikogu is organized to include days when there are no sessions. This is not downtime for MPs but when they need to travel the country.
Do you believe the supplementary state budget should be passed post haste?
I believe we should try and send the budget bill to its third reading by the second week of April. Which is not to say we should be reckless in proceedings. However, work needs to come along at a brisk pace regarding this important document.
What should be changed or improved in Riigikogu work organization?
It is good practice for the outgoing Riigikogu to hand a new Riigikogu Rules and Procedures Act bill or certain amendments over to the next composition. But it needs to be said that this has not always worked as it requires great consensus. The Riigikogu has the Council of Elders to try and anticipate concerns and problems that need to be solved.
I believe that changes and improvements could be the task of a single member of the Board of the Riigikogu, with the Council of Elders kept in the loop. The pandemic has done a lot to change how the Riigikogu operates.
Please give an example of something that needs to change.
I believe that we should not take away the opposition’s tools. Having served as the second [opposition] vice president of the Riigikogu for nine years, I understand the opposition needs to have its own tools for affecting policy. I am not in favor of curbing the opposition’s arm of force. That said, COVID-19-positive delegates should not come in to vote. Should it prove necessary, a separate corridor needs to be set up for them. We could also consider the possibility of an MP voting from home as ours is a digital state.
You were hinting at obstruction as a tool at the opposition’s disposal. Is it a problem or not?
Let us be honest, putting forward 6,000 amendment proposals and taking 10-minute breaks between each one constitutes paralyzing the work of the Riigikogu. Not to mention when proposals number 9,000 or even 50,000. Talks and search for a consensus are needed to make sure we do not end up going to such extremes. Proposals to amend must be retained, while things should not be allowed to go that far.
Will the European Union flag return to the Toompea White Hall?
I believe it is important for our most beautiful flag – the blue, black and white – to adorn the Riigikogu floor. But Estonia has had a very successful EU period. The European Union has guaranteed our security, lent us economic strength and contributed to our culture by allowing us to travel freely. When the EU flags were removed from the White Hall, it caused quite a ruckus. I hope that things will not come to that now.
Estonia is proud to be a member of the EU. The White Hall has room for four flags two of which should be our beloved blue, black and white and two European Union flags.
Therefore, you will dust off the two EU flags and restore them to the hall?
We need to consider decisions. The matter was even put up for a vote last time! Everything needs to be done by the book in a state based on the rule of law, but that is definitely what I want to do. While I do not consider it to be the most important thing, it is significant in terms of the message it sends. It is a good sign if the Estonian and EU flags are displayed side by side.
Running a [coalition] party and serving as speaker are two different things. It is as if you are sitting on two chairs at once. How will you strike a balance?
I believe party chairmen have served as deputy speakers in the past. Conservative People’s Party (EKRE) chairman Martin Helme was recently elected vice president of the Riigikogu. In the end, the decision is that of MPs for what is a political position given meaning by the individual. I have been at the head of a party while serving as prime minister, serving every Estonian person. The president of the Riigikogu needs to see Estonia as a whole.
There will be local government council elections in fall. How will you represent everyone in the Riigikogu and the Center Party outside of it?
Every party makes efforts at elections. If you’re asking whether I plan to help and support my party – I most definitely will. At the same time, I am convinced the two jobs can be kept separate. I really believe we need to find common ground wherever we can. I also realize that the president of the Riigikogu is not the boss of MPs.