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Do the Activities of the Riigikogu Meet the Expectations of the People?

15 June 2000

Studies

RiTo No. 1, 2000

  • Marika Kirch

    Adviser, Research Department, Chancellery of the Riigikogu

The article presents some of the results of a survey ordered by the Riigikogu Chancellery which reflects the change in the credibility of the Parliament and the interest of the people in its activities.

After the regaining of independence the attitude of the people towards the Riigikogu has been positive rather than negative. In general there are more people who believe that the activities of the Riigikogu have been mainly in conformity with the interests of the people. Such an attitude is probably not so much a reflection of a concrete assessment of one or another composition of the Parliament but rather of people’s support to their representative assembly whom they expect more and more to become a Parliament following European traditions.

A significant change has occurred in the opinion of non-Estonians. A year ago there were less than one fifth of non-Estonians whose expectations of the members of Parliament were met. Now their number is the same as among Estonians, i.e. approximately half of the respondents.

People’s knowledge of the work of the Riigikogu has improved over years but it is still not believed to be very good. More than half of the respondents in the survey think that in order to improve the level of information, public broadcasts of the sessions of the Riigikogu should be continued. Most people would like everybody to have a possibility to obtain information they wish about the Riigikogu. Such an opinion reflects the need of the people for an open society which is transparent and where people also have access to information about the highest institutions in the country.

Full article in Estonian

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