State Reform Is Serving the Future of Statehood
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Attorney-at-Law, founder of Ellex Raidla Law Firm Foundation for State Reform, Chairman of Supervisory Board 2018–2019
The Constitution has served Estonia well, there has been no constitutional crisis. However, a parliamentary crisis is obvious in 2023.
The Estonian state reform in the current meaning of the term has been spoken about since 25 November 2009. In 2018, 27 entrepreneurs founded the Foundation for State Reform that prepared a concise concept for state reform together with specific proposals.
In order to solve the crisis of parliamentarianism, the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act should set out precise parameters for limiting obstruction, while at the same time giving the opposition the right to apply to the Supreme Court for review of the constitutionality of Acts that have been passed but have not entered into force. In order to reduce administrative burden and bureaucracy, it is recommended to follow the successful experience of the Netherlands. In the longer perspective, a system of two public hearings should be introduced for ministerial candidates to improve the quality of governance – one hearing in a committee of the Riigikogu and the other before the plenary of the Riigikogu. In order to improve the exercise of power by the people, it would be expedient to repeal Article 105(4) of the Constitution, which would give the Riigikogu the opportunity to better organise referendums.