Estonia
The Estonian Parliament
Oversight
Data on parliament’s oversight role and activities
Oversight tools
Parliament has the power to summon members of the government
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, art. 22
Parliament has the power to summon senior government officials
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments
Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, art. 65
The Riigikogu appoints
- members of the Supervisory Board of the Central Bank (Eesti Pank);
- the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Central Bank, the Auditor General and the Chancellor of Justice, based on the proposal of the President of the Republic
- Justices of the Supreme Court, based on the proposal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
The Riigikogu appoints
- members of the Supervisory Board of the Central Bank (Eesti Pank);
- the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Central Bank, the Auditor General and the Chancellor of Justice, based on the proposal of the President of the Republic
- Justices of the Supreme Court, based on the proposal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Number of written questions asked, per year
66 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
64 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Parliament has power to carry out inquiries
Yes
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, art. 20
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
0 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Head of State and/or Government
Head of State and/or Government
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government
Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament approves a nomination for the Head of Government
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, art. 65(5)
Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, art. 131 – 132
Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, art. 131 – 132
The Head of Government is also the Head of State
No
Parliament’s role
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State
Some parliaments designate the Head of State or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament elects the Head of State
Notes
The President of the Republic shall be elected by the Riigikogu or, in the case the Riigikogu fails to elect the President, by the electoral body.
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, art. 65(3) and 79
Impeachment and confidence motions
Procedure for parliament
There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution
There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
Not applicable (there is no procedure)
Impeachment Role
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The whole Government
The Head of Government
Individual members of the Executive
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, art. 97
Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, art. 133 – 134
Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, art. 133 – 134
Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted
In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
No