Riigikogu passes amendment allowing remote participation by MPs
The Riigikogu on Wednesday passed an amendment to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, according to which, going forward, plenary sittings of the Riigikogu can also be held without the physical presence of MPs at the Session Hall and MPs can participate in sessions via computer.
A total of 89 MPs voted in favor of the amendment.
The Board of the Riigikogu may decide to hold a sitting with remote MP participation on compelling grounds, spokespeople for the Riigikogu said. The president of the Riigikogu is to inform MPs of such sittings at least three days in advance; on compelling grounds, the period of advance notification may be shorter.
According to the amendment initiated by the Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu, sittings with remote participation may be held if MPs are ensured the opportunity to monitor the sitting in real time and participate in sitting processes. This means that it must be possible to submit bills, give presentations, ask verbal questions, speak, protest as well as vote during sittings.
It must also be possible to report issues with any obstacles to participating in these processes. Should any obstacles occur that would not permit a sitting with remote participation to be held, the director of the sitting will suspend the sitting until the obstacle has been removed.
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Editor: Aili Vahtla
