Dokument #1314462
Freedom House (Autor)
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Democratic Governance | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 |
Electoral Process | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.50 |
Civil Society | 2.00 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 |
Independent Media | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 |
Local Democratic Governance | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 |
Judicial Framework and Independence | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 |
Corruption | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 |
Democracy Score | 1.96 | 1.93 | 1.93 | 1.96 | 1.93 | 1.93 | 1.96 | 1.96 | 1.96 | 1.93 |
NOTE: The ratings reflect the consensus of Freedom House, its academic advisers, and the author(s) of this report. If consensus cannot be reached, Freedom House is responsible for the final ratings. The ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 representing the highest level of democratic progress and 7 the lowest. The Democracy Score is an average of ratings for the categories tracked in a given year. The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author(s).
The rapid development that Estonia enjoyed since the restoration of independence, interrupted only by recessions in 1999 and 2008–09, has slowed down considerably. Estonia has a stable and well-consolidated democracy, but experts, academics, entrepreneurs, and most of the public share the view that the country has fallen into traps in several spheres of social life, and escaping them will require a new approach to development.[1] Weak economic growth, a shrinking population, shortage of skilled labor, and institutional issues demand difficult and complex policy responses.
Hopes were therefore high in 2015 that national elections would bring novel ideas and a new energy to help society escape its stagnation. Indeed, two new parties—the center-right Estonian Free Party (EFP) and far-right Estonian Conservative People’s Party (ECPP)—entered the parliament, changing the political landscape as the shares of the existing four parliamentary parties shrunk. EFP was founded before the elections with the express aim of breaking the so-called cartel system in Estonian politics.
The newcomers in parliament did not make it into the government, however. The long negotiations to form a new coalition ended when the Reform Party (RP), who won the elections despite losing some seats, formed a government together with the Social Democrats (SD) and Pro Patria–Res Publica Union (PPRPU). RP has headed every government for the last 10 years, and both SD and PPRPU had been RP’s governing partners during the previous election period, although not at the same time. The new parties in parliament, EFP and ECPP, remained in the opposition, although at first RP had engaged EFP in coalition negotiations. The Estonian Center Party (CP), a large and long-standing opposition party with strong support from the Russian-speaking minority, also remained outside the coalition.
Throughout the year, party approval ratings showed a steady rise in popularity of the two new parliamentary parties.[2] On the one hand, this was due to the new parties gaining more exposure to the public and to financial resources through state support thanks to their parliamentary status. On the other hand, the ratings of coalition parties also fell because the new government immediately faced the complicated issue of migration to the European Union (EU), two of the coalition parties had fractious internal discussions on their performance in the elections, and because the new government had to adopt unpopular changes to the tax base structure to cover election promises.
RP was not the only party in the new coalition that lost seats in the 2015 elections, as SD and even more so PPRPU both performed below their expectations. The former changed its leader in May and the latter in June. New SD chairman Jevgeni Ossinovski initiated a review of the newly adopted coalition agreement, and for several months there was confusion over what would become of the agreement and the coalition itself. The messy situation ended with SD replacing several ministers and the coalition approving minor amendments to the agreement.
In addition to internal problems, the new coalition had to face the migration crisis in Europe. The government did not take an active lead in explaining the situation to the public and devising adequate policy responses. This passivity left room for the ECPP and the non-parliamentary People’s Unity Party to strongly oppose the EU’s quotas for refugee allocation and campaign against the government on the issue, including through intolerant and racist speech.
At the same time, another activist group, Tolerant Estonia, started a civic movement to balance the public debate and organize pro-tolerance actions and events. In September, Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas confirmed that Estonia would agree to the number of refugees to be relocated to Estonia according to the European Commission’s plan.[3] Nevertheless, asylum policy continues to be a hotly debated public issue for the foreseeable future.
Estonia has long been considered to have a low level of corruption, outperforming in various indices even among some Western European countries. Two events this year may change that perception. In addition to several minor cases of money laundering, political patronage, and influence peddling, investigations by the Internal Security Service (ISS) revealed two major corruption cases. In one, the managing board of the state-owned Port of Tallinn was accused of taking bribes. In the second, CP head Edgar Savisaar was suspended from his post as mayor of Tallinn and accused of accepting property and monetary bribes. Savisaar has denied the charges. The process and outcomes of these cases will play a significant role in demonstrating the practical effects of anticorruption laws and other regulations that aim to enforce the country’s democratic principles.
Score Changes:
As a result, Estonia’s Democracy Score improved from 1.96 to 1.93.
Outlook for 2016:
Discussions on how to deal with the major challenges facing Estonia—such as slow economic growth, declining population, shortage of skilled labor, weak local governments, imbalance between the capital and regions, and finding new revenue sources to cover increasing social costs—will remain on the political agenda. Although there are no quick solutions to Estonia’s internal problems or to burning external issues like the migrant crisis, it is obvious that these difficulties will not pass and the country must devise strategies to deal with them. Yet the government appears to have no clear idea how to address the challenges in an effective way and prefers to fine-tune existing measures. It is probable that the power struggle between the coalition parties will continue, and the government will likely not find the strength to deal with these pressing issues in 2016.
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2.25 |
2.25 |
2.25 |
2.25 |
2.25 |
2.25 |
2.25 |
2.25 |
2.25 |
2.25 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.75 |
1.75 |
1.75 |
1.75 |
1.75 |
1.75 |
1.50 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2.00 |
1.75 |
1.75 |
1.75 |
1.75 |
1.75 |
1.75 |
1.75 |
1.75 |
1.75 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
1.50 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.25 |
2.25 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
Author: Hille Hinsberg, Jane Matt, Rauno Vinni
Hille Hinsberg is an expert in the Governance and Civil Society program at the Praxis Center for Policy Studies in Tallinn, Estonia. Jane Matt is an analyst in the Governance and Civil Society program for Praxis. Rauno Vinni is the head of Praxis’s Governance and Civil Society program.
[1] Raivo Vetik, 2015. “Introduction: Estonia’s position in the Human Development Index”, in Estonian Human Development Report 2014/2015. Estonian Cooperation Assembly, Tallinn. See also K. Hainsalu, “National Audit Office dissatisfied with governmental efforts to develop economy”, Postimees, 24 November 2014, http://news.postimees.ee/3411027/national-audit-office-dissatisfied-with-governmental-efforts-to-develop-economy
[2] “Emori uuringueksperdi kommentaar erakondade reitingu uuringu tulemuste erinevuse kohta,” [The comments of TNS Emor research expert on the differences in the ratings outcomes of parties], 20 November 2015, Emor.ee, http://www.emor.ee/emori-uuringueksperdi-kommentaar-erakondade-reitingu-uuringu-tulemuste-erinevuse-kohta/
[3] “PM says Estonia agrees with number of refugees offered by Commission,” Postimees, 10 September 2015, http://news.postimees.ee/3323995/pm-says-estonia-agrees-with-number-of-refugees-offered-by-commission
[4] „Uus jõud Reformierakond. Kuidas palun?“ [Reform Party the new power. Excuse me?], Poliitika.guru, 5 March 2015, http://www.poliitika.guru/uus-joud-reformierakond-kuidas-palun/
[5] „Coalition talks to continue between three parties, Free Party to go into opposition“, Estonian Public Broadcasting, 23 March 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/9a422178-b0ea-461e-b208-7ead215b88cd; J. M. Laats, „Coalition Agreement Signed and New Ministers Announced”, Estonian Public Broadcasting, 8 April 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/fe4461b5-314a-4c20-8d9c-23a07c97c48e; Website of the Republic of Estonia Government, accessed 28 October 2015, https://valitsus.ee/en
[6] See also “Lauristin: isikutevahelised pinged lõhuvad valitsuse enne nelja aastat”[Lauristin: tensions between individuals break the coalition within four years], Estonian Public Broadcasting, 10 April 2015, http://uudised.err.ee/v/1b2a5eab-cb9f-41e9-a55b-f47b6a392c71
[7] Coalition Policy Agreement, Website of the Republic of Estonia Government, accessed 2 February 2016, https://valitsus.ee/en
[8] S. Tambur, “Ossinovski causes trouble for coalition on day 1,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 9 April 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/521b38a3-acfd-484d-bfa6-9270ce560fc9
[9] J. M. Laats and S. Tambur, “Ossinovski named Social Democrat head,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 1 June 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/5bdcd2af-999d-418c-9681-b1a3d22f39df
[10] S.Tambur, “SDE in ministerial reshuffle,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 7 September 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/265c5032-75df-4af0-be6e-74b309f4581e
[11] A. Ammas, “Business minister resigns,” Postimees, 31 August 2015, http://news.postimees.ee/3311061/business-minister-resigns
[12] J. M. Laats, “SDE votes to continue in government; Palo resigns,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 31 August 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/a10405f8-801b-4355-890f-75bdf89fa0a5
[13] For criticism of the president, see T. H. Ilves, “Lets us renew Estonia,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 15 September 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/opinion/4e27539c-a488-49f4-8bb5-fb143eb0ad1a/toomas-hendrik-ilves-let-us-renew-estonia
[14] S. Tambur, “Savisaar still in critical condition in Tartu University Hospital,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 19 March 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/45132bc7-f646-45b5-ae0f-6a5e89cd8ef5
[15] M. Oll and S. Tambur, “Savisaar named suspect in bribery case,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 22 September 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/bd2685cb-2efe-4d7c-ac33-c26c09f9cf3d
[16] M. Oll, “Circuit Court upholds Savisaar's suspension,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 23 October 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/5dfd5ac8-15e8-40c5-bdd4-6b83b70db86f
[17] S. Tambur, “Kadri Simson runs against Savisaar for Center Party leadership,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 16 October 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/society/0c79fe4b-39b8-4ed0-9a8e-1af156f908d4/kadri-simson-runs-against-savisaar-for-center-party-leadership#comments
[18] Accordingly, Estonia has to accept around 500-600 people over the next two years. On public attitudes see also Jüristo, T.; Lepik, K.; Solvak, M.; Tamkivi, S.; Vaarik, D.; Vassil, K. “Pagulasprobleemist empiiriliselt” [About the refugee problem empirically], Memokraat 18 November 2015, http://memokraat.ee/2015/11/uuring-mida-eesti-elanik-arvab-pogenikest/
[19] M. Oll “POLL: Estonians distrustful of government's refugee policy,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 18 November 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/8154884a-a3e1-45b6-bf35-6fc606b6a387/poll-estonians-distrustful-of-governments-refugee-policy#comments
[20] OSCE, “Parliamentary elections 1 March 2015,” accessed March 2016, http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/estonia/160131?download=true
[21] A.Rajavee (ed.), “Valimiste valvurid alustavad tööd” [The election guards start their work], Estonian Public Broadcasting , 15 January 2015, http://valimised.err.ee/v/riigikogu_valimised_2015/valimiste_valvurid/2ad57bdb-6587-4207-bf86-c788567a179c
[22] Valimiste valvurid, “Valimiste valvurite koondtabel: kiitused ja laitused” [The summary table of the guards of the elections: commendations and dispraised] , Estonian Public Broadcasting , 01 March 2015, http://valimised.err.ee/v/riigikogu_valimised_2015/valimiste_valvurid/1c4eba89-e907-41ee-bc92-c72e907b0adf
[23] Estonian National Electoral Committee, “Hääletamis ja valimistulemused hetkeseisuga,” [The results of the parliamentray elections], (Tallinn: Estonian National Electoral Committee, 20 March 2015), http://rk2015.vvk.ee/voting-results.html
[24] J. M. Laats, “Tsahkna named IRL chairman, pledges to unite party,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 08 June 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/53d81d62-1ee6-47ff-a26b-b5e6ed775955
[25] “EKRE-kingitus kõige nõrgemale” [ECPP – a present to the weakest], POLIITIKA.guru, 6 March 2015, www.poliitika.guru.ee,
[26] OSCE, “Parliamentary elections 1 March 2015,” accessed March 2016, http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/estonia/160131?download=true
[27] M. Oll, “Voting age lowered to 16 in local elections,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 6 May 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/7e42b8f5-e54d-4657-83b1-96b5a90a40dc
[28] The Parliament of Estonia, “Riigikogu andis 16- ja 17- aastastele õiguse hääletada kohalikel valimistel” [The Parliament gave the 16- and 17- years the right to vote in local elections], 6 May 2015, http://www.riigikogu.ee/pressiteated/riigikogu-andis-16-ja-17-aastastele-oiguse-haaletada-kohalikel-valimistel/
[29]P.Luts; M.Pärli (ed.), “Riigikogu tööapsu tulemusel jäi valimisiga langetamata” [As a result of the mistake in Riigikogu’s work the voting age remained not lowered], Estonian Public Broadcasting, 10 November 2015, http://uudised.err.ee/v/eesti/2c408cbd-af1d-4a7f-85d6-979359dc91ac/riigikogu-tooapsu-tulemusel-jai-valimisiga-langetamata
[30] United States Agency for International Development, The 2014 CSO Sustainability Index
for Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia, (Washington USAID 2014), pp.77-84, https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1863/CSOSI-Report-FINAL-7-2-15.pdf
[31] National Foundation of Civil Society, About Us, 2015 http://www.kysk.ee/nfcs.
[32] United States Agency for International Development, The 2014 CSO Sustainability Index
for Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia, (Washington USAID 2014), pp.77-84, https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1863/CSOSI-Report-FINAL-7-2-15.pdf
[33] Social impact bonds are mechanisms to encourage private investments for public outcomes. For example, the state procures a service from a nonprofit organization on the condition that it delivers a certain public good, like reduced juvenile delinquency. The nonprofit raises capital from private investors to perform the public good, and then repays its investors from the money the state pays when the outcome is achieved. See “Charity or business? Private investors expect interest from decreased criminal behaviour by youth” [Heategevus või äri? Erainvestorid loodavad noorte kuritegevuse vähendamiselt kasumit], Eesti Päevaleht, 26 August 2015. http://www.heategu.ee/uudised/heategevus-voi-ari-erainvestorid-loodavad-noorte-kuritegevuse-vahendamiselt-kasumit
[34] Coalition agreement,https://valitsus.ee/en/raising-incomes-and-promotion-entrepreneurship
[35] Kallas, K. et al. 2015. Monitoring of Integration of Estonian Society 2015 [Eesti ühiskonna integratsiooni monitooring 2015], http://www.kul.ee/sites/kulminn/files/1peatykk.pdf
[36] The National Democratic Institute, Field Offices of The National Democratic Institute, https://www.ndi.org/field_offices
[37] “Far-right MP: we will deport refugees if we win elections,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 20 July 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/8728b4fd-d8c5-4c5b-b89e-93a608f381f0
[38] Immigration center set on fire“, Estonian Public Broadcasting, 3 September 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/a87a85c1-1408-4e81-8621-893cf9a5f495.
[39] “Concert encourages Estonians to be friendlier, more tolerant,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 07 September.2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/society/872b7989-f7a2-4975-92c6-67adc9c70124/.
[40] S.Tambur, “Poll: One-third of Estonians Support Accepting Refugees,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 26 June 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/e4bbce9e-036a-44c2-a4ba-671b01e4a3a8.
[41] “Gallery: Opinion Festival attracts record number of people,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 17 August 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/873008f7-71bf-4826-a145-462219145851.
[42] Open Society Foundations (OSF), Mapping Digital Media: Estonia (New York: OSF, 30 January 2013), http://oef.org.ee/fileadmin/media/valjaanded/uuringud/OSF-Media-Report-Estonia-04-22-2013-lowres.pdf.
[43] Freedom House, Freedom of the Press 2015: Harsh Laws and Violence Drive Global Decline (New York: Freedom House, April 2015) https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FreedomofthePress_2015_FINAL.pdf.
[44] “Ajakirjanikest poliitikuks pürgijatest peaaegu pooled jõudsid parlamenti,” [About half of journalists who ran for Parliament won the seat], Estonian Public Broadcasting, 02 March 2015, http://valimised.err.ee/v/riigikogu_valimised_2015/valimisuudised/fd1ab110-5a78-40af-b29a-cbd4cc05a662
[45] “Margus Linnamäe to become sole owner of Eesti Meedia,”. Postimees, 26 August 2015, http://news.postimees.ee/3307051/margus-linnamae-to-become-sole-owner-of-eesti-meedia
[46] “Ekspress Grupp merges AS Eesti Ajalehed and AS Delfi,” 19 January 2015, EGrupp,
http://www.egrupp.ee/news/ekspress-grupp-merges-as-eesti-ajalehed-and-as-delfi
[47] S. Tambur, “Estonia Launches Its First Russian-language TV-channel” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 28 September 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/ba7558c7-7b24-4e02-9af5-ff5270acea40.
[48] H.Tiikmaa, “Estonia’s third channel struggles to connect with Russian speakers Xindex,” Index on Censorship, 4 January 2016, https://www.indexoncensorship.org/2016/01/estonias-third-channel-struggles-to-connect-with-russian-speakers/
[49] “Estonian Public Broadcasting's new Russian TV channel popular among Estonians,” The Baltic Course, 7 October 2015 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=111377
[50] “Russian propaganda channel aiming to launch in Estonia,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 11 November 2014, http://news.err.ee/v/main_news/2d35ec6c-a6d6-49c6-9ef0-188f9200720b.
[51] J.Dougherty, R.Kaljurand, Estonia’s “Virtual Russian World”: The Influence of Russian Media on Estonia’s Russian Speakers, Integration Centre for Defence Studies, 2015. http://www.icds.ee/fileadmin/media/icds.ee/failid/Jill_Dougherty__Riina_Kaljurand_-_Estonia_s__Virtual_Russian_World_.pdf.
[52] “No room for Russian state radio station, says Technical Surveillance Authority,” ERR 18 November 2014 http://news.err.ee/v/scitech/e20d7d1c-46f9-405f-87b6-cb08d87fbe5a.
[53] “Immigration center set on fire,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 3 September 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/a87a85c1-1408-4e81-8621-893cf9a5f495.
[54] “Kohalikud omavalitsused” [Local governments], Estonia Ministry of the Interior, accessed 29 October 2015, https://www.siseministeerium.ee/et/tegevusvaldkonnad/kohalikud-omavalitsused
[55] Praxis Centre for Policy Studies and Estonian Centre for Applied Research CentAR, Perioodi 2007-2013 struktuurivahendite mõju regionaalarengule [The impact of the 2007-2013 structural funds on regional development], (Tallinn: Praxis and CentAR, 2015)
[56] “State Reform,” Republic of Estonia Government, accessed 29 October 2015, https://valitsus.ee/en/state-reform
[57] “Haldusreformi valitsuskomisjon arutas omavalitsuste ühinemiskriteeriume” [The governmental commission for administrative reform discussed the mergers criteria], Republic of Estonia Government, 27 October 2015, https://valitsus.ee/et/uudised/haldusreformi-valitsuskomisjon-arutas-omavalitsuste-uhinemiskriteeriume
[58] “Haldusreformi valitsuskomisjon hindas omavalitsuste ühinemise ajakava ja liitumistoetusi,” [The governmental commission for administrative reform assessed the timetable and subsidies for the mergers of local governments], Estonian Public Broadcasting, 12 June 2015, http://uudised.err.ee/v/3718e18a-65ce-43a6-a912-f89772170001
[59] J.M. Laats, “Hiiumaa revolts against municipality head,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 2 October 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/b52ed1ef-25c5-44c6-a1b0-714ceba2e771
[60] “Riik alustab kõnelusi omavalitsustega pagulaste vastuvõtuks lähipäevil,” [The government starts the talks over refugees acceptance with local governments], Estonian Public Broadcasting, 30 June 2015, http://uudised.err.ee/v/c09ae14f-0a7a-4acb-ac30-234935283e70
[61] “Rõivas: kutsun omavalitsusi üles järele mõtlema” [Prime minister Rõivas: local governments should rethink about refugees], Estonian Public Broadcasting, 10 September 2015, http://uudised.err.ee/v/eesti/51141a78-9fd7-4805-b267-a6e85aa89222/roivas-kutsun-omavalitsusi-ules-jarele-motlema
[62] Klaus Schwab and Xavier Sala-i-Martín, “The Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016. Full Data Edition” (Geneva: World Economic Forum, 2014), p 165, http://www3.weforum.org/docs/gcr/2015-2016/Global_Competitiveness_Report_2015-2016.pdf
[63] “Kuritegevuse barometer” [Crime barometer], August 2015, Crime policy website of the Ministry of Justice, http://www.kriminaalpoliitika.ee/et/statistika-ja-uuringud/baromeeter
[64] “Savisaar suspended from mayor’s office,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 30 September 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/2b68a0b6-7636-4070-8389-f9751d5874a4/savisaar-suspended-from-mayors-office
[65] “Egdar Savisaar: see oli mõrvakatse!” [Edgar Savisaar: it was an attempted murder”], Pealinn, 5 October 2015, http://www.pealinn.ee/newset/edgar-savisaar-see-oli-morvakatse-n154101
[66] “Circuit Court upholds Savisaar's suspension,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 23 October 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/5dfd5ac8-15e8-40c5-bdd4-6b83b70db86f/circuit-court-upholds-savisaars-suspension
[67] “Estonia's justice chancellor says mandate doesn't exempt anyone from liability”, Postimees, 23 October 2105, http://news.postimees.ee/3373013/estonia-s-justice-chancellor-says-mandate-doesn-t-exempt-anyone-from-liability.
[68] “Savisaar: Keskerakond seob end lahti Eesti õigussüsteemist” [Savisaar: Centre Party binds itself to rid the Estonian legal system], Estonian Public Broadcasting, 29 November 2015, http://uudised.err.ee/v/eesti/7db43e9a-6841-46a1-b23c-756435906f8b/savisaar-keskerakond-seob-end-lahti-eesti-oigussusteemist
[69] Editorial: a ranting Savisaar untoppled”, Postimees, 30 November 2015, http://news.postimees.ee/3418013/editorial-a-ranting-savisaar-untoppled
[70] “Hate speech laws too soft, says human rights watchdog,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 04 September 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/08634d9f-9808-4ca4-8abe-86409b8bb000/hate-speech-laws-too-soft-says-human-rights-watchdog
[71] “A draft law against racist and xenophobic speech and crime” [Vaenu õhutamise vastane eelnõu].Website of the Ministry of Justice, accessed on November 21 2015, http://www.just.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/kriminaalpoliitika/vaenu-ohutamise-vastane-eelnou
[72] “ECRI calls Estonia to criminalize racist offenses”, Estonian Public Broadcasting, 22 October 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/society/ae011188-ad71-437e-bd84-bbe321807171/ecri-calls-estonia-to-criminalize-racist-offenses
[73] “Justice minister says soundness of mind needed with hate speech issue”, Postimees: Estonian News, 13 October 2015, http://news.postimees.ee/3361015/justice-minister-says-soundness-of-mind-needed-with-hate-speech-issue.
[74] Transparency International’s 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index, https://www.transparency.org/cpi2015/#results-table
[75] “Authorities detain Port of Tallinn CEO on corruption allegations,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 26 August 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/cf7d4f70-5d2b-4716-b07c-8517adbf38cb/authorities-detain-port-of-tallinn-ceo-on-corruption-allegations
[76] “No politicians in new Port of Tallinn supervisory board,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, http://news.err.ee/v/news/politics/f50fab04-2abf-4904-b2f5-5acf1cf786ee/no-politicians-in-new-port-of-tallinn-supervisory-board
[77] “Security service and prosecution advise on how to check state-owned companies,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 15 September 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/c9d953fd-9b87-461c-bbbe-ab86eb09ec31/security-service-and-prosecution-advised-on-how-to-check-state-owned-companies
[78] “Minister pledges to depoliticize state company boards ahead of possible privatization,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 2 September 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/bcc09994-a972-4aa8-9f4f-e0efc4c52939
[79] M. Oll and S. Tambur, “Savisaar Named Suspect in Bribery Case,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 22 September 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/bd2685cb-2efe-4d7c-ac33-c26c09f9cf3d/internal-security-services-detain-savisaar-suspect-him-of-repeatedly-taking-bribes
[80] S. Tambur, “Savisaar Suspended from Mayor’s Office,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 30 September 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/2b68a0b6-7636-4070-8389-f9751d5874a4
[81] M. Oll, “Center Party launches signature campaign in support of suspended mayor Edgar Savisaar,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 6 October 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/080d836f-52af-4c0a-9b38-168db9db36df/center-party-launches-signature-campaign-in-support-of-suspended-mayor-edgar-savisaar; “Tallinna linnavolikogule anti üle ligi 17 000 allkirja Savisaare toetuseks” [Over 17 thousand signatures in support for Savisaar were presented to the Tallinn City Council], Estonian Public Broadcasting, 15 October 2015, http://uudised.err.ee/v/51e3af3a-7819-40c1-b4f2-8bc64c884337
[82] “Toobal and Laasi found guilty,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 17 October 2014, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/6d78fc56-ed8c-4d07-b513-00f27c275325
[83] “Tartu municipality head suspected of grand embezzlement; rejects accusations,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 30 September 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/302e9a3f-2b15-4d26-893f-3eaed975df58/tartu-municipality-head-suspected-of-grand-embezzlement-rejects-accusations
[84] J.M. Laats, “3 arrested in Jõhvi municipality corruption case,” Estonian Public Broadcasting, 18 June 2015, http://news.err.ee/v/politics/9b7f676d-ead7-41b8-bcfd-fe17cb90aa9a
[85] The Parliament of Estonia, “Draft resolutions on formation of select committees passed first reading in Riigikogu,” 5 May 2015, http://www.riigikogu.ee/en/press-releases/draft-resolutions-on-formation-of-select-committees-passed-first-reading-in-riigikogu/
[86] “Minister of Justice supports the creation of lobby register to the Parliament,” Postimees, 14 October 2015, http://www.postimees.ee/3362265/reinsalu-toetab-riigikogu-juurde-lobifirmade-registri-loomist
Nations in Transit 2016 - Bulgaria (Periodischer Bericht, Englisch)