riigikogu

Riigikogu, the Parliament of Estonia, is the unicameral national legislature. It enacts laws, approves the state budget, ratifies international treaties, and exercises oversight of the executive. It sits in Toompea Castle in Tallinn.

The Riigikogu consists of 101 members elected for four-year terms by proportional representation in multi-member constituencies. Parties must surpass a national threshold of 5% to win seats. Members are elected from party lists, with voters able to influence candidate selection within those lists.

The Parliament is headed by a Speaker and a Presidium and operates through specialized committees, including Constitutional Law, Finance, Foreign Affairs, and European Affairs. It conducts plenary sessions and committee work, and most decisions require a majority vote. The legislative process typically involves several readings in committees and then in the plenary chamber before a bill is passed for promulgation.

Key powers include passing laws, approving the budget, ratifying international treaties, and conducting checks on the executive. The Riigikogu elects the Prime Minister after elections and can dismiss the government through a vote of no confidence. It also elects the President in accordance with the constitution, following specified rounds of voting.

History and status: The Riigikogu has its roots in the Estonian independence movement of 1918 and has continued as the national legislature through periods of occupation. The current constitutional framework, reestablished after the restoration of independence in 1991, defined the unicameral body and its powers as Estonia rebuilt its state institutions.