riigikorra

Riigikorra is the state’s constitutional and political order that governs how power is exercised, distributed, and constrained within a state. It encompasses the written constitution, legal norms, and the practices that define the functions of the main state institutions, the rights of citizens, and the mechanisms of accountability and rule of law. The term is commonly used in Estonian political science and constitutional law to describe the overall framework of authority that legitimizes government and regulates interactions among institutions.

Core elements typically include the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judiciary; the supremacy of the constitution; the protection of fundamental rights; regular, competitive elections; independent and accountable institutions; and constitutional review mechanisms. These components together shape how authority is formed, exercised, and controlled, and they establish the procedures for government formation, budgeting, lawmaking, and dispute resolution.

Changes to riigikorra generally require constitutional amendments or formal legal reforms, reflecting the need to adapt the framework to evolving political, social, and economic conditions. The concept is central to assessing political stability, the validity of governing practices, and the protection of human rights within a state. In Estonia, the modern riigikorra is anchored in the Constitution adopted in 1992, with subsequent amendments, and it continues to influence legal and political debates about governance, civil liberties, and the balance of power.