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Estonia
Friday, 27 August 2010 11:36
The Riigikogu is the representative assembly of the Estonian people. Under Article 59 of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, legislative power is vested in the Riigikogu. In addition to passing legislation, the Constitution imposes other functions on the Riigikogu – adopting the state budget and enforcing budgetary compliance, exercising a review of the activities of the government, appointing senior state officials and representing Estonia in international organisations.
Executive power is vested in the Government of the Republic. Executive power is divided between two functions – governance and administration. The Government of the Republic coordinates the agencies in the executive branch and performs oversight of the agencies.
Justice is solely administered in Estonia by the court system. The judicial branch is separate and distinct from other powers and their respective spheres of influence.
The National Audit Office performs economic audits in the government sector and is independent in its audit functions. It reports to parliament with regard to the legality and performance of the state’s economic activities.
The function of the Chancellor of Justice is to perform constitutional reviews. The Chancellor of Justice acts as an ombudsman, performing oversight of public agencies for the purpose of guaranteeing the constitutional rights and liberties of all persons.
Eesti Pank, also known as the Bank of Estonia, is the central bank of the Republic of Estonia. It is responsible for making monetary policy, thus keeping the Estonian monetary system operational.
The Defence Forces are subordinate to the Government and part of the executive branch, in the area of administration of the Ministry of Defence. The primary function of the Defence Forces is to ensure military readiness to defend the state by military means. In peacetime, the Defence Forces exercise supervision and oversight of airspace and territorial waters, ensure constant defence readiness, take part in international operations and assist in clean-up and relief efforts in accidents and disasters.
Estonian Public Broadcasting (EPB) started operating on 1 June 2007. This was preceded by the adoption of the Public Broadcasting Act in the Riigikogu on 18 January 2007, laying the foundations for the Estonian Public Broadcasting created as a result of a merger of Estonian Radio and Estonian Television. Currently, the EPB comprises two television and five radio programme services and numerous news and thematic portals.
Online consul of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The online consul provides advice on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on issues related to travelling and consular services. Feel free to ask the consul about travel documents, visas, etc. See also the "For travellers" section.
New English-language State Gazette
All of Estonia's laws now available in English. The translations are considered unofficial, and do not have legal force. In Estonia, legislation has legal force only in Estonian.
Public holidays
The Public and National Holidays Act (in Estonian) can be found online at https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/109032011007.