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The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia
passed by a referendum held on 28 June 1992
(RT
1 1992, 26, 349),
entered into force 3 July 1992,
amended by the following Acts:
12.04.2007 entered into force 21.07.2007 – RT I 2007, 33, 210;
05.10.2003 entered into force 06.01.2004 – RT I 2003, 64, 429;
25.02.2003 entered into force 17.10.2005 – RT I 2003, 29, 174.

With unwavering faith and a steadfast will to strengthen and develop the state,
which is established on the inextinguishable right of the peop le of Estonia to
national self -determination and which was proclaimed on 24 February 1918,
which is founded on liberty, justice and law,
which shall protect internal and external peace, and is a pledge to present and
future generations for their social progress and welfare,
which shall guarantee the preservation of the Estonian nation, language and
culture through the ages,
the people of Estonia, on the basis of § 1 of the Constitution which entered
into force in 1938, and by a referendu m held on 28 June 1992, adopted the
following Constitution.

(RT I 2007, 33, 210 – entered into force 21.07.2007)

Chapter I
General Provisions
§ 1.
Estonia is an independent and sovereign democratic republic wherein the
supreme power of state is vested in the people.
The independence and sovereignty of Estonia are timeless and inalienable.
§ 2.
The land, territorial waters and airspace of the Estonian state are an inseparable
and indivisible whole.
Estonia is politically a unitary state wherein administrat ive division shall be
provided by law.
§ 3.
The state authority shall be exercised solely pursuant to the Constitution and
laws which are in conformity therewith. Generally recognised principles and
rules of international law are an inseparable part of the Estonian legal system.
Laws shall be published in the prescribed manner. Only published laws have
obligatory force.
§ 4.

The activities of the Riigikogu 2, the President of the Republic, the Government of
the Republic, and the courts shall be organised on the principle of separation and
balance of powers.
§ 5.
The natural wealth and resources of Estonia are national riches which shall be
used economically.
§ 6.
The official language of Estonia is Estonian.
§ 7.
The national colours of Estonia are blue, blac k and white. The design of the
national flag and the national coat of arms shall be provided by law.

Chapter II
Fundamental Rights, Freedoms and Duties
§ 8.
Every child of whose parents one is an Estonian citizen has the right to Estonian
citizenship by birth.
Everyone who has lost his or her Estonian citizenship as a minor has the right to
its resumption.
No one shall be deprived of Estonian citizenship acquired by birth.

No one shall be deprived of Estonian citizenship because of his or her beliefs.
The conditions and procedures for the acquisition, loss and resumption of
Estonian citizenship shall be provided by the Citizenship Act.
§ 9.
The rights, freedoms and duties of each and every person, as set out in the
Constitution, shall be equal for Estonian citizens and for citizens of foreign states
and stateless persons in Estonia.
The rights, freedoms and duties set out in the Constitution shall extend to legal
persons in so far as this is in accordance with the general aims of legal persons
and with the nature of such rights, freedoms and duties.
§ 10.
The rights, freedoms and duties set out in this Chapter shall not preclude other
rights, freedoms and duties which arise from the spirit of the Constitution or are
in accordance therewith, and conform to th e principles of human dignity and of
a state based on social justice, democracy, and the rule of law.
§ 11.
Rights and freedoms may be restricted only in accordance with the Constitution.
Such restrictions must be necessary in a democratic society and shal l not distort
the nature of the rights and freedoms restricted.
§ 12.
Everyone is equal before the law. No one shall be discriminated against on the
basis of nationality, race, colour, sex, language, origin, religion, political or other
opinion, property o r social status, or on other grounds.

The incitement of national, racial, religious or political hatred, violence or
discrimination shall, by law, be prohibited and punishable. The incitement of
hatred, violence or discrimination between social strata shall, by law, also be
prohibited and punishable.
§ 13.
Everyone has the right to the protection of the state and of the law. The Estonian
state shall also protect its citizens abroad.
The law shall protect everyone from the arbitrary exercise of state authority.
§ 14.
The guarantee of rights and freedoms is the duty of the legislative, executive and
judicial powers, and of local governments.
§ 15.
Everyone whose rights and freedoms are violated has the right of recourse to the
courts. Everyone has the righ t, while his or her case is before the court, to
petition for any relevant law, other legislation or procedure to be declared
unconstitutional.
The courts shall observe the Constitution and shall declare unconstitutional any
law, other legislation or proce dure which violates the rights and freedoms
provided by the Constitution or which is otherwise in conflict with the
Constitution.
§ 16.
Everyone has the right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall
be arbitrarily deprived of his or her life.

§ 17.
No one’s honour or good name shall be defamed.
§ 18.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel or degrading treatment or
punishment.
No one shall be subjected to medical or scientific experiments against his or her
free will.
§ 19.
Everyone has the right to free self -realisation.
Everyone shall honour and consider the rights and freedoms of others, and shall
observe the law, in exercising his or her rights and freedoms and in fulfilling his
or her duties.
§ 20.
Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person.
No one shall be deprived of his or her liberty except in the cases and pursuant to
procedure provided by law:
1) to execute a conviction or detention ordered by a court;
2) in the case of non -compliance with a direction of the court or to ensure the
fulfilment of a duty provided by law;

3) to combat a criminal or administrative offence, to bring a person who is
reasonably suspected of such an offence before a competent state authority, or to
prevent his or her escape;
4) to place a minor under disciplinary supervision or to bring him or her
before a competent state authority to determine whether to impose such
supervision;
5) to detain a person suffering from an infectious disease, a person of unso und
mind, an alcoholic or a drug addict, if such person is dangerous to himself or
herself or to others;
6) to prevent illegal settlement in Estonia and to expel a person from Estonia
or to extradite a person to a foreign state.
No one shall be deprived of his or her liberty merely on the ground of inability to
fulfil a contractual obligation.
§ 21.
Everyone who is deprived of his or her liberty shall be informed promptly, in a
language and manner which he or she understands, of the reason for the
deprivation of liberty and of his or her rights, and shall be given the opportunity
to notify those closest to him or her. A person suspected of a criminal offence
shall also be promptly given the opportunity to choose and confer with counsel.
The right of a person suspected of a criminal offence to notify those closest to
him or her of the deprivation of liberty may be restricted only in the cases and
pursuant to procedure provided by law to combat a criminal offence or in the
interests of ascertaining the truth in a criminal procedure.

No one shall be held in custody for more than forty-eight hours without the
specific authorisation of a court. The decision of the court shall be promptly
communicated to the person in custody in a language and manner whic h he or
she understands.
§ 22.
No one shall be presumed guilty of a criminal offence until a conviction by a
court against him or her enters into force.
No one has the duty to prove his or her innocence in a criminal procedure.
No one shall be compelled to testify against himself or herself, or against those
closest to him or her.
§ 23.
No one shall be convicted of an act which did not constitute a criminal offence
under the law in force at the time the act was committed.
No one shall have a more severe pun ishment imposed on him or her than the
one that was applicable at the time the offence was committed. If, subsequent to
the commission of an offence, the law provides for a lesser punishment, the
lesser punishment shall apply.
No one shall be prosecuted or punished again for an act of which he or she has
been finally convicted or acquitted pursuant to law.
§ 24.
No one shall be transferred, against his or her free will, from the jurisdiction of
the court specified by law to the jurisdiction of another court.

Everyone has the right to be tried in his or her presence.
Court sessions shall be public. A court may, in the cases and pursuant to
procedure provided by law, declare that a session or a part thereof be held in
camera to protect a state or business secr et, morals or the private and family life
of a person, or where the interests of a minor, a victim, or justice so require.
Judgment shall be pronounced publicly, except in cases where the interests of a
minor, a spouse, or a victim require otherwise.
Every one has the right of appeal to a higher court against the judgment in his or
her case pursuant to procedure provided by law.
§ 25.
Everyone has the right to compensation for moral and material damage caused
by the unlawful action of any person.
§ 26.
Every one has the right to the inviolability of private and family life. State
agencies, local governments, and their officials shall not interfere with the private
or family life of any person, except in the cases and pursuant to procedure
provided by law to pr otect health, morals, public order, or the rights and
freedoms of others, to combat a criminal offence, or to apprehend a criminal
offender.
§ 27.
The family, being fundamental to the preservation and growth of the nation and
as the basis of society shall be protected by the state.
Spouses have equal rights.

Parents have the right and the duty to raise and care for their children.
The protection of parents and children shall be provided by law.
The family has a duty to care for its needy members.
§ 28.
Everyone has the right to the protection of health.
An Estonian citizen has the right to state assistance in the case of old age,
incapacity for work, loss of a provider, or need. The categories and extent of
assistance, and the conditions and procedure fo r the receipt of assistance shall be
provided by law. Citizens of foreign states and stateless persons who are in
Estonia have this right equally with Estonian citizens, unless otherwise provided
by law.
The state shall promote voluntary and local governme nt welfare services.
Families with many children and persons with disabilities shall be under the
special care of the state and local governments.
§ 29.
An Estonian citizen has the right to freely choose his or her area of activity,
profession and place of work. Conditions and procedure for the exercise of this
right may be provided by law. Citizens of foreign states and stateless persons
who are in Estonia have this right equally with Estonian citizens, unless
otherwise provided by law.
No one shall be com pelled to perform work or service against his or her free will,
except service in the armed forces or alternative service, work to prevent the
spread of an infectious disease, work in the case of a natural disaster or a

catastrophe, and work which a convict must perform on the basis of and
pursuant to procedure established by law.
The state shall organise vocational training and shall assist persons who seek
employment in finding work.
Working conditions shall be under state supervision.
Everyone may freely belong to unions and federations of employees and
employers. Unions and federations of employees and employers may uphold
their rights and lawful interests by means which are not prohibited by law. The
conditions and procedure for the exercise of the righ t to strike shall be provided
by law.
The procedure for resolution of labour disputes shall be provided by law.
§ 30.
Positions in state agencies and local governments shall be filled by Estonian
citizens, on the basis of and pursuant to procedure establis hed by law. These
positions may, as an exception, be filled by citizens of foreign states or stateless
persons, in accordance with law.
The right of some categories of state public servants to engage in enterprise and
to form commercial associations (§ 31) , as well as the right to belong to political
parties and some types of non -profit associations (§ 48) may be restricted by law.
§ 31.
Estonian citizens have the right to engage in enterprise and to form commercial
undertakings and unions. Conditions and p rocedure for the exercise of this right
may be provided by law. Citizens of foreign states and stateless persons who are

in Estonia have this right equally with Estonian citizens, unless otherwise
provided by law.
§ 32.
The property of every person is invi olable and equally protected. Property may
be expropriated without the consent of the owner only in the public interest, in
the cases and pursuant to procedure provided by law, and for fair and
immediate compensation. Everyone whose property is expropriate d without his
or her consent has the right of recourse to the courts and to contest the
expropriation, the compensation, or the amount thereof.
Everyone has the right to freely possess, use, and dispose of his or her property.
Restrictions shall be provided by law. Property shall not be used contrary to the
public interest.
Classes of property which, in the public interest, may be acquired in Estonia only
by Estonian citizens, some categories of legal persons, local governments, or the
Estonian state may be provided by law.
The right of succession is guaranteed.
§ 33.
The home is inviolable. No one’s dwelling, real or personal property under his or
her control, or place of employment shall be forcibly entered or searched, except
in the cases and pursu ant to procedure provided by law, to protect public order,
health or the rights and freedoms of others, to combat a criminal offence, to
apprehend a criminal offender, or to ascertain the truth in a criminal procedure.
§ 34.

Everyone who is legally in Estonia has the right to freedom of movement and to
choice of residence. The right to freedom of movement may be restricted in the
cases and pursuant to procedure provided by law to protect the rights and
freedoms of others, in the interests of national defenc e, in the case of a natural
disaster or a catastrophe, to prevent the spread of an infectious disease, to protect
the natural environment, to prevent the leaving of a minor or a person of
unsound mind without supervision, or to ensure the administration of a criminal
procedure.
§ 35.
Everyone has the right to leave Estonia. This right may be restricted in the cases
and pursuant to procedure provided by law to ensure the administration of court
or pre -trial procedure, or to execute a court judgment.
§ 36.
No Estonian citizen shall be expelled from Estonia or prevented from settling in
Estonia.
No Estonian citizen shall be extradited to a foreign state, except under conditions
prescribed by an international treaty and pursuant to procedure provided by
such tre aty and by law. Extradition shall be decided by the Government of the
Republic. Everyone who is under an extradition order has the right to contest the
extradition in an Estonian court.
Every Estonian has the right to settle in Estonia.
§ 37.

Everyone has the right to education. Education is compulsory for school-age
children to the extent specified by law, and shall be free of charge in state and
local government general education schools.
In order to make education accessible, the state and local governme nts shall
maintain the requisite number of educational institutions. Other educational
institutions, including private schools, may also be established and maintained
pursuant to law.
Parents shall have the final decision in the choice of education for the ir children.
Everyone has the right to receive instruction in Estonian. The language of
instruction in national minority educational institutions shall be chosen by the
educational institution.
The provision of education shall be supervised by the state.
§ 38.
Science and art and their instruction are free.
Universities and research institutions are autonomous within the restrictions
prescribed by law.
§ 39.
An author has the inalienable right to his or her work. The state shall protect the
rights of the au thor.
§ 40.
Everyone has freedom of conscience, religion and thought.

Everyone may freely belong to churches and religious societies. There is no state
church.
Everyone has the freedom to exercise his or her religion, both alone and in
community with others, in public or in private, unless this is detrimental to
public order, health or morals.
§ 41.
Everyone has the right to remain faithful to his or her opinions and beliefs. No
one shall be compelled to change them.
Beliefs shall not excuse a violatio n of the law.
No one shall bear legal liability because of his or her beliefs.
§ 42.
State agencies, local governments, and their officials shall not gather or store
information about the beliefs of an Estonian citizen against the citizen’s free will.
§ 43.
Everyone has the right to confidentiality of messages sent or received by him or
her by post, telegraph, telephone or other commonly used means. Exceptions
may be made by court authorisation to combat a criminal offence, or to ascertain
the truth in a cr iminal procedure, in the cases and pursuant to procedure
provided by law.
§ 44.
Everyone has the right to freely obtain information disseminated for public use.

All state agencies, local governments, and their officials have a duty to provide
information about their activities, pursuant to procedure provided by law, to an
Estonian citizen at his or her request, except information the disclosure of which
is prohibited by law, and information intended exclusively for internal use.
An Estonian citizen has the right to access information about himself or herself
held in state agencies and local governments and in state and local government
archives, pursuant to procedure provided by law. This right may be restricted
pursuant to law to protect the rights and free doms of others or the confidentiality
of a child’s filiation, and in the interests of combating a criminal offence,
apprehending a criminal offender, or ascertaining the truth in a criminal
procedure.
Citizens of foreign states and stateless persons who ar e in Estonia have the rights
specified in paragraphs two and three of this section equally with Estonian
citizens, unless otherwise provided by law.
§ 45.
Everyone has the right to freely disseminate ideas, opinions, beliefs and other
information by word, print, picture or other means. This right may be restricted
by law to protect public order, morals, and the rights and freedoms, health,
honour and good name of others. This right may also be restricted by law for
state and local government public servants , to protect a state or business secret or
information received in confidence, which has become known to them by reason
of their office, and the family and private life of others, as well as in the interests
of justice.
There is no censorship.
§ 46.

Everyone has the right to address state agencies, local governments, and their
officials with memoranda and petitions. The procedure for responding shall be
provided by law.
§ 47.
Everyone has the right, without prior permission, to assemble peacefully and to
co nduct meetings. This right may be restricted in the cases and pursuant to
procedure provided by law to ensure national security, public order, morals,
traffic safety, and the safety of participants in a meeting, or to prevent the spread
of an infectious di sease.
§ 48.
Everyone has the right to form non -profit associations. Only Estonian citizens
may belong to political parties.
The establishment of organisations and unions which possess weapons, are
militarily organised or perform military exercises require s prior permission, for
which the conditions and procedure of issuance shall be provided by law.
Organisations, unions, and political parties whose aims or activities are directed
at changing the constitutional order of Estonia by force, or are otherwise i n
conflict with the law providing for criminal liability, are prohibited.
Only a court may terminate or suspend the activities of, or fine, an organisation,
union or political party, for a violation of the law.
§ 49.
Everyone has the right to preserve his or her national identity.
§ 50.

National minorities have the right, in the interests of national culture, to establish
self-governing agencies under conditions and pursuant to procedure provided
by the National Minorities Cultural Autonomy Act.
§ 51.
Every one has the right to address state agencies, local governments, and their
officials in Estonian and to receive responses in Estonian.
In localities where at least one -half of the permanent residents belong to a
national minority, everyone has the right to also receive responses from state
agencies, local governments, and their officials in the language of the national
minority.
§ 52.
The official language of state agencies and local governments shall be Estonian.
In localities where the language of the majority of the residents is not Estonian,
local governments may, to the extent and pursuant to procedure provided by
law, use the language of the majority of the permanent residents of the locality as
an internal working language.
The use of foreign languages , including the languages of national minorities, in
state agencies and in court and pre -trial procedure shall be provided by law.
§ 53.
Everyone has a duty to preserve the human and natural environment and to
compensate for damage caused to the environmen t by him or her. The procedure
for compensation shall be provided by law.
§ 54.

An Estonian citizen has a duty to be loyal to the constitutional order and to
defend the independence of Estonia.
If no other means are available, every Estonian citizen has th e right to initiate
resistance against a forcible change of the constitutional order.
§ 55.
Citizens of foreign states and stateless persons who are in Estonia have a duty to
observe the constitutional order of Estonia.
Chapter III
The People
§ 56.
The supreme power of state shall be exercised by the people through citizens
with the right to vote:
1) by electing the Riigikogu;
2) through a referendum.
§ 57.
An Estonian citizen who has attained eighteen years of age has the right to vote.
An Est onian citizen who has been divested of his or her legal capacity by a court
does not have the right to vote.
§ 58.

Participation in voting may be restricted by law for Estonian citizens who have
been convicted by a court and are serving sentences in penal institutions.

Chapter IV
The Riigikogu
§ 59.
Legislative power is vested in the Riigikogu.
§ 60.
The Riigikogu shall be comprised of one hundred and one members. Members of
the Riigikogu shall be elected in free elections on the principle of proportionality.
Elections shall be general, uniform and direct. Voting shall be secret.
Every Estonian citizen who has attained twenty- one years of age and has the
right to vote may be a candidate for the Riigikogu.
Regular elections to the Riigikogu shall be held on the first Sunday in March of
the fourth year following the preceding Riigikogu election year.
Extraordinary elections to the Riigikogu shall be held, in the cases prescribed in
§§ 89, 97, 105 and 119 of the Constitution, not earlier than twenty and not later
than forty days after the elections are declared.
The procedure for the election of the Riigikogu shall be provided by the
Riigikogu Election Act.
§ 61.

The authority of the members of the Riigikogu shall commence on the day the
results of the elections are announced. The authority of the members of the
preceding Riigikogu shall terminate on the same day.
Before assuming his or her duties, a member of the Riigikogu shall take an oath
of office to remain loyal to the Republic of Estonia and to its consti tutional order.
§ 62.
A member of the Riigikogu shall not be bound by his or her mandate, or be bear
legal liability for votes cast or political statements made by him or her in the
Riigikogu or in any of its bodies.
§ 63.
A member of the Riigikogu shall n ot hold any other state office.
A member of the Riigikogu is exempt from the duty to serve in the Armed Forces
during his or her term of office.
§ 64.
The authority of a member of the Riigikogu shall be suspended upon his or her
appointment as a member of the Government of the Republic, and shall be
restored upon release from his or her duties as a member of the Government.
The authority of a member of the Riigikogu shall terminate prematurely:
1) upon his or her assumption of another state office;
2) upon the entry into force of a conviction by a court against him or her;
3) upon his or her resignation, pursuant to procedure provided by law;

4) if the Supreme Court decides that he or she is incapable of performing his
or her duties for a n extended period;
5) upon his or her death.
Upon the suspension or premature termination of the authority of a member of
the Riigikogu, he or she shall be replaced by an alternate member, pursuant to
procedure provided by law. An alternate member has all the rights and duties of
a member of the Riigikogu.
The authority of an alternate member shall terminate upon the restoration of the
authority of the member of the Riigikogu.
§ 65.
The Riigikogu shall:
1) pass laws and resolutions;
2) decide on the holding of a referendum;
3) elect the President of the Republic, pursuant to § 79 of the Constitution;
4) ratify and denounce international treaties, in accordance with § 121 of the
Constitution;
5) authorise the candidate for Prime Minister to form the Government of the
Republic;
6) pass the state budget and approve the report on its implementation;
7) on the proposal of the President of the Republic, appoint to office the Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Estonia,

the Auditor General, the Chancellor of Justice, and the Commander or
Commander-in -Chief of the Armed Forces;
8) on the proposal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, appoint to office
justices of the Supreme Cou rt;
9) appoint members of the Board of the Bank of Estonia;
10) on the proposal of the Government, decide on borrowing by the state and
on the assumption of other proprietary obligations by the state;
11) present statements, declarations and app eals to the people of Estonia, other
states, and international organisations;
12) establish state awards, and military and diplomatic ranks;
13) decide on the expression of no confidence in the Government of the
Republic, the Prime Minister or individual ministers;
14) declare a state of emergency in the state, pursuant to § 129 of the
Constitution;
15) 15) on the proposal of the President of the Republic, declare a state of war,
and order mobilisation and demobilisation;
16) resolve other na tional issues which the Constitution does not vest in the
President of the Republic, the Government of the Republic, other state bodies or
local governments.
§ 66.

The first session of the new membership of the Riigikogu shall be held within ten
days after the announcement of the results of the elections to the Riigikogu. The
first session of the Riigikogu shall be convened by the President of the Republic.
§ 67.
Regular sessions of the Riigikogu shall take place from the second Monday of
January to the thi rd Thursday of June, and from the second Monday of
September to the third Thursday of December.
§ 68.
Extraordinary sessions of the Riigikogu shall be convened by the Chairman of
the Riigikogu, on the proposal of the President of the Republic, the Governme nt
of the Republic, or not less than one -fifth of the membership of the Riigikogu.
§ 69.
The Riigikogu shall elect from among its members the Chairman of the Riigikogu
and two Deputy Chairmen who shall manage the work of the Riigikogu
pursuant to the Riigikogu Procedure Act and the Riigikogu Administration Act.
§ 70.
The quorum for the Riigikogu shall be provided by the Riigikogu Procedure Act.
In an extraordinary session, the Riigikogu shall have a quorum if more than one –
half of the membership of the Riigikogu are present.
§ 71.
The Riigikogu shall form committees.
Members of the Riigikogu have the right to form factions.

The procedure for the formation of committees and factions, and their rights,
shall be provided by the Riigikogu Procedure Act.
§ 72.
Sessions of the Riigikogu shall be public, unless the Riigikogu by a two- thirds
majority decides otherwise.
Voting in the Riigikogu shall be open. Voting by secret ballot shall be held in the
cases prescribed by the Constitution or by the Riigikogu Proc edure Act, only in
the election or appointment of officials.
§ 73.
Legislation of the Riigikogu shall be passed by a majority of votes in favour,
unless otherwise prescribed by the Constitution.
§ 74.
A member of the Riigikogu has the right to make inquiri es to the Government of
the Republic and its members, to the Chairman of the Board of the Bank of
Estonia, the President of the Bank of Estonia, the Auditor General, the Chancellor
of Justice, and the Commander or Commander -in -Chief of the Armed Forces.
Th e inquiries shall be answered at a session of the Riigikogu within twenty
session days.
§ 75.
The remuneration of members of the Riigikogu and restrictions on the receipt of
other employment income shall be provided by law, which may be amended for
the nex t membership of the Riigikogu.

§ 76.
A member of the Riigikogu enjoys immunity. Criminal charges may be brought
against him or her only on the proposal of the Chancellor of Justice, and with the
consent of the majority of the membership of the Riigikogu.

Chapter V
The President of the Republic
§ 77.
The President of the Republic is the head of state of Estonia.
§ 78.
The President of the Republic shall:
1) represent the Republic of Estonia in international relations;
2) appoint and recall diplomatic agents of the Republic of Estonia, on the
proposal of the Government of the Republic, and receive the credentials of
diplomatic agents accredited to Estonia;
3) declare regular elections to the Riigikogu and, pursuant to §§ 89, 97, 105
and 119 of the Constitution, extraordinary elections to the Riigikogu;
4) convene the new membership of the Riigikogu, pursuant to § 66 of the
Constitution, and open its first session;
5) propose to the Chairman of the Riigikogu to convene an extra -o rdinary
session of the Riigikogu, pursuant to § 68 of the Constitution;

6) proclaim laws, pursuant to §§ 105 and 107 of the Constitution, and sign
instruments of ratification;
7) issue decrees, pursuant to §§ 109 and 110 of the Constitution;
8) initiate amendment of the Constitution;
9) designate the candidate for Prime Minister, pursuant to § 89 of the
Constitution;
10) appoint to and release from office members of the Government, pursuant to
§§ 89, 90, and 92 of the Constitution;
11) make proposals to the Riigikogu for appointments to the offices of Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Estonia,
Auditor General, Chancellor of Justice, and Commander or Commander -in -Chief
of the Armed Forces;
12) on the proposal of the Board of the Bank of Estonia, appoint to office the
President of the Bank of Estonia;
13) on the proposal of the Supreme Court, appoint judges;
14) on the proposal of the Government of the Republic and the Commander of
the Ar med Forces, appoint to and release from office the leadership of the armed
forces;
15) confer state awards, and military and diplomatic ranks;
16) be the supreme commander of the national defence of Estonia;

17) make proposals to the Riigikogu to declare a state of war, to order
mobilization and demobilization, and, pursuant to § 129 of the Constitution, to
declare a state of emergency;
18) declare, in the case of aggression against Estonia, a state of war, order
mobilization, and appoint the Co mmander-in -Chief of the Armed Forces,
pursuant to § 128 of the Constitution;
19) by way of clemency, release or grant commutation to convicts at their
request;
20) initiate the bringing of criminal charges against the Chancellor of Justice,
pursuant to § 145 of the Constitution.
§ 79.
The President of the Republic shall be elected by the Riigikogu, or, in the case
provided by paragraph four of this section, by an electoral body.
The right to nominate a candidate for President of the Republic rests with not
less than one -fifth of the membership of the Riigikogu.
An Estonian citizen by birth who has attained forty years of age may be
nominated as a candidate for President of the Republic.
The President of the Republic shall be elected by secret ballot. Each member of
the Riigikogu shall have one vote. A candidate in favour of whom a two- thirds
majority of the membership of the Riigikogu votes shall be considered elected. If
no candidate receives the required majority, a new round of voting shall be held
o n the next day. Before the second round of voting, a new nomination of
candidates shall be held. If no candidate receives the required majority in the
second round of voting, a third round of voting shall be held on the same day

between the two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes in the
second round. If the President of the Republic is still not elected in the third
round of voting, the Chairman of the Riigikogu shall, within one month, convene
an electoral body to elect the President of the Republic.
The electoral body shall be comprised of members of the Riigikogu and
representatives of the local government councils. Each local government council
shall elect at least one representative to the electoral body, who must be an
Estonian citizen.
The Riigikogu shall present the two candidates who receive the greatest number
of votes in the Riigikogu to the electoral body as candidates for President. The
right to nominate a candidate for President also rests with not less than twenty-
one members of the electoral body.
The electoral body shall elect the President of the Republic by a majority of the
voting electoral body members. If no candidate is elected in the first round, a
second round of voting shall be held on the same day between the two
candidates who receive the greatest number of votes.
The specific procedure for the election of the President of the Republic shall be
provided by the President of the Republic Election Act.
§ 80.
The President of the Republic shall be elected for a term o f five years. No one
shall be elected to the office of President of the Republic for more than two
consecutive terms.

The regular election of the President of the Republic shall be held not earlier than
sixty and not later than ten days before the end of the term of office of the
President of the Republic.
§ 81.
The President of the Republic shall assume office by swearing the following oath
of office to the people of Estonia before the Riigikogu: “In assuming the office of
President of the Republic, I (giv en name and surname), solemnly swear to
steadfastly defend the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Estonia, to
exercise the power entrusted to me in a just and impartial manner, and to
faithfully perform my duties with all of my abilities and to t he best of my under-
standing, for the benefit of the people of Estonia and the Republic of Estonia.”
§ 82.
The powers of the President of the Republic shall terminate upon:
1) his or her resignation from office;
2) the entry into force of a convi ction by a court against him or her;
3) his or her death;
4) the assumption of office of the new President of the Republic.
§ 83.
If the President of the Republic is incapable of performing his or her duties for an
extended period as decided by t he Supreme Court, or if he or she is temporarily
unable to perform them as in the cases specified by law, or if his or her powers
have terminated prematurely, then his or her duties shall temporarily transfer to
the Chairman of the Riigikogu.

During the time that the Chairman of the Riigikogu is performing the duties of
the President of the Republic, his or her authority as a member of the Riigikogu
shall be suspended.
The Chairman of the Riigikogu, acting as President of the Republic, does not
have the rig ht, without the consent of the Supreme Court, to declare
extraordinary elections to the Riigikogu or to refuse to proclaim laws.
If the President of the Republic is unable to perform his or her official duties for
longer than three consecutive months, or if his or her powers terminate
prematurely, the Riigikogu shall elect a new President of the Republic within
fourteen days, pursuant to § 79 of the Constitution.
§ 84.
Upon assuming office, the authority and duties of the President of the Republic
in all e lected and appointed offices shall terminate, and he or she shall suspend
his or her membership in political parties for the duration of his or her term of
office.
§ 85.
Criminal charges may be brought against the President of the Republic only on
the prop osal of the Chancellor of Justice, and with the consent of the majority of
the membership of the Riigikogu.

Chapter VI
The Government of the Republic
§ 86.

Executive power is vested in the Government of the Republic.
§ 87.
The Government of the Republic shall:
1) execute the domestic and foreign policies of the state;
2) direct and co -ordinate the activities of government agencies;
3) administer the implementation of laws, resolutions of the Riigikogu, and
legislation of the President of th e Republic;
4) introduce bills, and submit international treaties to the Riigikogu for
ratification and denunciation;
5) prepare the draft of the state budget and submit it to the Riigikogu,
administer the implementation of the state budget and p resent a report on the
implementation of the state budget to the Riigikogu;
6) issue regulations and orders on the basis of and for the implementation of
law;
7) manage relations with other states;
8) declare an emergency situation throughou t the state or in a part thereof, in
the case of a natural disaster or a catastrophe, or to prevent the spread of an
infectious disease;
9) perform other duties which the Constitution and the laws vest in the
Government of the Republic.
§ 88.

The Government of the Republic shall be comprised of the Prime Minister and
ministers.
§ 89.
The President of the Republic shall, within fourteen days after the resignation of
the Government of the Republic, designate a candidate for Prime Minister to
whom the Pre sident of the Republic shall assign the task of forming a new
government.
The candidate for Prime Minister shall, within fourteen days after receiving the
task of forming a new government, present the bases for the formation of the
forthcoming government to the Riigikogu, after which the Riigikogu shall
decide, without debate and by an open vote, whether to authorise the candidate
for Prime Minister to form a government.
The candidate for Prime Minister who is authorised by the Riigikogu to form a
governmen t shall, within seven days, present the membership of the government
to the President of the Republic, who shall appoint the government to office
within three days.
If the candidate for Prime Minister designated by the President of the Republic
does not re ceive a majority of votes in favour from the Riigikogu, or is unable or
declines to form a government, the President of the Republic has the right to
present a second candidate for Prime Minister within seven days.
If the President of the Republic does not present a second candidate for Prime
Minister within seven days or declines to do so, or if the second candidate is
unable to obtain authority from the Riigikogu under the conditions and time
restraints in paragraphs two and three of this section, or is u nable or declines to

form a government, then the right to nominate a candidate for Prime Minister
shall transfer to the Riigikogu.
The Riigikogu shall nominate a candidate for Prime Minister who shall present
the membership of a government to the President of the Republic. If the
membership of a government is not presented to the President of the Republic
within fourteen days after the transfer to the Riigikogu of the right to nominate a
candidate for Prime Minister, the President of the Republic shall declare
extraordinary elections to the Riigikogu.
§ 90.
Changes to the appointed membership of the Government of the Republic shall
be made by the President of the Republic, on the proposal of the Prime Minister.
§ 91.
The Government shall assume office by tak ing an oath of office before the
Riigikogu.
§ 92.
The Government of the Republic shall resign upon:
1) the convention of the new membership of the Riigikogu;
2) the resignation or death of the Prime Minister;
3) the expression of no confidence in the Government of the Republic or the
Prime Minister by the Riigikogu.
The President of the Republic shall release the Government of the Republic from
office upon the assumption of office of the new Government.

§ 93.
The Prime Minister shall represent the Government of the Republic and shall
direct its activities.
The Prime Minister shall appoint two ministers who have the right to substitute
for the Prime Minister during his or her absence. The procedure for substitution
shall be specified by the Prime Minister.
§ 94.
Corresponding ministries shall be established, pursuant to law, for the
administration of the areas of government.
A minister shall direct a ministry, shall manage issues within its area of
government, shall issue regulations and directives on the basis and for the
implementation of law, and shall perform other duties assigned to him or her on
the bases of and pursuant to procedure provided by law.
If a minister is temporarily unable to perform the duties of his or her office due
to illness or other hindrances, the Prime Minister shall transfer the duties of the
minister to another minister for this time.
The President of the Republic may, on the proposal of the Prime Minister,
appoint ministers to office who do not direct ministri es.
§ 95.
The State Chancellery, directed by the State Secretary, is within the Government
of the Republic.
The State Secretary shall be appointed to and released from office by the Prime
Minister.

The State Secretary shall participate in sessions of the Government with the right
to speak.
The State Secretary, as the director of the State Chancellery, has the same rights
which are granted by law to a minister in directing a ministry.
§ 96.
Sessions of the Government of the Republic shall be closed, unless t he
Government decides otherwise.
The Government shall make its decisions on the proposal of the Prime Minister
or the appropriate minister.
Government regulations shall have force if they bear the signatures of the Prime
Minister, the appropriate minister and the State Secretary.
§ 97.
The Riigikogu may express no confidence in the Government of the Republic, the
Prime Minister, or a minister by a resolution in favour of which a majority of the
membership of the Riigikogu votes.
An expression of no confidence may be initiated by not less than one -fifth of the
membership of the Riigikogu by the presentation of a written motion at a session
of the Riigikogu.
An expression of no confidence may be decided not earlier than on the second
day after its initiation, unless the Government requires a more expeditious
decision.

If no confidence is expressed in the Government or the Prime Minister, the
President of the Republic may, on the proposal of the Government and within
three days, declare extraordinary elections to the Riigikogu.
If no confidence is expressed in a minister, the Chairman of the Riigikogu shall
notify the President of the Republic, who shall release the minister from office.
An expression of no confidence on the same ground may be initiated not earli er
than three months after the previous vote of no confidence.
§ 98.
The Government of the Republic may bind the passage of a bill it introduces to
the Riigikogu to the issue of confidence.
Voting shall not take place earlier than on the second day after the bill is bound
to the issue of confidence. If the Riigikogu does not pass the bill, the Government
shall resign.
§ 99.
Members of the Government of the Republic shall not hold any other state office,
nor belong to the management board or supervisory boa rd of a commercial
enterprise.
§ 100.
Members of the Government of the Republic may participate in sessions of the
Riigikogu and of its committees with the right to speak.
§ 101.

Criminal charges may be brought against a member of the Government of the
Republic only on the proposal of the Chancellor of Justice, and with the consent
of the majority of the membership of the Riigikogu.
The authority of a member of the Government shall terminate upon the entry
into force of a conviction by a court against him or her.

Chapter VII
Legislation
§ 102.
Laws shall be passed in accordance with the Constitution.
§ 103.
The following have the right to initiate laws:
1) a member of the Riigikogu;
2) a faction of the Riigikogu;
3) a committee of the Riigikogu;
4) the Government of the Republic;
5) the President of the Republic, for amendment of the Constitution.
The Riigikogu has the right, on the basis of a resolution made by a majority of its
membership, to propose to the Government of the Repub lic to initiate a bill
desired by the Riigikogu.

§ 104.
The procedure for the passage of laws shall be provided by the Riigikogu
Procedure Act.
The following laws may be passed and amended only by a majority of the
membership of the Riigikogu:
1) Citizenship Act;
2) Riigikogu Election Act;
3) President of the Republic Election Act;
4) Local Government Election Act;
5) Referendum Act;
6) Riigikogu Procedure Act and Riigikogu Administration Act;
7) Remuneration of the President of the Republic and Members of the
Riigikogu Act;
8) Government of the Republic Act;
9) Institution of Court Proceedings against the President of the Republic and
Members of the Government Act;
10) National Minorities Cultural Autonomy Act;
11) State Budget Act;
12) Bank of Estonia Act;

13) State Audit Office Act;
14) Courts Administration Act and court procedure Acts;
15) Acts pertaining to foreign and domestic borrowing, and to proprietary
obligations of the state;
16) State of Emergency Act;
17) Peace -Time National Defence Act and War -Time National Defence Act.
§ 105.
The Riigikogu has the right to submit a bill or other national issue to a
referendum.
The decision of the people shall be made by a majority of th e participants in the
voting.
A law which is passed by a referendum shall promptly be proclaimed by the
President of the Republic. The decision of the referendum shall be binding on all
state institutions.
If a bill which is submitted to a referendum does not receive a majority of votes
in favour, the President of the Republic shall declare extraordinary elections to
the Riigikogu.
§ 106.
Issues regarding the budget, taxation, financial obligations of the state,
ratification and denunciation of internationa l treaties, the declaration or
termination of a state of emergency, or national defence shall not be submitted to
a referendum.

The procedure for holding a referendum shall be provided by the Referendum
Act.
§ 107.
Laws shall be proclaimed by the President of the Republic.
The President of the Republic may refuse to proclaim a law passed by the
Riigikogu and, within fourteen days after its receipt, return the law, together
with his or her reasoned resolution, to the Riigikogu for a new debate and
decision. If the Riigikogu again passes the law which is returned to it by the
President of the Republic, unamended, the President of the Republic shall
proclaim the law or shall propose to the Supreme Court to declare the law
unconstitutional. If the Supreme Court declares the law constitutional, the
President of the Republic shall proclaim the law.
§ 108.
A law shall enter into force on the tenth day after its publication in the Riigi
Teataja, unless the law itself provides otherwise.
§ 109.
If the Riigikogu is unable to convene, the President of the Republic may, in
matters of urgent state need, issue decrees which have the force of law, and
which shall bear the counter -signatures of the Chairman of the Riigikogu and the
Prime Minister.
When the Riigikogu conven es, the President of the Republic shall present the
decrees to the Riigikogu, which shall promptly pass a law for their confirmation
or repeal.

§ 110.
The Constitution, the Acts set out in § 104 of the Constitution, laws which
establish state taxes, and the state budget shall not be enacted, amended or
repealed by a decree of the President of the Republic.

Chapter VIII
Finance and the State Budget
§ 111.
The Bank of Estonia has the sole right to issue Estonian currency. The Bank of
Estonia shall regulate currency circulation and shall uphold the stability of the
national currency.
§ 112.
The Bank of Estonia shall act pursuant to law and shall report to the Riigikogu.
§ 113.
State taxes, duties, fees, fines and compulsory insurance payments shall be
provided by law.
§ 114.
The procedures for the possession, use, and disposal of state assets shall be
provided by law.
§ 115.

The Riigikogu shall pass as a law the budget of all state revenue and expenditure
for each year.
The Government of the Republic sh all submit a draft state budget to the
Riigikogu not later than three months before the beginning of the budgetary
year.
On the proposal of the Government, the Riigikogu may pass a supplementary
budget during the budgetary year.
§ 116.
If a proposed amendm ent to the state budget or to its draft has the effect of
decreasing estimated revenue, or increasing expenditure or reallocating
expenditure, the proponent of the amendment shall append financial
calculations to the proposed amendment which demonstrate th e sources of
revenue necessary to cover the expenditure.
The Riigikogu shall not eliminate or reduce expenditure in the state budget or in
its draft which is prescribed by other laws.
§ 117.
The procedures for the drafting and passage of the state budget s hall be
provided by law.
§ 118.
The state budget passed by the Riigikogu shall enter into force at the beginning
of the budgetary year. If the Riigikogu does not pass the state budget by the
beginning of the budgetary year, expenditure of up to one -twelfth of the
expenditure of the preceding budgetary year may be made each month.

§ 119.
If the Riigikogu has not passed the state budget within two months after the
beginning of the budgetary year, the President of the Republic shall declare
extraordinary elections to the Riigikogu.

Chapter IX
Foreign Relations and International Treaties
§ 120.
The procedure for the relations of the Republic of Estonia with other states and
with international organisations shall be provided by law.
§ 121.
The Riigikogu shall r atify and denounce treaties of the Republic of Estonia:
1) which alter state borders;
2) the implementation of which requires the passage, amendment or repeal of
Estonian laws;
3) by which the Republic of Estonia joins international organisa tions or
unions;
4) by which the Republic of Estonia assumes military or proprietary
obligations;
5) in which ratification is prescribed.

§ 122.
The land boundary of Estonia is determined by the Tartu Peace Treaty of 2
February 1920 and by other international boundary agreements. The sea and air
boundaries of Estonia shall be determined on the basis of international
conventions.
The ratification of international treaties which alter the state borders of Estonia
requires a two -thirds majority of th e membership of the Riigikogu.
§ 123.
The Republic of Estonia shall not enter into international treaties which are in
conflict with the Constitution.
If laws or other legislation of Estonia are in conflict with international treaties
ratified by the Riigikogu, the provisions of the international treaty shall apply.

Chapter X
National Defence
§ 124.
Estonian citizens have a duty to participate in national defence on the bases of
and pursuant to procedure provided by law.
A person who refuses to serve in the Armed Forces for religious or moral reasons
has a duty to perform alternative service pursuant to procedure prescribed by
law.

Persons in the armed forces and alternative service have all constitutional rights,
freedoms and duties, unless otherwise prescribed by law due to the special
interests of the service. The rights and freedoms prescribed in paragraphs 3 and 4
of § 8, §§ 11- 18, paragraph 3 of § 20, §§ 21- 28, § 32, § 33, §§ 36-43, paragraphs 1
and 2 of § 44, §§ 49- 51 of the Constitution shall not b e restricted. The legal status
of persons in the armed forces and alternative service shall be provided by law.
§ 125.
A person in active service shall not hold other elected or appointed office, or
participate in the activities of any political party.
§ 126.
The organisation of national defence shall be provided by the Peace -Time
National Defence Act and the War -Time National Defence Act.
The organisation of the Estonian armed forces and national defence
organisations shall be provided by law.
§ 127.
The supreme commander of national defence is the President of the Republic.
The National Defence Council is an advisory body to the President of the
Republic, and its membership and tasks shall be provided by law.
The Estonian armed forces and national defence organisations shall be led by the
Commander of the Armed Forces in peace- time, and by the Commander-in -Chief
of the Armed Forces in war -time. The Commander and the Commander -in -Chief
of the Armed Forces shall be appointed to and released from office by th e
Riigikogu, on the proposal of the President of the Republic.

§ 128.
The Riigikogu shall, on the proposal of the President of the Republic, declare a
state of war, shall order mobilization and demobilization, and shall decide on the
utilisation of the armed forces in the fulfilment of the international obligations of
the Estonian state.
In the case of aggression against the Republic of Estonia, the President of the
Republic shall declare a state of war, shall order mobilization, and shall appoint
the Comma nder-in -Chief of the Armed Forces without waiting for a Riigikogu
resolution.
§ 129.
In the case of a threat to the Estonian constitutional order, the Riigikogu may, on
the proposal of the President of the Republic or the Government of Estonia, by a
majori ty of its membership, declare a state of emergency throughout the state,
but for not longer than three months.
The organisation of a state of emergency shall be provided by law.
§ 130.
During a state of emergency or a state of war, the rights and freedoms of a
person may be restricted, and duties may be placed upon him or her in the
interests of national security and public order, under conditions and pursuant to
procedure prescribed by law. The rights and freedoms provided by § 8, §§ 11 -18,
paragraph 3 of § 20, § 22, § 23, paragraphs 2 and 4 of § 24, § 25, § 27, § 28,
paragraph 2 of § 36, § 40, § 41, § 49 and paragraph 1 of § 51 of the Constitution
shall not be restricted.
§ 131.

During a state of emergency or a state of war, the Riigikogu, the President of the
Republic, and the representative bodies of local governments shall not be elected,
nor shall their authority be terminated.
The authority of the Riigikogu, the President of the Republic and the
representative bodies of local governments shall extend i f the authority should
terminate during a state of emergency or a state of war or within three months
after the termination of a state of emergency or a state of war. In these cases, new
elections shall be declared within three months after the termination of the state
of emergency or the state of war.

Chapter XI
The State Audit Office
§ 132.
The State Audit Office shall be, in its activities, an independent state body
responsible for economic control.
§ 133.
The State Audit Office shall audit:
1) the economic activities of state agencies, state enterprises and other state
organisations;
2) the use and preservation of state assets;
3) the use and disposal of state assets which have been transferred into the
control of local governments;

4) the economic activities of enterprises in which the state holds more than
one -half of the votes by way of parts or shares, or whose loans or contractual
obligations are guaranteed by the state.
§ 134.
The State Audit Office shall be directed by the A uditor General who shall be
appointed to and released from office by the Riigikogu, on the proposal of the
President of the Republic.
The term of office of the Auditor General shall be five years.
§ 135.
The Auditor General shall present to the Riigikogu a n overview on the use and
preservation of state assets during the preceding budgetary year at the same time
as the report on the implementation of the state budget is debated in the
Riigikogu.
§ 136.
The Auditor General may participate in sessions of the G overnment of the
Republic in which issues related to his or her duties are discussed, with the right
to speak.
The Auditor General, as the director of his or her office, has the same rights
which are granted by law to a minister in directing a ministry.
§ 137.
The organisation of the State Audit Office shall be provided by law.
§ 138.

Criminal charges may be brought against the Auditor General only on the
proposal of the Chancellor of Justice, and with the consent of the majority of the
membership of the Riigikogu.

Chapter XII
The Chancellor of Justice
§ 139.
The Chancellor of Justice shall be, in his or her activities, an independent official
who shall review the legislation of the legislative and executive powers and of
local governments for conformity with the Constitution and the laws.
The Chancellor of Justice shall analyse proposals made to him or her concerning
the amendment of laws, the passage of new laws, and the activities of state
agencies, and, if necessary, shall present a report to the Riigi kogu.
The Chancellor of Justice shall, in the cases prescribed by §§ 76, 85, 101, 138, 153
of the Constitution, make a proposal to the Riigikogu that criminal charges be
brought against a member of the Riigikogu, the President of the Republic, a
member of the Government of the Republic, the Auditor General, the Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court, or a justice of the Supreme Court.
§ 140.
The Chancellor of Justice shall be appointed to office by the Riigikogu, on the
proposal of the President of the Republic , for a term of seven years.
The Chancellor of Justice may be removed from office only by a court judgment.

§ 141.
The Chancellor of Justice, in directing his or her office, has the same rights which
are granted by law to a minister in directing a ministry.
The Chancellor of Justice may participate in sessions of the Riigikogu and of the
Government of the Republic with the right to speak.
§ 142.
If the Chancellor of Justice finds that legislation passed by the legislative or
executive powers or by a local government is in conflict with the Constitution or
a law, he or she shall propose to the body which passed the legislation to bring
the legislation into conformity with the Constitution or the law within twenty
days.
If the legislation is not brough t into conformity with the Constitution or the law
within twenty days, the Chancellor of Justice shall propose to the Supreme Court
to declare the legislation invalid.
§ 143.
The Chancellor of Justice shall present an annual report to the Riigikogu on the
conformity of the legislation passed by the legislative and executive powers and
by local governments with the Constitution and the laws.
§ 144.
The legal status of the Chancellor of Justice and the organisation of his or her
office shall be provided by la w.
§ 145.

Criminal charges may be brought against the Chancellor of Justice only on the
proposal of the President of the Republic, and with the consent of the majority of
the membership of the Riigikogu.

Chapter XIII
The Courts
§ 146.
Justice shall be ad ministered solely by the courts. The courts shall be
independent in their activities and shall administer justice in accordance with the
Constitution and the laws.
§ 147.
Judges shall be appointed for life. The grounds and procedure for the release of
judg es from office shall be provided by law.
Judges may be removed from office only by a court judgment.
Judges shall not hold any other elected or appointed office, except in the cases
prescribed by law.
The legal status of judges and guarantees for their ind ependence shall be
provided by law.
§ 148.
The court system shall consist of:
1) county and city courts, and administrative courts;

2) circuit courts;
3) the Supreme Court.
The creation of specialised courts with specific jurisdiction shall be provided by
law.
The formation of emergency courts is prohibited.
§ 149.
County and city courts, and administrative courts are courts of first instance.
Circuit courts are courts of appeal and shall review judgments of the courts of
first instance by wa y of appeal proceedings.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the state and shall review court
judgments by way of cassation proceedings. The Supreme Court is also the court
of constitutional review.
Rules regarding court administration and rules of c ourt procedure shall be
established by law.
§ 150.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall be appointed to office by the
Riigikogu, on the proposal of the President of the Republic.
Justices of the Supreme Court shall be appointed to office by the Rii gikogu, on
the proposal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Other judges shall be appointed to office by the President of the Republic, on the
proposal of the Supreme Court.

§ 151.
The rules of court procedure regarding representation, defence, state
prosecution, and supervision of legality shall be provided by law.
§ 152.
In a court proceeding, the court shall not apply any law or other legislation that
is in conflict with the Constitution.
The Supreme Court shall declare invalid any law or othe r legislation that is in
conflict with the provisions and spirit of the Constitution.
§ 153.
Criminal charges may be brought against a judge during his or her term of office
only on the proposal of the Supreme Court, and with the consent of the President
o f the Republic.
Criminal charges may be brought against the Chief Justice and justices of the
Supreme Court only on the proposal of the Chancellor of Justice, and with the
consent of the majority of the membership of the Riigikogu.

Chapter XIV
Local Gove rnment
§ 154.
All local issues shall be resolved and managed by local governments, which shall
operate independently pursuant to law.

Duties may be imposed on a local government only pursuant to law or by
agreement with the local government. Expenditure related to duties of the state
imposed by law on a local government shall be funded from the state budget.
§ 155.
Local governments are rural municipalities and cities.
Other local governments may be formed on the bases of and pursuant to
procedure provided by law.
§ 156.
The representative body of a local government is the council which shall be elected in
free elections for a term of four years. The period of authority of a council may be
shortened by an Act due to a merger or division of local governments or the inability of
the council to act. The elections shall be general, uniform and direct. Voting shall be
secret.
In elections to local government councils, persons who reside permanently in the territory
of the local government and have attained eightee n years of age have the right to vote,
under conditions prescribed by law.
(RT I 2003, 29, 174 – entered into force 17.10.2005)
§ 157.
A local government shall have an independent budget for which the bases and
procedure for drafting shall be provided by law.
A local government has the right, on the basis of law, to levy and collect taxes,
and to impose duties.
§ 158.

The boundaries of local governments shall not be altered without considering the
opinion of the local governments concerned.
§ 159.
A local government has the right to form unions and joint agencies with other
local governments.
§ 160.
The administration of local governments and the supervision of their activities
shall be provided by law.

Chapter XV
Amendment of the Constitution
§ 161.
The right to initiate amendment of the Constitution rests with not less than one –
fifth of the membership of the Riigikogu and with the President of the Republic.
Amendment of the Constitution shall not be initiated, nor shall the Constitution
be amended, duri ng a state of emergency or a state of war.
§ 162.
Chapter I “General Provisions” and Chapter XV “Amendment of the
Constitution” of the Constitution may be amended only by a referendum.
§ 163.

The Constitution shall be amended by an Act which has been passed by:
1) a referendum;
2) two successive memberships of the Riigikogu;
3) the Riigikogu, as a matter of urgency.
A bill to amend the Constitution shall be debated for three readings in the
Riigikogu, in which the interval between the first and second readings shall be
not less than three months, and the interval between the second and third
readings shall be not less than one month. The manner in which the Constitution
is to be amended shall be decided at the third reading.
§ 164.
A three -fi fths majority of the membership of the Riigikogu is required to submit
a bill to amend the Constitution to a referendum. The referendum shall be held
not earlier than three months after the passage of a resolution to this effect by the
Riigikogu.
§ 165.
In order to amend the Constitution by two successive memberships of the
Riigikogu, a bill to amend the Constitution must be supported by a majority of
the membership of the Riigikogu.
If the bill to amend the Constitution which receives the support of the ma jority of
the preceding membership of the Riigikogu is passed by the succeeding
Riigikogu, unamended, on its first reading and with a three -fifths majority, then
the Constitution Amendment Act is passed.
§ 166.

A resolution to consider a bill to amend the Constitution as a matter of urgency
shall be passed by a four-fifths majority of the Riigikogu. In this case, the
Constitution Amendment Act shall be passed by a two- thirds majority of the
membership of the Riigikogu.
§ 167.
The Constitution Amendment Act shall be proclaimed by the President of the
Republic and shall enter into force on the date specified therein, but not earlier
than three months from the date of proclamation.
§ 168.
An amendment to the Constitution regarding the same issue shall not be
in itiated within one year after the rejection of a corresponding bill by a
referendum or by the Riigikogu.

1 RT = Riigi Teataja = State Gazette
2 Riigikogu = the parliament of Estonia