Several countries have expressed interest in renting Estonia’s empty prison space, according to the Ministry of Justice, ERR reports. A ministry official said that neighbouring countries had shown interest, and that European statistics indicated a demand for prison space. However, legislative amendments were needed before renting out prison space, the official added. Earlier reports suggested…
Czech company Rekola Bikesharing will launch a bikesharing service in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, at the end of August 2024, ERR reports. The company will have 200 bicycles available. Currently, Rekola’s bikesharing service operates in seven cities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Estonia’s primary goals at the NATO summit in Washington include increasing defence spending, closing capability gaps, and maintaining a focus on the threat from Russia, ERR reports. Estonia is pushing for investments in critical defence capabilities such as air defence and ammunition. Estonia supports raising the defence spending target to 2.5-3% of GDP. Additionally, Estonia…
The constitutional and finance committees of the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, have decided to amend the car tax bill, ERR reports. Earlier, President Alar Karis rejected the bill, arguing that it violated the principle of equal treatment. Constitutional committee chairman Hendrik Johannes Terras and finance committee chairwoman Annely Akkermann said that discussions with various ministries…
Estonia’s ruling coalition parties have agreed to boost Estonia’s economic competitiveness by developing new industries and focusing on nationwide development, ERR reports. The three parties aim to reduce bureaucracy and use EU funds and CO2 money for industrial growth. The coalition plans to distribute subsidies for large investments across Estonia to raise wages and improve…
Traffic on roads in Estonia reached a new all-time record in 2023, according to data from the Estonian Transport Administration (Transpordiamet), ERR reports. The total volume of vehicle mileage amounted to 11.9bn km in 2023, which was up 2.4% from 11.6bn km in 2022. Passenger cars accounted for 72.3% of the total mileage, followed by…
US technology company Meta has barred users of its Facebook social media platform from sharing an article on Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO) officers allegedly attending an event under false names to gather information on members of the Sakala fraternity at the University of Tartu, ERR reports. KAPO and the Estonian government’s communications office categorically denied taking…
A new law in Estonia will allow ships sailing under the Estonian flag to employ private armed security guards in high-risk zones, enhancing protection against piracy and armed robbery, ERR reports. The move aims to boost the international appeal of the Estonian flag by enabling shipowners to contract security services more flexibly. Security personnel can…
Estonia’s ruling Estonian Reform Party, Social Democratic Party (SDE), and Estonia 200 (E200) have started negotiations on forming a new coalition, ERR reports. The three parties hope to reach an agreement by the end of July 2024. The parties form outgoing Prime Minister Kaja Kallas’s coalition government. The new coalition would be led by Reform’s…