The Riigikogu Cultural Committee discussed the expansion of the ERR council on Thursday. They want the council to have more members. The bill may be adopted on June 17.
The chair of the Cultural Committee, Liina Kersna, said the committee discussed five proposals. One proposal was to add one more expert to the council. Not everyone supported this proposal. For example, Vadim Belobrovtsev from the Center Party did not support it. Tõnis Lukas from Isamaa did not vote. Helle-Moonika Helme from EKRE was not present.
The proposal was supported by Liina Kersna, Signe Kivi, and Margit Sutrop from the Reform Party. Kadri Tali from Eesti 200 and Madis Kallas from the Social Democratic Party also supported it.
The committee also discussed other proposals. For example, that experts should be selected through a competition. An expert must not be a member of a party's leadership. All these proposals received support.
The idea that a council member may enter into a contract with another media company was also supported. However, they must not hold a decisive position. Additionally, council members will not be paid if they do not attend meetings.
The Cultural Committee sent the bill for a second reading by June 10. They hope the second reading will be completed and the bill adopted on June 17.
The bill was initiated by the Social Democrats. Originally, the plan was for the council to include at least one woman.
The opposition believes the coalition wants to select council members who are favorable to them. The ERR council selects the ERR leadership and approves the budget. The current leadership's term ends next year.