The Language Council wants to amend the law. They want council members to have sufficient knowledge of Estonian. Currently, many members have problems with language skills.
The Language Council says that many members do not understand Estonian-language documents. They cannot make presentations in Estonian. They cannot speak Estonian with voters.
The Language Council wants the new law to require council members to know Estonian. This was the case until 2002. They believe this would help councils work better.
The Ministry of Education and Research (HTM) disagrees. HTM says this limits people's rights. They believe the current laws are sufficient.
HTM says that council members must know that the working language is Estonian. However, language proficiency should not be required. This would create excessive bureaucracy.
Most candidates know Estonian. In most municipalities, there are no problems with language skills.
Delfi wrote that Kohtla-Järve council member Kirill Koltšin wants to learn Estonian. He said it is difficult for him with only Russian.