Estonian parlt committee to continue discussion on financing of president's office

TALLINN - The state budget control select committee of the Riigikogu is set to continue the discussion on the financing of the Office of the President of the Republic at an extraordinary public sitting on Monday.

Last Tuesday, the select committee heard the opinions of Finance Minister Mart Vorklaev, Director of the Office of the President Peep Jahilo and Auditor General Janar Holm.

The chairman of the committee, Urmas Reinsalu, said in a press release that the allegations of influence peddling are serious and the committee will continue to look into what happened.

"I think these are very serious allegations, all the parties involved agreed to this legal designation, and there is no way to stop halfway in this situation," the leader of the opposition Isamaa party said. 

Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance Merike Saks, the president's internal affairs adviser Toomas Sildam, State Prosecutor Laura Aiaots and a representative of the National Audit Office have been summoned to appear before the select committee.

The extraordinary public sitting will start at 12 noon and it will be live streamed online.