TALLINN - Issues of municipal power were at the center of President Arnold Ruutel's attention this week, with the head of state supporting amendments to one law and refusing to promulgate another.
In declining to sign a law that would allow members of Parliament to serve simultaneously in local councils, Ruutel said on May 30 that such a situation would reintroduce contradictions in the separation of powers principle.
In the president's words, local councils' activities in deciding on municipal matters must primarily be steered by local conditions and needs, so that council members could make decisions independent of national authorities.
"The same position was stated by the Supreme Court in its April 19 ruling, which underscores that the realization of local interests, if necessary in contradiction with the interests of the central power, is essential to the autonomy of self-government," the president said. "In legislative activity, conflicts of interest that may emerge when one is a member of both the Riigikogu [parliament] as well as a local council should be avoided."
The president said work was performed best when decision makers on the local and national levels were able to complete their task with full commitment.
The president added that he considered it necessary to re-discuss the law passed by Parliament on May 12 and bring it into accordance with the constitution.
The next day, Ruutel promulgated amendments granting the State Audit Office the right to inspect local governments' financial operations. In supporting the legislation, he noted the pluses and minuses of the measure. He said that if, on the one hand, the need to exercise control over the expediency and lawfulness of the use of public sector property was understandable, extending powers of control could restrict the autonomy of local governments and reduce their real responsibility in solving local problems.
The Justice Ministry, for its part, said that boosting the authority of the State Audit Office would increase control over the use of property at the disposal of the public sector, and help reduce the risk of corruption.
