Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Uku Toom
Estonian MEP: Trump's wings will be clipped after midterm election results
Mikser said it was difficult to predict how the Democratic victory would affect Estonia, but it would have a major impact on U.S. domestic politics. "President Trump's wings will certainly be clipped quite significantly, and his ability to push his legislative agenda through Congress is essentially nonexistent after Democrats gained control of both chambers," Mikser said.
Tootjad tervitavad alkoholiregistri kaotamist
"Sektori vaates on see otsus igal juhul tervitatav," rõhutas Kalvi. Alkoholiregister kandis selle loomise ajal hoopis teistsugust eesmärki, kuna siis oli peaaegu pool Eestis tarbitavast alkoholist salaalkohol ning tugev järelevalve ja pideva kontrolli läbiviimine riigi poolt igati õigustatud, rääkis Liviko juht. "Aga nüüd on see muutunud koormavaks ja bürokraatlikuks ning tihti ka täiesti arusaamatuks institutsiooniks," lisas ta.
Vabadussõja võidusambal vahetatakse valgusallikaid
Vabadussõja võidusammas pole praegu täielikult valgustatud, sest toimub valgusallikate vahetus, lausus Voogma. "Igal tehnosüsteemil on oma eluiga ja nii on ka praeguste elementidega – nende eluiga on praktiliselt läbi, osa valgusallikaid on läbi põlenud, osa on tuhmunud ja praegu me vahetamegi neid uute valgusallikate vastu välja," ütles ta. Kuigi mõned aastad tagasi levis jutt, et võidusammas läheb remonti, siis RKIK-il selliseid plaane praegu pole. "Eelmine omanik mingeid klaaselemente vahetas.
Former Navy chief: Sending Estonian minehunters to Strait of Hormuz would take 2 years
U.S. President Donald Trump has called for ships to help ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz and Estonian politicians have expressed readiness to discuss sending forces. Saska said this is not the first time Estonia has considered deploying its vessels to the Persian Gulf. In 2014, Estonia weighed joining a U.S.-British mine countermeasures squadron based in Bahrain.
Lithuania-Belarus border closure could bring more traffic to Estonia
Last week, Lithuania's biggest airports closed their airspace and temporarily stopped operations four times after smugglers used weather balloons to move cigarettes into the European Union. The capital Vilnius is approximately 50 km from the Belarusian border. But Lithuanian officials say the problem is not just about smuggling and is a hybrid attack against the country.
Introduction of Estonia's vehicle tax has cost €1.3 million
"The cost of developing the motor vehicle tax, creating the application and putting it into production has so far been about €1.3 million," Raili Roosimaa, deputy director general for taxation at the Tax and Customs Board (MTA), told ERR on Tuesday. "For the development of the motor vehicle tax, we have also hired two additional employees who deal exclusively with this issue on a daily basis.
Estonia in talks with potential buyer for Nordica aircraft
Sander Salmu, deputy secretary general at the Ministry of Climate and Nordica supervisory board member, told ERR that a letter of intent was signed this month with a prospective buyer but declined to disclose the purchase price before the deal is finalized. "We can't talk about the figures for the simple reason that you never know whether the deal in its current form will go through before it's signed or if new negotiations will need to start.
SDE government exit means need for Riigikogu committee reshuffle
With the expulsion of the Social Democratic Party (SDE) from government, the Riigikogu committees fronted by SDE members suddenly became opposition-led committees. "Traditionally, all standing committees have been chaired by representatives of the coalition parties," Kivimägi told ERR. "As the members of the executive board are not members of the committees, the current numbers shows that the coalition has 50 MPs on the committees and the opposition has 48.
SDE leader Lauri Läänemets could run for Riigikogu vice president
The new coalition of the Reform Party and Eesti 200 holds 52 votes in the Riigikogu, possibly slightly more. While this constitutes a majority, albeit a narrow one, the main work of the parliament takes place in committees, where the coalition also needs a majority to function effectively. Traditionally, committees are chaired by coalition representatives. Currently, three committees are led by Social Democrats, meaning replacements will be necessary.
Tallinn plans to roll back free parking for electric vehicles from July 2025
The number of zero-carbon-emission vehicles has grown exponentially in recent years while the number of parking spaces on the capital's public streets has remained relatively unchanged Over the last decade the number of electric vehicles in Estonia has risen from 1,115 in 2015 to 7,834 on November 1, 2024, data from the Transport Administration shows. The vast majority – 5,443 (69 percent) – were registered in Harju County. The city government is now looking to update its legislation.
OSCE expert mission to study Estonian e-elections again
A formal request to check the system was made to the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) by opposition party EKRE's Riigikogu member Arvo Aller in September last year. The MP took action after the Riigikogu did not add the topic to its spring agenda.
Estonian Nationalists and Conservatives still not registered as a party
A month ago, the Estonian Nationalists and Conservatives (ERK) party, which split from the far-right Conservative People's Party (EKRE), announced that they had gathered the 500 members required for official registration. However, the party has not yet been registered. "In the meantime, we prepared the documents for registration and submitted them. But they were sent back to us, as some clarifications and changes were needed.
Growing Middle East tensions, Asia heatwaves behind natural gas price hike
The price of gas on the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) natural gas market rose to nearly €37 per cubic meter this past Friday, but started out with a slight decline on Monday. Energy expert and Baltic Energy Partners OÜ partner Marko Allikson told ERR that from the second half of February through June, the price of natural gas gradually increased from €23 to €34-35 per megawatt-hour (MWh).
Eesti 200's Peeter Tali to head Riigikogu EU Affairs Committee
"The most important question the head of the EU Affairs Committee must ask themselves is whether EU regulations are adopted in a way to maximally protect Estonia's own interests," Uibo noted.
Seto ülemsootskaks valiti Urmo Uiboleht
Seto Kuningriigi päeval valiti laupäeval Seto ülemsootskaks Urmo Uiboleht. Urmo Uiboleht töötab Tartu Erakooli direktorina ja elab Setomaal Küllätüvä külas. Seto Kuningriigi pidustused said alguse 1994. aastal, et säilitada ja elavdada seto keelt ja kultuuri. Seto kuninga Peko maapealne asemik – ülemsootska – valitakse, kui Kuningriigi päeval osalev rahvas joondub nööri mööda oma soosiku ette, misjärel inimesed kokku loetakse. Korraldajate hinnangul osales tänavu Seto Kuningriigi päeval 5000 inimest.
Mall Mälberg: ma lihtsalt otsustasin, et aitab
Mall, mitu aastat sa oled selle maja (ERR-i uudistemaja ehk vana raadiomaja - toim.) seinte vahel olnud, kuigi vist mitte kogu aja üldse selle maja sees? Tulin 15. juulil 1971. Mul on see päev sellepärast meeles, et selle kuupäevaga oli segadus, taheti, et palga pärast tuleksid täpselt kuu keskel. Nii et see on see esimene arvestus. Olen ära käinud kokku umbes kuus aastat.
Law professor: Estonia's asset confiscation law may be unconstitutional
The new law, which was passed 65-3 with 15 abstentions on Wednesday, authorizes the use of the assets frozen under sanctions of persons and entities that have contributed to Russia's illegal actions as advance payment for damages owed to Ukraine by Russia. Speaking to ERR, Tupay said that the objective of the law is entirely understandable: Russia must be held accountable for what it is doing in Ukraine; for the killing, for the war and for the damages caused.
Minister: No point criticizing companies that stand up for their interests
This week, the website Euractiv wrote that Bolt tried to lobby to change the directive through the Ministry of Economy and Communications (MKM). Documentation was not made public, which was claimed to be a human error.
Center Riigikogu faction likely to elect Lauri Laats as chairman
The faction has been without a chair since Tanel Kiik left the party at the beginning of January. It now has six members and is officially led by its two vice-chairmen. Kölvart does not see a problem with this. "Today, the group is relatively small. All decisions are taken collectively. It is certainly not a problem to organize things internally.
Uku Toom: Talk of a heavy Riigikogu workload can now be set aside
However, there are other activities at the Riigikogu which are not making any progress, writes ERR's Uku Toom. In examining the Riigikogu's work, the question arises as to what the legislature would be doing if there were no bills from the opposition Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE), even if these were empty proposals introduced last spring, during the course of organizing the filibuster. The best example comes from just last week. There were 23 bills on the Riigikogu agenda that week.
Uku Toom: One Riigikogu deputy speaker definitely to change
ERR's Uku Toom notes that given the recent power shifts in the legislature, while there is a chance that Jüri Ratas (Center) will continue as deputy speaker, this is perhaps to assume a bit too much. The Riigikogu's standard practice is that the parliamentary speaker comes from a coalition, but not the prime minister's, party, the first deputy speaker from the prime minister's party, and the second from the largest opposition party.
Analysis: Center Party's Riigikogu group will not recover from the crisis
While the Center Party as a whole may emerge from the current crisis, the party's Riigikogu grouping certainly will not, Toom goes on. A year ago, the XIV Riigikogu commenced its final session (ahead of the March 2023 Riigikogu election – ed.), at which point the Center Party faction had 23 MPs, compared with the 26 it had had after the March 2019 election. Three Center seats, or 11.5 percent of the total, had evaporated within four years.
Seismologist: We have not detected explosions in the Gulf of Finland
"Seismic data does not confirm an explosion, or if there was one, it was below the detection threshold. It is doubtful that an explosion that small could have damaged much of anything. But there is no seismic record of any such activity," the Estonian Geological Service's senior geologist told ERR Tuesday.
Reactions to Kõlvart win: Center's Russian course, conservatism reinforced
Reinsalu: Russian party has been established in Estonia Speaking to ERR on Monday, Isamaa chair Urmas Reinsalu said that with Kõlvart's ascent to the head of the Center Party, a Russian party has been established in Estonia.
Tax hikes to contribute €300 million to budget next year
Kadri Klaos, head of the public finances department of the Ministry of Finance, told ERR that tax hikes will have a considerable effect on the budget next year. "There will be around €300 million in additional revenue," Klaos said. "The lion's share will come from hiking the VAT rate from the current 20 percent to 22 percent at €235 million," she said. In all, tax revenue is projected to grow by more than €600 million compared to the spring economic forecast.
Finance minister would freeze state employees' salary fund
"I agree that the trend should be toward reducing (jobs – ed.) and, as I've said, proposals to freeze the salary fund are the most effective way," Võrklaev said when asked to analyze the chamber's proposal of laying off 10 percent of officials during two consecutive years. The minister said that freezing the salary fund could motivate ministries and agencies to analyze their activities and find ways of cutting costs.
Simson: State aid approval needed to support energy-intensive industries
The parliamentary group of Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) has proposed a cap of €50 per megawatt-hour (MWh) on electricity prices for industry. European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson (Center) Simson is set to meet with German state leaders this week. The European Commission has come up with a number of proposals, which would allow large energy consumers to buy electricity at more predictable prices in the future, Simson said.
Ratas: Center Party leadership is split
"The council rejected my proposal to strengthen the party with this contribution. The money will be returned on Mihhail Kõlvart's request, by a vote of 9 to 7," Ratas wrote in a letter to party colleagues. The board votes were distributed as follows: Kõlvart was supported by Lauri Laats, Siret Kotka, Mihkel Undrest, Jaan Toots, Yana Toom, Valentina Bortnovski, Andrei Korobeinik and Vladimir Svet. Ratas was supported by Tanel Kiik, Jaanus Karilaid, Jaak Aab, Taavi Aas, Enn Eesmaa and Tõnis Molder.
Riigikogu board consulting on opposition amendment solution
The board did not reach a conclusion and will now consult with the parliament's Board of Elders. A solution to obstruction is also being sought. Riigikogu Chairman Lauri Hussar (Eesti 200) said the number of amendments is very large and it will be hard to process them all within the allotted 20-day time period. Jüri Ratas (Center), who represents the opposition on the board, is not particularly optimistic.
Analysis commissioned to change constituencies
Lääne-Viru County is allotted five seats, while Harju and Rapla County is allotted 16 seats, so the weight of each vote is significantly different and the situation is unequal. And this disparity is growing. The Estonian National Electoral Committee's initiative to change the status quo has clashed with the diverse interests of political parties and the draft has not been approved by the Constitutional Committee.
Valimisringkondade muutmiseks tellitakse analüüs
See, et Lääne-Virumaal jagatakse välja viis riigikogu mandaati, Harju- ja Raplamaal aga 16, muudab iga üksiku hääle kaalu väga erinevaks ja olukorra ebavõrdseks. Ning see ebavõrdsus üha suureneb. Vabariigi valimiskomisjoni initsiatiiv midagi muuta on põrganud vastu erakondade erinevaid huvisid ja vastav eelnõu ei ole põhiseaduskomisjonist kaugemale jõudnud.
Environmental Board: Suur-Sõjamäe fire fumes no direct risk to human health
"The Rescue Board has been monitoring the air quality in the nearby residential areas and has found that there is currently no direct threat to people's health. At the current concentration levels, the pollutants in the air are not considered to pose a risk to human life or health," Tehva said. "However, if there are any changes, the emergency services will certainly inform [the public]," he added.
Ratas: Coalition agreement is a big disappointment
"The coalition agreement is a big disappointment. In fact, no coalition party asked for such a mandate prior to the election. Everyone was talking about raising pensions, with the Reform Party leading the way, there was talk of investment and of assisting local governments. And now we are witnessing a deal in which the coalition is genuinely reaching into the pockets of the poorest and middle-income earners," Ratas told ERR.
Electoral committee rejects United Left Party and EKRE election complaints
The National Electoral Committee reconvened on Tuesday to continue processing election complaints. These included challenges by the United Left Party, the Conservative People's Party (EKRE) and several individuals, and mostly concerned electronic voting. The committee did not satisfy a single complaint.
Reform the only party against moving weekend public holidays to weekdays
"Estonia 200 supports the idea that if a public holiday falls on a weekend, give working people the day off," Margus Tsahkna, an Estonia 200 board member, said. He added that such a practice is very common in Europe. "We do not go in detail on this in the Isamaa election platform, but we are happy to discuss the issue of weekends and holidays.
Defense minister: Giving Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine is Scholz's decision
While an agreement was not reached to supply Ukraine with Leopards, Pevkur described the meeting at Ramstein Air Base as good. The meeting, attended by defense ministers from dozens of countries, was an attempt to create a so-called tank coalition, he said. "There are quite a lot of countries that made new commitments to Ukraine. These contributions include both tanks and armored vehicles, as well as a great deal of ammunition and other assistance that Ukraine has specifically requested.
Expert: Effects of Russian mobilization would reach Ukraine next year
"This mobilization could have an effect on the course of the war starting in the first months of next year, or when a year will pass from its beginning. It will not bring quick relief on the front [for Russia]," Saks told ERR on Wednesday. "It is bound to take a long time and constitutes a major challenge for the Russian state apparatus," he added. "From what I've gathered, they are short on specialists whose training takes longer.
Riigikogu to kick off fall session by untangling spring mess
The spring session ended in quite a bit of confusion. The lines separating the coalition from the opposition and supporters of various bills from their opponents got hopelessly muddled. Family benefits disputes disrupted work, and because it took until mid-July for the new government to take over, everything ground to a halt.
Opinion: SDE candidate lists see biggest changes, Pro Patria most battered
Political parties' candidate lists for the 2019 Riigikogu elections have been locked down for the most part. Uku Toom of ERR's radio news takes a look at how much parties' top picks have changed since the previous elections four years ago. Let's take a look at five parliamentary parties and leave the Free Party alone. Not because of their current ratings, but because their list situation is still a bit messy.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Uku
Contact Uku, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack