Estonia's Riigikogu advisor fired months before retirement amid transparency concerns
A long-serving advisor to Estonia's Riigikogu has been dismissed just months before retirement. The decision, made by the director of the Riigikogu Chancellery, has sparked criticism over its severity and timing. Journalists now face greater challenges in accessing direct information from officials.
The official was fired five months before reaching retirement age. Critics called the move unnecessarily harsh, given their decades of service. The dismissal followed accusations of damaging the Riigikogu's reputation, contributing to a budget shortfall, and speaking to the press.
Antero Habicht, the director of the Chancellery, justified the decision with explanations that observers compared to the satirical TV series *Yes, Minister*. The official's comment to a journalist, however, was later deemed harmless and not actually harmful to the institution's standing. The controversy stems from a flawed law passed by the Riigikogu in December 2023 with 51 votes. No legal or financial consequences for the state or affected authorities have been documented. Lawmakers, not the advisor alone, were responsible for the legislation, yet the official bore the brunt of the fallout. The dismissal has already made it harder for journalists to get direct answers from Riigikogu officials. Media representatives argue that the move sets a troubling precedent for transparency and press relations.
The decision to dismiss the advisor has drawn widespread criticism for its timing and lack of proportionality. Journalists now face more barriers when seeking information from the Riigikogu. The case also raises questions about accountability, as the official was not solely responsible for the problematic law.
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