The main task of the Chancellery of the Riigikogu is to provide the conditions necessary for the Riigikogu to perform its constitutional functions. The functions of the Chancellery are established by the Statutes, and the Chancellery is accountable to the Board of the Riigikogu.

The Chancellery of the Riigikogu was established in October 1992. The head of the Chancellery is the Secretary General of the Riigikogu, who is appointed to office by the Board of the Riigikogu following a public recruitment procedure.

The structure and the composition of the staff of the Chancellery of the Riigikogu are established by the Board of the Riigikogu. The Board also establishes the salary rules for the employees of the Chancellery on the basis of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act and the Public Service Act.

The daily functions of the Chancellery are performed by its departments.

Principles of activities

In its work, the Chancellery proceeds from:

• Constitution of the Republic of Estonia
• Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act
• Statutes of the Chancellery of the Riigikogu (PDF, 264kB)  (unofficial translation)
• Employment Contracts Act
• Civil Service Act
• Anti-corruption Act
• State Secrets and Classified Foreign Information Act
• Public Information Act
• Response to Memoranda and Requests for Explanations and Submission of Collective Addresses Act

Strategy

Besides the Statutes, the Chancellery of the Riigikogu also proceeds in its work from the strategy that establishes the focus for work and development in the coming years. The main purpose of the strategy is to raise the level of the work of the Chancellery and in this way increase the effectiveness of the work of the Riigikogu.

Mission

We provide professional support to the parliament of Estonia in its daily work and in promoting parliamentarianism.

Vision

The Chancellery of the Riigikogu is an open and modern state agency, a valued cooperation partner in Estonia and the whole Europe.

Fundamental values

• Professionalism. We are the best experts in our field. We act with conviction, we acquire new knowledge and skills, and we learn from mistakes. We are true to our word and give reliable and unbiased advice.
• Openness. We are open to good ideas and look for opportunities in changes. We are innovative and creative.
• Readiness for cooperation. We create and maintain cooperation networks. We respect different opinions, we support our colleagues and partners, so that we could reach our goals together.
• Continuity. We treasure the values and traditions of our country and our parliament. We integrate the old and the new.

Chancellery of the Riigikogu

History

The Chancellery of the Riigikogu was established to support the parliament of Estonia in its work. Although the functions of the Chancellery have not significantly changed in time, changing circumstances have made it necessary to adapt and be ready for new expectations and requirements.

Some of the factors that have influenced the organisation of the work of the Chancellery are the development of legal order and information technology, and the changes that accompanied Estonia’s accession to the European Union and NATO. Changes have been made to the structure and composition of the Chancellery, and its strategic aims have been reviewed.

The Chancellery of the Riigikogu was established on 5 October 1992, the day the VII Riigikogu convened. The functions of the Chancellery were defined later, but its mission was clear from the beginning – to create conditions for the Riigikogu to fulfil the functions the Constitution, that had been passed by a referendum in June that year, requires the parliament to perform.

On 16 November 1992, the Riigikogu Internal Rules Act entered into force. Pursuant to this Act, the task of the Chancellery was to serve the Riigikogu and its Board, committees and parliamentary groups, and the members of the Riigikogu. More detailed list of the functions of the Chancellery was established by the amendments to the Riigikogu Internal Rules Act that entered into force on the first working day of the IX Riigikogu on 14 March 1999.

Glance on the past confirms that the development of the Chancellery as an organisation has been stable, which has helped it to perform its main function: to be the bearer of parliamentary continuity.