After staring at the candy coloured Estonian House of Parliament so many
times with visiting families and friends, our members finally had the
chance to admire this building from the inside. After passing the necessary
security, we arrived in The White Hall. The White Hall is, with its view on
the Alexander Nevski Cathedral and decorated with the Estonian and
European flag and many chandeliers, the second most important hall of the
House of Parliament. Many foreign politicians have been welcomed and
treaties have been signed here.
The Parliament building itself, which was erected in the former courtyard
of the medieval castle, has an unusual Expressionist style. Many parts of
the building have been decorated by triangular forms, which represent
equality and power to the people.
The Estonian Parliament or Riigikogu has been elected for the first time
in 1920 after Estonia gained her Independence in 1918. Now, the Parliament
consists of 101 members. Every member is elected for 4 years. Recently a
law has been adopted that from 2017, people from the age of 16 years old
are allowed to be politically active. The members of Parliament represent 6
political parties of which the liberal democratic party is the largest. The
recently chosen president Mrs Kersti Kaljulaid is a representative of the
Social Democratic Party. At the moment, iimportant subjects discussed by
the assembly are the financial situation of the elderly and children.
