Russian-speaking Deputies In Estonia Are Forbidden To Speak Russian

On Tuesday, the Estonian parliament adopted in the second, final reading amendments to the law on parliamentary regulations. "These amendments stipulate that the Estonian language alone be used in the work of the parliament", said Viktor Andreyev, head of the United Popular Party of Estonia faction, in an interview with a RIA Novosti correspondent. According to Andreyev, after these amendments have been enforced, Russian-speaking deputies will not be able to utter a single word in their native language in parliament. The deputy expressed his concern that after adopting the amendments, non-Estonian deputies could become subject to sanctions in compliance with some subordinate legal acts. He also said that the parliament was going to adopt similar amendments to the law regulating the work of local authorities. According to the deputy, this document could create great difficulties for local authorities in Russian-populated areas, where most Russian-speaking deputies use their native language.