Editing Politics of Estonia (section)

===Parliament===

[[File:Riigikogu (2011).jpg|thumb|The Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) in the Toompea Castle of Tallinn, Estonia.]]
{{main|Riigikogu}}
The ''Riigikogu'' is the [[Representative democracy|representative]] [[legislative]] authority of the Republic of Estonia. It comprises 101 members who are elected at free elections for a four-year term according to the principle of [[proportional representation]]. The work of the Parliament is coordinated by the Board of the ''Riigikogu'', which is led by the President of the ''Riigikogu'' and is elected for a term of one year. There are also [[Political faction|factions]] within the Parliament, which carry out the programmes of their respective political parties. The work of the Parliament is supported by various committees, which are staffed by members of the factions. They prepare draft legislation and exercise parliamentary control over their fields of activity. The Chancellery of the ''Riigikogu'' is tasked with servicing the Parliament. It is headed by the Secretary General of the ''Riigikogu'', who is appointed by the Board of the ''Riigikogu''. Legislation is passed by an [[Open ballot system|open]] majority vote. The [[quorum]] for the Parliament is provided in the ''Riigikogu'' Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.<ref name=":2"/><ref name=":3"/>

[[Citizenship|Citizens]] of Estonia who are at least 21 years of age and are eligible to vote may stand to be elected to the Parliament of Estonia. Citizens who are at least 18 years of age and are not convicted of a criminal offence have the right to participate in the voting for the Parliament of Estonia. Elections are called by the President of the Republic. After the election of the Parliament, the first sitting is convened by the President of the Republic, where the members of the Parliament will take an oath of office and then elect the President and Vice Presidents of the Parliament. After the election of the President and Vice Presidents, who are nominated by members of the Parliament, the Prime Minister announces the resignation of the Government so a new one could take its place. The procedure of elections is defined in the ''Riigikogu'' Election Act.<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":2"/>