Paemurd: The Political Advertising Regulation Does Not Aim to Govern Protests

On October 10, a new regulation on political advertising transparency will take effect in Estonia, classifying most protests as political advertising. Elis Paemurd from the European Commission's Estonian office confirmed that the regulation is not intended to control demonstrations.

This week, firefighters, police officers, and teachers gathered outside Stenbock House, carrying signs demanding higher wages. Under the political advertising transparency regulation, which comes into force on October 10, such actions are considered political advertising because they intervene in the legislative process, specifically the formation of the state budget. Any activity that seeks to influence legislation is treated as political advertising.

"According to the regulation, it must be clearly visible to the public who is organizing the event, why it is being held, which law they wish to change, who has organized it, who has funded it, or who is behind it," said Minister of Justice Liisa Pakosta.