Estonian expert Külli Taro stresses importance of civilian control in defense
In Estonia, Külli Taro, head of the knowledge transfer field at the Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance of Tallinn University of Technology, emphasized the need for independent oversight of defense spending and civilian control over defense structures. In her view, public trust depends on citizens being confident that public funds, as well as the assets and stockpiles purchased with them, are managed responsibly.
Taro wrote about this in a column for ERR News. She positively assessed the work of auditors from the National Audit Office, who examined assets, stockpiles and expenditures in the area managed by Estonia's Ministry of Defense. According to the author, without such audits, the identified problems could have remained unnoticed and, consequently, would not have been addressed.
Oversight of defense spending
Taro recalled that the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security, adopted in 1994, defines democratic political control over armed forces as a component of security and stability. As she describes it, the document provides for parliamentary approval of defense expenditures and a transparency requirement for states.
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In the author's view, civilian oversight should cover decisions on the use of force, budgetary matters, legality and accountability. Military professionals should provide professional advice, but decisions on behalf of society must be made by democratically authorized institutions — parliament and the government.
Minister's powers and conflict of interest
Taro noted that after constitutional changes in 2011, the Estonian Defence Forces became a government institution, and their commander became the head of that institution rather than an independent constitutional body. According to her, the defense minister has the right to exercise administrative oversight over the commander of the Defence Forces and the head of the Centre for Defence Investments, including assessing the legality and appropriateness of decisions and requiring shortcomings to be rectified.
The author also proposed that parliament eliminate legislative gaps concerning conflict-of-interest risks when officials move between the public and private sectors. She pointed to the need for clearer cooling-off periods after work in positions that make decisions on public spending or influence rules for businesses, and noted that such restrictions do not necessarily have to be compensated by the state.
