Key Points
- Parliamentary adviser Piia Schults, with three decades of service, was terminated following a legislative drafting mistake
- The error in the Gambling Tax Act, approved in December, eliminated online casino taxation for 2026
- The oversight creates a €4 million shortfall in Estonia’s anticipated tax revenue
- Schults intends to challenge her termination in court, arguing the dismissal was unwarranted
- Chancellery Director Antero Habicht defended the decision as both “unavoidable and necessary”
An experienced Estonian legislative adviser is gearing up for legal battle following her termination over an error in the nation’s Gambling Tax Act.
After more than 30 years with the Riigikogu Chancellery, Piia Schults saw her career end abruptly due to a drafting mistake under her supervision that became law.
The error appeared in the Gambling Tax Act legislation approved by parliament in December. It inadvertently eliminated online casino tax obligations for 2026.
The legislative blunder has left Estonian authorities confronting a €4 million deficit in projected tax collections. Officials must now address the budgetary impact of this significant oversight.
Schults acknowledges the error occurred. In an interview with Estonian public broadcaster ERR, she called it “indeed terrible” and admitted she was “very shaken by it.”
Nevertheless, she emphasized this represented her first mistake of this magnitude throughout her entire professional tenure. She characterized her work as more than just employment—as a “mission.”
Dismissed Adviser Claims Inaccurate Statements Forced Public Response
Schults maintains her termination resulted partly from her media engagement. She indicated that damage to reputation was presented as the primary justification for her dismissal.
In her ERR interview, she explained she initially preferred to remain silent. However, she felt compelled to respond publicly after Riigikogu Chancellery Director Antero Habicht made statements she considers inaccurate.
“There were claims there that simply were not correct,” she stated. She confirmed she has already retained legal counsel to prepare her challenge.
Schults indicated she favors pursuing her case through the judicial system rather than Estonia’s labor dispute resolution process. She believes the proceedings could establish important precedents regarding how officials are handled when errors occur.
“I think this is quite an important case,” she remarked to ERR. She hopes her legal challenge will provide support to colleagues who might encounter comparable circumstances.
She acknowledged the widespread support she has received from the public. “People have written and called me, and I truly appreciate it,” she commented.
Director Stands By Termination Decision
Habicht addressed the controversy with a concise statement. He described the termination as “unavoidable and necessary,” explaining that the trust required for maintaining the employment relationship had dissolved.
He refrained from elaborating further, referencing the anticipated litigation. He also clarified that political figures played no role in the dismissal decision.
Regarding whether Schults had received previous warnings or encountered other issues, Habicht noted that such matters are typically addressed verbally and kept private. He neither confirmed nor denied any previous incidents.
He verified that the disciplinary process adhered to protocols outlined in Estonia’s Civil Service Act. This framework requires providing the employee an opportunity to submit explanations and objections before any final determination.
Schults described pursuing court action as an obligation. “It has been a very difficult period and I am very grateful to people. But I feel it is my duty to take this matter to court,” she declared.
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