Constitution of Estonia

First Constitution (1920–1933/38) The first Constitution reflected Jean-Jacques Rousseau's idea of national sovereignty. Power was split between the judiciary, the executive and the legislature according to the principles of Montesquieu. The Constitution provided for a high degree of public initiative and referendums, and made provisions for cultural autonomy. Despite the Constitution being modelled upon Montesquieu's ideas, there was an imbalance in the distribution of power. The document was radically parliamentarian, vesting the single-chamber Riigikogu with extensive power over the executive and the judiciary, leading to instability and frequent changes of government. A State Elder served as both head of state and head of government. Due to chronic government instability (18 governments headed by 10 men from 1920 to 1934), attempts were made to redraft the Constitution. In a referendum held in 1932, voters rejected two proposed drafts of a new Constitution. Still, a constitutional amendment, proposed by the populist Estonian War of Independence Veterans' League (Vaps movement) was adopted in a referendum in 1933 and came into force on 24 January 1934. This amendment, which turned the State Elder into a directly elected Head of State vested with broad powers, while separating the role of Prime Minister from the State Elder and reducing the size and power of the Riigikogu, had such a vast impact on the governing system that it is frequently mistaken for a new constitution ("the 1934 Constitution") in its own right. ==Preamble and provisions==

The current Constitution contains a preamble and 15 chapters of provisions. The preamble reads: Provisions The current Constitution contains 15 chapters. • The first chapter makes general provision for the nature of the state. It contains seven articles. • The second chapter sets out the people's rights, liberties and duties. • Chapter 3 defines the people and citizenship of Estonia. • Chapter 4 deals with the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu). • Chapter 5 pertains to the President of Estonia, and his or her duties, responsibilities and rights. • Chapter 6 addresses the Government of Estonia. • Chapter 7 addresses the process of legislation. • Chapter 8 addresses financial issues and the budget. • Chapter 9 addresses international relations and treaties. • Chapter 10 addresses military affairs. • Chapter 11 pertains to the function and the role of National Audit Office, and the Auditor General. • Chapter 12 pertains to the rights, functions and appointment of the Chancellor of Justice. • Chapter 13 pertains to the structure and operation of the judicial system and the courts. • Chapter 14 pertains to the jurisdictional, administrative and budgetary aspects of local government in Estonia. • Chapter 15 pertains to mechanisms and procedures related to amending the Constitution. ==Fifteenth anniversary of the 1992 Constitution==

For the celebrations of the fifteenth anniversary of the current Constitution in 2007, A. Le Coq produced a new brand of beer, the Constitutional Pilsener () in cooperation with the Estonian Ministry of Justice. ==See also==