Government Spending Policy
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, information briefing
Date: 2024-05-29 15:20
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 12
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 12/12 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Riigikogu member Urmas Reinsalu raised a sharp question to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding the state’s spending policy and its inability to curb bureaucracy. Reinsalu accused the government of wasting millions of euros on projects of questionable value—even while talking about savings—citing green skills programs, radical innovation procurements, and e-residency marketing as examples. Furthermore, he criticized the extremely slow uptake of European Union 2021–2027 funds (only 4.1% as of mid-May) and the delay in opening the apartment building renovation program, asking what kind of organizational chaos was responsible for these issues. Prime Minister Kallas defended the government's actions, referencing the forthcoming negative supplementary budget, which will improve the budgetary position by 175 million euros through specific cuts in both foundations and ministerial domains. Kallas dismissed Reinsalu's specific proposals as "slogans" and stressed that the majority of state employees are teachers and social workers who should not be laid off. In a follow-up question, Reinsalu accused the Prime Minister of "lying politics" concerning post-election political U-turns. Martin Helme also intervened in the debate, demanding the suspension of the Rail Baltic project due to its astronomically increased cost (estimated at 8–10 billion euros for the Estonian section), calling it a move that would bankrupt the state. Kallas emphasized the vital importance of Rail Baltic from a security perspective, ensuring connectivity between the north and the south, and highlighted the economic benefit, as 80% of the investments come from EU funds.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Urmas Reinsalu (on the right) was the most active speaker, leveling sharp accusations regarding the government's spending policy and its failure to honor election promises, using the phrase "lying politics."
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar announces that today's second question is directed to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, asked by Riigikogu member Urmas Reinsalu, and the topic is the state's expenditure policy.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu accuses the government of falsehoods and continuous profligacy, highlighting millions of euros wasted on various projects. He questions why only 4.1% of the 2021–2027 European Union funds have been utilized, why the apartment building renovation program has not been launched, and urges the government to take concrete steps necessary for cost reduction and economic revitalization.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that the negative supplementary budget involves concrete steps to improve the budgetary position by 175 million euros, implements savings across foundations and ministries, and ensures the progress of utilizing European funds. She noted that over 110,000 new jobs are planned for Ida-Virumaa, with 4.1% of those funds already disbursed. She then called on the opposition to grasp the scale of the crisis and stop relying on slogans, emphasizing that salaries must be increased for teachers, social workers, and healthcare professionals.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar emphasizes that it is your time and you must act.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas emphasizes that, in reality, people need to make decisions themselves, and we are making those decisions as well.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the assembly/the previous speaker], says they will move on, and asks Urmas Reinsalu for a clarifying question.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu slammed the government for its deceitful policies and the delivery of empty promises. He specifically labeled the 110,000 new jobs promised for Ida-Viru County as a fabrication, stressing that both revenue and expenditure policies must be scrutinized, as the policies implemented after the election will lead to a loss of public trust.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas stated that the government is reviewing all expenditures, reiterating commitments to dedicate 3% of GDP to security and to Estonian-language education, and explaining that 5% of GDP for security would constitute a significant tax burden. Simultaneously, the utilization of European funds is being accelerated, and 1.9 billion euros worth of investments are being planned to stimulate the economy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the audience and asks Martin Helm to pose one additional question.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that the government promises many things before the elections but fails to explain where the money will come from. He emphasizes the request for increased defense spending as an inaccurate official position and accuses Rail Baltic of being an extremely expensive project that burdens the state budget, with the Estonian portion costing approximately 8–10 billion euros and the annual expenditure being around 300 million euros.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas confirmed that the construction of Rail Baltic is crucial for Estonia's security, trade, and the movement of people, noting that it is 80% funded by the EU. She added that the functioning of this connection requires cooperation between government coalitions to ensure the link between the north and south is maintained.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He thanks everyone and concludes the consideration of today's second question.