Third Reading of the Bill Amending the Land Tax Act (437 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, extra plenary sitting
Date: 2024-06-19 13:53
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 14
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 23m
AI Summaries: 14/14 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
On the agenda was the third reading and final vote of Bill 437, the draft act amending the Land Tax Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic. Discussions were opened to the parliamentary groups, where all speakers—Aivar Kokk (Isamaa), Lauri Laats (Centre Party), and Varro Vooglaid (EKRE)—expressed sharp opposition to the bill. Aivar Kokk called the bill the saddest of this parliamentary term, as it abolishes the tax exemption for land under homes, thereby taxing people's residences. He criticized the coalition's claims regarding local government autonomy, emphasizing that the bill obligates local governments to raise the land tax by at least 10% annually, in addition to the already occurred average eightfold rise in land prices. Lauri Laats and Varro Vooglaid stressed that the tax hike affects hundreds of thousands of landowners, especially the elderly, and violates the principle of the inviolability of private property. Kalle Grünthal (in a rejoinder) added that the draft act contradicts Section 154 of the Constitution, which concerns the independence of local government. Despite strong criticism and accusations of lying, the bill was put to the final vote.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 437, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Land Tax Act, was passed into law with 56 votes in favor (20 against, 0 abstentions).
Most Active Speaker
Aivar Kokk (Isamaa, right-wing) was the most active speaker, presenting the longest and most detailed criticism against the draft bill, and he was granted an additional three minutes of speaking time.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman opens the debate and announces that draft law 437 on the amendment of the Land Tax Act will be discussed during the third reading, and gives the floor to Aivar Kokk, speaking on behalf of the Isamaa faction from the Riigikogu rostrum.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk stated that the draft legislation we are about to vote on is the most regrettable of this current term, adding that it will result in people losing their homes and, quite literally, the land beneath their houses being taxed, all spearheaded by the Social Democrats and supported by the deputies of the Reform Party and Eesti 200.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman apologizes to the speaker, notes the noise in the hall, and asks Aivar Kokk to continue.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk is criticizing the Social Democrats' bill, which mandates that local governments must raise the land tax by at least 10% (up to 100%). He argues that this doesn't offer freedom to the local municipalities; instead, it forces them to take more money from homeowners, despite the fact that the price of land has significantly increased in recent years and the 2013 tax exemption was intended to support the establishment of homes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman asks for three minutes of additional time.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk claims that the expanded loan base during the COVID period and the flawed fiscal policy regarding investments are pushing local governments to the brink of bankruptcy, which has resulted in rising prices, an increased tax burden, and economic decline. Consequently, he does not support the current bill, accusing the coalition of lying and ignoring the interests of both the public and businesses.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the assembly and requests Lauri Laats to deliver a speech from the Riigikogu rostrum on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party faction.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats claims that the problem of financing local governments stems from inadequate regional policy and the closure of services, and that the rise in land tax particularly burdens older people and large families. Therefore, the draft bill must be voted against, and a digital tax should be considered as a method of financing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offers his thanks and invites Varro Vooglaid to the Riigikogu rostrum on behalf of the faction of the Estonian Conservative People's Party.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid said that the faction of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia does not support the bill and warns that tax increases and the violation of the sanctity of home and private property are leading the country in the wrong direction and making people's lives difficult, but at the same time asks that people's homes be left alone.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks the speaker and notes that Kalle Grünthal wishes to deliver a response, asking him to proceed.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal stated that the land tax is an issue concerning local affairs, and the involvement of local authorities must take place either based on law or by agreement, neither of which has occurred, which means the law is in violation of the constitution, and he accused the government of pursuing a policy equivalent to the Stalin era, by taxing people and forcing them into collective farms.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced the final vote on Bill 437 and closed the debates, thereby submitting the draft Act on the Amendment of the Land Tax Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic, to the Riigikogu for the final vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu adopted Bill 437 as an Act: 56 voted in favor, 20 against, and there were no abstentions.