Reconsideration of the Motor Vehicle Tax Act (364 UA) left unpromulgated by the President of the Republic
Session: 15th Riigikogu, Extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
Date: 2024-07-15 13:12
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 128
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 2h 15m
AI Summaries: 128/128 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The basis of the agenda is the re-discussion of the re-adoption of the Motor Vehicle Tax Act (Law 364), according to the protocol, in the form that was not returned by the Presidents after its passage by the Riigikogu. The report will be presented by the Chairman of the Constitutional Committee, Hendrik Johannes Terras. The discussion focused on the scope of application of the principle of equal treatment and whether the given restriction is in compliance with the Constitution. During the discussion, it was addressed whether the President had considered an infringement regarding the exception for people with disabilities, and whether the content of the tax arrangement was consistent with family and social compensations and livelihood issues. In summary, a consensus decision was made not to adopt the bill in its unamended form, as it had been returned to the Riigikogu for re-adoption. By the end of the session, the deadline for submitting amendments was set for July 19th at 16:00, when the plenary proceedings will continue. The second agenda item concerned the organization of procedures and debate, but the main outcome remained that the initial desire to amend the bill and continue the proceedings, contrary to the consensus against adopting the bill in its unamended form, could not be carried out.
Decisions Made 2
It was decided by consensus not to support the re-adoption of the motor vehicle tax law in its unchanged form, after it had been sent back to the Riigikogu.
The deadline for submitting amendments was set for July 19 at 16:00.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Annely Akkermann (Chair of the Finance Committee; Reform Party; a right- or right-wing party). Her participation included a detailed discussion of the bill's procedure and the issue of potential infringement, and she provided a comprehensive overview of the committee's positions and the procedural course. She represented the coalition's stance and managed the debate as the leading figure in the Finance Committee; position: right (right-wing).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that there were two items on the agenda, the first being the re-discussion of the Motor Vehicle Tax Act 364, which the President has not promulgated, and he then invited Hendrik Johannes Terras, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu, to the floor as the rapporteur.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Constitutional Committee found that although there are many people who require transportation, the restriction in question is not consistent with the principle of equal treatment, because a person with a severe or profound mobility disability who does not require vehicle modification must still pay the motor vehicle tax and the registration fee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requests silence in the chamber and asks that the rapporteur be respected so that we may continue the proceedings, and invites Hendrik Johannes Terras to proceed.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
In conclusion, the commission unanimously decided not to support the re-adoption, in its unchanged form, of the Motor Vehicle Tax Act that the President of the Republic had returned to the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gives his thanks and opens the floor for questions, beginning with Aleksandr Tšaplõgin.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin asks why the car tax, which fleeces ordinary people, is considered a good thing, but the special tax on banks proposed by the Centre Party is bad.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
I believe the question should be addressed to the next speaker, and the Constitutional Committee only discussed why the president returned the law, and what constitutes the violation of the constitution and the principle of equal treatment.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart stresses that the proposed amendments concerning people with disabilities were left undiscussed and all observations were ignored. She notes that the coalition is discussing the complete removal of tax exemptions, and letters from organizations representing people with disabilities express concern that the interpretation of the principle of equal treatment may be in conflict with the constitution.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman invites Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to the stage.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
There are several conditions concerning this bill: if it is not adopted without amendments, it moves to the pre-second reading stage, where new proposals can be submitted and a fresh debate will take place.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Kalle Grünthal is not currently in the hall, and Vadim Belobrovtsev will be the next speaker.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev asks how the commission envisions the further processing of the draft bill, whether it will be adopted without amendments or not, and if changes are introduced, what the subsequent work schedule would look like.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
He thanks the questioner and notes that the query is more appropriately addressed to the Speaker of the Riigikogu, suggesting they ask him instead.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats described the car tax bill as tragicomic, noting that the coalition has been trying to push it through for over a year. While the presidential veto was a welcome relief, the bill is now back before the Riigikogu, and he inquired about the public's feedback.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar calls upon Lauri Laats to speak.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The bill returned by the president is currently under discussion, and unfortunately, this issue wasn't raised in the committee, but we can discuss it privately later.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Kalle Grünthal has arrived in the hall and is being invited to speak.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal compares the proposed car tax bill to Stalin’s forced collectivization of the 1950s, where taxes were so enormous that people were compelled to join the collective farms. He also notes that in 1991, compensation for the value of the peasants’ property began, and questions why the state is now repaying the cost of that property if the original surrender of the assets was carried out under the law.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Thank you for the question, but your interest in history was not on the commission's agenda and was therefore not discussed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the next questioner was Priit Sibul.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul expressed confusion as to why the Constitutional Committee did not discuss the matters raised here, and whether the committee had addressed the issue of an arbitrarily and fast-track imposed asset tax and the unreasonableness of its rates.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Constitutional Committee did not discuss the substance of the tax, but rather considered a specific point where there is a conflict with the Constitution—namely, the principle of equal treatment. The Committee concluded that this issue was rightly highlighted by the President and must be corrected.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invited Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme asserts that EKRE is the only party that fundamentally and clearly opposes the car tax, arguing that it is a disproportionate burden on the Estonian people, increases poverty, and will not significantly change the state budget. She suggests that more revenue could be generated by restructuring the tax system, noting that almost 80% of Estonians do not support the car tax – are you giving people hope or not?
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Constitutional Committee discussed why the President decided not to promulgate the law, and found that it infringed upon the principle of equal treatment for people with disabilities, and that the error must be corrected; such a discussion did not take place in the committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This is just a request to invite Riina Solman onto the stage.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman criticizes the coalition for not heeding the president's request to review the draft bill again, noting that following the amendments that were made, the bill has, in the estimation of the Chamber of Disabled People, become even worse. Furthermore, she points out that the proposals made by the Association of Large Families regarding the motor vehicle tax were completely ignored in the spring, which is creating distrust toward the state among families, disabled people, and informal caregivers.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Hendrik Johannes Terras stated that, following the president's arguments, the situation has worsened according to the assessment of the Chamber of Disabled People, and the feedback will be taken into account in the context of potential constitutional infringement. If today's vote passes, the draft bill will move to the second reading, where everyone will have the opportunity to propose and discuss amendments and present them to the Finance Committee. However, he cannot currently say what specific amendments will be made, and the discussion is ongoing as to whether the law will be adopted in its current, unamended form or not.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invited Mart Maastik to the stage.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Maastik asks whether, following the discussion of amendments, consideration has been given to scrapping the tax law altogether—a law that is deeply unpopular and specifically targets the finances of those with lower incomes—and how this squares with the Reform Party’s promise to collect 500 million and redistribute it to the public.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The President's reasoning was that the law would lead to unequal treatment of people with disabilities depending on the specific nature of their impairment, and the Constitutional Committee discussed the matter and decided not to support its adoption in its current form.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo accuses the Constitutional Committee of failing to monitor the constitutional infringement during the bill's proceedings, noting that they are only discovering it now that the President has brought it up, and asks what exactly they were busy with before.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks for Kert Kingo to be called upon to speak.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
He explained that the Constitutional Committee does not proactively vet the constitutionality of the bills originating from all other committees. Instead, each committee is responsible for the constitutionality of its own drafts, and the Constitutional Committee only engages in oversight when the President issues an assessment.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Rain Epler to take the floor.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler stated that the discussions have been very limited in scope and focus only on the specific problem highlighted by the president. Referring to media reports, he then asked whether the idea of abolishing the car tax exemption for disabled people might have been raised during the debate.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Hendrik Johannes Terras is requesting clarification on which specific thought or statement might have slipped out.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Since our rules of procedure do not provide for this, we are giving Rain Epler the microphone so that he may clarify the question.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asks if he can now ask again, or if he should take a minute to rephrase the question, given that the respondent didn't understand.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that he had made a concession in the interest of the debate, and asked Rain Epler to clarify his brief question so that we could hopefully receive an answer.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler is requesting clarification on whether the Constitutional Committee actually discussed substantive issues at all, or if they merely focused on whether to adopt the legislation unchanged or open it up for amendments. Furthermore, he wants to know if, during the debate, the idea of abolishing the exemption for people with disabilities entirely was accidentally mentioned by any coalition colleague.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
He takes a moment to check and confirms that he is telling the truth, adding that such a claim is not written down right here.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that we would proceed with the questions and asked Urmas Reinsalu to answer.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu notes that Section 41 of the Tax Procedure Act requires at least six months' advance notice, and asks whether the Constitutional Committee has discussed implementing the car tax on January 1, 2025, and what his personal position is on whether such implementation is constitutional.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Terras said that the tax will come into effect depending on the Finance Committee's decision, and the discussion addressed whether six months' advance notice was sufficient and whether taxpayers were aware of the Riigikogu's intentions.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme asked what the Constitutional Committee’s plan is for resolving the question of the constitutionality of the car tax or motor vehicle tax law adopted by the Riigikogu—whether to send it to the Supreme Court for expert analysis, convene a panel of lawyers, or if you have some other plan.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requests that Mart Helme be given the floor.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Constitutional Committee reviewed the feedback on the draft legislation returned by the President, determined that amendments were necessary, and proposed that the law should not be adopted in its unamended form. Instead, we must implement the necessary changes to ensure there is no infringement upon the Constitution, and we are now proceeding with resolving this issue.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman asks Rene Kokk to take the floor.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk continues to affirm his opposition to the car tax and notes that if the discussion had been substantive and the proposed amendments seriously reviewed, the current situation likely would not have occurred. He highlights the previously discussed exemptions intended for large families and people with disabilities, and asks why the legal conflict that the President pointed out has not been resolved during the legislative process.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
He confirmed that the Constitutional Committee does not check the constitutionality of other committees' draft legislation; rather, every committee must ensure the constitutionality of its own drafts. Oversight is only exercised if the President sends the bill back. The Finance Committee, not the Constitutional Committee, should have noticed and resolved the contradiction.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the presenter, announces that there are no further questions, and before proceeding, asks Vadim Belobrovtsev to raise his hand again so that he may pose a procedural question regarding the conduct of the session.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev asks whether the subsequent proceedings depend on the Speaker of the Riigikogu and how we will continue our work here, emphasizing that, in his opinion, the final say belongs rather to the Finance Committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He explained that if the Riigikogu does not pass the law returned by the President of the Republic without changes, the bill moves from the end of the first reading to the second reading, followed by two more readings, amendment proposals, and committee discussions.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal voiced concern that while the Constitutional Committee is actually supposed to monitor constitutional compliance, the committees sometimes fail to intervene, leading to issues regarding constitutionality and legality, particularly concerning the Tax Procedure Act. He then questioned whether such legislative drafting constitutes sound parliamentary practice.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stressed that committees have the autonomy to determine the content and form of draft legislation, but adherence to the constitution is paramount. He noted that several checks and balances exist to ensure this—the President, the Chancellor of Justice, and the Supreme Court—and if debates ultimately reach the Supreme Court, the court will render a final, considered decision.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Finance Committee decided by consensus not to support the re-adoption of the Motor Vehicle Tax Act in its unchanged form. Instead, the Committee wishes to amend the legislation and continue the proceedings, emphasizing the need to remedy the constitutional infringement. If the plenary session does not support these amendments, a deadline for submitting new amendment proposals will be set within four working days (July 19 at 16:00).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the presenter, noted that there were several questions, and invited Aleksandr Tšaplõgin to speak.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin asserts that the car tax is a very bad idea regardless, and no amount of changes will save it. He then asks rhetorically why the car tax, which fleeces ordinary people, could possibly be considered good, while the special tax on banks proposed by the Centre Party is deemed bad.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Running the country requires collecting taxes that cover the use of cars, traffic management, and their environmental impact. Furthermore, in Estonia, bank profits are taxed quarterly, which sets our taxation system apart from that of other companies, especially considering that most of the world’s developed countries introduced a motor vehicle tax a long time ago.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The presenter inquired about the law's effective date—whether it would be January 1st or not—noting that the typical six-month period did not seem realistic, and requested the precise date of entry into force following the president's promulgation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to the stage.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann said that the effective date for the motor vehicle tax is a decision of the full assembly, and while the Finance Committee is discussing the proposed amendments, the final decision will be made by the full assembly, and in special cases, the tax may enter into force on January 1st.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to come forward.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart is criticizing the coalition's plan to eliminate all tax concessions for people with disabilities and replace them with benefits. She notes that this will create administrative burden and confusion, and she questions what this actually means for disabled people, specifically asking whether they will soon lose other benefits if the entire new support payment is earmarked for the car tax.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The report stresses that the draft legislation must prioritize people and their health status over vehicles. Furthermore, equal treatment for disabled people should be achieved through support schemes, ensuring that any reduction in tax concessions does not negatively impact their financial stability. It also calls for proposals under which the Ministries of Social Affairs and Finance would provide grants for the adaptation or modification of motor vehicles for disabled individuals, enabling their full participation in society.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk expressed strong opposition to the car tax, questioning the financial necessity of the money by pointing to the 2.2 billion from last year's budget that went unspent, and a line item in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications (MKM) budget exceeding 100 million, about which no one knows anything. He further blamed the failure of the state budget and the TERE project, as well as a general lack of funds and vision.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar invited Rene Kokk to the stage.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann emphasizes that an overview of state finances is available, and it is necessary to develop an activity-based budget and link development plans with the budget. However, the existing system must not be dismantled—the vision and strategy must remain in alignment with the budget.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This is simply a request to invite Kert Kingo to speak.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo posed the question of whether the Constitutional Committee flagged the constitutional conflicts during the processing of the car tax bill or only discovered them afterward, which calls the committee's competence into question.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann notes that she remembers Martin Helme introducing and implementing activity-based budgeting during his time as finance minister, and she concedes that she may not precisely recall the handling of the issue of unequal treatment of people with disabilities in the Constitutional Committee's letter.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman invites Helle-Moonika Helme to take the floor.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme criticizes the Constitutional Committee and its chairman for failing to address the constitutionality of the car tax law, which raises questions about the committee's competence and the quality of its oversight.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar urges the audience to take action, saying that it is their time.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She emphasizes that a situation should not arise where the president has to return the law specifically on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
I don't recall the Constitutional Committee's exact response, but the draft bill reached the committee before the second reading. At that point, it included a tax exemption provision for the diplomatic corps, emergency vehicles, and vehicles modified for use by disabled persons. The word "adapted" was added later, and the bill changed substantially as a result of the amendments submitted for the second reading. However, the Constitutional Committee did not shape this specific viewpoint, and I don't hold that against them, because different people notice different things. The president's comment was correct, but I wouldn't go so far as to blame the committee for failing to notice it first or in a timely manner.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Arvo Aller to speak.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller affirmed that they oppose any law inconsistent with the Constitution, emphasized the necessity of guaranteeing constitutionality, and inquired whether the Constitutional Committee should have been consulted again after the proposed amendments in order to prevent the current situation.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann stated that perhaps it would have been sensible to ask the Constitutional Committee about it again, but in the present case, it wouldn't have produced a different outcome, because the original draft contained a provision that established a tax exemption for vehicles modified by private individuals, and disability benefits are generally increasing. Furthermore, asking again would not have been a method to avoid the presidential veto.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This is the call for Riina Solman to take the floor.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman asks whether the costs of developing and administering the untargeted support measures being offered instead of specific provisions have been taken into account, and whether the administrative burden on people with disabilities might increase as a result of these changes.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann explained that the draft proposes providing support to people with disabilities not as a tax exemption, but as a social benefit, which, while not taking anything away, requires them to rework their plans. Furthermore, the Finance Committee does not support adopting the bill in its unchanged form, and the subsequent amendments, along with explanatory memorandums, will proceed to the second reading.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets highlights a contradiction in the car tax: the levy applies even to non-moving vehicles that are not participating in traffic, are not causing environmental damage, and are not burdening the roads. She asks why these vehicles could not be granted a tax exemption and whether this issue was discussed in the committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman calls upon Evelin Poolamets.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann stated that competition vehicles, which are transported to the competition venue in a trailer towed by a car, burden the environment. She also discussed exceptions regarding the taxation of museum exhibits and highlighted that cars with black license plates did not receive a tax exemption, even though the ownership of these plates is strictly regulated and represents a museological cultural activity, concluding that this is a political decision.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Kalle Grünthal to take the floor.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal links the necessity of preserving culture, as stipulated in the preamble of the constitution, to the debate surrounding the car tax bill, citing examples like LaitseRallyPark (which houses over 50 cars dating back to the 19th century) and the Järva-Jaani Car Museum (with over 500 exhibits), noting that they might be forced to close down because of the tax.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Ministry of Culture promised to develop a separate measure specifically for museums.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar invites Mart Helme.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme asks how implementing a motor vehicle tax on all engines would affect the continuation of maritime transport to and from Kihnu and the difficult living conditions of the locals, emphasizing that the people of Kihnu are no longer in the same economic situation as Soviet-era fishermen, and that the current argument is not credible, and he expects a serious answer.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann said that the draft bill concerning the motor vehicle tax on boats does not concern this topic.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This is just a request to call Lauri Laats to the stage.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasizes that the procedure has gone awry, and the opposition and the president have been drawing attention to these problems for years. He suggests perhaps abandoning the introduction of the car tax and utilizing other means to achieve budget balance.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The opposition submitted 831 amendments, but the president detailed, across one and a half pages, what constituted a constitutional infringement and what needed to be removed from the legislation or addressed, providing the basis upon which the draft bill could actually be improved.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Anti Poolamets to take the floor.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets said that he had made a proposal to ease the purchase of cars for large families, but it failed to gain attention, and he is now asking whether the balance of taxation leans towards the environment or towards people's purchasing power, referencing Mart Võrklaev's 2023 position and asking where the line was ultimately drawn.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann explains that the tax is based on multiple pillars: environmental aspects (e.g., carbon emissions), the vehicle's mass, and socio-economic impact. The amendments made during the second reading mean that only the base component will be factored in for older and more polluting cars, allowing them to stay on the roads longer.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Many thanks to the rapporteur, there are no further questions; the ensuing debate follows, and first to the podium is Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, who requests additional time and is granted three minutes.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart emphasizes that the car tax bill is in conflict with both European Union law and the Constitution. Furthermore, the Centre Party will continue its fight, submit substantive amendments, and is prepared to challenge the law in administrative courts should it enter into force.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the previous speaker] and called upon Aleksandr Tšaplõgin to speak next.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin called the car tax a bad idea, noting that the tax hike does not promote economic growth, primarily affects the poor and rural residents, and restricts people's freedom of movement. He voted against it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman offers his thanks and invites Martin Helme to the podium, where Helme requests three minutes of extra time.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that EKRE is against the car tax and will abolish it at the first opportunity, and that the budget crisis has been artificially created. He calls for voting against [the current proposals] and reducing major expenditures (the green transition, Rail Baltic, aid to Ukraine) in order to find money in the state budget.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a brief address, beginning with thanks, which serves to invite Kalle Grünthal to take the floor.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal argues that the need for the tax is a crucial issue, but the current government is mismanaging state finances and handing out money indiscriminately, instead of focusing on those who actually need help. If the country were run by a government that genuinely cared about the Estonian people, the tax wouldn't be necessary.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He is asking to add three minutes.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal accuses the car tax of employing Stalinist tactics, comparing it to the forced collectivization of the 1950s. He claims that it forces people to give up their cars, destroys Estonian cultural heritage, and is unconstitutional. He further calls on the coalition to scrap the draft bill and find alternative funding.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Henn Põlluaas requested extra time, and he was granted three additional minutes.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas is accusing the government of incompetent energy and economic policy, claiming that the Estonian economy has deteriorated, and calling for cost cutting, lower taxes, and the abolition of the car tax.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks [the previous speaker] and calls upon Aivar Kokk to speak.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk said that Isamaa is against the motor vehicle tax, and that the coalition’s tax policy increases inequality and burdens families. This is because the rise in VAT, income tax, and other taxes, combined with the low taxation of older cars, neither improves the environment nor safety, and instead gives advantages to high-wage earners.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi requests three more minutes.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Isamaa member Aivar Kokk called for halting the increase of the land tax and the motor vehicle tax and leaving these taxes void, stating that the Estonian economy is currently in crisis and that tax changes implemented during the 2020 crisis brought economic growth. He added that Isamaa does not support the draft bill and wishes to throw it out of the Riigikogu discussions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and asks Rain Epler to take the floor.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticizes the coalition for increasing the car tax and other tax hikes, arguing that introducing a new tax during an economic crisis is the wrong move. He urges the government to prioritize the welfare of people and entrepreneurs and reduce the tax burden.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi calls on Vadim Belobrovtsev and notes that he is not currently visible, but Lauri Laats is present.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasized that the car tax is unconstitutional and does not solve economic problems, and called on the coalition to listen to the legal analysis and amendment proposals made by the Centre Party, because the tax especially burdens those living in the countryside, families, and people with disabilities, and the car tax must not be implemented.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi requests the addition of one more minute to his speech.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats stated that the proposal contains good and worthwhile ideas and asked the coalition to review them, but emphasized that the Centre Party will not support any law that fails to improve people's well-being and instead makes things worse.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker expresses gratitude and asks to give the floor to Vadim Belobrovtsev.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev criticized the coalition's plan to introduce a car tax starting January 1st, claiming that it violates legal procedure and the six-month entry into force requirement, is contrary to the position held by the opposition and the president, and called on the incoming prime minister to either throw the car tax in the bin or shelve it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He/She asks for one more minute.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev said that the current economic situation is not the right time to implement a car tax, and he advised the prime minister to abandon this idea either temporarily or permanently.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Kivimägi thanks [the previous speaker] and invites René Kokk to take the floor.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk claims that the car tax will exacerbate the inaccessibility of rural areas and put additional pressure on services. He criticizes the confusion in state finances and the existence of undisclosed sums, calling for the car tax to be rejected and demanding clarification on where and for what purpose state budget funds are actually being spent before moving forward.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi declares the negotiations concluded and puts to a vote the re-adoption, in its unchanged form, of the motor vehicle tax law—the version that had been returned to the Riigikogu by the President.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu did not support the adoption of the law in its unamended form (0 votes in favor, 93 against, 0 abstentions). Consequently, the law failed to be adopted as is, and I set the deadline for submitting amendments to the Motor Vehicle Tax Act as July 19th at 4:00 PM. I concluded the first item on the agenda and handed the chair over to my colleague Lauri Hussar.