First reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Act on Restrictions on the Acquisition of Immovable Property (321 SE)
Session: The 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting.
Date: 2024-09-16 22:45
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 26
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 28m
AI Summaries: 26/26 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The third item on the agenda was the discussion of Draft Act 321 on the amendment of the Act on Restrictions on the Acquisition of Immovable Property, initiated by the parliamentary group of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia. The first reading, the purpose of which is to restrict the acquisition of agricultural and forest land by foreigners and keep a large portion of the land under the control of Estonian citizens, takes into account both security and food security aspects. The draft act stipulates a requirement for proficiency in the state language (minimum B1 level) and a residency requirement—at least five years of residence in the Republic of Estonia—and emphasizes that land ownership must remain protected in the interests of the Estonian economy and food self-sufficiency. The legal framework of the European Union and the absence of associated implementation costs were also mentioned. The current version is appropriately introduced to the agenda in connection with national security and economic policy, and the discussion centers on how to ensure the sustainability of land ownership while simultaneously maintaining the allocation of land in the national interest.
Decisions Made 3
First reading finished.
Urmas Kruuse, the chairman of the committee, was appointed as the representative for the Steering Committee.
The deadline for submitting amendments is September 30th of this year at 17:15.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was eoQySqbpowY, a member of the EKRE faction and the primary sponsor of Bill 321. His role involved acting as the rapporteur and steering the ensuing discussions. Consequently, it can be concluded that his political position leans toward the right wing (right-wing/right-leaning).
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
We now move to the third item on the agenda, which concerns the first reading of Draft Act 321, amending the Act on Restrictions on the Acquisition of Immovables, initiated by the EKRE faction. The representative of the initiators, Rene Kokk, is invited to give the presentation.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk introduced Draft Bill 321 concerning amendments to the Act on Restrictions on the Acquisition of Immovable Property. The bill aims to restrict the acquisition of agricultural and forest land by foreigners, ensure the greater share of land for Estonian citizens, and strengthen food security. This is achieved by adding a requirement that prospective acquirers must speak Estonian (B1 level) and must have resided in Estonia for at least five years.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announced that there were still a few questions remaining, and called upon Siim Pohlak to respond.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She asks for examples from Estonia's neighbors—Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland—and inquires whether analogous laws and restrictions have been adopted in those countries and how they function.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk notes that neighboring countries are holding very serious discussions regarding land and real estate policy, specifically concerning property located near national defense infrastructure. Furthermore, Finland is currently conducting a comprehensive review of its regulations because land purchased by Russian citizens could pose a threat to national defense, and this effort must be undertaken jointly with neighboring countries.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller addresses Martin Helme with a request.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that this is a security issue, where the introduction of Russian-speaking people with unchecked backgrounds and simple real estate purchases increase risks, and an open market raises property prices, which forces young people and farmers to face constraints regarding home purchases and land use.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk emphasizes that we must stop the purchase of land using money of dubious origin and ensure that the land is, as much as possible, owned by and accessible to Estonians, because the defense of the state rests precisely on people who have roots here, not on foreigners for whom real estate is merely a business interest.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Kalle Grünthal to speak.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speaker, Kalle Grünthal, expressed concern that foreigners are buying land cheaply in Estonia, citing the example of Järva municipality, where 109 wind turbines, reaching a tip height of up to 270 meters, are being erected, financed by a French private equity fund. He then asked what further measures are needed to manage the penetration of foreign capital and guarantee the protection of private property.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk urged people to calmly consider the wind farm contracts, warning that the money offered initially might later be many times different from the first proposal, and that since land is a finite resource, it must be valued, and people should not give overly hasty permission for large infrastructure projects.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Evelin Poolamets is invited to speak at the beginning of the address.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets pointed out that Estonia is not alone in this, referencing the restrictions imposed by neighboring countries Latvia and Lithuania on the sale of land and real estate to foreigners.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk said that neighboring countries Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland are very seriously considering measures to regulate how land would not fall into the ownership of Russian and Belarusian entrepreneurs and citizens, and that the main goal right now is the preservation of the nation-state and security, although the laws may be reviewed in the future.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme was mentioned in the speech.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme claims that the land being used for wind farms and the national special planning process are cutting out local communities and residents, effectively dividing up Estonia’s land and sea for foreigners. Although no solution is offered, she questions whether a solution will be found in the future or if Estonia’s land and sea will simply remain in the hands of strangers.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk advises landowners not to sell their plots to wind or solar parks. Instead, they should remain the owners of the land and lease it out to producers via long-term (50-year) agreements so they can eventually get the land back. He also notes that maritime areas require separate consideration, and the state should avoid making decisions based on outdated technology (citing Rail Baltic as an example).
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Anti Poolamets to speak.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
According to the source, the government plans to restrict the sale of land and forest to foreigners and prioritize local producers, a move consistent with EKRE's platform. However, the resistance from the Ministry of Rural Affairs and the opposition raises the question of how to overcome this kind of non-aligned bureaucratic resistance.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk says that in order to return to a course that values the Estonian state and people, they need power lasting one election cycle, during which the heads of government agencies will be replaced and personnel will be changed, and in this way, it will be possible for EKRE to return to government and form a sound conservative administration.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal raised the issue of limiting the duration of land lease agreements for wind farms (for example, to 50 years). He stressed that pursuant to §5 of the Constitution, natural assets and resources must be used sustainably, and this same principle should be applied to protect nature against large offshore wind farms and the wind farms in Järva municipality.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech only contains the name Kalle Grünthal.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk emphasizes that a 50-year lease agreement should not be concluded lightly, but that all conditions must be fixed from the start, local people must be involved, and the choice of location for wind farms must be carefully considered. He also notes that Climate Ministry officials are confused and are forced to stand up for the interests of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, which makes it difficult to defend the environmental viewpoint.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
There are no further questions, and we now welcome Urmas Kruuse, Chairman of the Rural Affairs Committee, to the podium for the committee's report.
Urmas Kruuse
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Kruuse stated that the draft bill was introduced on December 5, 2023. The discussion was brief, and procedural decisions were adopted: the bill will be placed on the plenary session's agenda on December 12, 2023, and the board decided to include it on today's agenda. The first reading will be concluded, and Urmas Kruuse will be designated as the leading committee representative. Following the conclusion of the first reading, amendments must be submitted according to the general procedure, meaning within 10 days.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller announced that although the negotiations are open, there is a lack of will to proceed, and they will therefore be closed; the leading committee proposes concluding the first reading of draft bill 321; the deadline for submitting amendments is September 30th at 5:15 PM, and today's agenda items have been exhausted.