First Reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Family Benefits Act (388 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-09-19 13:10
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 44
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 57m
AI Summaries: 44/44 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The topic of the presentation is the first reading of Draft Act 388 on amending the Family Benefits Act, initiated by the faction of the Estonian Centre Party. The draft aimed to increase the well-being of children and set the goal of raising the benefit paid per child to 150 euros per month, while also emphasizing the equality of all children and the separate support for large families. The discussion centered on strengthening the sense of security for families against the backdrop of inflation and the rising cost of living, the demographic situation, and the state's efforts to support families with children. Possible funding sources were also pointed out, including a bank tax and improving the efficiency of the state apparatus, and the discussion presumably determined when and how to increase the number of children in the country.
Decisions Made 1
The motion is to reject Bill 388 on the first reading. The responsible committee submitted this order, and the result of the vote was 43 in favor, 10 against, with 0 abstentions. The bill is consequently removed from the proceedings.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Vadim Belobrovtsev (Center Party faction), who served in the role of rapporteur and discussion facilitator, presenting the draft legislation and sector-specific arguments. His position, developed in collaboration with the faction, falls outside the classical left-right political spectrum, and he can be categorized as "other" (center/national focus, not a typical left-winger or right-winger).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced the transition to the second item on the agenda, which was the first reading of Bill 388, the draft Act amending the Family Benefits Act, initiated by the Estonian Centre Party faction. Colleague Vadim Belobrovtsev was asked to deliver the report.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev called for raising the monthly child allowance to 150 euros for the first, second, and third child, arguing that the current 80–100 euros is insufficient given the current inflation. He criticized the government's cuts to family support and the demographic situation, and proposed implementing a bank tax, optimizing the state apparatus, and considering the tax hump and a digital tax to secure the necessary funding.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker thanked [the previous speaker/audience], opened the floor for questions, and invited Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to take the floor.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The main message of the presentation is that Estonian families and young people must, under current conditions, shoulder tax hikes and spending cuts in solidarity, while banks do not have to bear the same burden, and the introduction of a bank tax is not supported.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev stresses that a bank tax would be a crucial measure, generating hundreds of millions of euros for the state coffers and providing aid to families. However, since the coalition does not support the idea, it must continue to be explained to the public.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asked Lauri Laats to speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Highlighting demographic worries and political instability, Lauri Laats points out that the new government made a complete reversal on child benefits and urges an analysis of the specific measures the government has adopted to encourage family creation and boost demographics.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The main message of the address is that support for large families must be maintained or increased because it improves the situation and stability of these families, and abandoning this support could decrease birth rates and consequently jeopardize the future of the nation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Riina Solman to the stage.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman criticizes the statements made by the Minister of Social Protection claiming that large families constitute only 14% and that they receive the majority of family benefits, and calls for respecting the freedom of choice in motherhood and parenthood, and raising children at home without shame.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Summary: Belobrovtsev criticizes the direction taken by Riisalo and the government, arguing that the state must look after large families and provide them with a sense of security, rather than cutting their benefits. He asserts that this is the only way to increase the birth rate and ensure the survival of the Estonian nation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited Vladimir Arhipov to the stage.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov criticizes the fact that despite promises of tax stability, cuts are being implemented that primarily hit the poorest and most vulnerable. These cuts include a 10% reduction to hobby education and the general education system, as well as an attack on pension indexation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked everyone.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He notes that people aren't taking to the streets, and asks what measures the Riigikogu should adopt to protect our families.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev argues that the current government is implementing cuts and tax changes that disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, specifically pensioners, large families, and extracurricular education. He advocates for solidarity taxation and a bank tax, but the coalition is sticking to its chosen course, and the coalition agreement lacks a clear plan detailing these cuts.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi noted that one minute was allocated for asking the question, but no time had been set for the answer, and he asked if there was any other problem.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He says there's no clock here at all, and adds that he saw it here earlier.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi confirmed that everything is now in order.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He confirms that everything is fine.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls Aleksei Jevgrafov to the stage.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jevgrafov thanks the chair of the session and Vadim, recalling that the Centre Party has repeatedly raised the issue of family benefits. He expresses hope for the coalition's support and the adoption of the draft bill, and proceeds to ask what the reasons for the low birth rate are, whether family benefits could have an impact on this, and how the situation might be improved for the sake of Estonia’s bright future.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev states that the decision of families to have a child is influenced by two interconnected factors—a sense of security about the future and state support—an influence which is further compounded by the general societal situation. He adds that if the state fails to generate sufficient confidence and continue providing support, the birth rate will drop, and we will find ourselves on the verge of a demographic crisis.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman invites Aleksandr Chaplygin to speak.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speech asks how much savings from reducing the state apparatus could cover the nearly 200 million euros required to raise family benefits.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev said that 223 million was probably the number, and according to calculations, if the state apparatus were optimized, this sum could reach up to 300 million, and it is precisely this measure that would help realize their proposal.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
During the address, Aleksei Yevgrafov was called to the stage.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Yevgrafov asks the esteemed Vadim for a technical, numerical answer regarding the number of families affected by the bill, and whether he possesses any information on the matter.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Naturally, this law affects all families with children, and every family with at least one child is definitely going to benefit from it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman offers thanks and states that there are no further questions, and invites Karmen Joller, member of the Social Affairs Committee, to the Riigikogu rostrum for the co-presentation.
Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Karmen Joller noted that the draft bill had been on the committee’s agenda several times and repeatedly postponed due to the ongoing discussions. Eventually, it was decided to reject the bill (6 votes in favor, 2 against) and appoint Kristina Šmigun-Vähi as the representative of the leading committee. However, this decision was later reversed because Šmigun-Vähi resigned from the other committee.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi offered his thanks, noted that there were no questions, requested they move more quickly next time, and then introduced Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart said that the coalition did not support an important draft bill in the committee and requested a roll call, asking for the names of those who voted to be read out individually. She simultaneously emphasized that in discussions concerning demography and family benefits, the financial well-being of young people is often overlooked, as high real estate prices and the car tax make life difficult for young families and cause young people to postpone starting a family.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gives thanks.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The question requests an evaluation of how well Estonian youth are managing, and an explanation of why the draft bill failed to gain support.
Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Karmen Joller emphasized that the topic was child benefits, not youth welfare, and that youth welfare was not discussed during the bill's debate; she, Helmen Kütt, Irja Lutsar, Eero Merilind, Õnne Pillak, and Kristina Šmigun-Vähi were in favor of rejection, Arvo Aller and Kalle Grünthal were against it, and the other parties did not vote. She also asked why the bill's sponsors left the Riigikogu chamber during the discussion.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi offered his thanks and announced that the question period had concluded, noting that Aleksei had already utilized both of his allotted opportunities to ask questions. We will now open the debate—speaking on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party faction will be Aleksandr Tšaplõgin.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He stated that Estonia is facing the deepest demographic crisis of the last hundred years, emphasizing that boosting the birth rate must be the state's top priority. He cited rising prices and inadequate child benefits, and requested support for the proposal put forward by the Centre Party faction.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Riina Solman represents the Isamaa faction, gives thanks, and submits requests.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman said that Isamaa's programs are based on the Estonian Constitution and that large families and families with disabilities are under the special care of the state. She accused the current government of failing to adhere to this principle since Kaja Kallas's third government, criticized Signe Riisalo and Kristen Michal, and emphasized that support for families, especially large families, must be increased for demographic purposes, rather than relying on migration. Additionally, she requested an extension of time.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi requests three additional minutes to continue his speech.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman called for the drafting of a proper population strategy, complete with measures supporting the birth rate, emphasizing that controlled migration is not the solution and that citizens and experts must be engaged to assist the Riigikogu in improving the demographic situation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi closed the debate, announcing that the lead committee's proposal to reject Bill 388 at the first reading would be put to a vote. He stated that he was proceeding with the preparation for the vote and asked [members] to take a stand and cast their ballots.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that Bill 388 received 43 votes in favor, 10 against, and 0 abstentions. Consequently, the bill was rejected and is removed from the legislative procedure.