Political culture
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing
Date: 2025-01-22 14:02
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The discussion at the center focused on two topics: firstly, state support and KredEx funding provided to Norica, including a discussion regarding the decisions of 2020 and the additional loan of 2024, and questions of democracy and transparency related to raised concerns about language use and funding sources; additionally, there was discussion about whether and how coalition partners have been involved in decision-making. Secondly, the discussion turned to the growth of defense spending and budgetary perspectives: whether and how Estonia could increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, where to find funding sources, and what role tax relief and European Union funds would play. A lively exchange of opinions took place, and substantive differences within the coalition regarding the organization of steps and funding became apparent, but ultimately, the need to consolidate compromise and continue strengthening security and structural reforms was emphasized.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made during the course of this session.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was 5VNfkRwGZMI, who represents the prime minister (right-hand position). They responded and explained the Nordica-related question, as well as the aspects of increasing defense spending and financing, and presented the coalition's viewpoints and vision for maintaining tax peace until 2027, and the use of BL funds.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the colleagues and announces that we will move on to the first question, which is posed by our good colleague Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticizes the prime minister's rhetoric and credibility, referring to Eesti Ekspress's claim that Nordicale was given 1.5 million in state funds during the climate minister's tenure, and asks why he claimed that taxpayer money had not been given and whether he knowingly lied.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal apologized for the earlier statement and explained that, under the 2020 decision, eight million euros were given to the Nordic Aviation Group via KredEx, and no additional taxpayer money was provided, because the funds were allocated under existing contracts.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi posed a clarifying question to Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats refers to an Eesti Ekspress article in which it is claimed that in the spring of 2024 the government took out a KredEx loan of 1.5 million euros for Nordicale, although in 2023, as climate minister, he refused to provide money from the same package, and he asks for Keit Kasemetsa's stake and whether he deserves to be the future state chancellor, while accusing him of bribery and of adding hush money to Nordicale.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
In 2020, an eight-million-euro loan to Nordica, decided as part of the state aid package, was paid out through KredEx, and Nordica remained in operation and moved toward privatization, but the question arises: why was this loan even given when in 2019 it was decided not to fly from Tallinn.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi announces that there is one more question in the hall, and asks Vadim Belobrovtsev to take the floor.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev stated that the plan to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP is a classic political-technology tactic and a smoke screen used by the Reform Party, because it was done quickly on social media without prior consultation with coalition partners, and he asked where the hundreds of millions would come from if taxes are raised and a car tax is introduced.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed that Estonia's defense capability growth is inevitable, and that the aim of defense spending should be about 5% of GDP, to use EU funds and, if necessary, loans, to maintain tax stability until 2027, and to continue government budget cuts to strengthen Estonia's position in NATO and EU cooperation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They thank their colleagues and announce that they will stop dealing with this matter.