Government activity
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing
Date: 2025-01-22 14:30
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 11m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The session primarily focused on the topic of state defense expenditure and procurement of supplies, initiated by Isamaa faction representative Urmas Reinsalu, who presented a question to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. Reinsalu criticized the government for indecisiveness regarding the procurement of additional supplies and asked why the Defense Forces Commander’s recommendation to raise state defense expenditure to 5% of GDP was not reflected in the 2025 budget or the state budget strategy for 2025–2028. He also referred to the fact that the government voted down Isamaa’s proposal to procure supplies more quickly. Prime Minister Kallas thanked her for the support regarding defense matters and defended the government's efforts, noting that Estonia's defense expenditure has grown rapidly (3.7% of GDP next year) and that the security situation requires an increase in expenditure. Kallas confirmed that the Defense Forces Commander’s advice is being taken into account and that defense planners are working to bring procurement forward in time, with the aim of raising the level of defense expenditure to 5%.
In addition, the issue of Nordica state aid was discussed, brought up by Lauri Lääts. Lääts accused the Prime Minister of misleading the public, citing a story in Eesti Ekspress and asking about the €1.5 million loan granted through KredEx in April 2024. Prime Minister Kallas explained that she refused to provide the company with additional taxpayer money (€10–20 million), which was the management’s proposal, but loans granted through KredEx are a separate activity based on a 2020 government decision, and they are not additional support.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made.
Most Active Speaker
Urmas Reinsalu (169SqsJiaic) was active, posing repeated and sharp questions to the prime minister regarding the timeline for state defense spending and procurement of supplies, criticizing the government’s management style on critical issues. (Position: right-wing)
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
We have reached the third question that Urmas Reinsalu is putting to Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu accuses the government that in a critical situation the increase to 5% of state defence expenditures and the need to procure additional ammunition, as recommended by the Commander of the Defence Forces, were not taken into account, and asks why this is not reflected in the 2025–2028 state budget strategy or in the 2025 budget, and whether the Commander of the Defence Forces’ recommendation also includes the need to procure additional ammunition more quickly.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasizes cooperation between the government and the opposition on security issues, confirms an increase in defense spending, and sets the goal of raising it from 3.7% of GDP next year to 5% by 2026–2028, taking into account Russia's aggression and the threat of cyberattacks.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-speaker Toomas Kivimägi asks Urmas Reinsalu to present a clarifying question.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu asks why next year's defence spending level is 3.7% when the expected target is 5%, why the Defence Forces' Commander’s recommendation to increase defence spending is not reflected in the 2025 budget and in the 2025–2028 outlook, why Isamaa's proposal to bring forward the stock of critical ammunition was rejected, and why the government does not intend to apply for European funds for national defence, and he asks for a precise answer as to when and why this recommendation will be realised.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the Chief of the Defence Forces' advice has been transmitted to the government, and the 1.6-billion increase in defence capability is planned for procurements in 2025–2031, but if necessary procurements will be accelerated, and defence planners assess how quickly the capabilities can be brought into service.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They pose one additional question in the hall and turn to their colleague Lauri Laatsa.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats posed a question to the prime minister about Eesti Ekspress's accusations regarding Nordica's financing and lying, referring to Michal's earlier statements, and asking whether the 1.5 million loan issued through KredEx on 19 April 2024 was justified and whether the minister intends to take legal action against them over these allegations.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal explains that the government decided not to provide additional funds to a troubled company, and the loan provided through KredEx is a completely different transaction, and he does not intend to sue Eesti Ekspress in court, but plans to clarify the matter at Delfi's anniversary.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He gives thanks and ends the consideration of this question.