Democracy crisis
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-10-23 15:28
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The third question in Program D addressed the crisis of democracy. The question was posed by Riigikogu member Lauri Laats to Prime Minister Kristen Michal, focusing on the decline in trust towards institutions and the concerns raised about the impact of coalition and government decisions on overall well-being. The spokesperson referred to recent polls and emphasized that trust in the Riigikogu and the government has diminished, and decisions, such as tax increases, could exacerbate this trend. In addition, the state budget's transparency and the parliament’s role in budget proceedings were discussed, along with ongoing controversies surrounding the procedures associated with this topic. The topic also encompassed the necessity of a will to defend and publicly understandable policies in order to maintain overall trust and stability during crises. Finally, the procedural aspects of conducting the meeting were raised for discussion, focusing on how to ensure the parliament’s role in budget proceedings and prevent excessive ministerial subjectivity.
Decisions Made 1
As the session focused primarily on substantive discussion and no votes or formal decisions were taken, no final parliamentary or governmental decisions will be made within the framework of this dialogue. However, the principle applies that tax peace remains in effect until 2027 and the introduction of new taxes during that time is not planned; to ensure the cohesion of the budget and taxes, substantive debate will continue between the coalition and the opposition.
Most Active Speaker
The most active representative was the prime minister—pid 5VNfkRwGZMI. He represents a right-wing, centrist, Reform Party-like political direction and holds a leading government position (as prime minister).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is submitting its third question to Prime Minister Kristen Michal concerning the crisis of democracy, with Riigikogu member Lauri Laats acting as the presenter.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats notes that trust in the Riigikogu (Parliament) and the government has significantly declined (41% for the Riigikogu in June, 27% in September; 39% versus 31% for the government), stating that the coalition’s tax hikes and other decisions are the reason for this drop. He then asks what steps they will now take to improve the people's ability to cope and their will to defend the country.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Prime Minister emphasized the need to enhance the credibility of institutions and called upon the coalition and the opposition to hold a substantive debate on budgetary and tax policy issues, in order to jointly secure the reputation of the Riigikogu and the state, as well as their resilience to crises.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asked Lauri Laats to pose a clarifying question.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats stated that a motion of no confidence was filed against Jürgen Liik due to the lack of substantive answers during last week's session, emphasizing that he does not view this as an oppositional political-technological maneuver. He further sought confirmation that if any minister repeats this kind of behavior, the necessary adjustments will be made within the cabinet, and that there will be no tax increases until 2028, covering both service fees in state-owned enterprises and all other taxes.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that a tax moratorium will remain in effect until the 2027 elections, and no new taxes will be introduced, with the exception of a broad security tax. Furthermore, the sugar tax has been withdrawn, the packaging excise duty will not be implemented, and the idea of a congestion charge remains open for discussion.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked her and asked Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to ask an additional question.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The core concern of the speech is that, despite the coalition's promise to make the state budget more transparent, changes introduced by ministers at any time could make the Riigikogu's role merely superficial, effectively leaving the constitutional right to decide solely with the government. Consequently, the speaker asks: what is your stance on the Riigikogu's role in handling the state budget?
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the assembly and invites the Minister to speak.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Prime Minister emphasized that the budget must be clear and comparable year-over-year. To enhance this transparency, the coalition has agreed to implement an activity-based budget and include better explanations in the next budget, starting from the upcoming budgetary period.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks, concludes the discussion of today’s third item, and before proceeding to the fourth item, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart raises a question regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart stated that the chair of the session should have intervened, and she posed a specific question to the Prime Minister regarding the role of the state budget procedure and whether the PM shares the Finance Minister's position, emphasizing that she represents the Centre Party faction and would have wished for the chair's intervention.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the colleague and emphasizes that the presiding officer does not intervene as long as the topic remains relevant. The topic was "Crisis of Democracy," and the Prime Minister answered the question posed, but he cannot interfere with the substance of the Prime Minister's answers.