Third reading of the draft law amending the Social Welfare Act (pensioner support) (508 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-11-20 16:51
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 20m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The seventh agenda item concerned the third reading of the draft law amending the Social Welfare Act (pensioner support), initiated by the Republic's Government. Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart spoke, requesting additional time and extending the discussion by eight minutes. The draft law focuses on changing the pensioner support and is linked to a redistribution of the general budget allocation and social benefits, which raises some taxes and price levels, and improves the organization of support for pensioners living in care homes. Discussions and debate covered both the state’s contribution to care homes and the financial burden on local municipalities, and arguments arose regarding how this affects the elderly and those living alone.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 508 has been put to a final vote. The result of the vote: 52 in favor, 21 against, 0 abstentions. Bill 508 has been passed.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Aivar Kokk, a member of the Isamaa faction; he represented the right-wing political direction in the Riigikogu (the right wing/successors oriented towards national and conservative principles).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
During the seventh item on the agenda, negotiations will be opened for the third reading of the government-initiated draft No. 508 concerning amendments to the Social Welfare Act, and it is represented by Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart of the Estonian Centre Party faction, who requests extra time.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart claims that the coalition burdens pensioners with tax increases and with the withdrawal of benefits, and places elderly people who live alone and need care in a difficult situation, and she calls MPs to vote against the bill in order to respect and protect the elderly.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks wholeheartedly, and Aivar Kokk represents on behalf of the Isamaa faction.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk states that the coalition's policy of rising taxes and energy costs, together with a 200-euro cut in support for 6700 pensioners living alone, including those living in care homes, deepens poverty, and Isamaa cannot support this bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker apologizes for the brief interruption and asks if you need more time.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk said that Isamaa cannot support this bill in any way.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Thank you; on behalf of the Reform Party faction, Mihkel Lees is asked to speak.
Mihkel Lees
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mihkel Lees confirms that the draft will not ruin pensioners' lives, and that the responsibility for paying nursing home costs will be shared among municipalities, because the general care service becomes more accessible and support and pension indexation will continue, which is expected to lead to an average pension of about 814 euros by 2025.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi concluded the negotiations and moved Bill 508 to a final vote (the Government-initiated law amending the Social Welfare Act – pensioner benefit) and asked colleagues to take a position and vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Estonian Parliament passed Bill 508 into law: 52 in favor, 21 against, 0 abstentions.