Second reading of the draft law amending the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Tax Act and other laws (510 SE)
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-12-04 21:13
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 124
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 59m
AI Summaries: 124/124 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the second reading of bill 510. The purpose of the government-initiated act amending the excise tax law on alcohol, tobacco, fuel, and electricity, as well as other laws, is to increase excise tax revenue for the years 2025–2028, including a gradual increase in taxes on tobacco products (10% in 2025–2026) and alcohol (2025: +5%, 2026: +10%, 2027–2028: +5% each year), as well as lead-free gasoline and equivalent fuels (a 5% increase over four years, starting July 1st). There was also discussion regarding a different arrangement of earmarked capital for alcohol and tobacco excise tax and concerning the amendment of the adoption of a 0.5% earmark for the cultural capital earmarked funds. Issues arose regarding the impact of cross-border trade, balancing impacts across different sectors, and differences in opinion between the coalition and interest groups. Additionally, two main amendments were proposed: (1) a 0.5% earmark from alcohol and tobacco excise tax revenue would go to the body culture and sports earmarked capital, and (2) avoiding the previously planned two-stage excise tax increase in 2025, so that the total increase would be 10% in 2026 and 5% each year in 2027–2028. The committee’s intention was to bring the bill to the full assembly in December 2024, with a final vote planned for December 11, 2024.
Decisions Made 6
Regarding the redirection of revenue from the 0.5% alcohol and tobacco excise tax: consensus support in the finance committee on November 14th, the special designation is being removed.
Regarding the second amendment proposal: the finance committee voted 8 in favor, 2 against, and decided to continue processing the amendments according to the content of the bill.
On November 18th, it was decided to put the draft on the plenary agenda for December 4th, 2024 (consensus decision).
The proposal to finish the second reading at the session held on November 29th did not gain consensus (5 in favor, 2 against).
At the meeting on December 2nd, it was decided that once the second reading is completed, the bill will be put on the plenary session agenda and a final vote will be held on December 11, 2024 (9 in favor, 1 against).
Bill 510, second reading completed.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was 63JvL6tKBQE (Tanel Kiik), chair of the finance committee and the original presenter of the bill; position: left-leaning (a point on the left of the right-wing spectrum). He represented a thorough committee discussion and explained the content of the bill, the justifications for proposed amendments, and procedural decisions.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chair Arvo Aller announced that we would move on to the 19th item on the agenda, and the second reading of the Government-initiated draft law on amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act and other laws would be carried out, with Finance Committee member Tanel Kiik as the rapporteur.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik provides an overview of the Finance Committee's discussion about excise tax increases, explaining the timetable for increases in alcohol, tobacco, and gasoline excises, as well as changes in the allocation of the Cultural Endowment.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announces that the audience has questions, and asks Lauri Laats to answer.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats expresses concern about the Ministry of Finance's proposal to remove the sentence that directs 0.5% of the alcohol and tobacco excise tax to the Endowment Fund for Physical Culture and Sport, and asks for clarification about the amount, and asks whether changing it would not cause funding disruptions for physical culture and sport.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik explains that the change in the allocation of the Special Fund for Physical Culture and Sport will primarily result in a funding increase, since other capital funds have grown faster.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invites Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvarti to speak.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart asks why the Finance Committee decided in 2025 not to raise the alcohol excise tax, and where this change of heart came from (the government or the Ministry of Finance), and why it is assumed that 2025 receipts will be smaller than expected and cross-border trade will grow, but with the 2026 excise tax it is expected that cross-border trade growth will not occur, which points to a stricter alcohol policy.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik explains that the 2025 increase will be partly scrapped due to the risk of cross-border shopping, but by 2026 we will be bolder, as Latvia also raises the excise tax by 10%.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invites Vladimir Arhipov to speak.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov says that raising the price of alcohol in the name of health would be a good idea, but it has never been feasible, and the price increase may not immediately improve health, pointing to the interests of Latvian businessmen.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik hopes that the excise tax increase will have an effect and that alcohol will not become cheaper over time, emphasizing that the negative impact of alcohol is greater than the tax revenue.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invites Lauri Laats to speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In his presentation, Lauri Laats criticizes the draft bill, which would raise the gasoline tax and other charges, emphasizing that 74.9% of gasoline users are households and that the price increase affects people’s ability to cope, and notes that the Centre Party was in government and put a brake on tax increases, at least with respect to fuel.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik explains that tax increases affect people, but they are necessary due to the state budget deficit and increased expenditures.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is a brief request to invite Vadim Belobrovtsev to speak.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev asks the Commission whether the decision not to implement an increase in the fuel excise tax has been discussed, and why it differs from alcohol and tobacco excises, emphasizing that many people have to use fuel.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik acknowledges that the issue of the gasoline tax did not attract much attention in the committee; the discussion focused mainly on the alcohol tax.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Alexander Chaplogin to take the floor.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He asked whether the Commission had discussed that raising taxes during the economic crisis would slow economic growth even further.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik says that when alcohol taxes rise, the aim is to reduce consumption, not to expect a pickup in economic growth, and raising taxes during an economic crisis is not good.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invites Vladimir Arhipov to speak.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov claims that a tax increase is meant to fill the state treasury, and raising the alcohol excise tax does not reduce consumption, and he asks how the fuel excise duty and the overall tax burden affect the poorer, and whether any analysis has been conducted about their impact.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik explains that the aim of raising the alcohol excise tax is to keep alcohol from getting cheaper over time, rather than to solve all state budget problems.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Lauri Laats asked the chair of the meeting a question.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He pointed out that the discussion would not become heated, and he read from the explanatory memorandum the objective of the law: to establish increases in excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco products, and gasoline for the coming years in order to increase excise revenue.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller said that he did not read out the question to the chair here in a procedural manner, and asked Rain Epler to pose the question to the presenter.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speech highlights how raising alcohol excise duties and later lowering them have affected the state budget and cross-border trade, and asks whether and to what extent these tax changes have influenced alcohol consumption, and what the impact has been amid the maelstrom of rises and falls.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik clarifies that at that time the tax increase was too rapid, he was the Minister of Social Affairs, and I recorded a dissenting opinion, and there were negative effects of lowering the alcohol tax.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Aivar Kokk is invited onto the stage during the speech.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk noted that in the Finance Committee two amendments had been voted on together, of which No. 2 states that § 3 will be amended, although § 3 is not included among the amendments, and asked how § 3 would be amended then.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik admits that he did not quite understand the question.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
We will hand the microphone back to Aivar Kokk for a moment so that he can clarify.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk pointed out that in the second amendment proposal there is a plan to change § 2, but according to the final lines § 3 will be amended, which has not been included in this proposal.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik admits that he needs to review the technical side, because the wording was not correct, although the content and the idea are correct.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller answered briefly, "Yes," and mentioned Rene Kokk.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk asks whether the draft bill that aims to drive alcohol consumption underground really improves the health of the Estonian people, and he refers to his own experience with lowering the excise tax and crossing the border, emphasizing that if the problem is not seen in society, the consumption will not disappear.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik explains that you cannot go to extremes and say that the excise tax should not be raised or that it should not be higher than in the neighboring country, because alcohol would become cheaper over time.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is a very short speech in which Alexander Chaplygin is invited to speak.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He noted that the answer focused on reducing the consumption of alcohol and tobacco, and asked with a smile what to do with electricity — should we sit in the dark?
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik says that there is no need to sit in the dark, and the present bill will not raise the electricity excise duty.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Jaak Valge to speak.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge asks whether Latvia's further plans have been presented and whether there has been an attempt to develop such a joint policy in raising taxes, and if one of the motives is to reduce alcohol consumption, wouldn't it be more appropriate to consider restricting selling hours like Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik explains that we are moving at the same pace as Latvia: a 5% excise tax increase in 2025, a 10% increase in 2026, and a 5% increase in 2027.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller said that he simply wanted the question to be answered.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik explains that the plan for the next three years will proceed at the same pace as Latvia's, and he recommends Latvia raise its alcohol tax, because it should be harmonized upward, not downward.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invited Helle-Moonika Helme onto the stage.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme accused Epler of demagogy, claiming that deaths have increased due to compulsory vaccination, and criticized the Ministry of Finance's impact assessment, and said that the government's price increases drive people to Latvia, where prices are cheaper.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Arvo Aller invites you to act, saying that now is your time.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme claims that Estonians' money is flowing away — on alcohol, on fuel, as well as on essential goods, foodstuffs and clothing, and all other goods.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller requests permission to ask a question.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They ask what your optimistic outlook is based on, that excise taxes will come in and the KULKA endowment funds will receive money, when even the Minister of Finance has said that the excise taxes are not coming in.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Arvo Aller thanked the listeners.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik trusts Estonian doctors to determine the cause of death and emphasizes that lowering the alcohol tax had a negative health impact, despite the debate about vaccine skepticism not addressing that topic.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
At the beginning of the speech, Rain Epler was asked to take the floor.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asserts that raising the excise tax reduces revenues, and the OECD forecast shows rising debt burden and a budget deficit next year, therefore the pledge to improve the budget position is controversial.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech invites you to take action, for it is your time.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler says that these methods do not in any way support this improvement.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik confirms that lowering the alcohol tax increased consumption from 10.0–10.6 liters to 11+ liters, and the current draft has an overall positive budgetary impact.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chair invites Kalle Grünthali to perform on stage.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal criticizes the bill that raises the excise duties on alcohol, tobacco, fuel, and electricity, and through which money is collected from the Estonian people, and recalls the long-term Ukraine-support agreement signed in Brussels on June 27 and asks whether the Finance Committee has discussed its impact.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik says that it was not discussed, and he clarifies that, compared with the law currently in force, the bill's impact is positive, although Parliament will not have time to discuss all matters.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invited Aivar Kokk.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk pointed out the numerical confusion surrounding tobacco products excise revenue: the previous plan is 12 million, the new plan adds 7 million for a total of 19 million, but the bill shows 18 million, and he asked which number is correct.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik explains that this is an amendment to the law that changes the law, which makes the wording complicated, but with numbers it is easy — they are rounded to a decimal place.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites you to respond.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik explains the logic of rounding: rounding 0.6 and 0.6 gives 1 and 1, total 2, but more precisely 1.2, i.e., rounded to 1, so 18 million is correct.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Rene Kokk to come and speak.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk emphasizes his consistent stance on tax policy — in government he supported cutting excise taxes, and now he is against an increase in excise taxes — and asks how Estonians' consumption of alcohol purchased from Latvia really affects the health of the Estonian people, referring to his observations that the impact of tax cuts is obvious.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik confirms that his position has not changed - he did not consider it necessary to lower excise taxes, and he does not think so now either, but the concern is Latvia's lower excise tax.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Helle-Moonika Helme to take the floor.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helme claims that the numbers for alcohol consumption reflect sales figures, not domestic consumption, and that the rise in excise taxes drove consumption and taxes to Latvia; the decline brought them back to Estonia, and therefore statements about public health are demagogic.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik explains that the Institute of Conjuncture's study is based on broad-based analysis, not merely on sales figures, and that lowering the alcohol tax increased consumption and health harms.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Kert Kingo to take the floor.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo claims that excise increases do not seriously reduce the consumption of alcohol or tobacco, but consumption moves from Estonia to Latvia, and the Estonian figures and the data from the Institute of Conjuncture are merely self-deception.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik recommends becoming familiar with the Institute of Conjuncture's methodology, which is broader than mere sales figures, and believes that the price of alcohol is related to consumption.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks to invite Kert Kingo.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo claims that an increase in the excise tax will raise the general price level, reduce people's purchasing power and tax revenue, and asks on what basis this blind faith that an excise tax increase will bring the planned state budget revenue is calculated on paper.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik explains that the Ministry of Finance has made forecasts, but they are never accurate down to the last cent, and the price of alcohol should not become cheaper over time.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar stressed adherence to the Riigikogu's rules of procedure and standing orders, and asked the presenter to finish so as not to interrupt by shouting, and asked Tanel Kiigel to continue.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik says that he has reached the end with his answer.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, ended the round of questions, urged everyone to maintain a civilized debate and mutual respect, noting that interrupting is not a good parliamentary habit, and Kert Kingo subsequently asked about the procedure for conducting the session.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo asked whether the listeners heard the answer to his question, on which this belief is based, and noted that he himself hadn't heard it—perhaps something had slipped past his ears.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker, Lauri Hussar, thanked his colleague, explained that if the questioner stays on topic, he does not interrupt, opened negotiations, reaffirmed the participation limits, and invited Aleksandr Chaplogin to speak at the Riigikogu's rostrum.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Alexander Chaplygin claims that raising taxes during an economic downturn is harmful, because the Estonian economy has contracted for the tenth quarter in a row and prices have risen by about 40%, people and businesses are becoming poorer, and a tax increase will only slow the economy, while at the same time the government spends hundreds of millions to sustain an army of civil servants and invests in the Rail Baltica project and the costs of the green transition, which, in his view, are pointless, and it would be more honest to find savings than to rob the people.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks and informs that Martin Helme is not present, and the next to be called to the Riigikogu's speaking chair will be Mart Helme.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme accuses the coalition of silencing a civilized debate, claiming that questions are not answered and that they are answered with demagoguery and false statements, and emphasizes that accountability will come someday, including in light of the positions raised in analyses on the topic of COVID by the United States Congress and by European countries.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and, next, invites his colleague Martin Helme to speak.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that the same excise tax policy is being implemented for the third time, which has caused harmful consequences, and Estonia's problems will be resolved only when EKRE comes to power.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked his colleague Anti Allast and invited him to speak next at the Riigikogu's speaking podium.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas stressed that raising alcohol taxes should be done sensibly and in coordination with neighboring countries in order to reduce the harms arising from excessive consumption, while at the same time limiting accessibility and advertising and increasing awareness, but avoiding damage to domestic industry and an increase in cross-border trade.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar invited his Riigikogu colleague Lauri Laats to the podium, and Laats asked for three more minutes.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The rapporteur Lauri Laats said that the bill would impose increases in alcohol, tobacco, fuel and electricity excise taxes, which would affect about 75% of households, and the government's math doesn't add up, and the Estonian Centre Party faction does not support this bill.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
A proposal reaches the chair's desk, and Urmas Reinsalu is asked to take the podium.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu claims that the government's planned tax increases would yield one million euros less in revenue to the state budget, would increase the cost of living and inflation, and would make the car tax temporary, which threatens Estonia's economy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks whether extra time is desired.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu invites the audience to be good.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asked for three more minutes of extra time.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Isamaa's message is that there is a rational, fiscally responsible alternative to tax increases, and the government's plans to raise additional taxes and excises will worsen the Estonian economy and people's purchasing power, therefore this agenda of tax increases must be halted and a better way to ensure the balance of the state's finances must be found.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar emphasizes that it is your time.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that the time is such that there is no room for beating around the bush, and he apologized.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked and invited Annely Akkermanni to the podium next.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann explains why the planned 5% increase in the alcohol excise tax from 2026 was left out, pointing to a decline in budget revenues and the growth of cross-border shopping, and emphasizes the need to take neighboring countries' taxation into account in order to protect people's health and maintain tax revenue, because too high an excise tax boosts cross-border shopping and also reduces VAT receipts toward Latvia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked Rain Epler and invited him to the Riigikogu's speaking podium to take the floor.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticizes the coalition's tax policy and the rise in the alcohol excise tax, arguing that cross-border shopping does not mean an increase in alcohol purchases in Estonia, but a decrease in alcohol purchases from Estonia, and emphasizes that the draft bill would make life harder, especially in rural areas. He calls for an end to the tax race and hopes for a rapid change of government, so that Estonia does not fall into the ranks of European economies with weaker performance.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
In the speech, great thanks were expressed, and next the colleague Aivar Koka was invited to the podium.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The main message is to stop ridiculous tax increases and to give entrepreneurs the assurance that taxes will not be raised until the next Riigikogu elections, because the current increases in excise taxes and other taxes have led to an economic downturn and to a rise in cross-border shopping.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks for three more minutes.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk says that raising the excise tax was a mistake, and that lowering excise taxes in 2020 brought an economic upturn, and he calls on the coalition not to raise taxes and to stimulate the economy, because otherwise companies will cease operations and head toward Latvia and Lithuania as well as Finland and Sweden, where tax policy is better.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the audience.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk apologized and said that the Isamaa Party had also proposed suspending the second reading, and he would submit it immediately.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar said that he is waiting for the paper to be ready and, after that, will give the floor to the next negotiator and invite his Riigikogu colleague Kalle Grünthal to take the floor.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal accuses the Reform Party, Estonia 200, and the Social Democrats of a state mafia, claiming that tax changes rob the people and that funding for Ukraine's long-term support is taking money from the state budget, and he calls on the people to wake up and drive them out of the Stenbock House.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar announced that there were no further requests to speak, but nevertheless invited Henn Põlluaas to the podium.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas remembers the 1940 Estonian SSR and warns that the current government of the Reform Party, the Social Democrats, and Estonia 200 is leading Estonia toward the same past, where tax increases deepen the crisis and living standards fall.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announces that three minutes of extra time will be allotted.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas accuses the coalition that the talk about the country's economic well-being is a big lie, and that price increases and cuts to child and family benefits destroy the Estonian state and its future, while the money intended for the national defence budget does not reach where it has been promised, and therefore the whole justification for defence needs is merely a bluff.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair gives thanks and now asks his colleague Varro Vooglaiu to step up to the Riigikogu's speaking podium.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid asks how an additional tax increase and the planned procurement of missile systems actually improve Estonia's security, when the state still has very little defensive capability and Russia, as a great power, continues to threaten, and why might the increased cost not instead increase the danger, asking for a convincing analysis and proof before making such expenditures.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Lauri Hussar asks whether the audience would like some extra time.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
This speech is merely a plea: "Please give."
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar requests three minutes of extra time.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid claims that the law makes the tax increase temporary until December 31, 2028; there is no discussion, and this is an example of political lying, because no one believes that on January 1, 2029 taxes will drop back to the same level.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, declares the negotiations closed, begins the review of amendment proposals to Bill 510, and follows the leading committee's proposal to end the second reading, but the Centre Party and Isamaa factions have submitted a proposal to interrupt the second reading and are calling on the Riigikogu to vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
As a result of the second reading, Bill 510 received 26 votes in favor, 50 against, and there were no abstentions, which meant that the proposal did not receive support.