Second reading of the draft law on the security tax (512 SE)
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-12-04 23:12
Total Speeches: 148
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 2h 48m
AI Summaries: 148/148 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Today’s agenda item concerned the second reading before the Riigikogu of the draft security tax act initiated by the Government of the Republic. The presenter was Maris Lauri, a member of the Riigikogu’s finance committee. During the session, there were broadly two perspectives: firstly, the purpose of the draft to cover additional security expenditures exceeding 2% of GDP, and secondly, questions and technical improvements concerning the financing structure. The discussions primarily focused on how to avoid double taxation for conglomerates and stock exchange companies, how to consider quarterly reporting, and how to apply general anti-abuse provisions in the context of tax administrator controls. In addition, the arguments of interest groups and trade unions regarding the distribution of the burden were highlighted: the impact on lower incomes, pensioners, and people with disabilities, as well as the simplification of taxation for e-residents. Procedurally, questions arose regarding how amendments reach the chamber and how to discuss different proposals in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.
The second part of the discussion concerned the proposals of the Isamaa faction, and eventually the decision was reached that the amendments made in the committee would receive broad consensus support, but some proposals were not taken into consideration. Procedural matters were also resolved – it was planned to conclude the second reading of the draft and conduct a final vote in the closing phase of the agenda – and finally a final vote was held, which concluded the second reading and the procedural handling of this agenda item.
Decisions Made 4
The first and second amendments proposed by the Isamaa faction did not receive the committee's approval; they did not find support from the coalition and the committee.
The amendment proposals presented by the Ministry of Finance and the committee (from three to thirteen) received broad consensus support and were adopted, taking into account the concept of the unaltered bill; separate points concerning double taxation and specific implementation rules achieved the necessary consensus.
At the session on November 29th, the procedural decision – to end the second reading – was reached with objections established; the final decision was to end the second reading and schedule a final vote; this direction of the procedure was confirmed, but the final closing sequence depended on the course of the associated votes.
The final vote showed that Isamaa and Centre Party proposals, and some amendments, did not receive the coalition's support, and the majority of amendment proposals (3–13) were fully considered, leading to the confirmation of the end of the second reading and the conclusion of the agenda item's proceedings.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker on this agenda item was the representative of the Riigikogu Finance Committee, whose identifier was rEiYbh6CO1Y. They spoke primarily on the legal and technical aspects of the second reading of the bill, provided an overview of the committee's discussions, explained general practice, and answered several procedural and socio-economic questions. Position: other (committee member/representative of the government context).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
As the 20th item on the agenda, the second reading of the government-initiated Security Tax Act bill No. 512 will be considered, and the presenter was supposed to be Maris Lauri, a member of the Riigikogu Finance Committee, but Priit Lomb raised his hand and asked a question about the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Priit Lomp
AI Summary
The Riigikogu recently voted on a draft bill that proposed using the Defence Forces to fulfill Estonia's international obligations as part of the United Kingdom's Joint Expeditionary Force, a cooperation format launched in 2014, whose ten members are Estonia, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, and the United Kingdom.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, asks what a procedural question is.
Priit Lomp
AI Summary
Priit Lomp emphasizes that the United Kingdom is an extremely important security partner for Estonia and is ready to commit a brigade.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, asked what a procedural question is.
Priit Lomp
AI Summary
Mr. Chairman, Urmas Reinsalu has been allowed four minutes to ask procedural questions, without being interrupted.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, said that he is waiting for a procedural question.
Priit Lomp
AI Summary
Priit Lomp criticizes the Riigikogu leadership for having directed the sitting to be chaired by a colleague who voted against both this bill and many others, recalls the recent hand voting caused by an electronic outage, and warns that a similar situation would send allies a negative message if such an electronic outage were to recur; diplomats would be on the balcony, and a hand would rise from the chair's podium against such a mission.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairperson thanks his/her own good colleague.
Priit Lomp
AI Summary
The central question of the speech is what message the diplomats carry to their home countries.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanks his good colleague.
Priit Lomp
AI Summary
The speaker asks why such a situation arose.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, explained that this is not a procedural issue and that the MPs' mandates and votes are free, and he apologized to Mrs. Maris Laur and gave her the floor to present.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri provides an overview of the second reading of Bill 512 in the Finance Committee, noting that five amendments submitted on time by the Isamaa faction were examined by the committee at four sessions, and on November 19 there was a meeting with stakeholder groups, where their positions were presented and it was emphasized that the rules should be understandable from an accounting perspective and that taxpayers should understand how to pay the tax.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, warned that the presenter could not continue due to disruptive attendees, and asked them to calm down or speak outside the hall so that the discussion could continue.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
All those present supported the introduction of the security tax and understand its essence and necessity, but asked to clarify various elements, especially the double taxation arising for corporate groups, the treatment of listed companies, and the peculiarities of companies that submit quarterly reports.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked the colleagues for their departure and asked them to be quiet, saying that speaking loudly during the departure would disturb the presenter and that the presenter could continue.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri said that the committee discussed reducing the burden of the security tax, preventing tax fraud, and the Ministry of Finance’s and others’ proposals regarding consolidated taxation and the taxation of subsidiaries; the majority of the amendment proposals received consensus support, two did not, and the next steps were the completion of the second reading and a final vote on December 11.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanked the presenter and said that the procedure allows continuing with questions, and asked Urmas Reinsalu to pose questions.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu asked about the content of the security tax, noting that next year the value-added tax will be increased by 2 percentage points and under that label approximately 113 million euros are expected to be collected, while the amount allocated for the procurement of defense-related equipment will decrease by 96 million euros, and he asked how this money is actually used to meet the need for ammunition.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The message of the speech is that now is your time, and you have the opportunity to take action.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri said that the VAT increase will bring in approximately 88 million euros next year; the discussion of the precise distribution of the state budget and defense-related funds will take place next Wednesday in the Finance Committee; and although she hasn't read everything, she points to a single letter indicating that the stated claim is incorrect and that expenditures will increase.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman asks Aleksandr Chaplogin to come forward.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He emphasizes that security requires funding, cites Lithuania's example of a windfall tax on banks as an option, and criticizes the government's plan to take money from poorer people, including pensioners, finally asking why we do not follow Lithuania's path.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri says that the security tax consists of three components — increasing the value-added tax, taxing companies at 2%, and an additional levy on personal income tax — and the whole society could contribute at the level of 2%, because it is not a large amount and Estonians are ready for it; otherwise the people who do not want to maintain their own armed forces may soon have to support the army of another country.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and invites Andrei Korobeinik to speak.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik expresses concern that the security tax is not intended merely to cover security needs, but to fill the gap in the state budget, and he asks why this tax is called a security tax.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri said that to cover security spending that exceeds 2% of GDP, a time-limited security tax should be introduced, and additional funds should be used for security purposes, because the rising costs in the security and social sectors and the deficit are not financed in a targeted way by existing taxes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman thanks and turns to Vladimir Arhipov with a request.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov criticizes the government, which calls taxation a security tax and attacks the poor, accuses the opposition of branding people as enemies of the people, and reminds that the opposition has proposed other taxes, finally asking why opportunities to help people are not used and why payments and the prices of services keep increasing so much.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri claims that, for financing security, prudent, diversified financing is needed, including the restructuring of taxes, loans and expenditures, considering a bank levy, while maintaining a stable tax system and increasing competition, in order to avoid uncertainty and punish successful entrepreneurship.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks and invites Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvarti to take the floor.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart expresses concern about the impact of tax increases, noting that tax revenue after the increases is smaller than expected (for example, in September 43 million euros less), and asks whether stopping the increase of emergency VAT and income tax is being discussed in the commission, because the fall in purchasing power may reduce revenue even further, and paying the security tax will not pay off in the bigger picture.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri stresses that a security tax is necessary and that revenues will, according to forecasts, begin to rise, and without the tax security costs would be unfunded, but a loan that increases the national debt would be a risk, and the whole society must contribute collectively, although for some the tax may be burdensome and some people are indifferent to security.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and gives the floor to Andrei Korobeinik.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik claims that the "security tax" is a misnomer and suggests giving it, for example, the Reform Party's incompetence tax, because not supporting the bill created a half a billion hole in the supplementary budget.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar thanks and announces that the time has come.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Korobeinik asks whether you still believe that the security tax is intended solely to guarantee security.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri said that the security tax is the right step that Estonian society has long and clearly desired, and it should be levied on turnover and income, because security costs have risen to almost 4% of GDP and the revenue from the security tax does not cover all costs, which is why the state must borrow and cut costs.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman thanked and asked Urmas Reinsalu to take the floor.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that he respects Mrs. Lauri's strong sense of humor, but does not support the bill that plans to raise value-added tax and income tax, as well as the additional taxation of pensions, because public opinion polls do not show support for these steps. He asks which entities are demanding these tax increases and in whose name they are being carried out under public pressure, while pointing to the rushed procedure and the ongoing unresolved security issues.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri says that although she could respond to only one claim, she won’t do that, because several entrepreneurs and large organizations were not opposed to the tax imposed for security reasons.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar asks Maris Laur to continue.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri said that she wants to answer questions, not to engage in a discussion, and noted that defense procurements do not happen overnight, but they are planned, the resources have been found and they are being carried out.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman Hussar asks that Urmas Reinsalu let Maris Laur finish.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri emphasizes that, although she tries to be respectful, planning security expenditures and procurements is time-consuming and one cannot always want rapid implementation, recalling the 2021 preparation of purchases ahead of Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine, and criticizes Isamaa's two tax decisions – reducing local governments' tax base with the tax exemption for residential land and introducing a progressive income tax.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, gives thanks and asks Vladimir Arhipov to take the floor.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov thanks the director and praises him for his courage in answering uncomfortable questions, highlights the mismanagement of the land tax and the damages arising from it, and asks why the Estonian state does not take a loan to reduce the tax burden on people, even though the state's debt burden is low.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri emphasized that untangling the messes that have been created is always more complex and may lead to uncomfortable situations, and when taking a loan, not only the loan amount is assessed but also future potential and the ability to repay, as well as the sustainability of tax revenues, therefore the budget deficit must be limited to up to 3% of GDP and not live off other people's money, in order to avoid pressure from creditors.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and turns to Helir-Valdor Seeder with a request.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder notes that there is no public demand in Estonia for tax increases, and the proposed tax may not fund national defense or increase trust; therefore, in his view, an earmarked and transparent tax is necessary, and he asks why Isamaa's proposal was not supported.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri emphasized that earmarking taxes creates rigidity in the budget and may foster irresponsible spending, and therefore there is a need for flexible funding of security expenditures and not to limit funds to the procurement of ammunition stockpiles alone, but to ensure that taxes actually go to security and, if necessary, adapt to new technologies or circumstances.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to take the floor.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks why the security tax remains in force until December 31, 2028, and why it could not be in the budget next year, and then, taking the situation into account, decide whether to include it for the year after next or not, and whether there is concrete data showing that the security situation will improve after 2028.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri emphasized that developing the Defence Forces requires additional spending not only in 2025 but also in the following years (2026–2028, likely until 2030), which will be financed partly from NATO programs and other tax revenues (turnover or income tax), and after the 2027 Riigikogu elections the new composition will decide how to proceed with security-related expenditures.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and addresses Aivar Kokk with the words: "Please."
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
They ask the presenter to specify how much is collected annually through the security tax, so that the audience present in the hall and the listeners would know about it.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri says that the security tax is intended to create additional sources of revenue, not to save money, and according to the forecast it will bring in about 2.3 billion euros over several years (up to 2.4 billion), which will enable the necessary procurements to be carried out, but the costs associated with that source must be covered in the coming years from other revenue sources, and there should be at least partial relief from this.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar invites Kalle Grünthal to speak.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal argues that, although the welfare state is a major safeguard of people's good life, money and tax policy do not guarantee protection without the will of the citizens.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri said that the resilience of the Estonian state depends on many factors, but the most important is people's belief and the courage to be, to act, and to seek opportunities, despite the fact that some people's personal beliefs may place less value on defending the country.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Talk was about an amendment proposal that would allow investing in defense expenditures more broadly than only for the purchase of missiles (it states a 1.6-billion investment and in total 2.4 billion), and the idea of targeted use was emphasized, while asking whether the law allows revenue from the state defense tax to be used to fill gaps in the state budget.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This is simply a request to invite Helir-Valdor Seeder to give a speech.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri said that the security tax is intended to cover additional security costs that exceed 2% of GDP, and the Riigikogu has its own role in its use, while an amendment proposal is taken up for discussion and voting in the chamber and depends on the attitude of the parliamentary majority.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman thanked Vadim Belobrovtsev and asked him to perform.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They challenge the claim that a security tax is a tax that people would actually like to pay, and note that polls show the opposite: people are not satisfied with tax increases or with new taxes such as a car tax, and they ask for a concrete example of who would really want to pay them.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri emphasizes that state funding should be based on tax revenues, because a loan is not income but a means to cover large projects or unexpected expenses, and therefore Estonia's ongoing expenditures must be funded by taxes, not by relying on borrowing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and invites Arvo Aller to take the floor.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller claims that not supporting the security tax does not mean a threat to Estonia's security, and that the introduction of a new tax demonstrates the Reform Party government's failed tax collection and restriction of entrepreneurship, emphasizing that this is a completely new bill, and asks under which section will individual entrepreneurs be able to contribute to Estonia's national security.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri said that residents are still taxed in the same way, FIEs pay income tax, and questions related to the business account or other income opportunities have been resolved — everything is covered.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and turns to Lauri Laatsi with a request.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats acknowledged that tax increases, especially consumption taxes, form a large part of tax revenues and are, in themselves, a problem, because they primarily affect people with lower or middle incomes, and he asked whether the government supports a consumption tax, a property tax, or something else, and why the postponement of the tax shield has been made—could this have been done as early as next year?
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They believe that the best tax system is a reasonably balanced combination of different taxes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the presenter, stated that there were no questions, and before the start of the negotiations two questions will be discussed regarding the procedure for conducting the meeting, and he asked Helir-Valdor Seeder for an answer.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder criticized the Finance Committee's decision to leave out three Isamaa amendment proposals, and stated that they are in accordance with the Home and Work Order Act, and proposed that the bill proceed only if these three amendment proposals are correctly entered into the list of amendments in accordance with the law.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar said that he agrees with the committee's rapporteur and believes that the Finance Committee is justified in justifying its steps, emphasized the great importance of the committees' right of self-organization in the processing of draft bills, and does not see a reason to think that the committee has erred, especially when Mrs. Lauri presented clear justifications for their decision.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that the committee's decision to ban amendments proposed by the opposition that do not preserve the original concept is an unacceptable precedent and threatens parliamentary culture, and he asked the chair whether in the future the opposition will really be forbidden to submit such amendments.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chair Lauri Hussar said that the current debate is substantive and that negotiations are still ahead, and we will probably see several proposals to suspend the bill's proceedings, and that the committee's rapporteur has expressed the committee's positions very clearly and with justification, on the basis of which, as chair, he does not see grounds to take a different stance, and the discussion proceeds in accordance with the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure and Working Order Act, and he asked Helir-Valdor Seeder to raise a question about the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder criticizes the Riigikogu's mishandling of procedural questions and the silencing of the opposition, calls for ensuring that there is an opportunity in the chamber for everyone to raise these questions, and warns that the interpretation coming from the Finance Committee, according to which the opposition may not review the submitted amendment proposals, constitutes an epoch-defining, creative precedent.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar begins his address, saying: "Dear colleague, I will not back down…", referring to resilience and determination.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He says that as a manager you can tell for yourself when something is absurd.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stressed that he will not engage in substantive debate and will focus only on the procedural questions of the session, promising to take up three procedural questions and resolve them before the start of negotiations.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu did not agree with the threatening tone and stressed that the Parliament's culture is based on dialogue, and that all members of Parliament have the right to submit amendment proposals; he criticized the Finance Committee's interpretation and asked how, in such a situation, it is possible to defend one's rights.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, confirmed that the committee has legally considered the issue and made decisions, does not want substantive debate, and asked Maris Laur to present the question regarding the procedure for conducting the meeting.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He raises the question whether we have procedural means by which the parties involved in the matter could question the Commission's representative and receive clear and well-founded answers as to why some amendment proposals did not go up for consideration.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This speech was very short and contained only a confirmation that there is something.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri claims that the substantive aim of their proposed amendments was to replace the bill concerning income tax with a security tax and to avoid discussion about it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offered a very concrete procedural solution, saying that participants may take part in the negotiations, they have 5 + 3 minutes and the ability to exhaustively answer all procedural questions, and Helir-Valdor Seeder is the last questioner, after which they will begin the negotiations.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder criticized the chairman’s behavior, arguing that political culture has declined, and emphasized that he raised substantive questions about the draft bill and asked that in the future procedural questions not be pushed through by force.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that he cannot agree with you.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder recommends three amendment proposals that are in the explanatory memorandum but have not been entered into the table, to be entered into the table and to continue the proceedings in accordance with the Domestic and Work Order Act, if you take the chair's recess and make the materials accessible to everyone.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar said that he could not agree with it, stressed that the discussion was substantive, praised the commission's presenter, Maris Laur, for a thorough presentation and for the responses, noted that he had the opportunity to participate in negotiations, and then invited Aleksandr Chaplogin to the podium.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He emphasizes that although national security is important, he does not support adding a special tax on banks, and other tax increases would burden mainly low-income people and deepen poverty, therefore the bill does not please him.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and announces the next speaker, Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They decide to take three more minutes just in case.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks for three more minutes.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats calls the security tax the coalition's incompetence tax, arguing that several taxes are planned to be raised (income tax, value-added tax, FIE income tax and corporate income tax), and that next year about €2 billion will be taken from individuals and companies in total, which will reduce consumption and threaten the economy, especially for people with low and middle incomes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This speech emphasizes that your time has come and you must act.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
We move to suspend proceedings and, of course, we do not support the bill.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair invites Kalev Stoicesk to speak on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction.
Kalev Stoicescu
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
A security tax will be introduced temporarily until the end of 2028, and its funds will be directed as an exceptional measure toward a large one-off defense investment and to strengthening national defense and civil capabilities in cooperation with allies, to ensure Estonia's defense capability and readiness and to continue exercises, emphasizing that the tax is not permanent and not intended for a long time.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Lauri Hussar asks for one more minute.
Kalev Stoicescu
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalev Stoicescu thanks the people and entrepreneurs on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction for their solidarity in a defense-related effort, and emphasizes that taxes have both a percentage and a monetary cost, but Estonia's independence and democratic governance are priceless.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman thanks and now invites his colleague Vadim Belobrovtsev to deliver a speech.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev claims that the government is inventing new tax channels under a nice-sounding name in order to cover the budget deficit and increase security, but in fact the content is the same – taking money from people, which is why the Centre Party cannot approve the bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman thanks, invites Kristo Enn Vaga to perform, and notes that something has been said in the hall.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He thanks Priit and says that he can manage and that he is all right.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech emphasizes good cooperation and thanks Priit.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
In a speech by Kristo Enn Vaga, the idea of a security tax as a means to strengthen Estonia's national defence and security was presented, increasing the defence budget to 3.3–3.7% of GDP, ensuring aid to Ukraine, and enabling ammunition worth €1.6 billion by 2031 and concrete procurement schemes such as HIMARS, CAESARs, Javelin, Spike LR and IRIS-T, and strengthening the defense in the southeast and unmanned systems.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chair thanks, invites Urmas Reinsalu to take the floor, and sets the speaking time at eight minutes.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu accuses the government of lying about its tax policy, claiming that the planned tax increases and destabilization of the tax system undermine the economy and people's ability to cope and do not reflect the will of the people, and calls on Isamaa to act immediately, offering rapid solutions to fund defense investments — issuing a state defense bond and speeding up the financing of munition purchases with European funds and restoring the stability of the tax system.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked everyone.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu emphasizes that one-off investments are a very serious pan-European problem, and finally he draws attention to cowardly, craven behavior and to the so-called procedural maneuvering.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman thanks Urmas.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu accused others of not daring to bring Isamaa's amendment proposals to a parliamentary vote, saying that you fear, the power is in your hands and you can show it, and he stressed that the current range of topics is very serious.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, asked Siim Pohlaku to speak.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They ask how things are.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asserts that everyone is ready to listen to him.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak claims that the planned tax increases are a loud-sounding label called "security tax", but in reality they are a cluster of three tax hikes that cover a budget left full of holes by the Reform Party, which burdens people and entrepreneurs and deepens the economic crisis.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman thanks, asks Maris Laurit, and gives her eight minutes of time.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri warned against demagogy, stressed adherence to proper procedural rules and respect for the committee's deliberations in the context of five amendment proposals, and noted that although taxes are disliked, the security tax is the best of the bad options and intimidation should be stopped.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks and asks Aivar Kokk.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk claims that the Reform Party's and the coalition's high-earner income tax exemption is the real 'security tax' that takes money primarily from those earning below the average wage and from about 300,000 pensioners, and in 2027 it will pull out about 76 million from pensioners' pockets, adding another 2% tax on the first cent, while defense spending is rising and the revenue base of the state budget has increased recently.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They ask for three more minutes to continue the meeting.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk says that the growth of the state budget and defense spending will bring a total of two billion euros more in tax burden next year, and he accuses the Reform Party and Estonia 200 of false promises, while at the same time asking where this money actually goes and pointing to Omniva price increases and the future of higher education.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Gratitude was expressed in the speech.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
I do hope that the coalition will act reasonably and support the Isamaa Party's proposal to suspend the second reading of this bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech begins with thanks, and Marek Reinaas is given the opportunity to speak.
Marek Reinaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Marek Reinaas thanks and notes that I was mentioned in this speech, confirms that mathematics is not bad, and that Aivar Koka’s juggling with numbers is virtuoso and impressive, he is in good spirits and always votes correctly, and looking at the state budget, the security tax is inevitable.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The negotiations are terminated; the steering committee has submitted 13 amendment proposals and their review will proceed, and Urmas Reinsalu asks the chair one question.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu criticized the finance committee's refusal to bring to the plenary Isamaa's amendments to the income tax act, which were aimed at contributing to security, and asked the chair and the legal adviser how, in the future as a member of parliament, he should act with regard to restrictions and selective amendments in a matter involving 2.5 billion euros.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that every member of the Riigikogu may submit amendments, but their arrival in the chamber depends on the rules and the list of the leading committee, and on Maris Lauri's explanation of why some amendments did not reach the chamber, and that 13 amendments will reach the vote, which the steering committee has prepared, while at the same time emphasizing that the coalition has the vote and there is no substantive reason to prevent properly drafted amendments from reaching the chamber, except when there are very many of them and the aim is obstruction.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stressed that Isamaa defends the Parliament's right to submit independent amendment proposals and criticized the Finance Committee's guidelines that restrict them, and stressed that the cascade of tax increases does not serve Estonia's interests, and asked where the lines are drawn, which proposals suit the coalition and which do not.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that it was definitely not a warning, and the commission is a filter in decision-making, where no one has given the order to prohibit the opposition's legitimate amendments, but we have spent time on procedural questions, and the debate should be ended and we should move to a vote on the proposed amendments.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu adjusts the discussion and asks why the committee, regarding the government bill, submitted such extensive amendment proposals (for example, changing excise duties) and how it would be reasonable to allow amendments separately or to draft a separate bill, because otherwise there could be a strange situation where dozens of bills are being considered and only a few come into force.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi explains that the opposition's amendment proposals are not motivated by malice, but by technical and formal reasons, and that the steering committee decided to disregard the Isamaa faction's amendment proposal No. 1.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder asks to vote for the amendment that would remove paragraphs 4–22 from the draft, because the Finance Committee must ensure that it complies with the House Rules and Working Order Act, unlike the rest of Isamaa's proposed amendments.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi puts Amendment No. 1 to Bill 512 up for a vote, which was submitted by the Isamaa faction and which the lead committee recommends be left unconsidered; he asks his colleagues to take a stand and vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu voted 23 in favor, 49 against, and 0 abstentions; the first amendment proposal did not receive support, and the second amendment submitted by the Isamaa faction will be disregarded in accordance with the lead committee's position.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
They ask the honorable chairman to vote in favor of this amendment proposal.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi immediately called his colleagues to vote on amendment proposal No. 2, submitted by the Isamaa faction, and the steering committee's recommendation is to disregard it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Estonian Parliament voted 23 in favour, 49 against and 0 abstentions, and Amendment No. 2 did not receive support; Amendments No. 3 and No. 4 were submitted by the Finance Committee, and the lead committee wishes to take them fully into account. Helir-Valdor Seeder asked for the floor.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder asks you to vote in favor of this amendment proposal.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks that we immediately vote on Amendment No. 4, submitted by the Finance Committee and on which the lead committee wishes to take full account, and please take a position and vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that the proposed amendments collected 48 votes in favor, 21 against and there were no abstentions; No. 4 found the Riigikogu's support, the Finance Committee presented positions on Nos. 5–13 and stressed full consideration, and we have reviewed all amendment proposals, and Andrei Korobeinik was asked to put a question to the chair.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik said that the chair giving voting instructions is against the principles of democracy, and the chair must be impartial and preside over the session, not the deputies.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that he has not given instructions for voting, but the leading committee wants to end the second reading of Bill 512, and the proposals from the Centre Party and Isamaa factions to suspend this reading must now be put to a vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Twenty-four members of the Riigikogu voted in favor; 48 were against, and 0 abstained; the proposal did not receive support, and the second reading and the processing of this agenda item have been completed.