Third reading of the draft law on the security tax (512 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Date: 2024-12-11 17:02
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 18
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 40m
AI Summaries: 18/18 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed agenda item four – the draft security tax act initiated by the Government of the Republic, its third reading (512). The draft aims to establish a security tax until the end of 2028 to ensure additional funds for the development of Estonia’s defense capability and security investments. The Government emphasizes that Estonia’s security is primarily our own responsibility and that in the realities of the world, it is necessary to strengthen defense in the context of external, internal and military security, as well as supporting Ukraine. Defense budgets and funding for internal security have increased: the defense sector is a priority, and an additional €219 million has been allocated to internal security; a total of nearly €4 billion more has been planned for defense and internal security over five years, and the total volume of funding for defense capability from 2025–2028 is approximately €6.35 billion. In the third reading, the need for sustainable and balanced funding was emphasized, which includes both military capabilities and the strengthening of the population and cyber defense. Representatives of various political parties took the floor in the debate, expressing both strong support for security and concerns about the fairness of tax and expenditure distribution, pointing out that tax policy must take into account not only the state's revenue but also the well-being of the people and the competitiveness of businesses. The final vote on the draft resulted in the adoption of the law with 53 votes in favor, 27 against, and 0 abstentions.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 512, the security tax law, has been passed after its third reading. The vote result: 53 in favor, 27 against, 0 abstentions.
Most Active Speaker
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart (Center Party) was the most active speaker; position: other (centre). Anastassia represented the Center Party and spoke on several occasions about the security tax, highlighting the fairness of a centrist tax system and the need for sustainable state funding and a multi-layered defense of security strategies.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Reform Party faction, Mati Raidma opens the negotiations for the third reading of draft bill 512 on the security tax.
Mati Raidma
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mati Raidma said that a security tax in effect until the end of 2028 will help provide additional resources for the development of Estonia's defense capability and security investments, and requires a greater contribution from everyone — the state, companies, and the population — which the Reform Party faction urged be passed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked and, on behalf of the faction, asked that Tanel Kiik grant the chair authority, which Kiik then handed over; everything was in order.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik supports introducing a security tax, but emphasizes the need for a fairer tax system, including the introduction of a progressive income tax and an increase in property taxes.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy speaker, Toomas Kivimägi, thanked and, on behalf of the EKRE faction, gave the floor to Martin Helme, who requested eight minutes of extra time.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that the 'julgeolekumo' tax is actually an across-the-board tax that raises almost all taxes, burdens pensioners, and does not promote security, but increases the national debt, which is why it should be voted against.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks you and gives the floor to Aivar Kokk on behalf of the Isamaa faction.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk criticized the proposed security tax as an unfair omnibus law, claiming that it takes from the weakest—the pensioners and large families—more than 700 million euros a year and increases taxes in the form of VAT, excises and income tax, but does not increase defense spending, because a large portion of the money is directed to Ukraine, and he urged the coalition to show exactly where the money will go.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech includes a prayer to obtain three more minutes.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk claims that the draft is deceitful and would push the elderly and large families into poverty, because the proposed tax exemptions will be funded and billions will leave the state budget, of which only a small portion reaches national security, and therefore the Isamaa faction cannot vote for it, the country is in an economic recession and a four-billion-dollar hole is growing, and the rise will come only when Isamaa comes to power, while at the same time Ukraine aid and defense procurements are discussed openly.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks and informs that, on behalf of the EK faction, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart requests additional time; there are eight minutes left.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart claims that the government will raise people's taxes (VAT and income tax) and plans to introduce a security tax and a bank tax, which would lead to a deepening of poverty, a decrease in purchasing power, and an economic downturn, and the Estonian Centre Party will vote against it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked and granted the floor to Peeter Tali on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction, who requested eight minutes of extra time.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali stressed that over the next four years Estonia's defence budget will be increased by 5.6 billion euros, and by a further 1.6 billion, and a security tax will be introduced, in order to jointly and in solidarity develop broad-based air defense, drone defense, and cyber defense, and to protect the Estonian population and its infrastructure.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker thanks the listeners.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali said that the government coalition parties do not support it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi ended the negotiations, announced that the lead committee would conduct the final vote on Draft Bill 512, and asked the members of the Riigikogu to take a stand and vote on the security tax bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Draft Bill 512 was enacted into law by 53 votes in favor, 27 against, 0 abstentions.