Third reading of the draft law amending the Act on the Status of a Member of the Riigikogu (545 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-12-18 16:09
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 18m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This agenda item concerned the third reading of the draft law amending the Act on the Status of a Member of the Riigikogu (Parliament). The draft was initiated in collaboration with several factions (including Eesti 200, the Social Democratic Party, the Estonian Reform Party, and EKRE) and addresses both the representative expenses of members of the Riigikogu and the salaries of government members, and their connection to work obligations. A clear line has formed, indicating the aim is to increase the transparency of expenses and to make them more understandable and fairer in the context of national defense and government. The background of similar drafts discussed in December reflects an effort to demonstrate that expenses are being discussed and that solidarity fosters thrift.
Decisions Made 1
The Riigikogu passed the draft law amending the Act on the Status of a Member of the Riigikogu with a final vote of 545: 66 in favor, 1 against, and 1 abstention. Draft law 545 has been adopted as a law.
Most Active Speaker
The most active participant was Lauri Hussar, taking on the role of Speaker of the Riigikogu and leading the negotiations and preparations for the final vote. He clearly represented a higher office position and described a collaborative and consensus-based approach, as well as the importance of factional unity. In terms of political position, he can be categorized as "other," as he fulfilled the role of Speaker of the Riigikogu and represented a united leadership.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu will consider agenda item No. 2, Draft Bill No. 545, in the third reading, amending the Members' Status Act, and the debate will be opened for eight minutes by Lauri Laats of the Centre Party faction.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that the Centre Party's proposals to make representational expenses and the Riigikogu members' salaries transparent and to link them to work contributions are an important step, but the current solutions are either cosmetic or inadequate, and there is a need for a broader change that increases the sense of justice and solidarity.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that, on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction, there is, according to the screen, a competition for who will take the floor, but according to internal information, the faction’s speech is being delivered by the Riigikogu Speaker, Lauri Hussar.
Lauri Hussar
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
As the Riigikogu's deputy speaker, Lauri Hussar said that a broadly consensus-driven amendment to the law will reduce Riigikogu members' expense allowances by 20% and bring about annual savings of approximately 400,000 euros, emphasizing solidarity and the inclusion of all, and calling on everyone to approve this bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks and asks that, on behalf of the Isamaa faction, Aivar Kokk take the floor.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
An Isamaa representative, Aivar Kokk, confirmed his support for the bill, but emphasized that the example must be the Parliament and the Government, and the actual savings are far smaller than 400,000 euros, because the money would still remain in the Parliament's budget.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi explains that Ando Kiviberg can speak only on behalf of the faction for a response speech, and the chair must press the button for this.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ando Kiviberg emphasizes that “eelnõu” is one of the most frequently used words in the chamber, and he draws attention to the fact that with Lauri Laatsi and the current Aivar Kokka there has been a recurring error heard, and the correct singular partitive is “seda eelnõu”, not “seda eelnõud”.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They end the negotiations and put Draft Bill 545 to a final vote, stressing that its adoption requires an absolute majority of the Riigikogu's membership and urging all members to take a position and vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Draft Bill 545 was adopted into law by 66 votes in favor, 1 against and 1 abstaining, and I thank all of my colleagues.