First Reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to Develop the Procedure for Paying an Additional Annual Lump-Sum Pension Supplement to Pensioners" (678 OE)
Session: The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-11-03 17:32
Total Speeches: 59
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 1m
AI Summaries: 59/59 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated Draft Resolution 678, submitted by the Estonian Centre Party faction, which proposed that the Government of the Republic develop a procedure for paying pensioners an additional annual one-off pension supplement (€100). Rapporteur Lauri Laats emphasized that this was a deeply moral issue, as over 327,000 pensioners live in a situation where the cost of living has grown significantly faster than pensions in recent years, especially the prices of food and essential goods (a rise of over 40%). He highlighted that Estonia's pension replacement rate (around 34%) is the lowest in the European Union, and nearly 40% of the elderly are at risk of poverty. Laats argued that the support, costing 33 million euros, is affordable for the state and would help alleviate the financial difficulties faced by the elderly while simultaneously stimulating domestic consumption. As funding sources, the faction proposed introducing a bank tax and a progressive income tax, as well as savings from bureaucracy and green transition costs.
During the debate, questions were raised about the universality of the support, to which Laats replied that the draft resolution stipulated payment to all pensioners, but making exceptions was negotiable. Signe Riisalo, Chairman of the Social Affairs Committee, provided an overview of the committee's brief discussion, noting that the committee does not develop solutions but pointed to the need for an extraordinary increase in the national pension to reduce poverty among the elderly. During negotiations, Aleksandr Tšaplõgin and Mart Helme criticized the government, accusing it of neglecting the elderly and breaking election promises. Social Democrat Andre Hanimägi supported steps to assist the elderly but emphasized the need for systemic solutions. The draft resolution was put to a final vote, which required a majority of the Riigikogu membership (51 votes) for adoption. The draft resolution was rejected, receiving only 22 votes in favor.
Decisions Made 2
The lead committee (the Social Affairs Committee) decided by consensus to propose adding Bill 678 to the plenary session's agenda and conducting the final vote.
The Riigikogu rejected Draft Resolution 678, submitted by the Estonian Centre Party faction, as it failed to secure the necessary majority vote of the full membership (22 votes in favor, 0 against, 0 abstentions).
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Lauri Laats (Center Party faction), who presented the draft bill, answered numerous questions, and participated in the discussions, defending the payment of the pension supplement as a moral obligation. His position is left-wing.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi opened the first reading of Riigikogu draft resolution 678, with which the Centre Party faction seeks to initiate the development of a procedure for paying pensioners an additional annual lump-sum pension supplement. He emphasized that the adoption of the resolution requires a majority vote of the Riigikogu membership, and subsequently gave the floor to the rapporteur, Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasizes that the extremely low pension replacement rate and high poverty risk (nearly 40%) among Estonian pensioners constitute a deeply moral problem, since the purchasing power of the elderly has drastically fallen due to the rapid price increases of recent years. He calls on the Riigikogu to support the Centre Party's draft legislation for paying a one-time 100-euro benefit to nearly 330,000 senior citizens, which would be a necessary and dignified gesture from the state toward those who built the country.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the audience and opened the Q&A session, giving the floor first to Vladimir Arhipov.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov emphasizes the need for a just and humane state that does not overlook the difficulties people face in making ends meet during periods of rising prices. He supports the symbolically important 100-euro pension supplement, while simultaneously seeking clarification on whether this annual payment would be intended for all pensioners or if it would be subject to certain income or age restrictions.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats is defending a draft bill that would provide an additional 100-euro aid measure to all 327,000 pensioners. He stresses that this is absolutely necessary because seniors—who contributed significantly to the founding of the state—are suffering so severely under the current price increases and poverty that they are struggling even to purchase basic groceries. He urges Riigikogu members to consider whether they will support this step aimed at improving the livelihood of the elderly.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Peeter Ernits.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits casts doubt on the priority of the 23 million euro forest flooding project, contrasting it with the social need to raise the pension supplement by approximately 75 euros, and asks the presenter which choice—either flooding the forest or increasing the pension supplement—should be made.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats sharply criticizes the re-wetting of forest areas, deeming it an expensive ideology of green nonsense lacking added value, and emphasizes that instead, money should be directed toward genuine needs, such as supporting associations for the elderly and pensioners, who have voiced their concerns regarding the draft bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart were called by name to the rostrum or to step forward for a presentation.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart emphasizes the critical importance of the bill under consideration, pointing to the extremely difficult financial situation of pensioners who often run out of money by the middle of the month. She asks how the nationwide implementation of the supplementary pension benefit, initiated by the Centre Party in Tallinn, would help improve people's purchasing power and increase tax revenue for the state budget.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi confined himself to a brief expression of thanks.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Towards the end of her presentation, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart addressed a topic that was directly related to the channeling of funds into the state budget.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats supports all forms of subsistence aid, especially monetary schemes aimed at the elderly, which stimulate domestic consumption and return to the economy through taxes. He emphasizes that although Tallinn already offers a 200-euro benefit to seniors, national intervention is necessary to guarantee an annual grant of at least 100 euros for all Estonian seniors, regardless of the financial strength of their local municipality. He calls upon members of the Riigikogu (Parliament) to support this bill, which provides crucial relief.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Mart Helme.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme criticizes the Reform Party for its unfulfilled election promises (a 1000-euro pension, tax-free average pension), stressing that the current draft legislation offers only temporary relief. Therefore, he argues, in order to solve the problems facing the elderly and other segments of the population, the government—which has lost the support of the people—must be removed from power.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats sharply criticizes the government's actions, which he says have worsened the situation of the elderly and taxed their pensions. He stresses that when the Centre Party was in power, pensions were raised extraordinarily, arguing that caring for the elderly is a moral obligation. He further promises that upon the party's return to government, the issues concerning the livelihood of the elderly will be addressed very seriously and they will start solving these problems.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Anti Allas, inviting him to the podium.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas acknowledges the bill's goal of supporting people facing hardship, but he criticizes its broad target group, questioning why the support is not directed solely at those truly in need. He points out, for example, that even recipients of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) special pension would receive 100 euros, which he considers a waste of taxpayer money.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats concedes that the vast majority—as much as 99%—of pensioners are struggling financially, and confirms that although making exceptions is possible during the development of measures and is a matter for negotiation, the focus must remain primarily on those who face the greatest difficulties in making ends meet.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Helle-Moonika Helme, inviting her to the rostrum to begin her presentation.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme started off by debunking a common misconception concerning the special pensions for Riigikogu members, stressing that this provision is no longer valid. She then moved on to criticize Kaja Kallas and the Reform Party's prior position regarding the necessity of supporting pensioners during crises, expressing doubt as to whether the current low-support coalition would even endorse minimal aid measures.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats first confirmed that the Riigikogu special pensions are a thing of the past and that self-sufficient parents do not require additional pension benefits. However, he then sharply pivoted to the government's lack of legitimacy, citing its exceptionally low (around 11%) public support. He criticized the government’s fiscal policy for exacerbating inequality, and stressed that a coalition with such minimal public trust should resign, as it lacks the mandate to pass significant legislation. He concluded that, unlike in Old Europe, the desire for power outweighs ideals in Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Helmen Kütt.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt welcomed the measures aimed at improving the well-being of the elderly, but strongly requested that the rapporteur confirm from the podium that the new draft bill would neither affect nor abolish the current 200-euro support payment for single pensioners, in order to reassure worried constituents. She also specified the actual number of recipients of the Riigikogu member's pension.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats confirmed that the 200-euro benefit for single pensioners will continue, and additionally, the budget foresees supplementary support for all 327,000+ pensioners. However, he sharply criticized an earlier decision that excluded 30,000 people from receiving that 200-euro benefit, demanding the reversal of this unfair measure.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi, Signe Riisalo, was called to the podium by the presiding officer so that he could deliver his presentation or address.
Signe Riisalo
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Signe Riisalo briefly confirmed that the total number of pensioners stands at just over 327,000.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats confirmed, both monosyllabically and emphatically, that he was in total agreement with the previous position.
Signe Riisalo
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Signe Riisalo points out that the text of the bill gives the impression that it would be possible to pay the pension supplement even to rescuers or police officers who retired early, for example, at the age of 45, and requested clarification on whether this was the actual intention of the bill's drafters, while also noting the discrepancy in the number of old-age pensioners.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasized that the draft bill does not contain special provisions, delegating the need to negotiate exceptions to the national government. He also stated that, considering the 327,000 pensioners and the price increase exceeding 40% over the last three years, the proposed 100-euro benefit is only a minor alleviation of the overall situation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the previous speaker, concluded the Q&A session, and subsequently yielded the floor to Signe Riisalo, Chair of the Social Affairs Committee, to hear an overview of the discussions and decisions reached within the lead committee.
Signe Riisalo
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Signe Riisalo provides a summary of the Social Affairs Committee’s debate on the draft resolution submitted by the Estonian Centre Party faction, which stipulates the payment of a 100-euro annual one-time pension supplement to all pensioners, with the proposed funding sources being a bank tax and progressive income tax. Furthermore, the committee discussed options for alleviating poverty among pensioners, highlighting the necessity of an extraordinary increase in the national pension, and also addressed issues related to the employment of older people and age discrimination. It was consensually decided to send the draft resolution to the Riigikogu plenary session for a final vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi concluded his presentation with words of thanks, opened the floor for questions, and gave the floor first to Vladimir Arhipov.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov highlighted the situation of pensioners as the most vulnerable group and inquired of the commission whether alternative solutions for assisting the elderly had been considered, should the relevant topic be planned for removal from the agenda.
Signe Riisalo
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Signe Riisalo emphasized that discussion of this topic is essential, and although the Ministry of Social Affairs is developing solutions, she presented to the committee the need for extraordinary indexing of the national pension to alleviate poverty among pensioners. Pensioners living alone face an especially high risk of poverty, and their livelihood is not improved by one-off benefits. Therefore, it is necessary in the long term to introduce a monthly pension supplement for those aged 80 and older, which would also take into account other social aspects.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart were called to the podium to begin their presentation.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart is asking the Social Affairs Committee for clarification regarding a previous discussion in which it was mentioned that working pensioners are generally in better health. She specifically asks whether this argument concerning health should mean, within the framework of the draft bill, that they do not need the planned pension supplement.
Signe Riisalo
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Signe Riisalo cited Tšaplõgin's position that pensioners work primarily due to financial necessity, rather than a love of work, and added Helmen Kütt's recognition for working seniors, emphasizing that being employed keeps people healthier and more active.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi and Peeter Ernits were invited to speak.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits slams the political "ritualistic dance," where no substantive answers are provided, and demands to know whether the committee discussed the possibility of adding 100 euros for the 1,650 recipients of the national pension, emphasizing their urgent situation and hunger right before pension day.
Signe Riisalo
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Signe Riisalo, who presented the committee’s report and stressed the strict limitations of her role regarding the expression of personal opinions, responded to a question by reading aloud the minutes detailing Helmen Kütt’s position, which confirmed that employment is not penalized when paying the allowance for a single pensioner, and that working pensioners are recognized as both taxpayers and active members of society.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi. Lauri Laats was called to the rostrum, but the content of the address he was to deliver is not reflected in the present text.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats highlights the fact that Estonian seniors are forced to continue working because, according to OECD data, their pensions only amount to about 30% of their previous income—a figure significantly below the European average of 60–70%. He emphasizes that although the bill currently under consideration offers only temporary relief, it is crucial that working pensioners are treated equally.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi confined himself to a short address, offering only heartfelt thanks.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In the concluding part of his speech, Lauri Laats strongly emphasized the need to not merely be thankful for things, but rather to express genuine and sincere gratitude.
Signe Riisalo
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Signe Riisalo acknowledged the previously presented position but confirmed that the committee's discussion of the draft bill was indeed laconic, and the initiator should have detailed the Centre Party faction's positions more thoroughly.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi and Helmen Kütt were called to the rostrum to deliver their report.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt responded to the criticism, clarifying that her previous stance regarding support for working pensioners was taken out of context. She stressed that working must not be penalized—a principle that also applies to the support provided to pensioners living alone—and noted that many pensioners work due to financial hardship, often proving indispensable in the social and education sectors. For this reason, she supports the draft bill that was presented.
Signe Riisalo
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Signe Riisalo apologized if her previous comments were misunderstood, and emphasized that Helmen Kütt had made a truly substantive contribution to the brief discussion that took place in the committee.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi concluded the round of questions, thanked the previous speaker, and then opened the floor to debate, giving the floor first to Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, representative of the Estonian Centre Party faction.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin sharply criticized the insufficient pensions and presented the Centre Party's proposal to pay pensioners an additional 100 euros annually. The necessary 33 million euros for this initiative, he stressed, should be found by reducing the number of state officials, cutting green transition expenditures, and critically reviewing subsidies for civil society organizations, especially those promoting the rainbow agenda. He emphasized that the choice is between a more dignified life for the elderly and the well-being of bureaucrats and activists.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Mart Helme, the representative of the EKRE faction, following a brief expression of thanks.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme has leveled a sharp accusation against the leadership of the Estonian state, branding the treatment of the elderly as shameful. He argues this is because the state claims it has no money for pensions while billions of euros are being squandered on dubious mega-projects (such as Rail Baltic and the wind energy tycoons), and political promises (regarding pensions and nursing home spots) have been broken. The speaker criticizes the government, calling it a "gang" that is robbing the state. He also condemns the disgraceful treatment of the Auditor General, who highlighted the massive expenditure and lack of results within the Ministry of Defense and infrastructure sectors, stressing that this waste is occurring at the expense of pensioners.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi briefly asked for three minutes of extra time.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme sharply criticizes the ruling coalition, accusing them of rampant corruption, ignoring the elderly, and selfishly squandering state funds, claiming that the coalition views pensioners as a troublesome extra cost so they can corruptly funnel money to wind and military businessmen. Therefore, this "gang" must be removed from power, because the Estonian state is not their personal fiefdom, and he calls on honest pensioners to support those who support them, rather than the current parties in power.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the previous speaker and subsequently gave the floor to Andre Hanimäe, the representative of the Social Democratic Party faction.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi underscored that, given the context of Estonia's aging population, ensuring a dignified existence for the elderly is a societal responsibility, pointing out that nearly 40% of pensioners live in relative poverty. While supporting one-off aid measures, such as the birthday allowance, the Social Democrats demand systemic and sustainable solutions—fair pension policies, accessible care and social services, and guaranteed social inclusion—so that every elderly person can live with dignity, regardless of their place of residence.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi, after refusing to grant the floor to a non-faction representative during the debate on the draft resolution, closed the discussion and put Draft Resolution 678, submitted by the Estonian Centre Party faction, to a final vote requiring a majority of the Riigikogu membership. The draft resolution proposed that the government develop a procedure for paying an additional one-time pension supplement to pensioners.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi confirmed that Bill 678 failed to garner the necessary support, despite receiving 22 votes in favor from Riigikogu members. As a result, it was rejected and dropped from the legislative proceedings.