First Reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic" (713 OE)
Session: The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-11-03 18:33
Total Speeches: 68
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 51m
AI Summaries: 68/68 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debate focused on Draft Resolution 713, submitted by the Social Democratic Party faction, which proposed raising the subsistence level for the Government of the Republic to at least 300 euros per month. Rapporteur Helmen Kütt emphasized that the current limit of 200 euros (which is set to rise to 220 euros starting in 2026) is insufficient and falls far below the absolute poverty line (345.80 euros). The goal of the draft resolution was to offer faster, needs-based support to single parents, the elderly, and low-income individuals, especially during the cold heating periods. The Social Democrats had also submitted a state budget amendment proposal to make the increase to 300 euros possible.
During the debate, it was pointed out that raising the subsistence level to 300 euros would entail an additional cost to the state budget of approximately 12–13 million euros per year, but this money would immediately return to the Estonian economy through consumption. Eero Merilind, representative of the Social Affairs Committee, confirmed that although the objective of the draft resolution is sound, the state budget's resources are limited. Opposition parties (Centre Party, EKRE) supported the proposal, but EKRE representative Rain Epler criticized the Social Democrats and the Reform Party for earlier tax increases that disproportionately affected poorer residents. In the final vote, the draft resolution failed to gain support, as only 28 Riigikogu members voted in favor, which was insufficient to achieve the required majority of the Riigikogu composition (51 votes).
Decisions Made 1
Draft resolution 713 concerning the Riigikogu decision "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic" was rejected during the final vote, as only 28 members voted in favor, which failed to constitute a majority of the Riigikogu's full membership.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Helmen Kütt, a member of the Social Democratic Party faction. She presented the draft bill and answered numerous questions (10 in total), explaining the necessity of raising the subsistence level. Her stance was left-wing, emphasizing social solidarity and needs-based assistance.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi introduced the second item on the Riigikogu agenda, which was Riigikogu Draft Resolution 713, "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic," submitted by the Social Democratic Party faction. He then invited Riigikogu member Helmen Kütt to the rostrum to present its content, noting that the adoption of the resolution requires an absolute majority of the Riigikogu membership.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt emphasizes that Riigikogu decision draft 713 is a directly needs-based measure, which demands that the Government of the Republic swiftly raise the subsistence level to at least 300 euros, given that the current 200 euros is shamefully low and leaves single parents, the elderly, and low-income earners far below the absolute poverty line. Consequently, cross-party support is necessary to resolve the situation before winter and the start of next year.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the presenter for the clear and comprehensible report, announced the start of the Q&A session, and first gave the floor to Vladimir Arhipov.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov deems the current 200-euro subsistence level shamefully low for the Estonian state, stressing that this sum fails to cover even basic necessities like rent and food for pensioners and single parents. He is demanding an analysis from the rapporteur that would show how many people are currently receiving this benefit and what the financial impact of raising the limit would be on the state budget.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt noted that nearly 15,000 households in Estonia receive the subsistence benefit. She stressed that the additional annual expenditure required to raise the benefit threshold to 300 euros, which falls in the range of 12–13 million euros, is, in her estimation, reasonable and not a large sum.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Andre Hanimägi.
Andre Hanimägi
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Andre Hanimägi deems the draft resolution concerning the social sector highly important and asks the rapporteur, who is deeply familiar with the subject matter, to provide concrete, real-life examples of subsistence benefit recipients who are compelled to accept this aid, but for whom the current sum is clearly insufficient to make ends meet.
Helmen Kütt
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Helmen Kütt emphasizes that although many people in need (especially the elderly) fail to apply for benefits due to shame, the new draft law complicates the situation for single-parent families. This is because a young person who has graduated from high school loses their unemployment benefit, meaning the family must bear the cost of their upkeep. Furthermore, the low subsistence level threshold (€220) likely deprives them of subsistence benefits as well, since their income remains barely above the limit.
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 expresses his rage and frustration regarding the political maneuvers used to quietly "smother" draft legislation, citing the case of the birthday allowance as an example, where the Reform Party and Eesti 200 thwarted the vote through their absence, and asks a colleague how it is possible to maintain calm given this knowledge, when he himself is furious.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In her parliamentary work, Helmen Kütt expresses diminishing hope that opposition bills will receive the necessary support in the chamber. She admits that although she continues to explain her principles gently and kindly, she knows deep down that this current bill will also likely fail to secure the required 51 votes, which makes her unhappy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to the next speaker, Aleksandr Tšaplõgin.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
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Aleksandr Chaplygin did acknowledge the proposal that was presented, but he criticized the speaker, questioning why he hadn't implemented this good idea back when he himself was in power as a member of the government.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt defends the government's previous actions regarding the increase of subsistence benefits, emphasizing that alleviating the burden on people's standard of living has always been the objective. She also calls on opposition politicians to stop the mutual accusations and instead join forces for the sake of achieving better results.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Jaak Aab, asking him to come to the podium and begin his presentation.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab emphasizes that the minimum income threshold is significantly lower than the minimum living standard, citing the extensive (34–35%) price hike that took place between 2022 and 2024, particularly concerning food prices. He also criticizes the government's reactive policy, where the threshold is always adjusted only after the fact, while simultaneously asking why this specific adjustment is necessary precisely at this time.
Helmen Kütt
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Helmen Kütt believes that, considering the rising cost of living, the failed tax policy, and the growing inequality among children, it is extremely necessary to raise the current needs-based allowance of 300 euros. This is essential to secure people's ability to cope and to demonstrate that the state has not abandoned them, while emphasizing that this increase is affordable for the state budget.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Anti Allas after a brief introduction.
Anti Allas
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Anti Allas emphasizes that the subsistence benefit is intended only for people in dire straits and is clearly needs-based aid, and he criticizes the coalition, including the Minister of Finance, whose words about prioritizing needs-based support diverge from their actual deeds.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt vehemently defends the payment of the subsistence benefit, stressing that it is a strictly needs-based and often humiliating process. She emphasizes that the recipients (those with small pensions, disabilities, or single parents) are the ones who laid the foundation of the state, and she criticizes the viewpoint that the budget should be saved at their expense. Instead, she demands that the benefit threshold be raised to genuinely assist people who are truly struggling.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets was briefly called by name to the speaker's stand by Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi to begin his address.
Lauri Läänemets
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Lauri Läänemets criticizes the rapporteur for the injustice of the state budget, where over 114 million euros are channeled through tax changes to the wealthiest 10% of society, while no funds are found for people struggling to make ends meet. He asks them to describe the feelings and understanding that such a contrast generates among those who need assistance.
Helmen Kütt
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Helmen Kütt sharply criticizes the government's priorities, stressing that the money being channeled to the wealthier segment of the population should have been used to resolve the crisis in special care services—a crisis that forced service providers to protest. She argues that such a decision, based on solidarity, would have increased the public's faith in the state.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi and Madis Kallas were invited to approach the rostrum to deliver their reports.
Madis Kallas
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Madis Kallas considers the discussion regarding the subsistence minimum extremely necessary, but asks the expert to clarify whether, in addition to raising the threshold, the discussion also addresses the nuances of calculating the specific costs of goods and services required to satisfy basic needs (such as food, clothing, and footwear), which should be modified when establishing the calculation basis in the future.
Helmen Kütt
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Helmen Kütt is criticizing the current, over 20-year-old methodology used to calculate the subsistence minimum. This method only covers food, clothing, and housing, while failing to include costs deemed essential today, such as internet access and telephone service. She further announced that the Social Affairs Committee plans to begin a more in-depth discussion regarding the relationship between the poverty line and the subsistence minimum in the spring of 2026, coinciding with the completion of a new calculation methodology developed in cooperation with CentAR.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi called upon Rain Epler to speak next.
Rain Epler
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Rain Epler considers the draft bill, which provides for the care of the vulnerable, to be sensible and necessary, but he is concerned about its financial implications. He specifically asked what additional cost raising the limit to 300 would impose on the state budget, as he could not find any calculations or estimates regarding this in the explanatory memorandum.
Helmen Kütt
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Helmen Kütt confirmed that an additional 12–13 million euros per year has been budgeted for subsistence benefits, which also covers the administrative costs incurred by local governments. She emphasized that the goal of the draft decision is to provide the Government of the Republic with guidance on locating the source of this funding, even though an amendment proposal to the state budget had also been submitted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi opened the floor for questions regarding the draft bill, but briefly paused his remarks to acknowledge Riina Sikkut’s arrival and yield the floor to her.
Riina Sikkut
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Riina Sikkut emphasizes that the proposed 100-euro increase (from 200 to 300) is actually a minimal and necessary step that will only bring the system closer to the actual subsistence minimum (which exceeds 340 euros). Therefore, this expenditure is neither alarmingly large nor unnecessary.
Helmen Kütt
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Helmen Kütt emphasized that the calculated subsistence minimum, which currently defines the absolute poverty line, stands at 345 euros and 80 cents. She sharply criticized the planned increase of the subsistence benefit limit by only 20 euros, deeming it clearly insufficient, and expressed concern that those who need this support might not be able to wait for adequate aid to materialize.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the presenter, but immediately announced that he had one more question for the speaker.
Helmen Kütt
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Helmen Kütt limited herself to just a brief exclamation, "Ah, right!", which suggested a sudden recollection or realization, indicating an unexpected understanding or memory recall.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that there was one more item on the agenda, and subsequently gave the floor to Rene Koka.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk praises the submitted draft bill, but points out that the commission and the ministry might not have considered that the additional cost of 12–13 million euros is actually significantly lower, because this money immediately returns to the Estonian economy through consumption and VAT, meaning the actual net cost remains below 10 million euros.
Helmen Kütt
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Helmen Kütt emphasized that although there was no direct deliberation in the committee, raising the livelihood allowance is directly linked to improving the living standards of those in need, because this money is spent immediately in stores and on paying bills, thereby ensuring its rapid circulation within the economy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called Helle-Moonika Helme to the podium, noting that one question was still pending, while Helmen Kütt returned to the podium laughing.
Helle-Moonika Helme
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Helle-Moonika Helme supports the bill currently under discussion, but stresses that the existing support payments are ridiculously small and a national disgrace, forcing people to live "like a little worm." Consequently, she asks long-time social worker Helmen for an assessment of what the dignified minimum subsistence level should be—the level the state ought to be addressing.
Helmen Kütt
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Helmen Kütt affirmed her belief and hope regarding the increase of the minimum income, stressing that ideally, it should reach 345 euros—the current subsistence minimum and the absolute poverty line. However, even 300 euros would represent a crucial step forward compared to the currently planned 220 euros.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded the round of questions, but before opening the debate, he amended the procedural rules by giving the floor to Eero Merilind, a member of the Social Affairs Committee, in order to hear the discussion that had taken place within the committee and its position.
Eero Merilind
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Eero Merilind provided an overview of the discussion held in the Social Affairs Committee concerning the Social Democratic Party’s proposal to raise the subsistence benefit level from the current 200 euros to at least 300 euros. This proposal stems from the fact that the government’s planned increase to 220 euros starting in 2026 is deemed insufficient given the rising cost of living and the actual estimated minimum living requirement (which is calculated at 345.80 euros). Although Signe Riisalo stressed the constraints of the state budget, noting that a 300-euro limit would cost approximately 20 million euros, the committee ultimately decided to send Draft Bill 713 to the Riigikogu plenary session for a final vote on November 3, 2025.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the rapporteur for his contribution and opened the floor for questions, giving the first word to Peeter Ernits.
Peeter Ernits
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Peeter Ernits, admitting that he had not read the protocol, shared his past experience with extreme survival, noting that he was able to live for a week on a single 4-euro can of human-grade food, bread, and free water, and inquired whether the commission had considered this alternative.
Eero Merilind
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Eero Merilind briefly stated that the alternative in question was neither discussed nor considered.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called Rain Epler to the podium, thereby giving him the floor.
Rain Epler
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Rain Epler reminds his colleague in the Reform Party about the decision made in 2023, alongside the Social Democrats, to increase the VAT rate, emphasizing that this is a regressive tax. He then critically inquires whether, at the time, the proportional effect of this tax change on the poorest segments of society, particularly those receiving subsistence benefits, was properly discussed and analyzed.
Eero Merilind
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Eero Merilind emphasized that even though a certain aspect might have been overlooked, the previous speaker, Helmen Kütt, had already answered the questions posed with extreme precision.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar was invited to the podium, yielding the floor to Helmen Kütt.
Helmen Kütt
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Helmen Kütt emphasized that although the issue of funding medication for the elderly was not discussed in the committee, the focus was placed on needs-based subsistence benefits, and she expressed hope that the current bill would receive sufficient support during the vote, as it should also align with the principles of the opposing party.
Eero Merilind
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Eero Merilind thanked the questioner, noting that they themselves had also submitted a proposal for an amendment to the state budget, and expressed hope that even if today's proposal does not receive support, it will certainly succeed during the budget debate next Wednesday.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gave the floor to the next speaker, inviting Lauri Läänemets to the podium.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets poses a clarifying question to Mr. Epler, challenging the assertion that impact analyses for tax changes were not conducted while the Social Democrats were in government. He emphasized that the Ministry of Finance's analyses were known to the coalition, and fierce debates were held based on these findings to prevent undue hardship for the public, citing as an example the prevention of the larger VAT increase desired by the Reform Party.
Eero Merilind
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Eero Merilind provided an overview of the discussions that took place in the committee and presented the concrete calculations known to the Reform Party regarding how much it would cost to raise the threshold to various levels, highlighting that increasing the limit from 200 euros to 300 euros would cost 20 million euros.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called upon Rene Kok to speak, yielding the floor to him.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk questioned the depth of the committee's deliberation, stressing that the actual net cost of the proposal to the state budget, thanks to the VAT refund, comes in under 10 million euros—not 12 to 13 million. He urged the government to address the issue on its merits and not simply push it off the table, pointing at the same time to previous examples of budgetary resources that had remained unfound.
Eero Merilind
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Eero Merilind stressed that the commission focused on the overall cost to the state budget, rather than specifically calculating the impact of the value-added tax.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar and Vladimir Arhipov were called to the speaker's stand to deliver their presentation.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov inquires of the rapporteur regarding the schedule for increasing the subsistence minimum rate and the status of the commission responsible for this matter. He draws attention to the discrepancy between an earlier commitment, which projected the increase into 2026, and current talks suggesting the rise will occur as early as next year, and further asks whether the corresponding commission has concluded its work.
Eero Merilind
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Eero Merilind points out that the subsistence benefit threshold will increase from 200 euros to 220 starting next year, and the CentAR research center is expected to complete its new methodology for the minimum living standard by the spring of 2026.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded the round of questions posed to the rapporteur, thanked the rapporteur, officially opened the debate, and invited Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, representative of the Centre Party faction, to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
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Aleksandr Chaplygin, speaking on behalf of the Centre Party faction, firmly supports the proposal to raise the subsistence benefit to 300 euros. He critically notes that this should have been done a long time ago, and emphasizes that although 300 euros is still below the poverty line, it is better than the current starvation. He calls upon opponents of the bill to try living on 200 euros a month themselves, and hopes that the Riigikogu will approve the proposal to ensure a dignified standard of living for people residing in a European country.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offered his thanks and, on behalf of the Social Democratic Party faction, gave the floor to colleague Helmen Kütt, inviting her to approach the Riigikogu rostrum.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt expresses hope for cross-party cooperation in assisting the most vulnerable and sharply criticizes the planned 20-euro increase in the subsistence minimum as an insufficient and delayed measure. She calls on lawmakers to instead support a proposal that would raise the limit to 300 euros for the first family member and 360 euros for minors, acknowledging that while this is certainly not a truly livable amount, it is still significantly better than the current limit.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the previous speaker and then gave the floor to Rain Epler, who had requested to speak on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People's Party.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler supports the draft legislation aimed at increasing the subsistence benefit, stressing the necessity of caring for the most vulnerable. However, he sharply criticizes the Social Democrats and the Reform Party, arguing that they first stripped this very target group of funds (approximately 14 million) through VAT and other taxes, only to subsequently return the exact same sum, burdened by administrative costs. He deems this policy ineffective and wasteful, asserting that it demonstrates the inherent danger of socialism to state finances.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar closed the debates because no amendments had been submitted regarding Draft Bill 713. He then proceeded, at the suggestion of the lead committee, to conduct the final vote on the bill submitted by the Social Democrats, emphasizing that its adoption requires a majority vote of the Riigikogu membership.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced the voting result, according to which the draft bill, despite receiving 28 votes in favor and zero votes against (with 1 abstention), failed to garner the necessary support and was therefore dropped from the proceedings.