Inquiry Concerning the Support of the Birth Rate (No. 812)
Session: The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-11-03 21:23
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 32
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 45m
AI Summaries: 32/32 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debate focused on Interpellation No. 812 concerning the support of the birth rate, submitted to Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller by Riigikogu members Jaak Valge, Riina Solman, and Leo Kunnas. The rapporteur, Jaak Valge, emphasized the critical state of Estonia’s population, referencing an analysis by the Ministry of Social Affairs that confirms the continuing downward trend in the birth rate. Valge stressed that the state’s duty is to ensure equal opportunities for self-realization for those who wish to have children, and to overcome the obstacles that inhibit family creation.
Minister Karmen Joller responded to the interpellation, confirming that the ministry is working on a comprehensive family policy. She refuted accusations that the analysis forces women to give birth. Joller highlighted the government’s plans, which include making parental benefits more flexible (including the option to pay them to grandparents), improving housing availability (using pension pillar funds as collateral for home loans), and expanding access to infertility treatment and mental health services. Joller noted that the comprehensive action plan should be ready by the spring of 2026. During the debate, questions were raised regarding the indexing of family benefits, establishing Children’s Day as a national holiday, and placing the Government Commission on Population Policy under the management of the State Chancellery, all of which the Minister supported. Peeter Ernits criticized the government’s priorities, questioning the necessity of high defense spending in the context of the drastic decline in the birth rate.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made
Most Active Speaker
Peeter Ernits (independent/EKRE) was active in the debate, posing critical questions and taking the floor during discussions. He highlighted the connection between the declining birth rate and national defense, emphasizing that acquiring weapons is pointless if there is no population to use them, and criticized the government's inaction in solving the demographic crisis.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller introduced the sixth item on the agenda, which was an interpellation submitted by Riigikogu members Jaak Valge, Riina Solman, and Leo Kunnas to the Minister of Social Affairs, Karmen Joller, concerning the support of the birth rate, and invited Jaak Valge to present the report.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge introduced yet another interpellation concerning the critical decline in Estonia's birth rate, which has now hit a new negative record. He emphasized that while the Ministry of Social Affairs' analysis proposes a comprehensive package of measures—covering family benefits, housing, and work-life balance—as a solution, it remains the state's duty to guarantee unhindered self-realization for families who wish to have children. He subsequently called upon the minister for a constructive parliamentary debate to secure the necessary funding for this sector, which is currently facing significant financial pressure.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller thanked the previous speaker and invited the Minister of Social Affairs, Karmen Joller, to respond to the submitted inquiry.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller defended the family policy analysis that had recently drawn criticism, stressing that supporting the birth rate requires a comprehensive approach focused on boosting families' economic security through tax incentives and housing solutions (including the use of pension pillar funds), making parental benefits more flexible (including payments to grandparents), and improving the quality of infertility treatment and mental health services. She promised to present a detailed action plan by the spring of 2026.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller opened the question round, announcing that the audience had questions, and then gave the floor to Peeter Ernits.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits is questioning the government’s massive arms purchases and preparations for war, referencing an article by Raul Eamets and asking what the point of the weapons is if, due to the current drop in the birth rate and the poor health of young men (40% of boys are frail), there will be no one left to send to the front line, or even anyone left to protect, in a couple of decades.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller pushed back against accusations of inaction, emphasizing that the government has implemented measures and must select viable solutions from policy analysis recommendations, while bearing in mind natural laws (for example, concerning birth rates). She also confirmed that the goal of national defense and arms acquisition is maintaining peace, simultaneously paying attention to the mental and physical health of both boys and girls.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller called Reili Rand to the podium, thereby granting her the floor.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand, stressing the priority of child and family welfare, points out that their previous attempt to rectify the unfairness surrounding child benefits failed to gain government backing. She is now asking the minister for a stance on a new draft bill that aims to increase the flexibility of parental benefits and link them to wage growth, expressing concern that this proposal will also be rejected due to cited funding shortages.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller confined himself to a short phrase consisting of just two words, which signaled to the next speaker that the time for their presentation had begun.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand briefly asked when the government’s official position on the issue would be presented.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller emphasized that children's well-being is a common priority, for which the Reform Party has already established the parental benefit system. However, she warned that the rapid changes proposed by the opposition cannot be implemented in just a couple of months, as this requires the reallocation of state budget resources. She simultaneously promised to discuss the matter further and expressed hope that some of the proposals could eventually be put into action.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller briefly gave the floor to Anti Allas, inviting him to the podium.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas is making a practical proposal to the minister to consider raising the upper age limits for KredEx/EIS housing loan guarantees, pointing to the fact that the childbearing age has shifted to a later period. He also asks whether this measure could be quickly amended and implemented.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller confirmed that the government has discussed changing loan conditions and extending loan periods, following the example set by the Nordic countries. However, she stressed that since this is a financial matter outside of her portfolio, the details must be decided by experts, even though she fully supports any reasonable and feasible steps taken for the benefit of families.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller gave the floor to Jaak Valge.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge acknowledged that the birth rate in Estonia has fallen more sharply than the average in Western countries, but he stressed that this is not a law of nature, since values are shaped through upbringing. He demanded a clear answer from the Ministry of Social Affairs as to whether they would set the goal of shaping values that support the birth rate, adding a specific question about supporting the Centre Party's proposal to make June 1st Children's Day and a national holiday.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller stated that although days off are the responsibility of another minister, the cause of the low birth rate lies in a shift in values and the influence of education. Therefore, family policy must be treated as a comprehensive state policy that encompasses education, the economy, and security, in addition to the social sector, focusing on better reconciling work and family life.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chair Arvo Aller and Helmen Kütt were called to the podium to begin their presentation.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt emphasizes to the Minister of Social Affairs that decisions concerning the birth and upbringing of children (including mental health and hobby education/extracurricular activities) must be viewed holistically by the Government of the Republic, not ministry by ministry, and asks the minister what steps she is taking to secure support from the other coalition partners for the establishment of a coordinating commission to be created under the Prime Minister.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller emphasizes the long-term and cross-party importance of family policy, explaining that sharp increases and decreases in benefits have damaged families' sense of security, and that policy must be consistent and strategic, while she herself continues lobbying for the transfer of the family policy commission under the Government Office (Riigikantselei), acknowledging that financial and educational topics remain within the competence of other ministers.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller closed the question period, opened the debate, noted the absence of the representative of the petitioners, and granted Reili Rand's request for three minutes of additional speaking time.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand emphasized that every child is priceless to Estonia, but to support the birth rate, the state must create a caring and just society where young people feel secure enough to start a family and do not have to choose between making ends meet and having children. The Social Democrats see the solution lying in three main areas: ensuring economic security (especially through housing availability), better reconciliation of work and family life, and a broader supportive social network so that families are not left alone with their problems.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller thanked the previous speaker and yielded the floor to Peeter Ernits.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits criticized the Riigikogu's overnight debate and sharply zeroed in on Estonia's demographic crisis, noting that the birth rate has dropped to a historically low level. He added that young people are unwilling to start families due to war hysteria and general uncertainty. Citing Professor Eamets, he warned that if the state focuses on purchasing weapons but soon has no one left to send to the front line, the entire purpose of maintaining the state will become meaningless. Furthermore, he accused the government of dealing with the consolidation of petty administrative matters instead of ensuring the vitality of the population.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller directly asked the audience if they wanted extra time.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits requested the floor and asked for a few minutes for his presentation or comment.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller requested two additional minutes on procedural grounds.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits argues that, following the tragic incident in Nõo—where a man in the prime of life committed a suicide attack—the state must adopt a cross-party approach to ensuring normal development for every child born in Estonia. This requires investigating the root causes behind the formation of individuals like "Tarmo" (namely, parents and teachers) and backing this goal with necessary financial investment, such as providing free extracurricular clubs and sports training.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller acted as the moderator, signaling with the brief phrase, "Your time!" that the next speaker could begin their presentation or address.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits concluded his short speech with a resolute observation that without the necessary condition, the entire undertaking loses its purpose.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller closed the debate after confirming that there were no further requests to speak and the minister did not wish to offer any additions. He then announced that the sixth item on today’s agenda had thus been successfully completed.