Second Reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Tax Act and the Traffic Act (694 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-11-05 22:24
Total Speeches: 93
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 37m
AI Summaries: 93/93 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the second reading of Bill 694, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the Motor Vehicle Tax Act and amendments to the Traffic Act. Annely Akkermann, Chair of the Finance Committee, presented the content of the draft legislation, which stipulates an annual tax reduction of 100 euros for families with children for every child under the age of 18, applied retroactively starting in 2025. Furthermore, the tax rate for M-category minibuses with more than seven seats will be significantly reduced by applying the N-category tax rate, which supports large families and people with disabilities. Akkermann explained that the amendment affects 150,000 taxpayers and provides families with a total of over 16 million euros. The opposition sharply criticized the bill, calling it a cosmetic fix that does not compensate for earlier cuts to family benefits, and demanded the complete abolition of the car tax. The lack of specific provisions for people with disabilities was particularly highlighted. Amendment Proposal No. 3 by the Social Democratic Party faction, which provided for tax exemption for individuals with severe or profound disabilities, was rejected in the vote. The lead committee made six consensual amendments to the bill, and the second reading was concluded.
Decisions Made 2
The Social Democratic Party faction's Amendment Proposal No. 3 (a tax exemption for individuals with severe or profound disabilities) was rejected in the vote (21 in favour, 45 against).
The second reading of Bill 694 was concluded.
Most Active Speaker
Annely Akkermann (Reform Party, right-wing) was the most active rapporteur, thoroughly answering 13 questions concerning the implementation of the draft bill, its retroactive effect, the inclusion of people with disabilities, and political compromises.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi introduced agenda item No. 18 of the Riigikogu sitting, which was the second reading of Draft Law 694 on the Motor Vehicle Tax, initiated by the Government of the Republic, and gave the floor to Annely Akkermann, Chairman of the Finance Committee.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann provided an overview of the draft bill amending the motor vehicle tax and the Traffic Act. The main objectives of this bill are to support families with children by offering a 100-euro tax concession for every child aged 18 and under, and to significantly reduce the tax burden on vehicles with more than seven seats, thereby supporting large families and people with disabilities. The bill has gone through committee discussions, where the amendments proposed by the factions failed to gain support, and it is now being forwarded for the final vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the audience and then gave the floor to Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, who was scheduled to pose a question.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart inquired whether the meetings with interest groups had also included the Chamber of Disabled Persons, which has submitted appeals concerning the unequal treatment of people with special needs and the necessity for larger car tax exemptions.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann provided an overview of the proposals put forward by the Estonian Chamber of Disabled People, which call for a motor vehicle tax exemption for one car for severely disabled individuals or their representatives, given that disability benefits have not increased for years. She further noted that while the Ministry of Finance cited difficulties in developing SKAIS, the tax concession for minibusses specified in the draft bill will also assist disabled people, supporting both large families and the disabled community more broadly.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called the next speaker, Vladimir Arhipov, to the podium.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov asked why the limit was set at 18, and inquired whether consideration had been given to extending the benefits to non-working students over the age of 18 (high school and university students) who are still dependents of their families.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann notes that the fact of studying was not taken into account when determining the benefits, because obtaining and linking the relevant data with the motor vehicle register is very complex, which is why the data is still taken from the Population Register based on the date of birth, covering individuals up to the age of 19.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi was called to the podium, yielding the floor to Helle-Moonika Helme.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme requests an explanation regarding the practical entry into force and administration of the new draft law, especially concerning the deadline for the second tax installment due in December, asking whether recipients must pay this installment and receive a refund later, or exactly how the tax reimbursement will be organized, in order to avoid public confusion.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann explains the rapid handling of the motor vehicle tax bill, which is intended to enter into force on December 1st so that tax notices can be recalculated by December 15th, affecting a total of 150,000 taxpayers. Furthermore, 55,000 taxpayers will receive money back retroactively (starting January 1, 2025) into their prepayment accounts, which constitutes a significant tax reduction of 16 million euros, while 97,000 taxpayers may incur an obligation to make additional payments.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Aivar Koka.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk raises a question that has been extensively discussed in the committee concerning families' vehicle deductions, specifically inquiring what happens to the 100-euro benefit if a family has two cars and one of them is destroyed—is that amount transferred to the second vehicle, or does the family lose that support entirely, and has an answer to this problem already been found.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann noted that she currently does not have a firm answer on the matter.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi: Varro Vooglaid was invited to the podium to deliver his presentation.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid is criticizing the state's contradictory approach to taxing families with children. He recalls a previous, astonishing explanation suggesting that families should pay the new tax out of the child benefits they receive, and now inquires why that logic no longer holds true, considering the benefits are still in place.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann explains that child benefits are intended to improve the overall financial well-being of the family and aid in raising children, covering all possible costs, ranging from food to transportation. She also refers to a recent political decision that came about as a result of a change in the coalition, advising listeners to be satisfied with it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart were called to the podium to deliver their presentation.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart is seeking clarification on whether the main reason for failing to accommodate the car tax exemption proposals submitted by the Chamber of Disabled Persons is truly the technological complexity related to accessing data from the SKAIS system.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann emphasizes that the targeting of social benefits is inaccurate due to IT limitations. She cites the motor vehicle tax relief as an example, which was intended for 700 large families but expanded to cover 13,400 vehicles because of imprecise rules. Consequently, only a tenth of the relief reaches the actual target group, necessitating significantly more precise allocation of benefits in the future.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi then gave the floor to Evelin Poolamets, inviting her to the rostrum.
Evelin Poolamets
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Evelin Poolamets raises a question in the public interest regarding the ambiguity of the provisions in the draft law concerning the frequency of calculating tax liability. She asks whether the tax calculation is performed only as of January 1st or repeatedly throughout the year, noting the contradiction that arises between the general calculation date for tax liability and the calculation of the tax benefit related to the acquisition of child custody rights.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann briefly noted that the recalculation will be carried out within a year, specifically when a child is born or custody rights are established.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called Rene Kokk to the rostrum.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk is demanding a timeline for when discussions will begin regarding the repeal of the car tax for N1G category off-road vehicles—those used by hunters, builders, and farmers—or at least a correction of errors to make the tax tolerable for these partners who are important to the state.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann stated that, considering the state's 15 billion euro tax revenue, a motor vehicle tax totaling less than 200 million euros does not constitute an excessively large burden, adding candidly that she lacks information regarding the exact time the corresponding draft bill will reach the Riigikogu floor.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi. Helle-Moonika Helme was invited to the podium.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme posed a thought experiment to Annely, citing the example of a situation where a child is born in the final hour of the year, seeking to ascertain how complicated it would be for the parents to claim back this "terribly evil car tax" under the new law, and asked her to clarify the complexity of the refund process within the legal context.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann notes that although the information systems of the Transport Administration, the Tax Administration, and the Population Register are well integrated and allow for day-based recalculation, the Chancellor of Justice's proposal to count days creates problems specifically for those born in the last hour or day, because that day might not make it into the accounting.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Evelin Poolamets.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets seeks clarification on whether subsection 1 of § 152 of the Act, which permits the calculation of the deduction during the taxation period upon the acquisition of custody rights, is in conflict with subsection 4 of the same section, which prohibits subsequent recalculation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi posed a brief check question to the audience to ensure that the question asked previously was both clear and audible to them.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann explained that because she is not a lawyer and does not possess full information, she cannot immediately formulate a legal response. However, she promised that her advisor would request clarification from the Ministry of Finance, based on the transcript, regarding the intended meaning of the question.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Rain Epler.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler begins with a legal recommendation, but the primary concern is political: citing the previous claim that the Social Democrats obstructed benefits for families with children, he asks for background information on why the Reform Party decided to include the Social Democrats in the coalition at all, especially since Eesti 200 was prepared to support the Reform Party’s policies unquestioningly.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann stated that the questions referred to were not discussed during the proceedings of the draft bill in question.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid reproaches the government for imposing a motor vehicle tax that is unfair and contrary to the constitution concerning large families, and demands that, in light of the new draft bill seeking to rectify the situation, they acknowledge that the opposition was right from the start and that they violated the spirit of the constitution.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann emphasized that although the Chancellor of Justice's letter highlighted specific points that were in conflict with the constitution, the proposal to consider benefits for families with children and people with disabilities was merely an additional remark. This was not counted among the constitutional violations because social and family policy is a matter of political discretion.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited Priit Sibul to the podium.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann highlighted that the current situation clearly demonstrates the extent to which the coalition actually considers the opposition's proposals.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi expressed his enthusiasm for the preceding presentation, asking that this beautiful moment not be ruined, before yielding the floor to the next speaker, Priit Sibul.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul notes ironically that the presenter accidentally let slip a justification for the opposition, and sharply demands to know when and how the government came to the understanding that a Porsche and an eight-seater vehicle belonging to a large family should be taxed differently, despite having a similar weight, given that the latter serves an essential family purpose.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann expresses dissatisfaction with the current support scheme for large families, arguing that it is extremely inefficient and untargeted. This scheme reduces the state's tax revenue by subsidizing 13,400 vehicles, despite the fact that there are only 700 large families (with five or more children) who genuinely need aid, meaning that only a negligible portion of the allocated funds actually reaches them.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi and Siim Pohlak were called to the podium to deliver their presentation.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak sharply criticizes the Reform Party's attempts to fix the car tax, labeling it "embarrassing political pornography," particularly given the party's earlier decision to slash family benefits. He urgently demands that this failed tax be immediately scrapped, rather than being patched up through botched fine-tuning.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann initially admitted that she hadn't heard the question and therefore couldn't answer it, but she then firmly asserted that the 16 million euro tax cut benefiting 150,000 parents is too substantial a measure to be dismissed as mere fine-tuning or a cosmetic change.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Priit Sibul, inviting him to speak.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul sharply criticizes the logic and timing of implementing the car tax, finding it particularly questionable why the tax is imposed first and only then is an exemption created for large families. He also points out that this "generosity" actually helps very few people, given that there are many times more cars in Estonia than there are such families, which is why the legislative amendment is rather superficial.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann concedes that the public desires tax benefits related to children, but she sharply criticizes the current approach, including the exceptions made for the car tax, arguing that these measures are ineffective and untargeted (a "helicopter method"). She emphasizes that the state must shift towards much more personalized tax breaks and social benefits so that aid genuinely reaches those who need it, rather than just broadly reducing government revenue.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Rain Epler.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler slams the government for implementing the car tax, stressing that it will hit families with children and rural residents the hardest. He accuses the opposing side of using rhetoric that hints at class warfare, and asks, both ironically and with genuine concern, whether they are already debating the introduction of car purchase permits, the acquisition of which would necessitate bringing a bribe to the party headquarters.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann responded regarding Rain Epler's car purchase permit, noting that their faction had not discussed the matter, but ironically suggested that Epler should go to Singapore, where one has to wait ten years for a car purchase license, also referencing the similar situation in China.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi and Andres Metsoja were called to the podium to deliver their presentation.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja sharply criticizes the draft bill under consideration, deeming it one of the biggest drivers deepening the value conflict. He argues this is because it creates an unfair dichotomy between wealthy city dwellers and families living in rural areas, who are unfairly labeled as environmentally unfriendly due to the car tax imposed on their older vehicles. He then questions whether the coalition realizes that they are pursuing a policy that is tearing society apart and generating a misguided value conflict.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann emphasized the importance of the draft bill, arguing that it is entirely appropriate, as it offers 150,000 parents motor vehicle tax relief totaling 16 million.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Following Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi, Siim Pohlak was called to the podium to begin his presentation.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak refutes the presenter's claim that the opposition and the public support the current bill, emphasizing that the actual demand is the complete abolition of the car tax, not its fine-tuning, and asks the presenter to predict a specific date when the car tax will actually be abolished.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann is convinced that the car tax is here to stay, as there is sufficient understanding in society that car usage involves public costs, which should be covered primarily by those car owners who prefer the convenience of a personal vehicle over public transport or walking.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi called Rene Kokk to the podium so that he could begin his presentation.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk criticizes the Reform Party for entrenching the car tax and asks whether the Minister of Defense has been consulted regarding how this tax undermines national defense by forcing citizens to acquire vehicles lacking off-road capability, which are unsuitable for the requisition needs of the Defense Forces and the Defense League during a crisis, thereby acting contrary to the emphasis placed on the importance of national defense.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann pointed out that the number of vehicles initially exceeds the number of active duty personnel and reservists by at least tenfold, citing a significant logistical resource.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Anti Allas after a short introduction.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas clarifies that families with three to four children often require large, 7-to-9-seater vans for practical reasons (luggage, pets). This is because there aren't enough suitable 6- or 7-seater vehicles available on the market, or the existing ones don't meet their needs, which is why even smaller families end up using these larger cars.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann presented an overview of the number of families with children in Estonia, as detailed in the explanatory note of the draft bill (highlighting both the 80,000 families with one child and the 53 families with seven or more children). She also shared a personal experience, noting that even as a family member who raised eight children, she never felt the need for a large, eight- or nine-seater car.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi concluded the round of questions, noting that Varro Vooglaid had reached his question limit, thanked the Chairman of the Finance Committee, and subsequently opened the floor for debate, granting the first speaking time (eight minutes) to Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart is demanding the immediate resignation of the Reform Party government, citing a deep leadership crisis, the government’s extremely low approval rating (12%), and its devastating result in the local elections. The Center Party sharply criticizes the car tax, labeling it an unfair, disproportionate, and unconstitutional omnibus bill, and vows to continue both the political and legal fight for its abolition. Furthermore, they accuse the government of neglecting disabled people and families, as well as failing to maintain the road network, promising to remove the Reform Party from power no later than the 2027 general election.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Helmen Kütt, who was allocated eight minutes of speaking time after requesting an extension.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt introduced the Social Democrats faction’s amendment proposal to the Motor Vehicle Tax Bill, which seeks to establish a target-group-specific tax exemption for individuals with severe or profound disabilities or their legal representatives, because a personal vehicle is essential for them to participate in social life, not merely a convenience. She asked her colleagues to support this proposal, which is based on an appeal by the Estonian Chamber of Disabled People, in order to ensure fairness, as the necessary data for implementing the exemption is already available in the national registers.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi, after acknowledging [the situation/previous speaker], gave the floor to Helle-Moonika Helme, who requested extended time and was allocated eight minutes for her speech.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme sharply criticizes the car tax and the associated registration fee, arguing that they have led to the collapse of the car sales market and made vehicle replacement impossible for ordinary people. She views the government’s recent concessions for large families and disabled individuals as a manipulative attempt to deceive the public, especially since all proposed amendments were initially ignored. Consequently, the Conservative People’s Party of Estonia demands the complete abolition of the tax, not just cosmetic changes.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi concluded his brief address with words of thanks and subsequently yielded the floor to Aivar Kokk.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk sharply criticizes the government coalition’s tax policy, calling the motor vehicle tax an embarrassing mistake that has taken money away from families (especially those with three children) and, combined with other tax hikes (VAT, income tax, and excises), has driven people into poverty. This is happening while road construction and maintenance remain underfunded. He promises that the Isamaa party will abolish the car tax in 2027.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi limited his remarks to a brief word of thanks.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk stressed the Isamaa Party's firm commitment that, upon taking office, the motor vehicle tax bill would be the very first piece of legislation they would repeal.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the previous speaker and gave the floor to Signe Riisalo.
Signe Riisalo
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Signe Riisalo supports the car tax bill due to its amendments, which offer economic relief to families with children and concessions for M-category minibuses—vehicles crucial for large families and families caring for people with special needs. She emphasizes that these target groups should not be viewed merely as recipients of aid. Furthermore, the speaker defends the previous process of handling the car tax, noting that disability benefits were raised and the accessibility of assistive devices was improved as a compromise, thereby ensuring the mobility and livelihood of people with special needs.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi confined himself to an extremely brief affirmative response, thus confirming the foregoing statement.
Signe Riisalo
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Signe Riisalo explained that the initial compromise regarding car tax benefits for disabled people, which specifically concerned adapted vehicles, fell through due to the President's decision. However, she has continued negotiations with the ministries and the Chamber of Disabled People to find a new solution and fulfill the promises made. At the same time, she urged support for the current bill, which alleviates the situation for families with children and owners of M-category minibusses, while acknowledging that the needs of disabled people still require in-depth attention.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the audience, handed the floor over to the next speaker, Lauri Laats, and requested and received three minutes of additional time for his presentation.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats of the Center Party faction sharply criticizes the imposition of the motor vehicle tax, deeming it a direct consequence of the government’s incompetent economic policy. He stresses that while the current legislative amendments attempt to rectify the initial errors by offering relief to people with disabilities and families with children, their practical implementation remains uncertain due to the absence of necessary IT systems, thus wasting funds. This is especially true since the Center Party promises to abolish the tax entirely when they return to power in 2027.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi concluded his brief address by offering thanks, and subsequently handed the floor over to Rain Epler.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler sharply criticizes the Reform Party's planned election advertisement, in which they boast about giving 16 million euros to families. He emphasizes that the same coalition previously took away over 20 million euros from families with children by abolishing the income tax exemption, meaning the current action is only a partial repayment. He promises to highlight this fact during the election campaign to create a balanced information field.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the audience and then handed the floor over to Andres Metsoja.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja has sharply criticized the government's actions and the newly implemented motor vehicle tax, labeling it an unjust "pseudo-activity" that demonstrates politicians' profound disconnect from the realities of rural life and the dire state of the road network. He emphasizes that suggesting residents of rural areas use public transport is insulting, given the complete lack of viable alternatives. Furthermore, he highlights the decades-long unresolved problem of gravel roads and the chronic underfunding of local infrastructure, concluding that this type of government intervention encroaches upon fundamental human liberties and must be abolished.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi concluded his presentation with thanks and then yielded the floor to Priit Sibul.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul sharply criticizes the motor vehicle tax bill because the only reasonable proposal to abolish the tax was not put to a vote, and he considers the claims that it will help families with children ridiculous. He points out that the government has already taken away sums many times greater (up to 10,000 euros annually) from families through the elimination of income tax exemptions and benefits, calling on his colleagues to consider the sense of security of families with children and the low birth rate, instead of pursuing policies where ten times more is taken away and only a tiny crumb is given back.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi concluded his segment with a brief word of thanks and then gave the floor to Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid observes that the government coalition's attempt to make the motor vehicle tax fairer for large families is a forced move, stemming from the Chancellor of Justice's threat to challenge the law in the Supreme Court, rather than a voluntary admission of injustice. He emphasizes that this amendment does not compensate for previous cuts. Furthermore, he calls on the opposition parties to promise not only the repeal of the tax but also the restoration of the natural meaning of marriage by repealing the so-called legalization of gay marriage.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi closed the debate and proceeded to deliberate the nine amendments submitted to the draft act, presenting the initial amendments and the decisions of the responsible committee concerning them (including one amendment that was rejected and one that was fully adopted), before yielding the floor to Helmen Kütt.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt urges a vote in favor of amendment proposal No. 3, stressing that it was drafted based on a petition from the Estonian Chamber of People with Disabilities and directly addresses the tax exemption for individuals with special needs.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi requested a quorum call before the vote and informed his colleagues that amendment proposal No. 3, submitted by the faction of the Social Democratic Party concerning Draft Act 694, would be put to a vote, which the lead committee has decided to disregard.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi provided an overview of the second reading of Draft Bill 694. During this reading, one proposal was voted down, the majority of the amendments put forward by the Finance Committee were fully accepted, and one proposal submitted by the members of parliament was rejected. Following this, the second reading of the draft bill was declared concluded upon the motion of the leading committee.