Inquiry Regarding the Closure of the Kopli Commando (no. 682)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2025-02-10 18:58
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 20
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 19m
AI Summaries: 20/20 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed a query presented by Riigikogu members Vadim Belobrovtsev, Aleksei Jevgrafov, Vladimir Arhipov, Lauri Laatsi, and Aleksandr Tšaplõgin regarding the closure of the Kopli fire and rescue station. The query’s presenter, Vadim Belobrovtsev, emphasized that the station’s closure at the beginning of 2024 with the aim of saving 800,000 euros has significantly worsened the safety of North Tallinn residents, especially considering the area's high risk level and recent tragic fires. He highlighted the contradiction that, at the same time the station was closed in the name of savings, the Ministry of the Interior left approximately 3.6 million euros unspent from the budget line "Rescue operations on land and inland waters," citing criticism from former Finance Minister Mart Võrklaev.
The Prime Minister responded that this was a savings decision made in 2021, which came into effect in 2024, and that the decision was made then by the Minister of the Interior, Kristian Jaani, who was then a member of the Centre Party. He defended the current Minister of the Interior, Lauri Läänemets, emphasizing that budget decisions are within the Minister's purview and that government responsibility also entails making difficult, unpopular decisions. The Prime Minister also referred to the irresponsible spending of previous governments (Centre Party) as the actual underlying reason for the savings in expenses. The questioners criticized the Prime Minister for prioritizing coalition solidarity over the safety of North Tallinn residents, also highlighting criticism from other members of the Reform Party (Kaja Kallas, Mart Võrklaev, Jürgen Ligi) directed at the Ministry of the Interior's budget management.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made.
Most Active Speaker
Vadim Belobrovtsev was the most active speaker, raising a question, asking a clarifying question, and delivering a closing statement. His position is opposition (Centre Party).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar introduced, under the fourth item on the agenda, a parliamentary inquiry submitted on January 13 concerning the closure of the Kopli command, and invited Vadim Belobrovtsev to present it at the Riigikogu's rostrum.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The presenter states that the closure of the Kopli fire station was a choice made due to 2024 state budget cuts that jeopardizes the North Tallinn residents' sense of security, taking into account that 3.6 million euros were left unused and that a recent accident highlighted the area's risks, and asks whether a savings of 800,000 euros justifies this.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks you very much and says that he is pleased to listen to the prime minister who answers your questions.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal explained that the closure of the Kopli fire rescue station was the result of the 2021 state budget austerity policy, which came into force in 2024, and that decisions are made by the Rescue Service and the Minister of the Interior together with the heads of subordinate institutions, taking into account residents' sense of security and the difficult state budget situation, and that such decisions are the ministers' responsibility even in difficult times.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
During the speech you are thanked, and Vadim Belobrovtsev is invited to pose a question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev asks two questions: whether all decisions made by previous governments are now also being enacted by the new government, and whether talking about cuts and savings is justified when a cut of 800,000 euros has been made, but the Ministry of the Interior's budget line remained the same and at the end of the year was over 3.5 million — did the Minister of the Interior err?
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister stated that every ministry must improve services and manage money more effectively, and cuts should be made in places where they are warranted, and he hopes that these decisions were made on the basis of the best possible knowledge.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech was simply inviting Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasized that MPs must stand more for their voters and their electoral districts, and that the Riigikogu must have representation from every constituency, while noting that as prime minister his job is somewhat easier, and he raised the question of the interior minister's confidence.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi, the vice-chairman, thanked everyone.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The person asks why their decision was not changed in connection with this decision and the cut.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal explains that the 2021 decision took effect in 2024, and although he is the head of government, he cares about the entire Tallinn region, not only his electoral district, and calls for understanding, stressing that the Ministry of the Interior and the Rescue Board describe security measures and that the decision to cut was made by the Interior Minister based on the Rescue Board's information.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart onto the stage.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In the speech it was stated that the budget is in disarray under Läänemetsa's leadership, and the transfer of costs has not been explained, which has led to anomalies, and two finance ministers have criticized Läänemetsa's planning, and in the anti-corruption special committee there was discussion about the transparency of the budget.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech was merely an expression of thanks.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart asks whether there has already been criticism about this.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal affirmed that if a minister has criticism or questions about the use of another sector's budget, it is appropriate to present them to the Minister of Finance or to the administration under the Minister of Finance, and if no answers are found, they will be discussed in the Government Cabinet to find a solution.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked, announced that there were no more questions, and opened negotiations, inviting Vadim Belobrovtsev.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev draws attention to the fact that the 2023 government does not stand behind the decisions made by previous governments, referring to the cuts to support for large families and to the closure of the Kopli command, for which money was available, and emphasizes that this threatens the safety of the residents of North Tallinn.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi ended the negotiations and the processing of this agenda item, thanked the prime minister, and expressed hope to meet on Wednesday.