The situation in the country

Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing

Date: 2025-02-12 15:30

Participating Politicians:

Total Speeches: 10

Membership: 15

Agenda Duration: 14m

AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)

Analysis: Structured Analysis

Politicians Speaking Time

Politicians

Analysis

Summary

The seventh question focused on the state of the country and energy policy, aiming to discuss how to reduce electricity prices in Estonia and ensure a stable supply. The question raised was whether Estonia should follow the US energy policy (less support for renewable energy and a greater focus on fossil fuels) or adhere to the directions established within the European Union's green transition and Green Deal, which have led to a crisis in energy markets and prices both in Europe and in Estonia. In addition, discussions revolved around the role of wind and solar energy, the impact of changes in gas prices, and potential alternatives, including the role of gas, storage, nuclear power plants, and oil shale boilers. Climate change and energy security issues received separate attention, and representatives from the opposition and the government were involved in the discussion, offering different perspectives on energy costs and market functioning. Another important topic was how to ensure more affordable and reliable electricity supply, considering the broader international context and the binding decisions of the European Union.

Decisions Made 1
Collective Decision

A decision was made to take a 15-minute technical break and to continue the plenary sitting of the Riigikogu at 2:00 PM.

Most Active Speaker
Helle-Moonika Helme
Helle-Moonika Helme

Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioon

The most active speaker was Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform Party), who represents the right-wing political spectrum.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:30:09
AI Summary

The Speaker, Lauri Hussar, announces that we will move on to the consideration of the seventh question, which is posed by Riigikogu member Helle-Moonika Helme to Prime Minister Kristen Michal and concerns the state of the country.

Helle-Moonika Helme
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioon
15:30:18
AI Summary

Helme poses the question of whether Estonia's energy policy should follow American values and abandon the preference for renewable energy, restoring fair competition in the fossil fuels market, or remain within the European Union's Green Deal framework, which has brought high energy prices and an economic crisis.

Peaminister Kristen Michal
15:32:11
AI Summary

Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that high electricity prices stem from a lack of wind and sun and the high price of gas, but, in his view, the cheapest way to generate energy is renewable energy (wind and solar), which is intended to secure lower prices for Estonians.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:35:14
AI Summary

The chairman Lauri Hussar thanks and asks Helle-Moonika Helme to pose a clarifying question.

Helle-Moonika Helme
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioon
15:35:16
AI Summary

Helle-Moonika Helme claims that although Estonia is isolated from Russia, the main issue is to ensure affordable and reliable electricity supply and to end subsidies for renewable energy and CO2 taxes, asking whether Estonia could take the United States as an example and end the policy of artificially increasing electricity prices.

Peaminister Kristen Michal
15:37:16
AI Summary

Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Estonia's energy sector is complex, and the most affordable are renewable energy sources; storage could help stabilize the price base; oil shale-fired plants are expensive, and in the future there could be a nuclear power plant, but he does not plan to leave the European Union.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:40:16
AI Summary

The chair thanked and asked Siim Pohlak to pose an additional question.

Siim Pohlak
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioon
15:40:17
AI Summary

Siim Pohlak claims that in Estonia there is no real energy plan to rapidly lower electricity prices, but rather a smokescreen and a focus on wind energy, and he calls for a concrete and rapid plan for how to bring under control the 500-euro peak prices and the 2.5-billion investments for the livelihoods of people and businesses.

Peaminister Kristen Michal
15:41:40
AI Summary

Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Estonia's energy future must be a plan agreed in parliament and well thought out, which combines nuclear and renewable energy and takes prices and investments into account, and he does not support EKRE's plan to add oil shale plants.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:44:52
AI Summary

Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the first item on the agenda of the Riigikogu plenary session starting at 2:00 p.m. is the motion of no confidence in the prime minister, and before that, during the information hour, a technical break will be taken, and after a 15-minute pause the plenary session will continue.