A written request for a vote of no confidence in Social Minister Karmen Joller, submitted by 21 members of the Riigikogu.
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2025-09-10 17:05
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 401
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 3h 42m
AI Summaries: 401/401 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The focus of the agenda was the motion of no confidence against Social Minister Karmen Joller, submitted in writing on behalf of the initiators of the motion. During the recorded proceedings, Martin Helme was given the floor for a statement, after which Social Minister Karmen Joller was required to respond. Discussions took place between factions, and the final vote was to be held at the final stage of the faction representatives. The session ended with a decision not to express a vote of no confidence in the minister, meaning the Riigikogu did not accept the motion. In the extensive section of the agenda, criticisms presented through speeches and questioning were met with the minister's responses and clarifications, with the final vote ultimately resulting in a position where no motion of no confidence occurred.
Decisions Made 1
The Riigikogu did not express a vote of no confidence in Social Minister Karmen Joller. Twenty-five members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, 0 voted against, and 0 abstained.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Martin Helme (EKRE), who, on behalf of the motion of no confidence presenters, gave a presentation and posed several pointed questions regarding Joller's rhetoric and the Health Insurance Fund's management. His position is right-wing.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is debating the written motion of no confidence against Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller. The process begins with Martin Helme speaking on behalf of the initiators of the motion, followed by the minister, then questions, inter-faction negotiations, and the final vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi introduced the first item on the Riigikogu agenda: a written motion tabled by a substantial group of Riigikogu members seeking a vote of no confidence in Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller. He then detailed the procedural rules for its consideration, before yielding the floor to Martin Helme, who spoke on behalf of the motion's initiators.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme submits a comprehensive motion of no confidence against Health Minister Joller, accusing her both of the government's general chaos and of avoiding political responsibility following the Health Insurance Fund scandal, as well as the deepening of the sector's financial crisis, the lengthening of treatment waiting lists, and the abandonment of the social sector. Furthermore, he faults the minister for Reform Party arrogance, intolerance towards differing opinions, and damaging Estonia's international reputation by insulting a member of the US administration.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that no member of the government in Estonia is taking responsibility. He criticizes the underfunding of the healthcare system and the lengthening of treatment waiting lists, and further accuses Health Minister Joller of avoiding responsibility, violating democratic values, and engaging in anti-scientific rhetoric.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the listeners and then yielded the floor to Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller, requesting that she approach the Riigikogu rostrum.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience and invites the honorable Minister of Social Affairs, Karmen Joller, to the Riigikogu rostrum to deliver her address.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller, responding to the no-confidence motion, emphasized her insider experience gained as a family doctor and conceded that the extravagant spending by the Health Insurance Fund is merely a symptom of a broader issue: the healthcare system's financing is inefficient and not results-oriented. She affirmed that simply pouring in additional money will not solve systemic problems such as staff shortages and poor work organization. Joller promised to focus on establishing a quality system, reforming financing (including performance-based care), and resolving bottlenecks in the social sector, while simultaneously rejecting accusations of damaging bilateral relations.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller emphasized the necessity of healthcare system reforms, focusing on quality and cooperation between the healthcare and social sectors, restructuring funding towards performance and patient well-being, and involving private medicine to maintain solidarity.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi opened the session with a brief greeting but immediately had to intervene, asking Helle-Moonika Helme to quiet down so that order could be maintained.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi welcomes his colleagues and requests silence from Helle-Moonika Helme.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller presented alleged evidence regarding financial transfers made by Moonika Helme and EKRE to an NGO fighting misinformation (over 1000 and 2000 euros, respectively), whereupon Helle-Moonika Helme intervened loudly, calling these claims false.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
In her presentation, Social Minister Karmen Joller claims that Moonika Helme transferred over 1000 euros to the account of an NGO fighting misinformation, and 2000 euros came from EKRE, whereupon Helme shouts: "That's a lie!"
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The statement emphasizes that Helle-Moonika Helme can shout as much as she wants.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Karmen Joller encourages someone to shout "yes."
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi acknowledged the Minister’s balanced presentation, invited the submission of clarifying questions and dissenting opinions, and requested silence in the hall, allowing the Minister to continue. Following this, there will be a round of questions and discussions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi attempted to quell the prevailing noise and accusations in the chamber. He praised the minister's presentation as balanced and admonished his colleagues to wait for the question-and-discussion round to voice their disagreements, while simultaneously apologizing to the minister for the disturbance.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The decision was made at the meeting.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Helle-Moonika Helme, but was forced to call Mart Helme to order after his sharp interjection (in which he accused someone of lying), stressing that any clarifications must be presented in the form of questions or official statements.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi, the Deputy Chairman, invited Helle-Moonika Helme to speak. Mart Helme shouted, and it was said that he could clarify the matter with questions and make statements.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller backed up her claim with a court ruling, offering to send it as evidence, and responded to Mart Helme’s interjection from the floor with an emphatic affirmative ("Oli-oli").
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller says that she can send the court ruling, and at the same time Mart Helme is heard saying something.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi repeatedly had to call Mart Helme to order, as Helme was disrupting the minister's measured presentation with constant interjections. Kivimägi apologized to the minister for the resulting commotion, emphasizing that objections must be raised at the procedurally correct time—either during the round of questions or the debate—and not by disrupting the chamber.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi called for silence in the chamber, stressed the Minister's balanced presentation, and announced that objections could be raised during the Q&A session, adding that the press and the public would be able to judge who was right after the session concluded.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller expressed satisfaction that the pseudo-medicine conference had left the Riigikogu building, stressing that only the truth should be heard from the podium, and reaffirmed her commitment to Estonian security and the fight against populist forces and purveyors of misinformation, while simultaneously criticizing the rudeness and funding issues of her opponents. Regarding healthcare, she promised to guarantee transparent funding for the system, ensuring that the people of Estonia receive timely, quality assistance and that every taxpayer's euro is used for the benefit of the public.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller stressed that Estonia's security is crucial, and the funding for the healthcare and social system must be transparent. Furthermore, aid must be timely, high-quality, and delivered where it is needed. She also noted that changes will not happen overnight because the system is large, adding that she entered politics specifically to combat populism and disinformation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker thanks the assembly and opens the floor for questions, inviting Mart Maastik to respond.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik is criticizing the contradictions between the Minister and the Supervisory Board of the Health Insurance Fund: although they speak of saving money and exercising moderation, the management was approved a bonus equivalent to 2.5 times their salary, and he asks how this aligns with their rhetoric.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik accuses the minister, who also chairs the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) council, of hypocrisy: although the minister publicly advocates for austerity and preventing the reckless pouring in of money, he himself voted in favor of awarding the management of the catastrophically struggling Health Insurance Fund a bonus equivalent to 2.5 times their salary. Maastik questioned how such "lavish rewarding" aligns with the minister's public statements.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller justified the payment of the Health Insurance Fund's performance bonus by explaining that the scorecard—which had been agreed upon with the previous minister and assessed as extremely well fulfilled by the audit committee led by an opposition representative—did not provide any legal or factual possibility for refusal. However, she stressed that the council's vote limited the payment to a double salary, and she demanded in the minutes that the scorecard be reviewed and future expenditures be carefully reduced, while simultaneously acknowledging the management's slip-ups.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller said that the six-member council's decision was based on the Health Insurance Fund's scorecard, and that, according to the audit committee's assessment, the objectives have been met. The council determined that they were worth a double official salary, but not a triple or quadruple one. The management promised to address the financial component, and that the scorecard must be reviewed and expenditures reduced going forward.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Ants Frosch is invited onto the stage at the beginning of the address.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch addressed the minister (who is also a doctor), referencing his ethical background and the Hippocratic Oath. He asked directly what kind of event would need to occur within the minister's area of responsibility for him to take political responsibility and resign, noting that such cases have rarely occurred in Estonia.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch asks the minister when and under what conditions the minister himself should take political responsibility and resign, linking this to the context of the Hippocratic Oath in medical ethics.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller stressed that she has taken responsibility, is tackling the problems, is protecting the Republic of Estonia and taxpayers' money, and will continue to deliver on her promises, noting that responsibility is vital to her and she has no intention of backing down.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller emphasizes that she has taken responsibility to protect taxpayer money and fulfill her promises, adding that resignation would be an easy escape, and she prefers the minister's fast routine, similar to a family doctor's pace, over the calmer work of the Riigikogu.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme is asking where the responsibility lies for the breach of allied relations and the damage to Estonia's reputation, citing RFK Jr.'s withdrawal from the conference in Estonia following his defamatory and fact-distorting remarks.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme sharply criticized the addressee for their irresponsibility and their reality-detached narratives, demanding an explanation as to what the addressee’s responsibility entails regarding the breach of allied relations and the damage done to Estonia’s reputation. This demand follows the refusal of a member of the United States government (RFK Jr.) to attend a conference in Estonia, a decision resulting from the addressee’s slanderous and fact-twisting remarks.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Martin Helme is invited to speak.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
He stressed that the constitution guarantees freedom of speech and allows for diverse opinions within the walls of the Riigikogu. While the conference's effect on Estonia's image must be considered, if a politician causes an uproar among the public, they can always withdraw. He doesn't support the views of the US minister, but he respects him as a minister and believes that Estonian–US relations cannot be damaged quickly.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller, who is a doctor, explains that her appeal to the Riigikogu Board only concerned the question of whether organizing the conference would damage Estonia’s reputation, after which a public storm erupted. She believes that it is reasonable for politicians to step aside in such a situation, while simultaneously emphasizing that she respects the individual in question but does not support their views, precisely because she is a doctor.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart is criticizing the minister, in his role as Chairman of the Health Insurance Fund's supervisory board, for the way funds are being used. She highlights that roughly half a million euros has been spent this year on events and training, and she asks why the board justifies this spending and why more detailed information regarding operational costs has not been presented.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart is criticizing the minister—who, as chairman of the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) council, is responsible for the institution’s operations—for failing to demand more detailed information regarding Tervisekassa’s operating expenses. She points out that nearly half a million euros were spent over the year on various events and team-building training sessions, and questions why the council considers this kind of use of taxpayer money acceptable.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller believes it is easy to blame a minister who has only been in office for a short time for the Health Insurance Fund’s traditional expenditures—which have now reached the media—especially since the internal control of these expenditures is not among the council’s duties. She adds that although she had planned to raise the issue at the council meeting, the head of the Health Insurance Fund himself admitted overstepping boundaries and took responsibility.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller asserts that the accusations leveled against the minister are convenient, arguing that the training sessions and events were traditional and had been held previously, and that the council is not qualified to assess the costs of internal procedures. Furthermore, although she had planned to raise the issues concerning healthcare premises and summer events at the August 22 council meeting, the situation developed independently, and the head of the Health Insurance Fund admitted to overstepping boundaries and accepted responsibility.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Mart Helme to speak.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme accuses his opponents of attempting to dictate the work of the parliament, describing it as unacceptable, brazen tyranny, and calls for their resignation.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme dismisses the opposition's optimistic talk about plans for improving healthcare as empty mirages, emphasizing the genuinely poor state of affairs. However, he directs his main accusation at the opponent's brazen attempt to dictate the actions of the parliamentarians, calling this an abuse of their position and absolute tyranny.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi confined his address to just a brief and courteous expression of thanks.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme demanded the addressee's immediate resignation, accusing him of unacceptable conduct in his role as a parliamentary contractor.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi expressed his thanks in a brief address.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Stressing the shortcomings of the medical system, Social Minister Karmen Joller confirms that the majority of family doctors are dedicated to providing assistance, highlights the potential effect of the events that took place within the Riigikogu premises on Estonia's reputation, and thanks the silent majority of Estonians who have finally begun to engage in evidence-based discussion.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller praises family doctors, such as Madis Veskimägi, for their dedication in assisting patients and highlighting systemic shortcomings, and explains that her address to the Riigikogu Board only concerned the question of whether a certain event might damage Estonia's reputation, finally expressing satisfaction that the "silent majority," which values evidence-based discussion, has begun to make its voice heard.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech is a brief request directed to Anti Allas.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas is demanding the minister's resignation and clarification on the steps required within the Health Insurance Fund to restore public trust, end the societal rift, and ensure that aid is provided even to small children.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas states that even if the majority of the public is not demanding the minister’s resignation, it is absolutely essential that the minister swiftly clarifies the specific measures the Health Insurance Fund will take to restore confidence and halt the widening societal division stemming from issues with accessing support.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller introduced the Health Insurance Fund’s extensive package of reform plans, aimed at improving treatment for patients with chronic diseases, reducing avoidable visits, and saving millions of euros. This will be achieved by implementing a digital dashboard for family doctors, integrating patient and functional assessments into the information system, adopting results-based funding, and transitioning to strategic service purchasing. The goal is to ensure residents have access to necessary services close to home and to shift the system’s focus from funding procedures to funding treatment outcomes, thereby preventing an internal "arms race" among hospitals.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The presentation outlines the development of the Health Insurance Fund's digital dashboard for primary care centers, incorporating patient feedback and performance-based funding. This approach focuses special monitoring on patients with multiple diagnoses, reduces the necessity for emergency room visits and hospitalization, and utilizes strategic purchasing alongside local, community-based services, leading to substantial annual savings.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Anti Poolamets to speak.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets accuses the minister of outright lying and threatening the Riigikogu, stressing that the Reform Party's attack on freedom of speech and scientific freedom was what forced the US Secretary of Health to cancel his trip to Estonia, thereby causing serious damage to Estonia-US relations, and demands a written apology from the minister.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets accuses the government and the Reform Party of lying, threatening, and restricting freedom of speech and academic freedom, claiming that this has led to the cancellation of the US Health Minister's participation and damaged Estonian–US relations, and he demands a written apology from them.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller flatly denies the accusations of threatening members of the Riigikogu. She emphasizes that her sole concern was whether holding the controversial conference—given that the Estonian public is aware of the speakers' backgrounds—would damage the country's reputation. Furthermore, she sharply criticizes her opponents' use of free speech, which she argues is fanning the flames and inciting their followers to send her death wishes and threatening letters, deeming such sowing of hatred unethical.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller stated that a conference held on the premises of the Riigikogu (Parliament) could damage Estonia's reputation, emphasized freedom of speech, and confirmed that she was not threatening anyone, but condemned hatred, incitement, and the spread of threats on social media.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asks Peeter Ernits to pose his question and notes that the chamber is noisy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi, who was chairing the session, granted Peeter Ernits leave to pose his question, simultaneously asking his colleagues in the hall to maintain order and ensure Ernits could speak undisturbed.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller is ready to answer.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited Peeter Ernits to speak.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits wanted to know when the appropriate time to start was, requesting permission or a signal for it.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits is asking when he can start.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi grants permission to begin and apologizes for the 15-second delay.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits started by criticizing the minister’s arrogant behavior, which he believes has caused the prime minister’s party’s support to plummet. He then transitioned to pointed questions regarding the minister’s role in approving the 20,000-euro bonus granted to Rain Laane, the head of the Health Insurance Fund, demanding clarification on whether sums many times larger were also under discussion and what the minister’s personal initiative was in reaching that decision.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits criticized the minister's arrogance, claiming that it damages the reputation of the prime minister's party, and raised questions about the giving of a 20,000-euro gift to the head of the Health Insurance Fund and the minister's role in the discussions regarding Rain Laane's decisions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi expresses his thanks.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller explained that although she struggled with the decision and was ultimately outvoted, the double bonus was allowed to remain in force. This was because agreements made retroactively could not be altered, and the assessment from the legal team and the audit committee stipulated that the bonus should continue for motivational purposes.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller admitted that the bonus decision was difficult and unfair, but because she remained in the minority on the council, and consulting with lawyers revealed that the agreements made could not be changed retroactively, the double bonus was awarded as a legal obligation, based on the audit committee’s assessment and the desire to motivate the management board to make better decisions going forward.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi addressed the head of the EKRE faction, requesting that he contact Rain Epler, who is not currently in the chamber, so that Epler could present his question at the appropriate time, since absent colleagues tend to miscalculate the timing of the queue.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asks the head of the EKRE faction to try and contact Rain Epler so that he can pose his question, even though the time for it has actually already come, and then brings up Varro Vooglaid's procedural question.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid raised a strictly procedural question regarding his absent colleague, Rain, who is unable to withdraw his own question from the agenda, and requested clarification from the management as to whether he was authorized to touch another member's console in order to perform that action on his behalf.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid raises a very strict procedural question about whether he is allowed to touch another person's console and press a button to withdraw something.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that from now on, no operations are allowed to be performed at another person's console, and one must only work at their own station, even though the previous incident was handled well.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi set a rule for the future: although the previous incident was resolved without issue and was not grounds for complaint, in principle, no one is permitted to use or perform operations at another person's console, only their own, unless the operator does so based on the speaker's specific decision or request.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman criticizes Karmen Joller, emphasizing that she and Lea Danilson-Järg have pursued evidence-based population policy, and she questions what truly qualifies as evidence-based.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman corrected Minister Karmen, accusing her of hypocrisy regarding the incitement of people on social media ("the pot calling the kettle black"). Solman also criticized Karmen for the inconsistent handling of the issue of evidence-based policy, pointing out that the minister had previously deemed family policy, which was based on the recommendations of the very same demographers, to be non-scientific, but now considers those same conclusions to be evidence-based.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi confined himself to a brief expression of thanks, merely saying, "Thank you!"
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman challenged the assertion Karmen Joller had declared evidence-based, requiring clarification on the criteria that differentiate the evidence-based from the non-evidence-based.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
It was a short thank you.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman asks whether the Reform Party's claims are truly science-based.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks Riina.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman uses a rhetorical question to cast doubt on whether the matter at hand is actually the work of the same scientists and other individuals, suggesting a possible contradiction or denial.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He asks whether this is the work of the same scientists or the work of entirely different people.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister Karmen Joller stressed the importance of evidence-based policy and the analyses that had been carried out, recalled the painful decisions made when reducing benefits, and affirmed that they share a common goal: to protect the Estonian people, culture, and language, and to realistically implement sound family policy proposals together.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller publicly justifies the previous painful decision to cut family benefits by citing the state's fiscal constraints. She stressed that while the goal of population policy—preserving the Estonian nation—is shared by everyone, political choices must be grounded in scientific evidence, a principle also highlighted by experts who had warned against such sharp increases and decreases in benefits. The focus must now shift to implementing family policy measures based on new, comprehensive analyses.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme reproaches the minister facing a vote of no confidence for the staggering admission of failing to do the work while simultaneously accepting a salary, and sharply criticizes the evasion of responsibility. She emphasizes that political responsibility means resigning when corruption or mismanagement comes to light, rather than desperately clinging to the seat tooth and nail under the pretext that things must be put in order.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme criticizes the testimony of the minister facing a vote of no confidence regarding their resignation. She emphasizes the need to take responsibility and warns against legislative amendments concerning children's bodily autonomy, specifically the sharp reduction of parental decision-making rights and mandatory vaccination.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi concluded his address with a brief word of thanks.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme is demanding explanations from the government regarding the planned legislative amendments concerning the mandatory vaccination of children and the removal of parents' right to decide on their children's bodily integrity, stressing the need to inform the Estonian people about this.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi briefly expressed his thanks and addressed Helle-Moonika by name.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Karmen Joller emphasized the importance of taking responsibility, confirmed that there are no plans to change parents' decision-making rights in healthcare, and highlighted the child's right to decide about their own body, the necessity of listening to parents, and adherence to the principles of humane medicine.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller defended her work in the Estonian Parliament, particularly in the social and healthcare sectors, stressing that she is neither afraid of responsibility nor clinging to her position. She further confirmed that there are no plans to alter the decision-making rights of parents regarding healthcare procedures (including vaccination). Instead, based on the principle of humane medicine, they will continue to ensure the age-appropriate involvement of the child and respect for their bodily integrity, even if this conflicts with the parent’s wishes, because the child has a constitutional right to their own body.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asks for Reili Rand to be called upon to speak.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand asks the minister what his vision is and what concrete steps need to be taken to ensure that the only institution providing 24/7 medical care for the residents of Hiiumaa island remains sustainable, considering both funding and the shortage of healthcare professionals.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand is asking the minister, who visited the Hiiumaa hospital and family doctors in August, to present his/her vision and specific plans for ensuring the sustainability of the island's only 24-hour medical care provider, taking into account both funding and the deepening shortage of healthcare professionals.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller tackled one of the most pressing issues in Estonian healthcare—staff shortages in peripheral regions like Hiiumaa, where the local hospital remains operational solely through budget-based funding. She stressed the necessity of guaranteeing residents access to frequently required medical care, such as general practitioner services and specific types of chemotherapy, as close to their homes as possible. Furthermore, she promised that the ministry would present a vision for solutions by the end of the year, based on an analysis of strategic purchasing and service packages, while also taking into account the aging general practitioner workforce throughout Estonia.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The speaker highlighted the shortage of personnel in Estonian healthcare, especially in isolated regions, and presented a plan to analyze separate service packages for each hospital and use strategic purchasing to ensure accessible medical care. For example, in the case of Hiiumaa Hospital, this would involve combining budget-based and service-based funding while focusing on cancer treatment and family doctor services. However, a solution is still lacking, and a comprehensive vision should be finalized by the end of the year.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a request addressed to Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid supports the motion of no confidence, adding a fifth, particularly crucial point: the minister, who is accustomed to labeling dissenters as ‘uhuus’ (crazies/nutjobs), was himself engaged in propaganda lacking any scientific basis during the COVID era, creating a narrative about the safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines that later proved to be inaccurate. Therefore, the speaker questions whether such an individual is fit to serve as Minister of Health.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
In the motion of no confidence, Varro Vooglaid accuses the respondent of frequently rebuking different ways of thinking, spreading 'woo-woo' and nonsense, and asserting the safety and efficacy of COVID vaccines without any scientific foundation—claims that subsequently turned out to be false. Therefore, he is unfit to serve as Minister of Health.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller explains that she is not reprimanding those who think differently, but rather those who spread malicious misinformation with the aim of manipulating vulnerable people for personal gain. She emphasizes her unwavering support for evidence-based medicine, citing the Scientific Advisory Council during the COVID-19 pandemic and studies that confirm the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing severe illness. She also notes that medicine can never guarantee complete protection or solutions without side effects, given that human organisms vary, and such a guarantee would go against the laws of nature.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The Minister of Social Affairs, Karmen Joller, stated that she is not reprimanding dissenters, but rather those who disseminate false information and manipulate vulnerable individuals. She stressed the critical importance of evidence-based medicine and the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, and urged people to refrain from spreading misinformation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi called upon Arvo Aller.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller accuses the session chairman of spreading misinformation and receiving payment for vaccinations during the COVID era, thereby questioning his ability to achieve results within six months. Furthermore, he sharply criticizes the cancellation of the US Secretary of Health's attendance at the conference, asking when an apology is planned to be sent to the US cabinet member, especially considering the simultaneous prioritization of improving relations with the Lithuanian minister.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller stressed the importance of not spreading misinformation and asked when he plans to send an apology or a letter to the US Health Minister concerning the inconsistencies that had emerged over the past six months, the content of the conference's opening speech regarding the US Health Minister, and the comments made by the Lithuanian minister.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller stated that bonuses were paid for vaccinations and that the overtime workload for doctors and nurses was significant. She emphasized the importance of the fundamentals of scientific thinking and affirmed that the misinformation circulating at the conference should not harm Estonia's reputation or its relations with other countries. This is despite the fact that she does not agree with all the views held by the US Health Secretary, though she does support his stance on healthy living.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller defended the payments made to healthcare workers for the enormous additional work related to vaccination, viewing the overtime bonus as a way to prevent exploitation, and explained that her ability to assess scientific credibility is based on long-term medical experience. She affirmed that neither criticizing the conference nor her disagreements with the US Health Minister (whom she credits with promoting healthy lifestyles) would damage Estonia’s relations with Lithuania or the USA, emphasizing that she does not need to apologize because she has not offended anyone.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asks Ants Frosch to come forward.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch stresses the importance of political accountability and asks what kind of hypothetical event, and its magnitude, would compel a minister to relinquish that position.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch returns to the topic of political accountability, asking the minister to clarify what specific chain of events or scope within his area of responsibility would compel him, based on his previous promise, to resign—or, in other words, to relinquish his post.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller confirmed that she is not clinging to her post and is prepared to take responsibility and resign should her actions harm the people of Estonia, while stressing that her medical background provides her with sufficient knowledge to reform the processes and funding of the healthcare and and social systems in order to achieve better results and assist those in need.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
He confirms that he is ready to take responsibility and, if necessary, step down and let someone else do the job better. He emphasizes that Estonia needs different leaders at different times, and thanks to his medical experience, he understands the healthcare and social system, as well as how to change processes and funding to achieve better results.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Martin Helme is invited to speak.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme accuses the addressee of being the most intolerant and aggressive spreader of COVID misinformation in Estonia, claiming they built their narrative on lies, concealed vaccine side effects, suppressed the truth about the Wuhan lab origin, and are still organizing a witch hunt five years later, which disqualifies them both as a doctor and as a minister.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme accuses others of spreading COVID-19 related misinformation, claiming that the "corona narrative" and associated claims (such as the concealment of vaccine side effects and the Wuhan lab origin theory) have subsequently proven true, and that the pressure directed against them in the Riigikogu (Parliament) disqualifies them from serving as a doctor and as a minister.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
At the end of his address, Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi briefly and specifically expressed his thanks.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme poses a sharp, condemning rhetorical question to the listener, deeply questioning how they even manage to cope with their actions and their very being.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller stated that she did not organize a witch hunt and stands firmly for evidence-based medicine. She condemned misinformation—especially regarding ivermectin—and confirmed that ivermectin does not treat COVID-19 or other diseases, adding that she will not remain neutral toward those who spread lies for political gain.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller is defending her right to free expression, rejecting accusations of a witch hunt, and sharply criticizing the opposing side for ignoring evidence-based medicine and promoting medical misinformation, such as ivermectin. She stressed that she cannot remain neutral toward those who disseminate false information for political gain.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Priit Sibul to speak.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul criticizes the payment of performance bonuses to the management and employees of the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa)—payments which the minister reportedly had to make due to a legal decision—and asks the minister whether, having been in office for over half a year, he has ever reviewed the goals of the Tervisekassa performance scorecard to prevent similar excessive payouts next year, in addition to inquiring about the minister’s general stance on the reasonableness of performance bonuses in the public sector.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul asks the minister how frequently the Health Insurance Fund’s current year performance scorecard has been reviewed, whether the established goals are reasonable, and whether such a performance-based pay system in the public sector is justifiable at all.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller is tackling the issue of performance pay in the public sector, primarily focusing on the performance scorecards used by the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa). She criticized these scorecards for their lack of ambition and their excessive focus on activities (or "piecework") rather than genuine healthcare outcomes. Although the minister’s plan to completely overhaul the scorecards was abandoned following a change in leadership, the council has since established clear expectations for Tervisekassa’s new management board, aimed at improving both the management culture and overall performance.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller stated that the ambitions set out in public sector performance scorecards must be reviewed and actual outcomes need to be better directed. While the scorecard itself will not be altered this year, clear expectations will be given to the management board and employees of the Health Insurance Fund, with the hope of improving cooperation and management culture within the healthcare sector.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticizes the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa), alleging the waste of taxpayer money. She points out that despite layoffs, the salary fund has grown by one million euros, and the institution opted for a costly A-class office building in central Tallinn, placing luxury, training, and team events above fiscal prudence and saving taxpayer money.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Kovalenko-Kõlvart’s speech criticizes the expenditures of the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa): although employees have been laid off, the wage bill has increased and the board’s salary is high; the office space in the center of Tallinn is very expensive; furthermore, the management’s explanation emphasized preferences and a low carbon footprint, rather than savings for the taxpayer, raising the question of whether continuous training, team events, celebrations, and luxurious office space are truly essential.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart raises the question of why the state does not have concrete incentive packages for representatives of essential professions, such as rescuers and teachers, to maintain their dedication and motivation.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart asks why we lack motivation packages designed to maintain motivation, and why they are not offered, for example, to rescuers or teachers.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller emphasizes the necessity of recognizing Tervisekassa employees and maintaining team spirit, but calls into question the efficiency of expenditures, pointing to the increase in the wage fund and the potential for better utilization of operating costs. She also expresses hope that the new manager will review the organizational culture and methods of recognition so that they do not violate the public's sense of fairness.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Karmen Joller emphasized the importance of maintaining training and team spirit, noted the Health Insurance Fund's low operating costs and the need to utilize those expenditures more effectively, and stressed that the new head must review these issues and fairly recognize employees and all Estonian people.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticizes the funding of the Health Insurance Fund and the lack of a sense of social justice, highlighting the worsening accessibility of medical care. He cites Eurostat data showing that 12.8% of people declined medical services in 2023, and 15.5% based on 2024 figures, and asks how this problem can be solved.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The talk is merely a request to invite Lauri Laats to speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats sharply criticizes the lack of social justice and the failure of the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa), noting that while the state raised taxes, it failed to deliver on promised savings. He also draws attention to the catastrophic deterioration in the availability of medical services, citing Eurostat data which shows that 15.5% of people forwent medical care in 2024, making Estonia the worst performer in Europe.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller notes that trust in the healthcare system has declined due to poor accessibility and increasing workload, which unfairly forces people to turn to private medicine. She emphasizes the need to establish a quality system, review the healthcare network and funding, by linking Parliament’s funding decisions to concrete results, in order to ensure people’s access to medical care and prevent them from foregoing necessary services.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Trust in the healthcare system has fallen because access to doctors and nurses has deteriorated, and the workload and staff shortages have increased; therefore, quality, the healthcare network, and funding must be improved, and it must be ensured that additional funding allows people to receive medical care, rather than forcing them into private medicine.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech is simply a request to invite Anti Poolametsa to speak.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets reproaches the individual in question, stating that through their actions, they have become a symbol of attacks against freedom of speech and academic freedom, causing a sharp diplomatic conflict between Estonia and the US, emphasizing that all those who silently supported this situation are also responsible, and concluding with a provocative question regarding the labeling of the US official as an idiot.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets accuses the representative of the opposing side of attacking freedom of speech and academic freedom, and claims that the threats made against the conference, the subsequent silence, and the politicians who supported you have caused a diplomatic conflict between Estonia and the USA.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets stresses that the respondent has to apologize because he has never answered the three questions.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets pressures the listener to apologize, reproaching them for not having received an answer to the question despite repeating it three times.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi confined himself to a brief word of thanks, essentially concluding his address almost immediately after starting.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller apologized for the use of one word and stressed that freedom of speech and academic freedom still exist in Estonia, and discussions can take place.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller apologizes for a previous instance of inappropriate language, offering alternative phrases such as "spreader of pseudo-sciences." However, she simultaneously stresses that freedom of speech and scientific inquiry remain fully intact in Estonia, asserting that this high level of freedom is precisely what enables the current discussions, while categorically denying accusations of restricting these freedoms.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Peeter Ernits to speak.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits criticizes the minister for arrogant behavior and approach, and demands his resignation, citing the scandals involving his party colleagues (golden faucets and castle parties) as sufficient grounds, and pointing to the honest conduct of former minister Signe Kivi in a similar situation as an example.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits criticizes the minister's arrogance and inappropriate behavior, points to the example set by Signe Kivi, and asks why the minister is not resigning due to the scandals stemming from their opulent lifestyle and castle parties.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi concluded his brief address by expressing his thanks.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits posed a direct and critical question, demanding an explanation as to why the specific practice has been left unimplemented.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller rejects accusations of arrogance, explaining that she is defending self-assurance and evidence-based knowledge, rather than being haughty or overbearing, and affirms her goal to bring changes to the healthcare system by halting the irresponsible use of taxpayer money, stressing that resignation would be too easy a solution at this time.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
In her presentation, Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller emphasized that her confidence stems from science and evidence-based principles, and that this is not arrogance, but rather a desire to continue healthcare system reforms, protect freedom of speech, and maintain control over taxpayer money in order to help the people of Estonia. She added that she does not view resignation as an easy solution.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi confined himself to just a brief expression of thanks, concluding his remarks immediately.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller stressed that her actions are necessary so that genuinely beneficial initiatives for the people of Estonia can be implemented.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker thanks everyone and now gives the floor to Helle-Moonika Helme.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In her presentation, Helle-Moonika Helme stresses that the decision regarding vaccination rests solely with the parent, and doctors must not attempt to persuade the child; the responsibility lies with the parents, and such legislation must not be introduced here. Furthermore, she addresses the issue of legalizing assisted suicide and euthanasia, pointing out that in countries where these practices are permitted, the proportion of deaths is increasing and psychological factors are playing a significant role. Finally, she asks whether or not such laws are going to be implemented.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme sharply criticizes the delegation of vaccination decision-making authority to the child, emphasizing that legal responsibility and the right to decide must remain with the parent, not the doctor. She continues by issuing a warning against plans to legalize assisted suicide, citing statistics that show a continuous increase in the proportion of euthanasia cases in countries where it has been legalized, including those based on psychological reasons and among young people.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Since the constitution guarantees physical integrity and the right to health, and no new legislation is required, the Riigikogu must comprehensively debate the question of regulating assisted suicide, involving Moonika Helme and other stakeholders—and her opinion is welcome.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi concluded his address with a brief and specific thank you.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme drew attention to an alarming situation where, in certain countries, people are offered the option of euthanasia due to confusion related to their developmental stage.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi concluded his presentation with a brief word of thanks, thereby expressing his gratitude.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme raised the topic of legalizing assisted suicide, noting that only time will tell who has spread misinformation during the course of this debate.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi confined himself to an extremely brief statement, which consisted solely of an expression of gratitude.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller explains that a child's right to bodily integrity and health is a fundamental right clearly stipulated in the Constitution and has been in force for a long time—it is not a new law—and refutes claims regarding the spreading of misinformation. She also stresses that the task assigned by the Supreme Court to regulate assisted suicide requires a broad and inclusive discussion, where the opinions of opponents are also welcome.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Riina Solman, inviting her to the podium.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a brief request for Riina Solman to speak.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman is raising the issue of family policy, criticizing the minister because the 2026 budget includes no planned measures whatsoever to support families facing severe financial hardship. She specifically demands the reinstatement of the arbitrarily withdrawn 101,000-euro subsidy for extracurricular activities, which was intended for large families (starting with the fourth child) and supported rural regions.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman stresses that the 2026 budget lacks measures related to families, and calls for the reinstatement of the hobby group allowance for large families (101,000 euros) and the draft legislation that would increase both the general child allowance and support for large families, so that the state sends a clear signal of support to families and children.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller gave an overview of the government's family policy measures, which are aimed at supporting families with children and people with average incomes, highlighting the car tax benefit per child, the elimination of the tax hump—which leaves nearly 100 euros more in the hands of the average wage earner—and the improvement of housing affordability through the use of the second pension pillar as collateral and the reduction of construction bureaucracy, in addition to the promise to raise subsistence benefits for the most vulnerable families.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Next year, the state budget priorities will focus on families, especially those with children. These include a car tax benefit and approximately 100 euros in additional income per child, and a reduction in the tax burden, which will result in about 100 euros more take-home pay monthly for those earning the average salary. Furthermore, to facilitate home purchases for young families, second pillar pension funds can be used as collateral for home loans. Other measures include a bill to reduce bureaucracy and lower housing costs, and an increase in the subsistence benefit. The government intends to implement these recommendations gradually and welcomes cooperation and advice.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Varro Vooglaid to speak.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid accuses his opponent of spreading misinformation, exposes his contradictions, and highlights that the opponent has justified the vaccination of children without parental consent. Simultaneously, during the COVID period, he advocated for a dictatorial program that prevented servicemen and other personnel in service from making decisions about their own bodies.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid levels a sharp accusation of hypocrisy against the addressee, demanding a fact-check regarding the extent of safety studies conducted on coronavirus vaccines. He further criticizes the attainment of political success achieved by spreading misinformation and slams the contradictory position taken on bodily autonomy, highlighting how the right of children to make their own decisions was justified, even as the right of adults—including representatives of law enforcement agencies—to decide over their own bodies was suppressed during the COVID period.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller is defending her actions against accusations of spreading misinformation, stressing that she strictly adheres to evidence-based healthcare and the classical methodology for evaluating scientific studies, since scientific facts are independent of opinions. She also confirms that mandatory vaccination has not been implemented in Estonia, referencing the constitution, which prohibits forced medical intervention on children. However, she concedes that during the COVID period, applying pressure was unavoidable for certain professions, similar to other civilized nations.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
In her presentation, Social Minister Karmen Joller emphasizes that evidence-based healthcare is founded on scientific facts and therefore cannot be treated as misinformation. She affirms the right of parents not to be subject to mandatory vaccination, and confirms that there has been no mandatory vaccination in Estonia, even though the times brought pressure and mandatory vaccination was implemented in some other countries.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called upon Evelin Poolamets to speak.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets thanked the audience and had barely managed to mention the topic of pressure when her address was interrupted due to the noise that erupted in the hall.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets offered her thanks and spoke about the exertion of pressure.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller apologized and said that she could not hear the question.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets addresses Karmel Joller’s criticism regarding WHO European Director Hans Kluge’s visit to Russia. She highlights his simultaneous reliance on WHO recommendations and questions how this contradiction should be resolved, and when Estonia can adopt WHO positions as a binding and trustworthy foundation.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets is asking Karmen Joller to explain the contradiction that arises in her activities: on the one hand, she relies on the authoritative recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) when shaping the country's health policy, but on the other hand, she expresses deep indignation and sharply criticizes the visit of WHO European Director Hans Kluge to Russia, deeming it to be legitimizing the Russian regime.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi confined himself to a brief word of thanks.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets questions the universal binding nature and reliability of the World Health Organization's (WHO) positions, asking under what conditions their recommendations should be treated as an unshakeable foundation and when they should not.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister Karmen Joller stated that she was not criticizing Hans Kluge’s visit, but rather criticizing his meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister, emphasizing the European Union's position not to legitimize the Russian leadership. She praised the WHO's contribution to the Estonian healthcare system and said that the mistake of one staff member does not invalidate the WHO, and that they will continue cooperation following Kluge’s apology, while simultaneously stressing that attacking hospitals is completely inappropriate and that schools and kindergartens must not be targeted.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller explains that her criticism was not aimed at the healthcare-related visit of World Health Organization head Hans Kluge to Russia, but rather at his meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister, which grants unwanted legitimacy to the leadership responsible for war crimes and the aggression against Ukraine. The speaker emphasizes that European Union heads of state have avoided such meetings precisely to prevent this legitimization, and although Kluge later apologized for his error and acknowledged it, this does not justify recognizing a regime responsible for the suffering of millions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi submitted a technical request to temporarily remove Rain Epler’s name from the queue of questioners and permit him to re-register later. Helle-Moonika Helme responded to this, and following that, Aivar Kokk was called upon.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi submitted a technical request that Rain Epler’s name be removed from the top of the list of questioners, as he was once again listed first. Kivimägi expressed ironic concern regarding Epler’s workload and thanked Helle-Moonika Helme for her generous agreement, after which the floor was yielded to the next speaker.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk sharply criticizes the minister for continuing as the chairman of the Health Insurance Fund council, emphasizing that the council is responsible for a serious blunder, given that members were unaware of crucial decisions, such as relocations—a situation that points to a major management failure. He also warns the minister against implementing repetitive political solutions that are unfavorable to the electorate.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk criticizes the minister, particularly focusing on his role as chairman of the Health Insurance Fund council. He states that as long as the council continues its work, he is unwilling to approve the situation, adding that if the council were to step down, he would not be present in the chamber. Furthermore, he noted that he has previously sought answers regarding relocations and other issues.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech contained only a word of thanks.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk claims that all the council members should resign and elect new members.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk posed a rhetorical question, which essentially amounted to a demand that all current council members should resign so that a new and fresh composition could be elected.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller clarified the role of the Health Insurance Fund's council, emphasizing that the task of the members appointed by law is to set strategic directions, not to control daily operational expenditures. Consequently, they only learned about the controversial location choice retrospectively, even though management issues were planned to be put on the agenda should doubts arise, but the press managed to react before the council could.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The speaker explains that the members of the Health Insurance Fund’s council are appointed under the law, and they cannot simply be recalled; rather, the organizations themselves can recall their representative and propose a new one. The council’s role is to define strategic directions and the budget, and it does not handle day-to-day management. Furthermore, although doubts arose regarding the new location, I had planned to put those issues on the agenda, but the press reacted too quickly.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticizes the persistent shortcomings in healthcare—social and economic inequality, limited access to treatment, and labor shortages—which remain despite observations made by the WHO and the Estonian National Audit Office. He then asks the minister how deeply he has delved into the issue and why 15.5% of the population has opted out of using healthcare services.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticizes the minister, pointing out that while the minister praises the positions of the World Health Organization (WHO), he has ignored the deepening problems in Estonian healthcare highlighted by both the WHO and the National Audit Office—specifically social inequality, limited access to treatment, and labor shortages. Laats then asks directly why the minister has failed to seriously address these critical issues during his term in office.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Lauri Laats to ask his second question.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
During her presentation, Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller stressed that there is significant inequality in Estonian healthcare, noting that access to treatment is limited and quality standards are inconsistent. She argued that this necessitates a standard quality system for all healthcare institutions, which would guarantee consistent access to medical care and minimize the largest disparities.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller confirms that Estonian healthcare faces a serious issue regarding the unevenness of treatment accessibility and quality. This disparity, she notes, stems from the absence of a standardized quality system. She further emphasized that she assumed her ministerial post specifically with the aim of eliminating these systemic flaws and guaranteeing standard medical care for all citizens.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asked Priit Sibul to present his second question.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul asked the minister why the Health Insurance Fund's website states two and a half months for the 2024 performance bonuses, while the decision he signed only shows two months of official salary, and whether this is an error or a case of misinformation.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul is addressing the minister to draw attention to a discrepancy regarding the size of the performance bonuses allocated to the members of the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) board: the decision signed by the minister refers to two months' official salary, whereas the Tervisekassa website speaks of two and a half months' pay, demanding clarification on whether this constitutes an error or an inaccuracy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech is an expression of thanks.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul emphasizes that the remuneration for board members must be reviewed, and draws attention to the fact that the opposing party cited a legal connection which allegedly prevented the review of the fees.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
When determining the remuneration of board members, these are still reviewed, but you indicated that you are legally affiliated, which is why the review could not be carried out.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller initially confirmed that, based on the audit committee's assessment, the results agreed upon with the previous minister had been achieved. However, she then pointed out the mention of the 2.5-times remuneration, deeming it a mistake, and clarified that her signature was only for the double remuneration, while promising to verify the details.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller stated that the audit committee confirmed the achievement of results agreed upon with the previous minister, noted a potential error in the mention of the 2.5-times fee, and promised to look into the matter.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Kalle Grünthal.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal emphasizes that science and medicine are constantly evolving, citing the harms caused by thalidomide and Pandemrix, and asks the minister why he is not attending the conference and attempting to debunk the fake news with science-based evidence, but is instead shouting from the window.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal questions the scientific basis of the minister's approach, recalling historical medical errors (thalidomide, Pandemrix) and emphasizing that science is constantly evolving. He further criticizes the minister for being stuck in the initial pandemic narrative and for refusing to attend the conference to scientifically refute the objections raised there.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller emphasizes that science is evolving, and vaccination recommendations are adapting in light of new data (e.g., flu and COVID vaccines, and historical examples like thalidomide and Pandemrix), and vaccination is targeted at risk groups due to viral mutations. At the same time, she notes that she does not wish to engage in debates at conferences and respects differing viewpoints.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller explains that the scientific consensus is constantly shifting, particularly concerning rapidly mutating viruses such as COVID-19. Consequently, her own positions have evolved over time, aligning with the latest studies that highlight the importance of vaccination—especially for risk groups—in preventing severe disease. She also stresses the necessity of the flu vaccine for pregnant women and refuses to participate in a conference where narratives familiar and unacceptable to her will be presented, narratives she does not consider necessary to debate.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller is managing the sequence of questions and calls upon the next questioner, Vladimir Arhipov.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller, who is presiding over the session, is attempting to restore order by ringing a bell and naming specific individuals (like Poolamets and Arhipov). He is trying to guide the chaotic question period back toward a structured continuation.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov contests the minister's position regarding the insignificance of waiting lists, stressing that Estonian residents frequently wait more than six months to access specialist care. He harshly criticizes the situation where immediate access to a doctor in the same specialty is available simply by taking a paid appointment, and demands the minister provide clarification on this disparity.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov stresses that waiting lists are a significant issue for Estonians because the wait time for a specialist can exceed six months. People are frustrated that by paying for an appointment, they can secure a meeting tomorrow. He is asking for a comment explaining the context behind the length of these waiting lists.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Karmen Joller stressed that within the national system, people must be able to see the right doctor promptly. The length of the waiting list is only one metric of quality, because incorrect referrals and extended waiting periods cause harm, which can, in turn, prolong the period of incapacity for work.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller explains that a merely short waiting list does not guarantee the quality of treatment, citing examples where patients see the wrong specialist (estimated to be one-third of cases), which causes unnecessary delays and a worsening of their condition. Therefore, the solidarity-based national system must primarily ensure that aid is timely and appropriate—that problems requiring quick resolution are solved quickly—rather than simply ensuring that waiting lists are universally short, because the length of the queue is only one measure of quality.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller invited Helir-Valdor Seeder to speak.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder claims that the decisions made at the Health Insurance Fund under the previous minister—specifically the deficit, bonuses, and the restructuring of family benefits—require reconsideration. He then asks whether he has spoken to his predecessor, Signe Riisalo, and whether they even still belong to the same political party.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder criticizes the current minister, reproaching him/her for constantly distancing themselves from the problems and poor decisions inherited from predecessor Signe Riisalo—be they the Health Insurance Fund deficit, management bonuses, or unanalyzed cuts to family benefits. He notes ironically that while the minister is indeed forced to correct these errors, he/she nevertheless belongs to the same party, and questions why the minister has not discussed the background of these controversial decisions with the predecessor.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
In this address, Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller clarifies that she was misquoted concerning the Health Insurance Fund's performance scorecards and summer events. She affirms that these are internal affairs of the Health Insurance Fund and that the council focuses on strategy. Furthermore, she references questions regarding previous decisions and their impact, specifically within the context of family and pension benefits, the budget, and scientific recommendations.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller refuted misinformation regarding the Health Insurance Fund’s (Tervisekassa) scorecards and summer retreats, stressing that the council handles strategic management, not internal issues. She contrasted her results-oriented approach to healthcare funding with the previous minister’s method—who simply injected more money—now demanding clear accountability for what the state’s money achieves. Furthermore, she explained that cutting family benefits was a painful decision for the government, but unavoidable given the state's financial capacity at the time, despite researchers' recommendations concerning gradual increases and avoiding cuts altogether.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller asks Vadim Belobrovtsev to come.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In his presentation, Vadim Belobrovtsev noted that the Health Insurance Fund has a deficit exceeding 200 million, and this year there are plans to withdraw about 160 million from the reserve. According to forecasts, by 2040 the deficit could reach 1.2 billion (or 1.9 billion under the worst-case scenario), and he urged finding a vision for how to break out of this vicious circle, warning that otherwise, the reserves will run out and the state will face bankruptcy.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev drew the minister’s attention to the Health Insurance Fund’s (Tervisekassa) growing deficit, which runs into hundreds of millions and constantly forces the use of reserves. According to the Foresight Centre’s projections, this situation threatens to push the system to the brink of bankruptcy by 2040. In light of this, he asked the government for a clear vision on how to break free from this vicious circle.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller stated that the increase in costs stems primarily from wage expenses, the rising volume and number of medical services, and inflation, adding that the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) needs to conduct more detailed analyses of the cost components. Over a six-year period, the new budget makes it possible to save approximately 100 million euros annually, but while reallocating resources, the healthcare system must be maintained sustainably and access to aid must be guaranteed for the public.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller addressed concerns regarding the balancing of healthcare expenditures, noting that the primary drivers of cost growth are wages and the volume of medical services, the detailed analysis of which the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) has not sufficiently carried out to date. She emphasized that Tervisekassa must now present concrete proposals for resource reallocation to improve the budget position (which is more favorable under the new budget) and ensure the system's sustainability until 2028, while simultaneously prioritizing public access to assistance.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This address is simply an appeal and a request directed at Anti Allas.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas is requesting the minister's help to ensure that the South-Estonia Hospital can participate in fair competition and provide its ambulance service in the future, considering both the development plan for emergency medical services and the geopolitical situation.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas is raising concerns about the future of the South Estonian Hospital's ambulance service, stemming from a new development plan that calls for centralizing the service into just four regions. He stresses the hospital's critical role as a crisis hospital situated in a border area and requests that the minister guarantee them the chance to compete fairly to continue offering ambulance services.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The recently presented ambulance development plan emphasized that the existing system will not be dismantled, and preparation for crises will be based on the principle of comprehensive national defense, which encompasses the entire population, hospitals and other healthcare institutions, general practitioners, nursing homes, and pharmacies, and also involves volunteer rescuers and necessary resources, such as generators.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller stressed the importance of expediting the ambulance service development plan, while confirming that the existing, functioning ambulance system (which is hospital-based) will not be dismantled. She also explained that the Estonian healthcare system is actively preparing for crises, including military threats, within the framework of comprehensive national defense, involving all institutions in this process, from hospitals to pharmacies. Furthermore, she cited the provision of an electric generator to the South Estonian Hospital as an example of addressing regional needs.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller invites Jaak Valge to speak.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge expresses his gratitude, acknowledges the opposition's position and compelling argumentation, but stresses that the main priority is to see what is actually planned in terms of population policy, and requests a description of the subsequent steps and their timeline, based on the existing scientific analysis.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge, despite being an opposition MP, acknowledged the persuasiveness of the minister's arguments, but stressed that the truly decisive factor is what specific steps are planned and on what timeline they will be implemented in the field of population policy, requesting the minister to outline the subsequent actions based on scientific analysis.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller emphasizes the importance of respectful debate and promises a strategy for population policy, which will be compiled based on analysis, along with its timeline. She noted that the strategy is almost ready (expected next spring or even by the end of this year) and that she will inform the Social Affairs Committee and the public about it.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller thanked them for the kind words and emphasized the importance of respectful debate despite disagreements, while also confirming that, based on the analysis of population policy, the ministry intends to develop a strategy. The timeline for this strategy (either the end of this year or the spring of next year) is currently being finalized, and it will be presented to the Social Affairs Committee and the public.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller invites Aivar Kokk to take the floor.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk, who previously served on the council of the Health Insurance Fund, is criticizing the elimination of parliamentary supervision from that body. He highlights that this move has led to the unreasonable use of Health Insurance Fund money, specifically pointing to the payment of huge bonuses to the executives of major hospitals and investments in underutilized equipment and infrastructure, even as officials continue to claim there is a lack of funding.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk criticized the work of the Health Insurance Fund’s council, asserting that its purpose is to protect the interests of the owners—the public—but that the current situation indicates the opposite. He specifically highlighted the Christmas bonuses given to the executives of large hospitals, as well as loan and real estate investments that are not utilized 24/7.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller signaled that time was up, and then opened the floor for the question round.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk emphasizes that the council's sole task is to protect the interests of the owner, who is the Estonian people, and sharply criticizes the current council for failing to fulfill this fundamental obligation.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller confirmed that the Health Insurance Fund's council is addressing substantive issues and promised to discuss the proposal to include a representative of the opposition on the council. She emphasized that members should be experts with an economic mindset or those connected to healthcare. Additionally, she explained that although the Health Insurance Fund does not finance major investments, its money is used for the upkeep of equipment and buildings, which is why it is essential to ensure the optimal and, from the taxpayer's perspective, cost-effective use of expensive equipment.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
It was emphasized that the composition of the Health Insurance Fund's council (including the possibility of involving opposition representation) must be reviewed, and members must be economically minded and connected to healthcare. Furthermore, optimizing equipment investments and their utilization, as well as avoiding excessive and costly equipment, is a priority.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The presenter invites Aleksei Yevgrafov to the stage.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov presented the minister with a practical question, highlighting the need to train 1,000 additional doctors in Estonia by 2033, and asking directly whether the minister supports the Tartu University Hospital's proposal to increase the state order for medical training.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Speaker Aleksei Yevgrafov asks the minister whether Estonia will need a thousand more doctors by 2033, and whether he supports the Tartu clinic's proposal to increase the state commission for training doctors.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The state commission has been increased and could result in approximately 1,000 doctors, but the limiting factor is the lack of training positions. This is being addressed by the primary care staffing needs assessment model currently being developed under the HEROES project. This model can also be used for other specialties in the future, but its completion will take time—likely by the end of next year.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller confirms that the state order for doctors has been increased, but stresses that the primary limiting factor is teaching capacity and the availability of training facilities, which the University of Tartu is addressing. Meanwhile, the ministry is using the HEROES project to develop a model for assessing the need for primary care medical personnel, recognizing that this serious issue requires time.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller asked Kalle Grünthal to come forward and speak.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal accuses the minister of disseminating false information to the public regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccines, highlighting insufficient studies concerning the elderly, people with comorbidities, and carcinogenicity, and challenges the minister to attend a public debate to clarify the issue.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal’s challenge to the minister: Come to a televised debate on the topic of vaccine safety. We will turn the camera on for an hour, and we’ll see who prevails, because science cannot be based merely on opinion.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller emphasizes that science is consistent and that vaccines are safe, and that vaccination against COVID-19 is necessary for risk groups, helping to reduce severe illness and death.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The Minister of Social Affairs, Karmen Joller, rejects the premises of the debate, emphasizing that science is objective and unwavering, much like gravity, and that studies are only conducted when there is doubt, not concerning facts that are already established. She explains that drug safety studies proceed in several stages, including post-marketing surveillance, and confirms that the current scientific consensus dictates the necessity of COVID-19 vaccination for at-risk groups to prevent severe disease and death.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invited Evelin Poolamets to take the floor.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets poses a sharp question to the minister, pointing out a contradiction with science regarding the claim that a vaccinated doctor protects the patient, and demands an explanation as to why the minister links vaccination with the Christian duty to God, suggesting that the minister's answers lean toward the realm of pseudoscience.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets presented Minister Joller with a critical question: flu vaccination primarily protects the vaccinated person, not others, and her claims regarding vaccination being a religious obligation (as reported by Postimees) are contrary to science and point toward pseudoscience.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller explains the concept of herd immunity, noting that while vaccines reduce morbidity and the spread of disease, they do not guarantee 100% protection. She recommends vaccination, particularly for the sake of vulnerable loved ones, and stresses that Christianity and science can be mutually complementary.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller recommends vaccination, including the flu vaccine, explaining the principle of herd immunity—that vaccination protects others by reducing transmission, even though it is not absolute—and argues that protecting others is a fundamental Christian principle that does not conflict with science.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller calls Vladimir Arhipov.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov brings the discussion down to earth, focusing on the long medical waiting lists, and asks the minister to explain whether a six-month waiting period is actually the norm, especially considering that those needing help but lacking the funds for private medicine are clogging up Emergency Rooms. He concludes by asking how the government intends to untangle this complicated knot.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov expresses concern over the six-month waiting period and the effect of private healthcare on the system, questioning how such a setup can be considered normal and how the poor are supposed to access specialist doctors and the emergency room.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller emphasizes that through the e-consultation system used by general practitioners (GPs), the specialist assesses the urgency, provides advice, and, if necessary, arranges immediate assistance or an appointment, and the patient is contacted directly, which allows for rapid help and even a next-day procedure. Furthermore, this system is accessible and funded for all GPs, but Tervisekassa (the Health Insurance Fund) should implement it more broadly.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller, drawing on her experience as a family doctor, emphasizes that patients facing critical and dangerous health issues must receive faster assistance, whereas non-critical symptoms that have persisted for a long time require assessment by the family physician. She highlights the benefits of the e-consultation system, which allows the family doctor to send a description of the patient’s problem directly to a specialist. The specialist then determines the priority of the appointment and contacts the patient directly, thereby reducing unnecessary back-and-forth for patients and ensuring prompt help, even if their condition deteriorates. She questions why this effective and universally accessible solution is not being widely utilized.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller invites Andre Hanimägi to speak.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi expresses disappointment that immediately following the announcement of a smaller-than-expected budget deficit, politicians rushed to allocate the money for tax cuts. He asks the minister directly whether he intends, during negotiations, to demand that the surplus funds be directed toward covering the large deficit of the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa), which, in his estimation, is the priority "hole" that needs filling.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi asks whether the government is prepared to state that if additional funds become available, the priority must first be covering the Health Insurance Fund’s deficit, rather than prioritizing promises to reduce the car tax or income tax.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The presenter, Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller, noted that the funding for psychiatric assistance is opaque and the money is disappearing without knowing where it goes. She promised reforms in work organization and funding aimed at improving efficiency in order to utilize the funds better, and she hopes to gain clarity by next summer on exactly where it is disappearing.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller, a doctor by profession, is criticizing the current funding model because there is no clear understanding of exactly where the money is lacking. She cites psychiatric care as an example, noting that increasing funding there may not have improved outcomes. She stresses that the solution lies in making work organization and funding methods results-oriented so that existing money can be utilized more effectively. Furthermore, she promises to determine where the money is actually going by the end of next summer.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova is being invited to speak during the address.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
There are significant shortcomings in Estonian healthcare, particularly concerning cancer treatment, which the state does not reimburse. A cancer treatment foundation raises funds, but the state itself doesn't contribute, and 9% of the money collected is taken away as tax. The question is being asked whether this is just.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova drew the minister’s attention to the gaps in healthcare, especially cancer treatment, emphasizing that the state contributes not a single cent to the cancer treatment fund—which covers unreimbursed medical costs—while simultaneously taking 9% of the money collected through charity as taxes, and she questioned the minister regarding the fairness of this situation.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller acknowledged the existing shortcomings in cancer treatment, which she attributed to the high cost of the disease and the rapid shift towards personalized medicine. She further explained that while the Health Insurance Fund covers evidence-based treatment, the process for incorporating new medicines into the financing scheme is too slow, both in Estonia and at the EU level. Joller commended the Cancer Treatment Fund for its vital work in providing evidence-based care but pointed out that the fund's tax status is a complex fiscal policy issue requiring a broader review of how charitable organizations are taxed.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The presentation highlights the high costs of cancer treatment, the need to accelerate the registration process, and the development opportunities in personalized medicine, which is financed by the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa). It emphasizes the cancer treatment fund’s cooperation in ensuring evidence-based treatment and addresses the taxation of donations as a matter of tax policy—which is my personal opinion.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik sharply criticizes the minister’s stance that additional funds cannot be allocated to healthcare, stressing that the actual need for treatment exceeds the budget of the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa). This, in turn, lengthens patient waiting times and forces them to seek private care. He urges the minister to request additional resources for specialized medical care, particularly cancer treatment, during state budget negotiations, and asks for clarification on what portion of the overall healthcare need should, in the minister’s view, be covered by the Health Insurance Fund.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik is urging the minister to request additional funding for healthcare, and he is also asking what a reasonable balance should be concerning the treatment needs covered by the Health Insurance Fund.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Tanel Kiik to speak.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
In her presentation, Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller emphasized the need to review coverage and resource allocation within the solidarity-based healthcare system, pointing to long waiting times and the misdirection of one-third of patients. Furthermore, she stressed the importance of improving quality and better targeting funding through the strategic purchasing mechanisms of the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) and a review of hospital profiles.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller emphasizes that the long waiting times and problems in the Estonian healthcare system stem not so much from a lack of funding, but rather from inefficient organization and the misuse of resources. She cites examples such as one-third of patients ending up in the wrong place and hospital beds standing empty. Therefore, society must rethink the scope of the solidarity system, improve work organization and quality systems, and implement the Health Insurance Fund’s strategic purchasing plans to utilize existing funds much more effectively.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The announcement requests Aleksei Jevgrafov to come and speak.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov drew the minister's attention to the fact that family doctors are failing to refer patients for health examinations due to lack of funding, and asked whether the minister was aware of the problem and what the solution might be.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov pointed out that GPs often cannot refer patients for health examinations because of insufficient funding, and he asked the minister whether he was familiar with the issue and what a potential solution might be.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller said that, in her experience, the use of the testing fund is not a major issue among family physicians, and if anyone complains, she is prepared to hear out and investigate the case, but in practice, patients usually get their tests done on time.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller, drawing on her experience as a family doctor, does not consider the exhaustion of the testing fund at the end of the year to be a major problem. This is because the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) usually manages to find funding for referrals as well, and although non-urgent tests might be postponed in recent weeks, they have never failed to examine a patient when it was medically necessary.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Rain Epler is invited to speak during the address.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler accuses the minister of having a rude and increasingly arrogant attitude regarding vaccine issues. He recalls that Irja Lutsar and Kaari Saarma maintained respectful discussions, and he questions the origin of the minister's recommendation, given that the minister claims to have relied on science and the Scientific Advisory Council.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler recalls the respectful discussions that took place between scientists Irja Lutsar and Kaari Saarma in the early days of COVID. During those talks, Lutsar expressed reservations about recommending vaccines specifically for young boys. Epler goes on to criticize the minister's subsequent intervention, which he characterizes as commanding and heavy-handed, questioning where the strictly science-based recommendation originated, especially since it contradicted the earlier caution shown by Lutsar, who was a member of the Science Advisory Council.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller categorically denied the accusations of threatening, stressing her open and constructive communication style, even with those who hold differing opinions. She confirmed that childhood vaccination in Estonia has always been recommendatory and voluntary, never compulsory, and added that she has consistently followed the recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Board and respected the positions held by Irja Lutsar.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
He confirmed that he had not threatened anyone, emphasized that child vaccination in Estonia is voluntary and adheres to the recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Board, is ready for dialogue with people holding different views, respects Irja Lutsar, and requests evidence for any claims to the contrary.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller addresses Urmas Reinsalu with a request.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu is criticizing the government over the constant renewal of coalition agreements and the ambiguity surrounding funding. Furthermore, he is demanding concrete examples of hospitals that are currently standing empty, and he wants to know what the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) is doing to ensure those hospital beds are utilized.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu expresses sharp criticism and dismay over the minister's failure to allocate additional funding, citing the government's long-term inaction and the creation of a "zero budget" within the Ministry of Social Affairs. He demands a specific explanation regarding which hospitals are empty and what steps will be taken in a situation where general practitioners are being required to process patients into hospitals simply to fill beds.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller emphasizes the necessity, from a medical economics standpoint, of ensuring that patients remain in a hospital bed only for as long as necessary, transitioning quickly from higher-level treatment to a lower level of care. She also criticizes the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) for funding services without being certain about the quality being purchased and the effective utilization of hospital beds.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Following the principle of medical economics, the patient should remain in the hospital bed only for as long as necessary, transferring them to a lower level of care if required, monitoring bed utilization, and ensuring the quality of services purchased by the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa).
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speaker calls upon Helmen Kütt.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt acknowledges the Social Minister's comprehensive answers on the topic of healthcare, but draws attention to the social affairs portfolio and asks the Minister to name one to three priority issues that he will be taking into the budget negotiations, so that we know what to anticipate in the social sector next year.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt is asking what the one, two, or three main topics for the social sector will be during next year’s budget negotiations. She also stresses that although doctors and care workers in healthcare do excellent work, help often arrives too late, and she is interested in social sector issues even without being specifically directed toward them.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The talk addresses the worry of consulting the wrong doctor and the possibility of the full question not being heard.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speech focuses on the social sector.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The talk focuses on the question of how the social sector can offer assistance.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
He is asking to clarify the end of his question.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt requested permission to ask a follow-up question, thereby seeking to continue her previous inquiry.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt asks if she can start over.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller confirms that your microphone is on and requests clarification.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt is interested in the priorities of the budget negotiations for the social sector. She stressed, however, that while our doctors, nurses, and social workers are doing excellent work, the issue remains that people often seek help in the healthcare system far too late.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt expressed interest in what items would be brought to the social sector budget negotiations, and concluded by noting that while doctors, nurses, and social workers do excellent work in hospitals and at family doctors’ offices when healthcare services are available in a timely manner, help often arrives too late.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller stated that although a government agreement prevents her from discussing the topics they have brought forward, she does have four key issues in the social sphere. These include the subsistence benefit, which she hopes will see an increase, though she cannot disclose the exact figures or methods until the budget is officially published. She added that these topics are close to her heart because they directly impact people's welfare.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller acknowledged the questioner's thoroughness regarding the social sector and explained that although she cannot disclose the details of the budget negotiations due to a government agreement, she has introduced four topics there, three of which concern the social sector, and expressed firm hope that the subsistence benefit, which impacts people's well-being, will be increased.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller calls upon Rain Epler.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speaker mentions an interesting story about the Reform Party ministers and asserts that they did not threaten anyone, adding that their question was not related to any threat.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller issues a brief apology.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speech details the stylistic differences in the debate with Irja Lutsar, recalls experiences from conversations held with the 2019 candidates in Southeast Estonia, and Hanno Pevkur’s memorable self-introduction. Finally, a question is posed about how to assess one's contribution to the relationship between Estonia and its most important ally in light of the recent public statements.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticized the listener's debating style, drawing a parallel to the "political broiler" incident involving Hanno Pevkur in 2019. He then asked how the listener himself assesses the contribution of his recent statements to the relationship between Estonia and its most important ally within the context of international diplomacy.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller apologized for the misunderstanding that had arisen and the lack of clarity in her expression. She emphasized her desire to remain polite during disagreements and stated that although she does not agree with the US Health Minister’s approach to science-based healthcare, she does agree with his/her thoughts regarding the essence of lifestyle and health.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller apologized for her previous misstep, admitting that her manner of expression could have been more tactful. She further explained that while she disagrees with the US Health Minister's positions regarding evidence-based healthcare, she highly values his/her thoughts on lifestyle and general well-being, emphasizing her desire to always remain courteous even when opinions differ.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller invites Urmas Reinsalu to speak.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu criticizes the minister's logic, questioning which hospitals are actually empty and why family doctors are being pressured to admit patients to the hospital, emphasizing that waiting times cannot be dismissed as insignificant when access to the right doctor is crucial for overall health and well-being.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu expresses his bewilderment regarding the logic behind the minister's resource allocation, questioning the assertion that there are empty hospital beds in a situation where general practitioners (GPs) are being pressured to formalize patient admissions to the hospital, and sharply criticizes the viewpoint that waiting times for treatment queues are irrelevant to people's quality of life.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The statement says that now is your time.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu addressed social issues, focusing specifically on the questions of people returning to work and daily coping.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu's speech addresses people returning to work and their ability to cope.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller expressed thanks.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
It is being said that hospital beds might be available, but utilizing them requires greater autonomy for hospitals in decision-making and a work structure based on specific regional needs. This ensures the right patient receives timely care, allows non-urgent cases to be referred to the private sector if necessary, and better organized resources and global best practices demonstrate that this leads to improved care and substantial savings.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller explained that the problem in the healthcare system is not rooted in empty hospitals, but rather in the incorrect placement of patients and the sub-optimal utilization of resources. She stressed that the right assistance must reach those in need at the right time, adding that seeking help from the private sector is acceptable for non-urgent care. As a solution, she proposed granting hospitals greater autonomy in decision-making and clearly defining services and regional requirements to ensure better workflow management and more optimal resource allocation, which will ultimately improve people's access to care.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Tanel Kiik to take the floor.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik is addressing the minister to inquire about the intention to draft the reform for integrating social and healthcare services. He expresses concern regarding the practical issues arising from the separate development of these systems and the disregard of criticism, and requests clarification on whether the reform will move forward and what its primary objectives are.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik asks the minister about the social and healthcare services integration reform and its objectives, despite criticism from the Chamber of Disabled People.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller explained the background of two similar drafting intentions (VTKs), one of which focuses on the integration of the healthcare and social sectors, highlighting successful pilot projects such as Viljandi PAIK, and the second on the reform of the rehabilitation system, the goal of which is to ensure comprehensive service for people instead of them having to run between different institutions. Acknowledging that implementing two major reforms within one year is overly optimistic, the speaker confirmed that the pace of the rehabilitation reform can be slowed down, while emphasizing that this is still an intention at the idea level, where partner feedback and discussions (e.g., with the Estonian Chamber of Disabled People, EPIKoda) are extremely important for changing direction as needed.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
He/She stated that the objective of the two major reforms—VTK, which is the integration of the healthcare and social sectors, and the reform of rehabilitation services—is to offer people holistic services, take into account the feedback received and cooperation with partners, and slow down the pace of preparing the Drafting Intention document that will be submitted to the Riigikogu (Parliament).
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Mart Helme to take the floor.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme accuses the minister of complete incompetence, contrasting the minister's admission of not knowing what to request additional funds for with his own detailed knowledge, gained as a former interior minister, regarding the financing of border guard and security. He gave the example that even cancer patients would require immediate additional funding.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme criticizes the responses for incompetence, recalls the project costs that were precisely known when he served as Minister of the Interior, and highlights the need for cancer patients to receive more funding for medication.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller posed only one question during his speech: "Your question?"
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller used the brief phrase, "Your question!" to either give the floor to the next questioner or call upon the audience to submit their questions.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He says that it doesn't suit you.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech contains only thanks.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller gave Mart Helme a short and resolute response, saying that since the assessment had already been submitted, she had nothing to add or respond to concerning it.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller said that you had given your assessment, and she had nothing to reply.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller opens the debate for the parliamentary groups, and Lauri Laats of the Estonian Centre Party faction will serve as the representative of the initiators of the no-confidence motion.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller concluded the round of questions addressed to the minister and opened the floor for faction debates, first yielding the floor to Lauri Laats of the Estonian Centre Party faction, the representative of the initiators of the motion of no confidence.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She thanks the Chair and requests three additional minutes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The announcement states that three minutes will be added.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats submitted a motion of no confidence against Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller before the Riigikogu. He accused her and the ruling coalition of failing to resolve issues in the healthcare and social sectors, citing the inaccessibility of medical care, deteriorating regional policy, and the scandal surrounding the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa).
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats sharply criticized Social Minister Karmen Joller during the debate on the motion of no confidence, faulting her for inaction in both the social and healthcare sectors. He emphasized that over the course of five and a half months, the minister has offered nothing but promises to "analyze" instead of concrete solutions, and has failed to improve the accessibility of medical care. Consequently, Eurostat data shows that Estonia ranks first in Europe for the proportion of people forced to forgo medical treatment. Additionally, she stands accused of avoiding responsibility for the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) scandal.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller signaled that it was time for the next speaker with the short phrase, "Your time!"
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasized that they are sticking to their position, according to which the addressee is unfit to be a minister and should therefore resign themselves.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller thanked the previous speaker and subsequently gave the floor to Mart Helme, the representative of the Estonian Conservative People's Party faction.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Next, Mart Helme is invited to take the floor on behalf of the EKRE faction.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme accuses the minister of incompetence and unfamiliarity with the subject matter, describes the suffering caused by treatment queues and bureaucracy, and claims that the aggressive imposition of vaccination during COVID-19 and the control over children’s decisions constitute a Goebbelsian approach with fascist undertones, further suspecting that the campaign is driven by personal gain.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme sharply criticizes Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller, labeling her an incompetent political activist who lacks mastery of the topics within her administrative area. He claims she dismisses treatment waiting lists as unimportant, a stance refuted by his own agonizing personal experience of waiting over a year for surgery. Additionally, he accuses the minister of adopting a "Goebbelsian" and fascist-tinged approach, especially concerning the promotion of children independently making their own medical decisions. He also suspects political activists of personally profiting from their aggressive support of the COVID vaccination campaign.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announces that the discussion will continue for three more minutes.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme claims that older vaccines were tested more thoroughly than COVID vaccines. He states he is critical of science, not an anti-vaxxer, blames pharma-funded research, and demands independent parallel studies. Furthermore, he criticizes the Reform Party, the "woo-woo conference," and the pressure to expel the Riigikogu board from the building.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme categorically denies the anti-vaxxer label, stressing that they are critical questioners of coronavirus vaccines who distrust research commissioned and funded by pharmaceutical companies, and instead demand independent alternative studies. He sharply criticizes the opposing side for shameless political activism, which manifested in branding the conference planned for the Riigikogu building as "woo-woo" and pressuring for its cancellation, and demands the opponent's removal from politics, predicting the imminent fall of their political power.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The message says that now is your time.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme confirmed that, according to reports received from the White House, Donald Trump was extremely distressed due to an intolerable insult directed at him, which is why the decision was made to leave the residence in question, emphasizing that this fact must be taken into consideration.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme said that information arrived from the White House that the insult had reached Donald Trump, and he was very offended, which is why he decided to leave that house, because the insult was unbearable.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker thanks [the previous speaker] and announces the next speaker, Urmas Reinsalu of the Isamaa faction, and requests three minutes of additional time for him.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller from the Isamaa faction (Urmas Reinsalu) took the floor, having been granted three additional minutes of speaking time upon his request.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu of the Isamaa faction justified supporting the vote of no confidence—despite their initial refusal to sign the motion—by citing the prevailing managerial paralysis in the healthcare sector. He noted that the Health Insurance Fund's reserves have been depleted, and the minister admits to not knowing where the money is going. Additionally, the government was criticized for unethical spending (referencing the Wagenküll party) and neglecting family policy, with Reinsalu stressing that freezing measures that erode families' sense of security or implementing positive measures is simply not a priority for the current government.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stated that the Isamaa faction will today vote on the motion of no confidence submitted against the Minister, because healthcare funding is administratively uncertain and non-transparent, and the expenditure of the funds is unknown. Furthermore, a clear and balanced vision is lacking in the context of the government's family policy and the demographic situation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Tanel Kiik will speak next, authorized by the Social Democratic Party parliamentary group.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik, representing the Social Democratic Party, emphasized that although the faction does not support the current government—which they assess as having collapsed, being socially divisive, and needing to resign—they support Minister Karmen Joller in the context of the motion of no confidence. This support is based on the fact that she champions evidence-based medicine, and they deem it irresponsible to attack scientific consensus using arguments based on pseudo-medicine. Simultaneously, the government is sharply criticized for the underfunding of the healthcare sector and the postponement of the Tallinn Hospital project. They demand that the state immediately allocate additional funds and commit to a concrete partnership for the construction of the hospital, in order to improve the accessibility of healthcare services in Northern Estonia.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik states that the Social Democrats do not support the current government, but they will back the minister in their efforts to champion evidence-based healthcare, despite their criticism regarding the underfunding of the health sector.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speaker requests three additional minutes.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik sharply criticizes the forced integration of social and health services, particularly rehabilitation services. This integration ignores the opposition of key stakeholders (such as the Chamber of Disabled People and the Doctors' Association) and harms the most vulnerable target groups. The minister is urged to slow down, re-engage in negotiations with the relevant parties, and resolve the issues concerning additional funding and the Tallinn Hospital project. Although the current motion of no confidence against the minister is not supported as a preemptive measure, it is affirmed that if the minister fails on these three points or moves in the opposite direction, they, as Social Democrats, will support the next motion of no confidence.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik is urging the minister to address the issues of healthcare financing, the Tallinn hospital project, and the integration of services, warning that failing to do so will result in them supporting the next motion of no confidence.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller expresses his thanks and asks whether the Minister wishes to participate in the debate with a closing statement.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chair Arvo Aller thanked the previous speaker and then inquired of the Minister whether he wished to make a closing statement to conclude the debate.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller corrected previous statements regarding the assessment of the Health Insurance Fund’s zero budget, emphasizing that as a public legal entity, it was not subject to that process. She explained that the rise in healthcare costs is driven by unanalyzed procedures and studies. Joller criticized the system, arguing that simply injecting more money into a “flawed system” is not a solution, and promised to request additional funding only next summer, once the necessary analyses have been conducted to ensure the effective targeting of resources and high-quality care for the Estonian people.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller said that the reasons for the growth in healthcare costs are wide-ranging, and the use of funds must be optimized through comprehensive analyses, reviewing procedures and visits, and that additional funding should only be requested after these analyses, in order to ensure timely and quality assistance for the people of Estonia.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller asks Urmas Reinsalu to grant two minutes for a response speech.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu criticized the minister for slow and inadequate leadership in the financing of Estonian healthcare and other crucial sectors, warning that excessive analysis and experimentation are turning society into a testing laboratory.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu accuses the minister of immature and incompetent leadership, stressing that the decision to "slow things down" at a time when Estonia is losing time and the Health Insurance Fund is facing a 400 million euro deficit, is irresponsible. He sharply criticizes the practice of commissioning analyses after decisions have already been made (as seen with the tax carousel scheme) and finally demands that the government demonstrate minimal management maturity, given that the current situation suggests a complete lack of understanding regarding where the state's money is going.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller addressed Tanel Kiik with a question about whether Kiik had heard his name or the Social Democrats mentioned in the previous address, noting that he personally had not caught those references.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller offers his thanks, asks whether Tanel Kiik heard his name or [heard it] during the Social Democrats' address, and notes that he himself did not catch it.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik notes that the viewpoints were addressed exactly as they were by the previous speaker.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Reinsalu's name is mentioned, and it is stated that clear positions will be heard first, and the rebuttal will last two minutes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller acknowledged the mention of Reinsalu’s name, emphasized that they were prepared to listen provided the positions were clear, and limited the time for the response speech to two minutes.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik believes that although the issue of healthcare funding requires an immediate and rapid solution, the pace of the overly rapid integration reform in the social and healthcare services sector should actually be slowed down in order to thoroughly consult with various target groups and avoid mistakes that would be difficult to reverse later on.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik clarifies that healthcare financing requires an urgent solution, but the integration reform of social and healthcare services should slow down, and discussions with target groups should proceed calmly.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller concluded the debates and announced that Helir-Valdor Seeder had a procedural question before proceeding to the vote.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller concludes the debates and puts a procedural question to Helir-Valdor Seeder before the vote.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Thank you! He/She is requesting clarification regarding the format Tanel Kiik used in his address, so that he/she may better understand the rules of procedure and the procedural matters.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder requested clarification regarding the rules of procedure and procedural matters, wanting to know what format Tanel Kiik utilized in his address so that he could better navigate the session's rules.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller said that Tanel Kiik felt that his and the Social Democrats' positions had been addressed in the preceding negotiation speeches, and Kiik gave a two-minute response speech on behalf of the faction, as is customary during faction discussions, after which Urmas Reinsalu posed a question to the presiding officer of the session.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller. Tanel Kiik delivered a two-minute response on behalf of the Social Democratic faction, reacting to previous speeches that had touched upon his and the Social Democrats' positions, after which Urmas Reinsalu presented a procedural question to the Chair.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu raises a technical question regarding the outrageous volume of paper associated with the Civil Crisis Act, comparing it to the collected works of Tammsaare. He therefore requests, considering the seriousness of the subject matter, that he also receive one paper copy distributed unofficially, as printing it out himself would cause his printer to run out of toner.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu submitted a technical request to receive a hard copy of the Civil Crisis Act, noting its sheer volume, which he compared to Tammsaare’s collected works, and simply asking for one copy because the printer had run out.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The report addressed the following agenda item and the vote of no confidence against Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller, which requires a majority vote of the Riigikogu's full membership.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller first finalized the logistical matters regarding the receipt of documents, and then immediately proceeded to prepare the vote on expressing no confidence in Social Minister Karmen Joller, stressing the necessity of a majority vote of the Riigikogu membership for the decision to be adopted.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu rejected the motion of no confidence against Social Minister Karmen Joller.