Security
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing.
Date: 2025-03-19 14:30
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 9m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Today's portion of the Riigikogu session focused on security issues, particularly ensuring the capabilities of the Defence Forces and defence spending. Member of the Riigikogu, Lauri Läänemets, posed a specific question to Prime Minister Kristen Michal regarding the implementation of the Defence Forces Commander's military advice, concerning the procurement of 1.6 billion euros worth of supplies. Läänemets demanded clarification as to whether the government would accelerate the current seven-year plan to three years, as the Defence Forces Commander suggested, to ensure the necessary capabilities. Prime Minister Michal responded that the government has decided to raise defence spending to at least 5% of GDP next year, indicating that the supplies would be procured in accordance with the advice, and likely more than 1.6 billion euros. Michal emphasized that the entirety of the Defence Forces Commander's advice is not public, avoiding a direct answer regarding the three-year acceleration.
In a follow-up question, Jaak Aab addressed the potential conflict between offshore wind farms and state defence radar systems. Aab referred to studies indicating that wind farms could impede significant state defence capabilities, such as maritime and air surveillance and coastal defence. Prime Minister explained that the government is addressing this issue by procuring compensating radar systems. This solution will allow for the construction of renewable energy parks without interfering with the Defence Forces’ early warning systems and state defence interests.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made.
Most Active Speaker
Lauri Läänemets was the most active speaker, pressuring the prime minister to obtain a specific answer regarding accelerating the procurement of supplies, and accusing him of hiding behind state secrets. His position is left-wing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu moves on, and the third question to Prime Minister Kristen Michal concerns security, posed by Riigikogu member Lauri Läänemets.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets asks whether the government has a position and a plan to buy ammunition worth 1.6 billion over three years, not over seven years, as the Chief of Defence's military advice recommends.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The government decided to increase military aid to Ukraine by 25%, raise next year's defense spending to at least 5% of GDP, and buy ammunition in accordance with the Chief of the Defence Forces' recommendations, hoping that the allocated funds will be used.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speaker thanks and notes that Lauri Läänemets has a clarifying question.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets asked for a concrete answer: is there a plan to buy ammunition worth 1.6 billion over three years instead of seven years, in accordance with the Chief of Defence Forces' military advice, or not.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister said that the Chief of Defence's military advice to the government is not public, and the boundaries of disclosure must be perceived; he noted the existence of the Russian embassy's online presence, and that ammunition purchases worth 1.6 billion for the next three years may be larger, because a 5 percent change indicates an increase in purchases, and the advice is broader so that you can understand.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks and informs that his colleague Jaak Aab is submitting a supplementary question.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab emphasizes that national defense and economic interests must be kept in balance, and the development of offshore wind farms may suppress certain capabilities, for which studies have provided answers regarding maritime surveillance and air surveillance since 2022; however, questions of coastal defense and other important capabilities require clear answers; although onshore wind development is not progressing as quickly as originally planned, offshore wind farms are nevertheless necessary, and he asks whether you have discussed this issue and what the government has done to rapidly address these problems.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
They emphasized that the impact of each new facility on national defense and air defense must be carefully assessed, and that governments have found compensation mechanisms so that the development of renewable energy would not undermine defense capability.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and announces that he will conclude today's consideration of the third question.