State Defence
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing.
Date: 2025-03-19 15:21
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 seventh question before the Riigikogu was directed to Prime Minister Kalle Jaanson and addressed topics of national defense, recent criticisms, and accelerating procurement processes. Anti Allas highlighted the assessment given by two top specialists in the defense sector, Kusti Salmi and Martin Herem: the procurement process is not fast enough and the choices may not all be optimal. He asked whether Herem was exaggerating or even lying, and what will be done differently compared to what has been done so far. This sparked a debate about speed, transparency, and the assessment of procurement administrative mechanisms.
The Prime Minister responded, emphasizing that the explanations from the Minister of Defence and representatives of the Defence Forces are clear: things are being done as quickly as possible. He confirmed that defense investments next year will be at least 5% of GDP, and that even more work will be done in the procurement sector in the coming years. He also pointed out that the entrepreneurs' council has already been launched, and that additional measures will be discussed at the expert level and with a wider circle if necessary. Furthermore, he stressed the need for a unified national defense and foreign policy speech, noting that the government will not be swept along by the winds of a political campaign. Finally, attention was also paid to domestic political discussions and bold action in the area of security in order to protect the country and its citizens.
Decisions Made 2
The state has decided to maintain the level of defense investments at least at 5% of GDP starting next year.
The state is launching a council of entrepreneurs, which will contribute to accelerating procurement processes and improving cooperation between the private sector and public procurement.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Prime Minister Kaja Kallas; her position is Prime Minister (head of government). Position: other.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riigikogu member Anti Allas poses the seventh question to Prime Minister Kristen Michal on the topic of national defence.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas raised a substantive question as to why the speed of procuring the weapons and ammunition needed by the Defence Forces is not sufficient, and what is planned to be done differently than before, while at the same time asking whether the criticism of Kusti Salmi and Martin Herem is exaggerated or false.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister emphasized that the Defence Minister's explanations are in agreement and the process must be accelerated, because from next year defence investments will grow by at least 5% of GDP, and there are much larger and faster procurements ahead, and he called for a discussion of patriotism and of what to tell the people of Southeastern Estonia about the voting rights of Russian citizens.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair asks Anti Allasel to pose a clarifying question.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas said that removing the voting rights of citizens of aggressor states is his position, and in addition he offered well-intentioned advice to create an expert group that cuts bureaucracy, but in the tense security situation, in his view, there was a need for an even broader national defense expert group, into which the country's best people would be gathered and which could be supplemented with people at the diplomatic level, including Heremi and Salmi, to speed up procurement processes.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal thanked broad support for constitutional change and for the entrepreneurs' proposals, affirmed that the people may live in the knowledge that the citizens of aggressor states will no longer vote, promised, together with the Minister of Defence, to consider additional legislative steps, and stressed that there should always be a consistently united voice in national defence and foreign policy; and, critically, noted the use of the Isamaa party chairman's campaign and said that the defence sector must not be brought into politics.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and informs that their colleague Heljo Pikhof presents an additional question.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof accuses the prime minister and the defense minister of making uncertain statements and of delaying procurement processes, which have increased the Estonian people's anxiety and fear of war and reduced the sense of security, and asks whether he trusts the career-politician defense minister more in matters of national defense than General Hermet and the long-time defense-sector expert Kusti Salmi.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Estonia makes quick decisions, increases defense investments and labor legislation, listens to criticism, but the fear of war stems from Putin and the Russian regime, and the country focuses on NATO cooperation and energy security, with investments growing in accordance with the Chief of Defence's recommendations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, thanks and announces that the consideration of today's seventh question will be terminated.