Inquiry Regarding the Continuation of Service as Prime Minister (No. 728)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2025-04-14 19:31
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 54
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 6m
AI Summaries: 54/54 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The debate on the Prime Minister's continued term in office took place in the Riigikogu (Parliament) on March 17, 2025. The first item on the agenda was a question directed to the Prime Minister, submitted by members of the Riigikogu Lauri Laats, Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, Andrei Korobeinik, Vladimir Arhipov, and Vadim Belobrovtsev, regarding the Prime Minister’s continued term, to be presented at the speaker's podium of the Riigikogu. The debate touched on the nature and necessity of the Prime Minister’s mandate and the request for a new one, as well as discussions on the coalition's abortion and reform policies. Central to the questioning were issues of legitimacy and the mandate, the effects of coalition breakdown, the tax policy and plan to revitalize the economy, and the financing of defense and security policy. A second major topic was the impact of changes to the tax system, including the elimination of corporate income tax on profits and the elimination of income tax from the first euro, along with the 700 euro income tax-free minimum, discussed alongside reductions in bureaucracy and decisions regarding the state budget. A recurring theme throughout the debate was the question of whether the government enjoys the trust of the nation and is competent to make further changes without a new mandate, and how this relates to security and economic growth.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions are not being made. The inquiry discussion ended without a final parliamentary decision and without confirming a specific mandate or cabinet change.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker in this discussion was 5VNfkRwGZMI (known as Lauri Laats to end-users). His position is right-wing (legal-liberal coalition/opposition, but he directly has a strong role in the opposition). He highlights the need for security and economic revitalization, emphasizing the priority of tax system reforms and the debate regarding the legitimacy of the coalition and the government.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
At the second item on the agenda, the parliamentary inquiry submitted on 17 March by Lauri Laats, Aleksandr Tšaplõgini, Andrei Korobeiniku, Vladimir Arhipovi and Vadim Belobrovtsevi regarding the prime minister's continuation will be discussed, and Lauri Laats was asked to serve as the rapporteur.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats claims that the current government lacks a parliamentary mandate, and that the prime minister does not have the courage to seek a new mandate; the steps taken in the process of reforming the coalition threaten constitutional trust, the tax reform measures are unclear, and there is no clear financing plan, which is why he has submitted four questions and is calling for constructive debate.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanks and asks that, in order to answer the interpellation, the Riigikogu’s speaking chair be returned to Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal answered four questions about the mandate and resignation, introduced plans to revive the economy by simplifying the tax system, reducing the tax wedge and the burden of income tax, and implementing a €700 tax-free minimum, reducing bureaucracy, increasing defense spending to at least 5% of GDP, and supporting Ukraine and the defense industry, and discussed the temporary introduction of a security tax and its long-term duration.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar thanks the prime minister, informs that there are questions, and invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to speak.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They claim that the unfairness of the tax system is not right, and that under the Reform Party's plan it would make the rich even richer and the poor even poorer, and finally ask how the government could continue without a new mandate from the Riigikogu, referring to the 2023 government, whose prime minister was Kaja Kallas, after which Prime Minister Kristen Michal took office and the composition of the government changed.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
They stated that the grounds for the prime minister's resignation are known, and the Chancellor of Justice's 2022 analysis, which has been published on social media and on the oiguskantsler.ee site, shows that a cabinet reshuffle does not necessarily mean a change of the prime minister, and the constitution is exhaustive.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman asks that Lauri Laats speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that security is as important to the Centre Party as to the Reform Party, noting that economic growth would increase the funds allocated for security, although the GDP share would not rise, and he touched on the impact of the non-taxable minimum and how much it would change the salaries of Riigikogu members and ministers.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that although general cooperation is good, we have very serious disagreements on the amendment of the Constitution, the transition to Estonian-language education, the subordination of the Moscow Church, and defense contributions, and these must be clearly resolved and the necessary funding found.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks you very much and asks Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvarti.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart expresses concern about the impact of the tax reform: an additional 500 euros to a Riigikogu member's salary, and the rise of value-added tax (VAT) and income tax to 24% will worsen people's ability to cope and their willingness to defend, and she asks whether these tax increases are temporary or not and whether the government will submit the corresponding bill.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The prime minister emphasizes that, because of the threat posed by Russia, defense spending must be financed, and to do so revenue must be raised and, if necessary, borrowed; although taxes may rise and by 2026 the personal income tax-free allowance will increase to 700 euros and some tax reliefs may disappear, it is socially fair and helps people with low incomes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Helle-Moonika Helme onto the stage.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme accuses the government of imposing 20 new taxes and of planning to abolish the tax wedge, arguing that this would increase the tax burden and would hit the poorer especially hard, and at the same time asks whether the prime minister has a constitutional mandate to continue.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The main message of the speech is that it's your time.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They pose a rhetorical question: shouldn't the listeners perhaps be standing somewhere else rather than here in front of us?
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The prime minister emphasizes that the rise in taxes and defense spending is no joke, but serious, and for Estonia's independence one must work hard and invest money in it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invited Vladimir Arhipov onto the stage.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov criticizes the government, referencing his views on the Centre Party and Isamaa, notes a decline in trust stemming from a 22% approval rating, and poses a concrete question about where and how the 100 million euros will be allocated to the defence industry.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Estonia will provide Ukraine with about 100 million euros each year — about 0.25% of GDP — and for this, funds will be procured from the defence industry so that Ukraine can fight Russia; the first tranche is being prepared, and for the next year the same process will continue, while noting that there are major disagreements in security and that on the issues of Estonian-language education and amendments to the constitution we are on opposite sides.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks the Prime Minister, announces that there are no more questions, opens the negotiations, and invites the representative of the questioners, Lauri Laatsi, to the podium first.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticized that the new government has not presented a coalition agreement or answered the four questions posed by the inquirers, and stressed the importance of the rule of law and democracy, and that strong economic growth also guarantees security, not by fiddling with percentages.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speaker asks for three minutes of additional time.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticizes the government's unstable and repeatedly delayed tax policy decisions, notes that the 700-euro personal tax allowance does not help people with middle and lower incomes, but benefits the political elite, and calls on the prime minister to step down and to seek a new mandate from the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked and gave the floor in the Riigikogu to his colleague Vadim Belobrovtsev.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev believes that the prime minister avoided asking Parliament for a mandate, because the coalition is barely holding together and votes may be in short supply, and he stresses that security should be based on economic growth and living standards, not on restricting people's rights or restricting freedom of religion and mother-tongue education, which the Reform Party supports.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and gives the floor to the colleague Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart accuses the current government of tax increases that will endure, and whose impact seems to the public as if it were calculated for the cells of an Excel spreadsheet, and calls for government reform and greater budget transparency, because expenditures related to security and the effects of war have not been clearly explained.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
They inform that three more minutes will be given.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speech asserts that tax increases raise crime and diminish people's willingness to defend Estonia, which threatens internal security, and it calls for rapid measures to help people and involve society, so that every Estonian would want to defend Estonia.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
In the speech, thanks were given, and then Riina Solman was invited onto the stage.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman called for a calm, respectful, and in the national interest debate to be held, criticized the government's energy policy, tax policy and the cost of living, and highlighted demographic challenges and the need for affordable electricity, while emphasizing that there is consensus in security policy, but energy security needs solutions.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Arvo Aller asks whether extra time is desired.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He asserts that if there is anything to offer him, he will accept it.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Arvo Aller said that this question should be raised, and he asked for three additional minutes.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman notes that the indicators measured by the Government Office and Statistics Estonia do not show progress in reducing poverty, and the actual situation is moving in the opposite direction, where Toidupank distributes more food each week by the kilogram, but the tax burden makes people's lives even harder, especially for children.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked her and invited Helle-Moonika Helme to speak next.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme says that the current government lacks a legitimate mandate and that the constitution is not being fulfilled, and that people are concerned about the impact of wind farms and changes in the living environment, which the government is ignoring – and she asks for extra time to conduct an inquiry.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asked for three more minutes.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Regarding the illegitimate government, Helle-Moonika Helme says that the Estonian people's money is being distributed in favor of the Reform Party and small developers, that there is a threat to expand wind farms and to restrict local decision-making powers, and to cut landowners' compensation, and she calls on people not to accept it.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
A short speech that expresses gratitude and asks the Prime Minister to allow him to speak.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that the coalition has a framework agreement and sectoral discussions lie ahead, emphasized the need for extra funding to ensure security and for tax changes (including the potential abolition of the profits tax), spoke about reducing poverty and income growth, and discussed options for energy policy, touched on questions of the constitution and the government's legitimacy, and finally called for a fact-based, responsible debate.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chair thanks and notes that Riina Solman's name was mentioned, therefore she has the opportunity to respond.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman accuses the government of lying and states that although a temporary VAT increase was promised, there are plans to keep it permanently at 24%, and a billion euros will be taken from people's pockets, while taxes will not be reduced.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chair thanks and gives Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart the opportunity to deliver remarks in person.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticizes the government and cites examples from the Konjunktuuriinstituudi forecasts that a quarter of Estonian people may become poor—especially young families—, savings grow only among the wealthier, the poor have to live in debt or with consumer loans, and as a result crime increases, which does not align with the prime minister's promises.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Arvo Aller thanked, noting that the name Helle-Moonika Helme was mentioned, and that was taken as a response.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme accuses the Reform Party of lying and propaganda, claiming that their promise to put more money in people's pockets is not true, condemns the destruction of the living environment due to wind farms and the taxation of the use of state land as a form which, in her view, is nationalization, and says that pretty stories will not lead to a bright future.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
In the presentation, Lauri Laats's positions were mentioned, and the vice-chairman thanked him and invited Lauri Laats to take the floor.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats claims that the public does not trust the coalition, and inflation and people's real incomes are falling, illustrating the seriousness of the situation, and the opposition must base itself on facts and is calling for new elections in accordance with standard practice.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Arvo Aller expressed thanks.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They point out that it's hard for people to live.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The interpellation debate has ended, and thanks are extended to the respondent.