Coping
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing
Date: 2025-04-23 16:16
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
The seventh question addressed livelihood and its importance in the context of social and healthcare funding. We discussed what the reflections of 2025 will be for the elderly, people with special needs, and young families, and how coalition agreements and budget allocations affect the most vulnerable groups in healthcare. Attention was also paid to the qualitative challenges of medical organization, such as the length of doctor's appointment waiting lists, and the question was raised as to what the government's message is for ensuring livelihood and what changes are foreseen in the coming years. Helmen Kütt raised critical questions and emphasized the need for a clear and consistent message where livelihood and the functioning of the social sector would be guaranteed both in the short and long term.
The second part of the discussion turned to the decision-making process taking place in the cooperation between government coalitions and the Riigikogu and the government. The Prime Minister confirmed that work is ongoing in the coalition and final decisions will reach the public in cooperation with partners. The continuation of pension indexing, changes to the minimum wage, and general trends showing improvements in livelihood despite rising prices were discussed. The need for investment in IT and system solutions was also highlighted to ensure that social sector services function effectively and on time, and the funding of the education sector and the direction of student livelihood issues were discussed in the context of budget debates.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made. Discussions continue in the coalition and government working groups regarding social and health care issues and budget planning. Further steps and the presentation of concrete decisions will remain to be clarified within the framework of the state budget debates and cooperation between the relevant government alliances to find a clearer direction.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Helmen Kütt (pid P8tEHy2zY2A), who asked several questions regarding income support, the funding of social and healthcare, and the impacts of pension indexation on young people and families. He is a representative in the Riigikogu with a left-wing political leaning.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The seventh question is to Prime Minister Kristen Michal; its presenter is Riigikogu member Helmen Kütt, and the topic is coping.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt pointed out that the 2025 message to older people, people with disabilities, and young families is inadequate, and although the rise in pensions is an achievement, there are major concerns ahead in the social and health care sector, as well as long waits to see doctors and difficult negotiations.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that pensions are not being cut and that indexation is not being changed, and despite a shortage of funds their growth must continue, because the rise in wages and the minimum wage, and the improvement in people's living standards, indicate a healthy development of the economy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar thanks and asks Helmen Kütt to present a clarifying question.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt discusses the sustainability and funding of the pension system, refers to the Eesti 200 coalition's positions, and asks whether, in 2026, the pension will actually be credited on the 5th, regardless of whether it falls on a weekend.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasizes that his stance is the same: in the social sector IT developments must be implemented quickly, and if necessary investments must be made so that outdated information systems do not hinder and things can be done on time, so that Estonia stays in a modern digital state.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked and gave Madis Kallas the opportunity to ask an additional question.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas said that student representatives complain about the out-of-date level of the amounts and conditions of study allowances, and asked whether the government has discussed these issues and what the students expect, emphasizing that thousands of students have to commute from rural areas to cities.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the work of the education working group would be evaluated over the next week and the week after next, and there would be feedback on supporting students, and financial discussions will probably remain in the state budget debates in August–September, because in the near term the largest financial burden is related to the growth of defense capabilities and the budget is in deficit, and there may be a need for additional borrowing, but he will certainly listen to the proposals of education sector specialists and discuss them further.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He thanks the audience and announces that today's seventh question has been completed.