The expansion of bureaucracy and the competitiveness of the economy
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing
Date: 2025-05-07 15:01
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 11m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Today, a question was presented to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas in the Riigikogu concerning the expansion of bureaucracy and the competitiveness of the economy. The questioner, Riigikogu member Jaanus Karilaid, highlighted two main concerns: first, the growth of norms and controls in the public sector, which makes the business environment more cumbersome and hinders economic expansion; second, the backlog of road repairs and the lack of electrical capacity outside of Harjumaa, which prevents the creation of new factories and jobs. This related issue also concerns the responsible minister, Erkki Keldo, and the long-standing problems associated with it. It is a readiness to address structural changes to ensure a competitive business environment.
The Prime Minister responded, emphasizing that the problems lie to a greater extent in the norms and the control system itself, and not only in the actions of people. She described how the government monitors progress online on valitsus.ee, which shows the bureaucratic requirements eliminated and decisions made. She cited examples of simplification but also emphasized the need for larger reforms: streamlining planning procedures, abolishing the alcohol register, and simplifying workplace regulations; continuing the development of the road and electricity networks, eliminating phantom capacity and fixing network connections according to the Finnish model. In addition, she mentioned that public sector wages are growing more slowly than the general wage increase and referred to upcoming circumstances, including the issues of public holidays and the symbolic advisor, emphasizing the dignified use of symbols and the separation of personal viewpoints from official policy.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made regarding the handling of this matter; the discussion continued, and additional questions and comments were presented.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Member of Parliament Jaanus Karilaid (pid=M_I0ti5l7pQ); position: other.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
A member of the Riigikogu, Jaanus Karilaid, asks Prime Minister Kristen Michal a question about the expansion of bureaucracy and the competitiveness of the economy.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid thanked the chair of the session and the prime minister and said that the Reform Party's journey has lasted more than a thousand days, and finally it is time to bring in experts to assess how the contraction of the public sector has progressed in recent years and what solutions would be needed in connection with the more than 8 billion euro renovation loan and the power capacity shortage outside Harju County, which hinders the expansion of factories and the creation of jobs, and what the responsible minister Erkki Keldo plans to do to solve these problems.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that the government will reduce bureaucracy and the number of regulations in cooperation with entrepreneurs, and will monitor the decisions made on the valitsus.ee counter, highlighting plans to simplify the planning procedure, to abolish the alcohol registry, and to reduce workplace environment requirements, while public sector pay grows at a slower pace than overall wage growth.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and informs that the discussion will continue with the same question and asks Jaanus Karilaid to pose a clarifying question.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid criticizes the government for the first question remaining unanswered and for the road-ceremony spending of over eight billion, and for the energy-capacity issue remaining unreported, and emphasizes that outside Harju County they cannot create industry or jobs, because the state does not deal with it, and both questions concern the economy and competitiveness – road maintenance/repair and energy capacities outside Harju County, which is a very serious problem.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the priorities are reducing bureaucracy and making life simpler, developing roads and the electric grid, the public sector wage policy and infrastructure investments (including Rail Baltica), and the elimination of phantom capacities and the establishment of grid connections according to the Finnish model.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks the audience and announces that his colleague Mart Helme will pose an additional question.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme condemns the Government Office's symbolism adviser's idea to exclude Christian holidays from the list of state holidays, and asks whether such a bureaucrat is unemployed or where such sick ideas come from.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the symbolism adviser is a long-term post whose task is to use Estonian flags and symbolism with dignity, to acquaint foreign guests with the country's history, and to organize events, and that the adviser’s opinions are personal and there is no government position on this matter.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and announces that he will conclude today's consideration of the first question.