Inquiry regarding the loss of essential banking services from county centers (no. 773)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2025-09-08 20:20
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 112
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 4m
AI Summaries: 112/112 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
On May 13, 2025, the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) debated Inquiry No. 773 concerning the disappearance of vital banking services in county centers, submitted by Ester Karuse, Tanel Kiik, Andre Hanimägi, Anti Allas, Reili Rand, Heljo Pikhof, and Jaak Aab. The initiator of the inquiry, Ester Karuse (SDE), highlighted the situation in Valga and Põlva counties, where physical bank branches have been closed (most recently SEB in Valga), leaving tens of thousands of residents, especially the elderly and those lacking digital skills, without necessary services and consultation. Karuse emphasized that banking is a socially essential service, not merely a business activity, and asked the minister for concrete steps to initiate dialogue with the banks and for the state's readiness to ensure physical banking services in county centers.
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras acknowledged the concern but pointed out that the number of bank branches in Estonia has decreased by nearly half over the last ten years (from 107 in 2015 to 58 by the end of 2024) due to changes in consumer behavior and digitalization. He specified that Coop Pank offers cashless office services in Valga and Põlva. The Minister stressed that the availability of services is more important than a physical branch and highlighted alternatives such as ATMs (interoperable and offering deposit capabilities), cash withdrawal at stores/gas stations, and payment services at Omniva post offices. Terras confirmed that he intends to meet with representatives of the banking sector, but currently, the ministry is focusing on the broader regional development problem: the concentration of the population in the capital region. During the debate, opposition politicians criticized the Minister's management style and the slackness of regional policy.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Under Item Three, we will discuss Interpellation No. 773, submitted on May 13, 2025, concerning the disappearance of vital banking services in county centers.
Ester Karuse
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ester Karuse raised concerns regarding the availability of banking services in the Valga and Põlva regions. She stressed the necessity of retaining physical bank branches for the elderly and those without access to digital services, and inquired of the minister what measures have been taken and how the dialogue with the banks has been conducted.
Ester Karuse
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ester Karuse sharply criticized the disappearance of physical bank branches in Southeast Estonia, particularly in Valga and Põlva counties, stressing that banking is a vital public service, not merely a business activity. She demanded answers from the minister regarding how the state intends to ensure the accessibility of this service, especially for the elderly and residents who are less digitally capable, for whom the nearest branch is now hundreds of kilometers away.
Ester Karuse
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ester Karuse highlighted the impact that the closure of physical bank branches in the Valga and Põlva regions would have on the elderly and all residents. She stressed the necessity of dialogue between the state and the banks and asked the minister for specific steps and answers to ensure the availability of banking services and prevent the irreversible disappearance of those services.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks you and invites you to hear the opinion of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Minister Terras on all of this.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Regional and Agriculture Minister Hendrik Terras is responding to interpellation No. 773 concerning the availability of essential banking services in county centers. He pledges to answer the eight questions in sequence, while simultaneously requesting additional time.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi recommends concluding the current address, reviews the situation, and states that we have reached Kuhumaa.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
We will review the situation and then proceed with our remarks to see exactly where we stand.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Regional and Agriculture Minister Hendrik Terras stated that the decline in the number of bank branches and the lack of cash services at offices in Valga and Põlva counties is a concern. However, to ensure the accessibility of services, it is necessary to utilize both physical and digital channels, and to explore the creation of multifunctional service points and cooperation with banks for the sake of regional development.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The report highlights that the closure of bank branches in Valga and Põlva counties, and in counties more generally, raises concerns regarding regional development. However, the continued availability of banking services and regional development in county centers must be guaranteed by balancing the presence of physical offices with the accessibility and quality of services, and by utilizing digital and multifunctional cooperation models.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras addressed the concerning closure of bank branches in rural areas, particularly in Valga and Põlva counties. He stressed that while the physical presence is diminishing due to shifts in consumer behavior and digitalization, the actual accessibility of services is guaranteed through alternative solutions (such as ATMs, Omniva, and Coop Bank representative offices) and e-channels. Furthermore, he pledged to commence negotiations with banks on the topics of service preservation, supporting regional development, and establishing multifunctional service points.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The address states that the minister has 15 minutes to answer the inquiries, and the participants fit in nicely.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The central focus of the address is the question of whether he managed to fit in.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi noted that you had one minute remaining, the presentation stayed within the allotted time, and he thanked everyone, adding that there are many questions and Reili Rand will begin.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand emphasizes the state's role as a model for the private sector and asks the minister what proactive measures are being taken to ensure the availability of essential services and jobs requiring a higher level of education across all counties, and how subsequent cost-cutting plans—following the adoption of the state budget—that would diminish services in rural areas are being prevented.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand called upon the nation's leaders to proactively set an example by ensuring essential services, higher levels of education, and better wages in the counties, and by preventing cuts to state services after the state budget is adopted.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand emphasizes that the state must lead by example, ensuring essential services, as well as higher education and wage levels, in the counties. She then asks what proactive and preventive steps the state will take during the state budget period to avoid cuts to services in the counties.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Terras stated that officials will be hired across Estonia, education must be accessible as close to home as possible, and 40% of resources will be directed outside of Tallinn and Tartu for economic development. This is intended to maintain an active population and services and reduce the impact of migration, a strategy exemplified by Saaremaa.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Terras confirmed that officials are located all across Estonia and much of the work is done online to ensure quality education for everyone. He added that, in order to develop the economy, the population and entrepreneurs must be retained locally by directing resources further away from Tallinn and Tartu, and by striving to keep the migration balance stable—a goal illustrated by the example of Saaremaa.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras is addressing the broad issue of regional development, stressing the availability of jobs (including those in the Ministry of Regional Affairs) and quality education across Estonia, as well as the channeling of 40% of economic resources outside of Tallinn and Tartu, in order to keep the local population active and thereby ensure the retention of services.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Lauri Laats is invited to speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticizes the Social Democrats, stating that as regional ministers they have failed for years to solve the regional problem, and questions whether the issue was even raised in the coalition council or if it is merely a spectacle, pointing to the new minister Hendrik Johannes Terras taking office.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats certainly considers the regional issue important, but he sharply criticizes the Social Democrats, accusing them of failing to solve these problems while they were in government and held the regional minister portfolio (referring specifically to Aab, Kallas, and Hartman). Instead, they are only raising questions now that they are in opposition, which leads him to doubt their actual knowledge or grasp of how to resolve the situation.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticized the tenure of the Social Democrats' regional ministers, stating that Jaak Aab, Madis Kallas, and Piret Hartman have failed to handle regional issues, and questioned whether the topic had been raised in the coalition council or if it was merely political theater.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi concluded his address with just a single word of thanks.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats is posing a pointed question to the coalition (including the Social Democrats): did this specific issue even come up for discussion in the coalition council, or is this merely a political spectacle?
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, thanked the questioner, noting that the question was not directed at him, and suggested discussing the matter with his Social Democrat colleagues out in the corridor.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Peeter Ernits to speak.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits is asking about the total number of vital services (22) and the current number of bank branches, specifically how far the closure or regional relocation of these branches might go. He cites 2017 Bank of Estonia data (89 branches) and the potential impact on roughly 60,000 residents in Tartu and Harju counties.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits is demanding accountability from the Minister of Regional Affairs regarding the rapid disappearance of vital services, especially regionally significant bank branches, and is requesting a clear scenario outlining the minimum acceptable level of services the state can still tolerate, while simultaneously referencing the thousands of affected individuals.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits addresses the Chairman and the Honourable Minister, asking how many regionally managed vital services (22 of them) and how many regional bank branches currently exist, referencing a 2017 Bank of Estonia document which stated there were 89. He then asks how far the reduction of these numbers might go and whether everything could eventually be shut down, which would impact approximately 60,000 people in Tartu County or Harju County.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi expresses his thanks.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits thanks the headquarters.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits concluded his presentation by briefly mentioning the topic of the head office and thanking the audience.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Terras noted that Estonian banking services are generally accessible and high-quality, and most transactions are carried out digitally. However, the closure of branches holds symbolic value for the regions, and assistance must be provided through social welfare services to people who lack digital competence.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, emphasized that while the closure of bank branches in the regions is regrettable and these offices hold symbolic value, the accessibility and quality of banking services in Estonia are very high thanks to digital advancements. Consequently, the number of physical offices (which stood at 58 at the end of the year) is no longer critical from a service provision standpoint. Supporting individuals with low digital literacy, however, is more of a social welfare concern than a banking service problem.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, confirmed that despite the closure of bank offices and their symbolic value in the regions, banking services in Estonia are widely accessible and high-quality thanks to robust digital development, as most transactions are now conducted via phone. He added that assisting individuals with low digital literacy is a matter of social welfare rather than a banking service issue.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister Hendrik Terras stated that Estonian banking has become largely digital, and the service is generally accessible and high-quality. Loans are primarily processed via phone, and while the closure of physical offices holds symbolic value, the lack of digital skills necessitates support from social welfare services.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi addressed Lauri Läänemets and asked him.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets criticizes the decision to close the post office in Türi—a move justified by the lack of applicants, which he calls a logical error—and is appealing to those responsible on behalf of the residents of Türi to resolve the situation.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets criticized the closure of the Türi post office, calling the justification—that no one had applied for the job within two months—a logical fallacy, and urged the minister to provide assistance to solve the problem and maintain the service.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, stressed in response to a question about the accessibility of postal services that Eesti Post must guarantee the delivery of mail and newspapers across the whole of Estonia, taking into account the evolution of the service. He also pledged to look into the background of the closure of that specific post office, questioning whether it was truly caused only by a shortage of applicants.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Hendrik Terras emphasized that postal services must be accessible in all parts of Estonia, and he plans to investigate the reasons behind the closure of post offices and ensure a high-quality postal service both in Türi and across the rest of Estonia.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Terras confirmed that mail and newspapers must be available in every corner of Estonia, and promised to investigate the reasons for the closure of post offices and ensure a high-quality, uniform service both in Türi and elsewhere.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi addresses Anti Allas and asks.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas raises the question of how residents in remote areas can access traditional banking services. He discusses whether shared branch offices might be a sensible solution for banks, and if they are not, how this support service should be organized.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas emphasizes that about 10–15% of the people in his region require traditional banking services, and asks whether it would be sensible for banks to maintain shared branches or organize this as a form of assistance.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
This text examines how banks provide financing to the government and how the state oversees the execution of these arrangements.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The presentation emphasizes that although most lending services and transactions are becoming digital and the use of cash is declining, the availability of critical on-site services—namely, cash withdrawal and deposit, and identity verification—remains necessary, and competition among banks compels them to offer these.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Discussing banking services, the minister emphasizes that the primary service is lending, and the remaining services are largely cash-related (depositing, withdrawing, and settling accounts). Although the use of cash is declining, many cash access points have emerged in Estonia, and competition among banks is focusing on critical local services.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, emphasizes that although loans are the primary banking service, most transactions have shifted to online or phone-based platforms. Services provided by physical branches, such as cash transfers, are now utilized by only a negligible fraction of customers. Consequently, the accessibility of critical services is guaranteed both through the expanded network of cash points (225 deposit locations) and through interbank competition, which should compel banks to offer the necessary physical services in order to capture market share.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras emphasizes that because the majority of banking services have shifted online or are accessible by phone, and only a marginal fraction of clients (0.6%) utilize services at physical branches (such as over-the-counter transfers), the decrease in branch numbers does not significantly alter the overall situation. This is particularly true given the broad availability of cash deposit and withdrawal points (at gas stations and 225 deposit locations). Furthermore, interbank competition guarantees that critical services which provide a market advantage will always be offered.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Helmen Kütt to speak.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt emphasized that regional policy must be broader than just urban life, and asked the minister for concrete, one-two-three steps during the state budget negotiations that would improve life outside of cities as well, citing threats such as the closure of ATMs and the example of Coop Pank.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt expressed concern over the closure of opportunities in the sector and demanded concrete regional policy steps and proposals from the minister—who is heading into state budget negotiations—to ensure life continues outside major cities as well. She cited the role of Coop Bank in guaranteeing cash availability in rural areas as a positive example.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt voiced concern over the narrowing of the sector, recalled the Social Democrats' previous successful regional policy initiatives, and demanded three specific steps from the minister—who is heading into state budget negotiations—to ensure the sustainability of life even outside major cities, citing Coop Pank's example in providing services to rural areas.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
In regional policy, transport is one of the most crucial issues, as quality public transport enables mobility and access to services for people, while simultaneously reducing car travel and the CO2 footprint.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Regional Affairs and Agriculture Minister Hendrik Johannes Terras views high-quality public transport as the cornerstone of Estonian regional policy, stressing its significance both for promoting economic activity and for ensuring that people (both young and elderly) have access to essential services (such as the Valga-Tartu line). Furthermore, this initiative helps reduce the CO2 footprint.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi invited Ester Karuse to the stage.
Ester Karuse
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ester Karuse announced that the last physical bank branch in Valga is closing. She had planned to convene the Banking Association and bank representatives and meet with the ministry to clarify the reasons and discuss what the state could do, but the change of government interrupted these plans. She still urges that the message regarding this important issue be conveyed to the banks.
Ester Karuse
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ester Karuse stressed that the closure of Valga's last physical bank branch is a critical issue. She outlined a plan to organize a meeting with the ministry, the Banking Association, and bank representatives to clarify the reasons and discuss potential solutions, but the change in government meant the meeting never took place. She requested that this message be effectively conveyed to the Banking Association or the bank representatives.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, said that a meeting with bank representatives is scheduled, noting that the availability of loans in rural areas, the provision of banking services, and the issues of concern currently present in the agricultural sector all require attention. He added that he would announce how the meeting went afterwards.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Andre Hanimägi to speak.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi points out that tax policy exacerbates regional inequality, given that residents of Tallinn and wealthier municipalities benefit disproportionately from the tax reforms. He then asks whether the Minister of Regional Affairs sees any role in mitigating this situation.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi argued that the tax policy increases regional inequality and is not beneficial for seniors, and he asked whether the regional minister should emphasize that residents of Tallinn and wealthier municipalities stand to gain more from it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi briefly expressed his thanks, simply saying, "Thank you!"
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi expresses concern that they are the ones who benefit the most from this, and that we need to be more balanced.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The core of regional development involves promoting entrepreneurship and the contribution of active community members, which makes places vibrant, even though tax and fiscal policy is the domain of the Ministry of Finance, and regional development is broader than that.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a brief request to invite Raimond Kaljulaid to speak.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid asks the minister what the main indicators of regional development are, which he regularly monitors, and what goals he aims to achieve using these metrics in the coming years and by the end of the year.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras emphasizes that when evaluating the success of regional policy, long-term indicators—such as the development of entrepreneurship in rural areas and the population size—are more important than weekly metrics, and the state's duty is to ensure the best possible living conditions for people, regardless of their choice of residence.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Terras, highlighted that there are two primary indicators for regional development—the growth of entrepreneurship in rural areas and the population count—which reveal the current trend and based on which the state strives to create the best possible conditions for these regions.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras emphasizes that the success of regional policy cannot be measured by weekly metrics, but must instead be assessed long-term through the development of entrepreneurship and population figures. He simultaneously affirms that the state's role is to guarantee the best living conditions for people, regardless of their choice of residence or the global trend of migration toward urban centers.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called upon Madis Kallas.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas criticizes the fact that regional policy is debated based on the assessments of people who are not involved in rural life, and asks the minister whether the banking sector’s connection to transport costs influences the cost of living and the loan market on the islands (e.g., between Saaremaa and Hiiumaa).
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas sharply criticizes those who provide assessments concerning rural life but are actually out of touch with the reality of it. However, he addresses the minister with a question: has regional policy taken into account the impact of rising transport costs—for example, ferry ticket prices—on the cost of living on the islands and, consequently, on the lending systems of the banking sector?
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Terras stated that while the ferry ticket price is important to the islanders, locals benefit from considerable discounts. He added that islanders don't complain about the cost, trips to the mainland fit within their budget, and banks haven't reported any information suggesting the price significantly impacts their financial viability.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras emphasized that Saaremaa residents benefit from significant discounts on ferry tickets, and local residents are currently not criticizing the price because it fits within their budget and has not significantly strained their financial capacity, which is further confirmed by the lack of information received from the banking sector suggesting the opposite.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, confirmed that while the ferry ticket price is a matter of vital importance to the islanders, they benefit from substantial discounts. Moreover, based on feedback received from local councils and banks, the islanders have not currently voiced any complaints about the ticket price, as it remains within their budget and has not strained their financial capacity.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls Jaak Aab to deliver his speech.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab criticized the Centre Party's regional policy, describing its evolution into a municipal party. He referenced the anti-advertisement published in Maaleht and called on the minister to monitor the situation and propose ways to maintain and develop public sector jobs in rural areas.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab criticizes the Centre Party for neglecting regional policy, focusing solely on Tallinn and the cities of Ida-Viru County. He then asks the minister whether he is currently involved in preserving and monitoring public sector jobs in rural areas, emphasizing that this responsibility previously fell to the Minister of Public Administration, who successfully relocated over a thousand jobs outside of the capital.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab criticizes the Centre Party for neglecting regional policy and for its Tallinn-centric focus. He then addresses the minister, asking whether the minister is currently monitoring and preserving public sector jobs in rural areas, pointing out that this responsibility previously belonged to the Minister of Public Administration, who had relocated over a thousand jobs outside of the capital.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras responded to a colleague’s comment concerning the party affiliation of regional ministers. He explained that regional policy covers a wide range of areas, and the management and responsibility for these areas should be distributed among various ministries. Furthermore, he emphasized the necessity of improving inter-ministerial cooperation and proactive public communication efforts to ensure the efficient delivery of public services across the regions.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
He/She emphasized that the areas of regional policy would be divided among ministries based on responsibility, and that cooperation with public administration must be improved to prevent problems and explain why the provision of public services in regional areas is important.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Riina Sikkut is invited to the floor.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut criticized regional policy, referring to measures intended for rural areas (such as 40% of business support grants and structural funds), and asked what the specific and measurable objective is by which the results of the regional minister's work can be evaluated.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut lists the government’s regional policy achievements to date—such as differentiated support for hobby education, rental housing, and the target of directing at least 40% of business support to rural areas—and while agreeing that jobs in rural areas are important, she asks the minister what the specific and measurable goal is regarding rural employment, by the fulfillment of which her performance as regional minister can be assessed.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
He asks if they would like to hear the average salary figure from outside of Tallinn, which would be indicative.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asked Riina Sikkut to hand the microphone back for a moment.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut noted that the important metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of regional policy are jobs and income, and she completely agrees with that.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The speech focuses on the question of human location.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut stresses that the location of people is very good, but asks what the specific goal is and whether a certain number of jobs must be created over the next year.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut addresses the importance of achieving goals in rural areas and questions whether, if those goals are not met, it could be said that she has failed as a minister.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The discussion covered the long-term perspective of regional development and the importance of proper guidance and maintaining the 40% target, since investments increase the level of jobs and wages, and the final outcome depends on the effectiveness of these steps.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras stresses the importance of a long-term perspective and strategic investments for regional development, noting that short-term objectives are often either too low or too ambitious, and asserting that the courage to invest ensures the desired trajectory and improves the wage level of jobs.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The presenter informs that currently no one is involved in the negotiations on behalf of those making inquiries, and therefore it is now Lauri Laats’s turn to share the Mustamäe perspective.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi concluded the questioning, noting that the proponents of the interpellation did not wish for a debate, and then repeatedly and emphatically gave the floor to his colleague Lauri Laats, specifically to hear the position of Mustamäe, which has remained "a thorn in the speaker's side."
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasizes the critical importance of the availability of post offices and banking services in rural areas, noting that the reduction in services since 2015 is unsustainable and requires state intervention. He also sharply criticizes the actions and attitude of the responsible minister, pointing to the minister's extended vacation and the delays in meeting with the Riigikogu faction, which demonstrates that both regional policy and agriculture have been neglected.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The presentation stressed the importance of regional policy and the need for government intervention to preserve access to postal services, bank branches, and ATMs, alongside maintaining free county public transport. The reduction of these services disproportionately harms rural residents, and ministerial responses on the matter have been delayed.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats views the regional policy issue raised by the Social Democrats—specifically, the disappearance of post offices and banking services in rural areas—as extremely important. However, he sharply criticizes the passivity and poor attitude of the minister in charge. He cites the long wait for the minister to return from vacation as a prime example, arguing that this demonstrates that both regional policy and agriculture are failing. The state must intervene to guarantee essential services for rural residents and halt the reduction in the number of service points.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Gratitude was expressed in the address, and Peeter Ernits was invited to speak.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits sharply criticizes the ministers'—especially the Regional Minister's—lax management style and their enjoyment of holidays during times of crisis. He demands a comprehensive national strategy that would halt the shrinking of vital services (such as cash availability, post offices, and notaries) in rural areas, which have devolved into zones of market failure. Furthermore, he calls for restoring balance in agriculture to ensure both food security and the preservation of local jobs.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits is criticizing the regional minister's lax management and is calling on the state to intervene to halt office closures and ensure the availability of local services, the viability of local producers, and food security within regional development.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits sharply criticizes the lax leadership style of the regional minister and other officials who were taking holidays during crises. He stresses that the state must intervene, as rural areas (defined as market failure zones) continue to see a contraction of vital services—everything from bank branches and cash access to notaries and nature centers—a trend that threatens regional equilibrium and food security. He demands that the government produce a comprehensive plan to halt this process.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi expresses his thanks, invites Lauri Läänemets forward, and allocates five minutes of speaking time, noting that everyone has managed perfectly well within the five-minute limit, and he hopes that you will manage too.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets sharply criticizes the government’s regional policy, which is based on market logic and reduces people’s lives to mere numbers and expenses in an Excel spreadsheet. He stresses that the life of every Estonian citizen is worthwhile, and the state must ensure value-based access to services in every region instead of forcing residents to relocate to the capital. Furthermore, he called upon the Centre Party to cooperate with the Social Democrats to implement a progressive income tax and to ensure honesty in tax policy, thereby guaranteeing that necessary services are properly funded.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets emphasizes that Estonian life must not be merely the sum of market transactions, and regional policy must ensure services and opportunities in every region, avoiding the reduction of life to an Excel number, and calling on political parties for cooperation and honest action.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi emphasized that making counter-speeches during the process of answering interpellations is neither common practice nor effective, advising his colleague to discuss the matter privately instead, in order to save time and avoid setting precedents, and subsequently declared the consideration of the agenda item concluded.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked his colleague, noted the importance of saving time on follow-up remarks, and suggested holding their discussion privately with Lauri to avoid setting a precedent.