Inquiry regarding the construction of Via Baltica (no. 734)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
Date: 2025-05-19 19:51
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 27
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 23m
AI Summaries: 27/27 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
As the third item on the agenda, the inquiry submitted on March 26th by members of the Riigikogu – Andrei Korobeinik, Vladimir Arhipov, Aleksei Jevgrafov, and Lauri Laats – regarding the construction of Via Baltica was addressed. The inquirers highlighted the need to clarify whether and to what extent the road is planned to be built in a four-lane format, and what the development timeline and funding are. In speeches, emphasis was placed on defense and security aspects, as well as the role of European Union funding, and also on the differences in political culture between the Reform Party and the Centre Party concerning the fulfillment of promises related to Via Baltica. Speakers included both the inquirers and representatives of the government, including Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, and the discussion encompassed a series of historical and current phenomena: government priorities, budget operations and funding policy, the availability of European Union co-financing, and the potential for military mobility.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made under the Riigikogu's third agenda item. Responses were given to questions directed to the Prime Minister, and the discussion will continue in accordance with the development of budgetary and funding possibilities and the course of decisions at the European Union level.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Andrei Korobeinik (pid vw5WQVoukVA), a member of the Riigikogu and a questioner. His presentations focused on the faster development of Via Baltica, the absurdity of a four-lane road, and the connections between funding and security; he guided the listeners and posed several critical questions and observations regarding the government's positions. I view him as a political figure with a "different" (the most extensive independent or partial) position – he is a questioner whose role was to highlight conflicting issues and influence the direction of public discussion.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is currently addressing the third item on today's agenda: an interpellation concerning the development of the Via Baltica highway, submitted by Riigikogu members Andrei Korobeinik, Vladimir Arhipov, Aleksei Jevgrafov, and Lauri Laats.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In his presentation, Korobeinik raises the question of whether the Reform Party’s plan for a four-lane Via Baltica is still on the table, or if an EU exemption has been sought to abandon the project, taking into account national defense and other infrastructure projects, and whether the Mayor of Pärnu was deceived.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar called Prime Minister Kristen Michal to the Riigikogu rostrum to answer an interpellation.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Prime Minister announced that Rail Baltica will proceed and Via Baltica will be developed as a four-lane highway during 2025–2027 (specifically the Libatse–Nurme and Sauga–Pärnu sections), supported by the Cohesion Fund, CEF, and national co-financing. Funding issues for the RES 2025–2028 and the EU 2028–2034 budget period are currently in the decision-making process. Furthermore, while no specific promises regarding Via Baltica are being made should the Reform Party take office, the party wishes to promote right-wing politics, and Kosenkranius’s joining is tied to this objective.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked [the participants], invited questions, and asked Vadim Belobrovtsev to take the floor.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev suggested that Via Baltica should be fully completed first, because, in his view, it is the guarantee of our security, and only then should Rail Baltica be developed.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Estonia is the best performer among the Baltic states in the construction of Rail Baltic, that Via Baltica will be four-lane (or at least 2+1), and that the importance of Air Baltic as a connectivity link must be gratefully acknowledged to the Latvians. She added that the main financial priorities are defense, and if opportunities arise, additional funds will be secured through military mobility programs.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller addresses Vladimir Arhipov and asks him to come.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov claims that although the prime minister designated Rail Baltic an important military object, military personnel and railway workers have stated how easily vulnerable it is—some little missile flies in here and the connection is broken.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal apologizes and asks that someone please take the microphone and speak, because there is a terrible amount of buzzing and chatter going on in the back.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He asks if he can continue.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal asks [the speaker] to speak louder because there is a buzz/chatter coming from the back.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov argues that Rail Baltic is a military installation that is easily compromised, and he suggests devoting more attention to the Via Baltica route so that a parallel connection to Europe can be developed from this standpoint.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that Estonia contributes according to its capabilities: Rail Baltic is just as important for Pärnu County as it is for the rest of Estonia, and it is beneficial for the environment, security, travel, and freight transport, while also creating new opportunities for economic development. Simultaneously, funding is being sought for the Via Baltica project, and Estonia’s main highways should be upgraded to 2+2 lanes (or 2+1 in some sections) in order to reduce travel time, traffic-related stress, and accidents, and to foster economic growth.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Lauri Laats to the stage.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats stated that Via Baltica is one of Estonia’s most dangerous roads, and although traffic safety plans for 2024–2025 are in place, the budget has been slashed from 12.3 million to 1.5 million, representing an eightfold reduction, which jeopardizes the implementation of these measures.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the upcoming traffic safety program covers road quality, the redesign of hazardous urban locations, highway safety, enforcement, and traffic culture. She added that while there is no single silver bullet for achieving safety, efforts must be made at all levels, and the final outcome depends on the behavior of the drivers behind the wheel.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller calls upon Andrei Korobeinik to speak.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik criticizes the fact that the prime minister only read the first sentence of the press release and missed the most important point: Via Baltica is Estonia's most crucial trade route, and the construction of a four-lane road must become a major objective for both the government and Pärnu.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that the Via Baltica needs to be completed as quickly as possible. Furthermore, if funding is available, it should be redirected from the defense budget toward improving road quality, arguing that had the 2016 recommendations for constructing four-lane roads been followed, the roads would have been finished a long time ago.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller gives his thanks and states that there are no questions, opens the floor for debate, and asks Andrei Korobeinik to continue.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In his presentation, Andrei Korobeinik accuses Kristen Michal, arguing that the four-lane section of Via Baltica dates back to an earlier period, and the current government neither plans to finish it quickly nor secure the necessary funding. A derogation is being sought from the European Union, and traffic safety has declined. Rail Baltica is still not expected this decade, and instead of spreading Putin's narrative, they should invest in infrastructure—where every Riigikogu member annually receives an additional 500 euros.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech includes thanks and provides the Prime Minister with an opportunity to speak.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that defense spending is necessary to preserve Estonia's freedom due to the neighbor's aggression, not for show or vanity. He added that approximately 200 million euros were allocated last year for infrastructure funding, including Rail Baltica, and that the opposition is wrong about the figures.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is simply an instruction: Andrei Korobeinik is requested to give a response speech, and he is allotted two minutes.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik accuses the Prime Minister of distributing over half a billion in the budget to the wealthy in the form of subsidies, arguing that investments are needed instead in infrastructure and strengthening defense capabilities. He stressed the importance of Via Baltica and stated that the Reform Party's choice is detrimental.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announced that, as there were no further requests to speak, he was closing the debate, and we have thus concluded the third item on the agenda for today.