2025 supplementary budget
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing
Date: 2025-06-04 15:14
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 11
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 13m
AI Summaries: 11/11 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Today, the second reading of the 2025 supplementary budget was discussed in the Riigikogu. The discussion focused primarily on security-related needs and whether increasing income support limits and funding other security components should now be covered by the supplementary budget. Helmen Kütt presented a specific model: increasing income support could be appropriate more quickly, but the financial resources are lacking and this could be addressed in the next stage of the budget process. He drew a parallel to 2022, when a similar step was taken, and emphasized that the current situation, due to prices and the cost of living, makes the need for income support very актуален. Against the background of the broader approval of the bill, he also touched on the funding of the security and cybersecurity sectors and the budget’s impact on national defense and security needs.
The second part of the discussion highlighted that the supplementary budget is primarily related to national defense and security requirements – for example, the procurement of necessary resources for national defense competencies and support services (outreach equipment for national media, radio crisis solutions, cybersecurity, counterintelligence, organizing the eastern border, new support weapons for the PPA, Pärnu Hospital’s operational continuity and oxygen generators for ambulances). At the same time, it was noted that the timeliness of income support needs to be reviewed and that the discussion in this area will remain a longer-term topic within the budget process. In addition, the importance of the full operational functionality of the SKAIS2 system was brought out, along with the need for ongoing investment distribution, and plans to clarify how much and when these funds will be allocated. Overall, the exchange of views revolved around the balance: covering security expenditures with the supplementary budget while continuing to assess and discuss income support and social mechanisms at the budget discussions to be held in the autumn.
Decisions Made 1
No political decisions were made at this session; the discussion continues, and the updating of hardship benefits and investments in SKAIS and other security areas must be considered within the budget process and decisions taken at subsequent sessions and during the budget period.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker during this session was Helmen Kütt (member of the Riigikogu, Social Democratic Party). She posed two clarifying questions and contributed in a leading manner during the discussion, representing the left-wing faction.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riigikogu member Helmen Kütt is submitting a question to Prime Minister Kristen Michal concerning the 2025 supplementary budget.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt emphasizes that raising the subsistence level through the supplementary budget is exceptionally timely and necessary because prices have increased by nearly a fifth, and people's ability to cope is becoming progressively harder. She asks why this cannot be done immediately and whether it is planned for next year, and subsequently submits a corresponding amendment proposal.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the updating of the subsistence benefit must be discussed, but the current supplementary budget does not focus on it because the priority is expenditures related to national defense and security.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the speaker and asks Helmen Kütt to pose a clarifying question.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt stated that additional funding for raising the subsistence level is absolutely crucial, and 25–30 million euros is required to fix SKAIS. Otherwise, 800,000 beneficiaries could be left without their payments, and the system needs the money to mitigate security and cyber risks.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that such systems are not built out of thin air and goodwill, and they require funding. Approximately 20 million euros in additional resources have been planned for SKAIS2 during 2026–2029, along with a contingency plan and the involvement of experts, to ensure the system's reliability and the flawless functioning of the digital state.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the esteemed Prime Minister, compliments Helmen Kütt, and notes that the question complies with the requirements of § 146, subsection 4 of the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, and must be brief and allow for a brief answer. The supplementary question will be asked by Riina Sikkut.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut stresses the importance of trust, recalls the Center Party's pledge not to cooperate with EKRE, and questions whether a child allowance of 100 euros for the first and second child would be a more effective solution to the rising cost of living than tax concessions, which are complicated, require large expenditures, and necessitate the updating of IT systems.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that collecting a car tax from families with children only to distribute it back as a subsidy is not expedient. The goal is rather to reduce their overall tax burden, which includes implementing a 100-euro car tax allowance for every minor child and lowering the tax rate for M and N category buses. The estimated cost of these measures is approximately 25–30 million euros, of which about one-third will be directed to families with children and people with disabilities. This principle will remain in place as long as this government is in power.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He thanks Mr. Prime Minister and asks for something.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Thank you very much, the consideration of the second matter will be concluded today.