Draft law amending the simplified taxation act for entrepreneurs and the income tax act, and repealing the security tax act – second reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2025-06-11 18:57
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 116
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 38m
AI Summaries: 116/116 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the second reading of Draft Act 645, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Act on Simplified Taxation of Business Income and the Income Tax Act, and the repeal of the Security Tax Act. The report of the Finance Committee was presented by Maris Lauri. The Committee had approached 18 interest groups for their opinions, three of which responded (the Chamber of Service Economy, the Merchants’ Association, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry). The Chamber of Service Economy recommended a technical legal amendment regarding the repeal of the Security Tax Act, which the Committee accepted. The Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry viewed the abolition of the temporary corporate profit tax positively. The Isamaa parliamentary group submitted six amendments. One proposal, which concerned the initiation of a supplementary budget, was excluded from the committee proceedings as it should have been submitted as a separate draft resolution. The Finance Committee made one technical legal amendment (No. 2). Opposition politicians (Tanel Kiik, Lauri Läänemets, Urmas Reinsalu, and others) sharply criticized the government's tax policy, considering it regressive and inequality-increasing, and accused the government of breaking promises regarding tax stability and the temporary nature of tax increases. Maris Lauri emphasized in her replies that she represented the views of the Committee and that, according to the Ministry of Finance forecasts, the tax burden is actually decreasing. Three Isamaa amendments (Nos. 4, 5, 6) and four proposals to suspend proceedings (Centre Party, Isamaa, EKRE, SDE) were put to a vote. All proposals were rejected in the votes.
Decisions Made 5
The second reading of Bill 645 was concluded.
The amendment proposal No. 4 by the Isamaa faction (recommended for rejection) was voted down (36 in favor, 47 against).
The Isamaa Faction's Amendment Proposal No. 5 (to be disregarded) was rejected (36 in favor, 47 against).
The Isamaa faction's Amendment No. 6 (to be disregarded) was rejected (36 votes for, 47 against).
The proposal to suspend the second reading of Draft Bill 645 (submitted by four parliamentary groups) was rejected (37 votes in favor, 48 against).
Most Active Speaker
Maris Lauri, acting as rapporteur, was the most frequent speaker at the rostrum, repeatedly fielding questions from the opposition concerning the regressiveness of the tax system and the rules of procedure. Her position was stronger.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The fifth item on the agenda concerns the second reading of Draft Bill 645, which amends the simplified taxation of business income, the Income Tax Act, and the Security Tax Act, and repeals the corresponding draft law; the presenter is the esteemed colleague from the Riigikogu podium, member of the Finance Committee, Maris Lauri.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri presented an overview on behalf of the Finance Committee regarding the second reading of Bill 645 (concerning the repeal of the Security Tax Act and amendments to tax laws). She noted that the committee had taken into account feedback from interest groups, made technical drafting amendments (including to the title of the bill), and excluded from the proceedings any amendment proposals unrelated to the bill's purpose. She proposed concluding the second reading and holding the final vote on June 18.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri detailed the handling of Draft Bill 645 by the Finance Committee. She discussed the views of the interest groups, noting that further analysis was unnecessary due to the existing commitment. She also presented the amendments that had been made and outlined the next procedural steps (the second reading and the final vote, tentatively scheduled for June 18th). Finally, she clarified the provisions concerning the title and the repeal clauses, where Isamaa’s proposals were partially incorporated.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speaker announced that there were questions and asked Tanel Kiik to answer.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik criticizes the speaker, arguing that the Estonian tax system is regressive and unfair because it lacks a progressive income tax and traditional corporate profit-based taxation. Consequently, low-wage earners pay a proportionally larger share of their income in taxes than the wealthy. He also questioned why the rest of Europe, particularly the Nordic countries, operates differently.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik asks the rapporteur if the Finance Committee has discussed the regressivity of the Estonian tax system, where low-wage earners pay proportionally more than the wealthy.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Thank you, this question was not discussed in the Finance Committee.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Lauri Läänemets to the stage.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets sharply criticizes Estonia's regressive tax system, which imposes high taxes on low and middle incomes while levying low taxes on the wealthy, thereby creating social inequality and hindering economic development. He demands to know whether representatives of the commission or the government have even raised this issue—which has been criticized by the IMF and the OECD—during the budget procedure.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets asks why neither the commission nor the government has raised the issue of tax regressivity within the framework of the budget procedure, emphasizing that high taxes for the poor and middle class and low taxes for the rich harm society and economic development, and he refers to the recommendations of the IMF and OECD to abandon regressive tax policy.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In summary, the address highlights that the tax system has been the subject of various discussions and is undoubtedly a political choice, dependent on the balance of power and prevailing forces in the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech is just a request to Tanel Kiik.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik criticizes the Riigikogu's practice of avoiding uncomfortable topics, pointing to the lack of discussion within the committee, and continues to demand a clear answer from the Minister of Finance and the committee rapporteur regarding why Estonia has established a tax system where the tax burden on low-wage earners is proportionally greater than that of the wealthier segment of society, deeming this illogical and inadequate.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik criticizes the presenter's contradictory stance, asking why they are ridiculing the serious problem of fraud and the necessary action plan initiative.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri confirmed that she always represents the same position of the committee and intends to continue doing so in the future, adding that the topic was not discussed during the processing of the current draft bill, although tax issues have been previously discussed by the committee regarding various other draft bills.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller invited Helir-Valdor Seeder to speak.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder stated that Isamaa does not support raising taxes. He then asked whether, if the bill’s objective is to raise taxes, an amendment proposing to reduce taxes or keep them at the current level is prohibited because it is inconsistent with the bill’s objective. Furthermore, he asked if this constitutes the official position of the Finance Committee, based on the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder of the Isamaa Party voiced his opposition to the permanent entrenchment of tax increases. He then put a pointed question to the rapporteur and chairman of the Finance Committee, asking whether the committee’s interpretation of the Rules of Procedure means that if the purpose of a draft bill is to raise taxes, then amendments aimed at reducing those taxes are automatically forbidden on the grounds that they are inconsistent with the bill’s stated objective.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri highlighted three primary reasons why the proposal was unsuitable: first, it should have been presented as a draft decision concerning the supplementary budget, rather than as an amendment; second, the draft bill pertains solely to tax law, not the supplementary budget itself; and third, the option to submit an omnibus bill is exceptional, and it was not suitable in this specific situation, mirroring how similar cases have been handled previously by the committee and the Riigikogu.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri explained that the submitted proposal is procedurally unsound, citing three justifications. The main one is that, according to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules, the proposal for the government to draft a supplementary budget should have been submitted as a draft resolution, not as an amendment to the current draft tax law.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller asked Helir-Valdor Seeder to present a procedural question.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder felt that the committee representative had answered the wrong question, and he demanded a clear interpretation of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure Act: specifically, whether amendments must strictly adhere to the stated objective of the bill (for instance, whether a proposal to lower taxes can be submitted to a tax increase bill) or if proposals contrary to the bill's objective are also permissible.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder posed a theoretical question to the Finance Committee, requesting its interpretation on whether, if the objective of a bill is to raise taxes, it is permissible to submit amendments aimed at lowering taxes, and whether such amendments would be consistent or in conflict with the bill's stated objective.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller explains that the committee will handle the matter procedurally and decide whether it is taken into consideration or not; the Riigikogu Board and the session chairman cannot intervene in this, and Urmas Reinsalu wishes to ask a further procedural question regarding this.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu accuses the parliamentary majority of employing the unprecedented and law-defying "Tagurpidiantsla logic" in destroying the Isamaa proposal, emphasizing that a simple majority vote does not grant them the right to nullify established parliamentary customs and legal provisions. He promises that the opposition will not sink to the same low level in retaliation.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that it is very bad when nobody intervenes, referring to the "Upside-Down Antsla" logic seen in previous compositions of parliament. He argued that if the majority uses its majority votes to annul Isamaa's proposal, thereby violating both parliamentary custom and the law, they have no right to do so. He added that he is not threatening the pendulum swinging back, because he will not become like them.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker announces that a procedural matter will now be addressed.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu sharply criticizes the actions of the parliamentary majority and the committee, which, by interpreting the Rules of Procedure Act, exclude the voting on amendments proposed by minority members. He claims that such behavior violates the established procedure for handling legislation and asks the session chair what legal remedies parliament members possess against the majority's arbitrariness in a state governed by the rule of law.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu expresses concern that the interpretation of the Rules of Procedure Act allows the amendments proposed by the majority of Members of Parliament to be simply set aside and the deliberation of the bill to be suspended if those amendments were not submitted under the correct section of the bill, and asks the presiding officer what legal remedies are available to Members of Parliament in this situation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller thanked the member for the procedural question, noting that the session chairman cannot influence the committee's conduct. Urmas Reinsalu spoke in the chamber, and the committee representative explained the debate and justified why one decision or the other was made. Helir-Valdor Seeder is now invited to speak.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
I ask the honorable Speaker, whether this interpretation of the Rules of Procedure—that if an amendment does not align with the objective of the bill, it will not be entered into the voting schedule and is ineligible for a vote in the plenary hall—is consistent with the Presidium and the law. Furthermore, have we reached a point where the majority of opposition amendments alter the substance or objective of bills initiated by the coalition, meaning they should not be brought to a vote at all in the future?
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder emphasizes the responsibility of the Riigikogu Presidium for the consistent interpretation of the Rules of Procedure and Internal Order, and expresses deep concern that committees have begun interpreting the rules in a manner that allows amendments to be excluded from the voting list, based on the justification that they are inconsistent with the bill's objective. He views this as a dangerous precedent that could significantly restrict the opposition’s right to submit substantive amendments and, consequently, their right to have those amendments put to a vote in the future.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker says that we have not yet reached that point, many amendments will come to the plenary hall and will be voted on, and asks Urmas Reinsalu to present a brief procedural question.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu sharply criticizes the processing of omnibus bills (or 'cluster bills'), which he argues violates good parliamentary practice and converts temporary taxes into permanent ones. He stresses that this legislative approach conceals the bill's actual objective, making it impossible for the opposition to propose relevant amendments because their compliance with the bill's purpose remains ambiguous.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu emphasized that in the case of omnibus bills, the legislator's objective must be clearly defined, and he questioned how that objective could even be defined, since previous examples show that temporary taxes can become permanent due to an omnibus bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Presiding Officer stated that the objectives of the draft legislation are described in the explanatory memorandum of the first reading, and the question must be addressed to the rapporteur, Andrei Korobeinik.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik accused the commission's representative of political hypocrisy, citing as an example the Social Democrats' behavior regarding the progressive income tax, which they blocked while in a coalition with the Reform Party but which they now eagerly support, asking whether such inconsistency advances parliamentary debate.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik points out that while the discussion ought to focus solely on the draft bill, the parliamentary debate is being undermined by hypocrisy, specifically by the Social Democrats who, having blocked the progressive income tax while in a coalition with the Reform Party, are now sincerely praising it, and he questions whether such behavior is constructive for the debate.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He emphasizes that he is currently the commission's representative and is not expressing his personal views.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker invites Lauri Läänemets to speak.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets highlighted the regressivity of the Estonian tax system and the OECD/IMF recommendations for reforming it, and asked whether the Minister of Finance had addressed this issue and specifically labeled it a problem during the budget proceedings.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets is setting aside previous coalition topics and focusing instead on Estonia’s regressive tax system, where the poor pay proportionally more taxes than the rich—a situation that has also drawn criticism from the OECD and IMF. He specifically asked whether the Minister of Finance acknowledged and addressed this problem during the budget proceedings.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The draft bill concerns the repeal of the security tax, and no such discussion took place.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller invites Urmas Reinsalu to take the floor.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu emphasizes that the draft bill must be viewed in conjunction with the context of the recently adopted Security Tax Law, and calls on the public to elicit the positions and responses of interest organizations regarding the imposition of the security tax, because the engagement process has been insufficient and the discussions are taking place on different dates.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu argues that the ongoing debate cannot be separated from the previously enacted security tax law. He demands an explanation from the government regarding the positions taken by interest groups and the responses they received concerning the request to make the tax time-limited, as the current situation gives the impression that there has been a lack of dialogue and inclusion.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri stated that the commission approached 18 interest groups, and three respondents provided the following recommendations: The Chamber of Service Economy recommended a technical regulatory amendment, which the commission voted against; the Estonian Traders' Association requested a tax reduction to improve domestic trade; the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry viewed the draft positively due to the abolition of the temporary corporate income tax and offered an impact analysis concerning the increase in VAT; however, since the previous decision had been made for 2027, this specific provision was not revised.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri introduced the handling of Bill 645, noting that although the commission had approached 18 interest groups, responses were received from only three. These respondents proposed technical regulatory amendments, emphasized the necessity of lowering taxes to improve domestic trade, and viewed the abolition of the temporary corporate income tax positively, even though an impact analysis regarding the VAT increase was not currently deemed necessary.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller invites Anti Allas to take the floor.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas asks whether the commission discussed the net balance of the tax changes—how much is added and how much is taken away—and whether the necessity of a fair, classical income tax was discussed to cover either the expenditure or revenue side, and what the resulting positions were.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Thank you, but those questions were not discussed during those discussions.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He highlights a contradiction: the explanatory memorandum claims a major impact on end-users and their livelihoods, but then states that the impact hasn't been discussed whatsoever. He asks how this is possible and if no one has actually raised any questions about it.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller calls upon Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to speak.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri noted that this is the first reading of the bill in the chamber, and possible amendments, which the committee has already addressed, will be discussed at the second reading. Furthermore, no questions were raised during the consideration of the proposed amendments.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu is invited to speak at the beginning of the address.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu urged Lauri to look at the tax burden more broadly and asked what the total sum of all hidden, direct, and indirect taxes is, both this year and next year, and how that figure will develop if Parliament adopts this law by a majority vote.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri said the question was so short this time, and she thanked him for that, but added that she’s used to you always asking incredibly long, drawn-out questions that are hard to follow, and since you were at the committee meeting, you know perfectly well that we didn't discuss that kind of question.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is a short request to Raili Rand.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand criticizes the Reform Party's myth of labeling the tax system as the best, noting that it disproportionately burdens lower incomes and that VAT on food and excise duties are among the highest in Europe. She then asks what the current governing coalition's long-term plan is for covering state expenditures and continuing to contribute to security in 2028–2029.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri said that the commission did not discuss this specific issue from that perspective during its sessions.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme recalls how the Reform Party government presented the security tax as a measure to boost security, even though it was actually intended to raise VAT and income tax, a fact that was kept hidden from the public. She now asks whether our security will be stronger or weaker following the planned tax repeal.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller invites Helle-Moonika Helme to the podium.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri thanked them and said that the commission had not discussed the issue.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
There are no further questions; Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller declares the round of questions closed and hands the floor over to the presiding officer, saying: “Mart Helme, please!”
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In conclusion: the question raised by Isamaa colleagues Urmas Reinsalu and Helir-Valdor Seeder remained unanswered, the entire procedure is unlawful, and future governments have an obligation to annul and reverse the draft legislation and, if necessary, impose sanctions to ensure that such an illegal situation does not recur in parliament.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller stated that the phrase had been uttered for the sake of the transcript, agreed with it, and announced that he was opening the debate, starting first with Aleksandr Tšaplõgin.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Economic crises have two models of action: lowering taxes and finding cheap energy, or raising taxes and achieving fiscal balance. The speaker advocates for the first option, emphasizing the procurement of cheap energy (oil shale) and the need for a government different from Michal and Ligi.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin sharply criticizes the Estonian government's model for resolving the economic crisis, which focuses on achieving budget balance by raising taxes. He argues that this approach repeats the mistakes of 2009, pushing the country into a deep recession, especially when compared to Germany and Finland, which are opting to lower taxes and energy prices to stimulate their economies. He stresses that economic laws have not changed and therefore demands a reduction in taxes, the utilization of cheap energy (oil shale), and the replacement of the government, asserting that the current leaders fail to grasp the situation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman thanks Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski and calls upon her.
Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski emphasizes that the proposed tax reform is not merely a tax rate increase, but a comprehensive reform that abolishes the corporate profit tax, retains the income tax-free minimum, and makes the tax system simpler, fairer, and more predictable, thereby increasing people's incomes and ensuring the long-term stability of the economy and defense capability.
Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski passionately defends the tax reform bill, emphasizing that it is a decision concerning Estonia's future and economic security, one that restores the entrepreneur-friendly spirit of the 90s by maintaining a low administrative burden and taxing only distributed profit, while simultaneously simplifying the income tax system, increasing people's real income, and ensuring stable, long-term funding for strengthening the country's defense capabilities.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller thanks [the previous speaker] and calls upon Andrei Korobeinik.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik submitted a motion for adjournment, sharply criticizing the bill presented by the Reform Party. In his assessment, the bill is an Orwellian falsehood, as the alleged simplified taxation and economic growth actually translates to a 2% tax increase. This increase takes money from everyone—including pensioners and minimum wage earners—with the goal of funding a tax benefit intended for the wealthy that will take effect next year, a measure by which the Reform Party is cementing the decline of the Estonian economy.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Spokesperson Andrei Korobeinik claims that the Reform Party's draft law, "The Simplified Business Income Taxation Act," is essentially a tax hike that takes money from ordinary people and benefits the wealthy, and that the aforementioned 'bright future' bill will not bring genuine economic growth but will instead deepen inequality.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller thanked the previous speaker and subsequently yielded the floor to Vladimir Arhipov.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman offered his thanks and invited Vladimir Arhipov to speak next.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov claims that the draft bill under discussion does not offer relief; rather, it increases the tax burden—by eliminating the separate taxation of business income, raising the income tax rate to 24%, and maintaining the VAT rate at 24%—thereby making it harder for families and entrepreneurs to cope. The Centre Party does not support this, as security and economic well-being must go hand in hand.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman offered his thanks and announced that Urmas Reinsalu would be next, requesting three additional minutes.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu called for resistance against the planned increase of VAT on foodstuffs to 24% and the subsequent permanent tax regime, arguing that the Reform Party government is increasing the tax burden on individuals and businesses and must instead cut public spending and guarantee tax stability.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu sharply criticizes the Reform Party-led government, labeling it a "national risk" for the people of Estonia due to extensive tax hikes, which include making the VAT on foodstuffs permanent and introducing dozens of new levies. He stresses that raising the tax burden by one billion euros is disproportionate and unjust, arguing that it shifts the weight onto the shoulders of the ordinary citizen and accelerates inflation. He demands the implementation of a tax moratorium and cuts to the waste and inefficiency within the government apparatus.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is a short speech emphasizing that now is your time.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that your time would soon be up, thanked [the recipient], and announced that Isamaa had submitted a proposal to terminate the proceedings of this bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and invites Tiit Maran to speak next.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran asks for three minutes to be added.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller requested three extra minutes.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran warns that an increasingly large share of Estonia’s wealth is concentrating in the hands of a very small stratum, which threatens the functioning of the state, social cohesion, and the country’s readiness to withstand environmental and geopolitical crises. He argues that the solution lies in a balanced Nordic model, the achievement of which requires a broad-based consensus between the state, entrepreneurs, and the workforce.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran issued a warning, based on data from the World Inequality Database, that Estonia is moving at an accelerating pace toward American-style inequality, where the wealthiest 1% control 33.2% of the national wealth. This level significantly surpasses that of the Nordic countries, eroding social cohesion, weakening the state, and impeding its ability to manage environmental and geopolitical crises. He urged the consideration of a balanced Nordic model, patterned after the example set by Denmark.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller gave thanks, then called upon Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, and requested three additional minutes.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart accuses the government of lying about tax hikes, emphasizing that these primarily burden middle- and lower-income families and exacerbate inflation. She demands the government’s resignation and insists they listen to the voice of the people, calling on everyone to gather in front of the Riigikogu (Parliament) on June 18th at 12 PM to protest these tax hikes and lies.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart sharply criticizes the government, accusing it of repeatedly lying to the public regarding tax hikes (VAT, income tax) and displaying an arrogant attitude, which has led to a complete loss of public trust. She emphasizes that the government has lost all contact with real life, where people are running out of money already halfway through the month, and argues that the government should therefore resign as an act of statesmanship, while simultaneously calling on the public to protest against these deceitful and unjust tax increases.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speaker thanked the audience and announced that Kalle Grünthal would be performing next.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal connects Lenin’s idea of “What Is To Be Done?” with the current Estonian government’s tax policy, claiming that the increase in income tax from 22% to 24% and the rise in business income taxes from 20% to 22% will diminish people’s purchasing power and harm the economy, and that a revolution must be staged against this government.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal accuses the government of stupidity and malice, sharply criticizing the tax hikes (including the increase in income tax from 22% to 24%) and the economic ministers' claims that these changes will leave people with more money. He also ridicules the statistical measure of purchasing power, arguing that it does not reflect real life. Referencing Lenin's question, "What is to be done?", he concludes that history is repeating itself and a revolution against the current government is necessary.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
At the end of the speech, thanks were offered, and Martin Helme is up next.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme accuses the government of constant lying and propaganda regarding taxes, and claims that the Estonian economy has completely collapsed, warning that people must no longer allow themselves to be fooled by these lies.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme submitted a motion to suspend proceedings, accusing the government of callous and continuous lying, especially regarding the concealment of tax hikes and the permanent establishment of temporary taxes. He stressed that this "government of liars" has driven the country and the economy into the ground, meaning that even propaganda can no longer hide the true impoverishment of the people and their inability to pay their bills.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Vice-Chair thanks the audience and announces Riina Sikkut as the next speaker.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut sharply criticizes the government's tax policy, emphasizing that despite theoretical calculations, taxes are rising for people primarily through high consumption taxes, which exacerbates the cost of living. Simultaneously, already low capital taxes are left untouched, and the "tax hump" is being abolished—an expensive change that increases inequality. Overall, this harms the ability of low-wage earners to cope, increases the concentration of wealth, and undermines the credibility of politicians, especially due to the removal of the temporary nature of the security tax.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut criticized the government's tax policy, noting that raising consumption taxes increases the cost of living and harms competitiveness. She stressed the deepening of inequality concerning capital taxes, the abolition of the tax hump, and the temporary validity of the security tax, and also highlighted the decline in public trust in political parties.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is a brief request for three extra minutes of time.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut stated that the prime minister is making the tax indefinite, removing equitable elements from the tax system, and increasing the tax burden primarily for low- and middle-income consumers. Consequently, the Social Democrats do not support these measures and have submitted a proposal to interrupt the second reading.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman thanked [the previous speaker] and invited Maris Lauri to speak.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri stated that the tax debate is ideological, praised the Social Democrats for their honesty, explained the coalition compromise regarding the security tax and the resulting contradictions, and noted that the tax burden is projected to fall from 36.8% of GDP this year to 35.6% next year, and further to 35.1% by 2029.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announced that the negotiations would be concluded and they would begin reviewing six amendments, of which No. 1 was submitted by the Isamaa faction and the leading committee wishes to reject it, and No. 2 was submitted by the Finance Committee and the leading committee wishes to fully accept it; Helir-Valdor Seeder, you have the floor.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He expressed a desire to vote on the first amendment.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller’s speech addressed amendments No. 2 through 4: he asked if they should vote on No. 2, to which the chamber replied that they did not wish to; No. 3 is from the Isamaa faction, and the leading committee wishes to substantially consider it as a reference to No. 2; and No. 4 was disregarded. Finally, he called upon Helir-Valdor Seeder.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She thanks and asks [everyone] to vote in favor of this amendment proposal.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller puts the fourth amendment, submitted by the Isamaa faction, to a vote following the quorum call, and announces the position of the responsible committee to disregard it, asking the Riigikogu to take a position and cast their vote.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The proposal received 36 votes in favor, 47 against, and 0 abstentions, and consequently failed to gain support. The proceedings will now move forward to the fifth amendment proposal, submitted by the Isamaa faction, which the lead committee recommends rejecting.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He also asks that you vote in favor of this amendment.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller informed the chamber about the fifth amendment proposal submitted by the Isamaa faction, which was now being put to a vote, and noted that the responsible committee recommended rejecting the proposal, asking the members to take a stand and cast their votes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu voted on the proposal: 36 in favor, 47 against, and 0 abstentions; the proposal therefore failed to gain support. The sixth amendment was submitted by the Isamaa faction, and the leading committee wishes to disregard it. Helir-Valdor Seeder, please!
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder thanks you and asks you to vote for this amendment.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller announces the commencement of voting, puts the sixth amendment proposal of the Isamaa faction to a vote, and informs the assembly of the leading committee’s position to reject it, asking participants to take a stand and cast their vote.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller announced that the identically worded proposals from four factions regarding the suspension of the second reading of Bill 645 must be put to a vote, and we are proceeding immediately to the vote.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The proposal received 37 votes in favor, 48 against, and 0 abstentions; consequently, it failed to gain support, and the second reading is concluded.