First reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Value Added Tax Act (169 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-01-10 17:12
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 6
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 4m
AI Summaries: 6/6 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
On the agenda was the first reading of Bill 169 for the amendment of the Value Added Tax Act, initiated by Riigikogu members Henn Põlluaas, Kert Kingo, and Rain Epler. The main objective of the bill was to lower the VAT back to the 18% level, citing the historical promise made by the Reform Party in 2009 when the tax was raised from 18% to 20%. The rapporteur, Rain Epler, emphasized that although that increase was promised to be temporary, the tax has now risen even further (to 22%), and he called upon the coalition to fulfill the original promise and lower the tax rate. The Finance Committee, whose report was presented by its Chairman Annely Akkermann, did not support the bill, noting that the government was also against it. The Committee proposed rejecting the bill during the first reading. Despite the importance of the topic, no questions were posed to the presenters, nor was there a desire to open negotiations. The proposal of the leading committee was put to a vote.
Decisions Made 1
The lead committee's proposal to reject Draft Bill 169 during the first reading was adopted by 41 votes in favor (12 against). The draft bill was consequently dropped from the proceedings.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was one of the initiators of the bill, Riigikogu member Rain Epler (9kw4B1MPs5U), who presented the bill's content and justification. Epler represented the opposition's stance, stressing the necessity of lowering the VAT back to the 18% level, citing the Reform Party's 2009 promise that the tax increase would be temporary.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Riigikogu proceeds to the seventh item on the agenda, which is the first reading of the draft act on amendments to the Value-Added Tax Act, submitted by Henn Põlluaas, Kert Kingo, and Rain Epler, followed by Rain Epler's presentation at the rostrum.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler brought up the temporary increase in VAT in 2009, from 18% to 20%, as well as the subsequent hike to 22%. He then called on the Reform Party, the leading power in the coalition, to support this proposal and reduce the VAT back down to 18%.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Unfortunately, there were no questions and no desire to speak further, but the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Annely Akkermann, was invited to the Riigikogu podium to give a presentation providing an overview of the committee's proceedings.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Finance Committee discussed the draft bill, the government did not support it, Martin Helme faced no questions from the committee, and a proposal was made to reject the bill.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas announced that it is not recommended to open negotiations, and the lead committee recommends rejecting Bill 169 SE at the first reading and subsequently proceeding to a vote.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Bill 169 was rejected during its first reading (41 votes in favor, 12 against, no abstentions), and it is consequently dropped from the proceedings; the consideration of the seventh item on the agenda is concluded.