First Reading of the Draft Act Amending the Value-Added Tax Act (Bill 236 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-01-10 17:43
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
The agenda item concerned the first reading of Draft Act 236, initiated by Riigikogu member Martin Helme, to amend the Value-Added Tax Act. The aim of the draft act was to lower the VAT rate to 19.2%, which Helme considered a better solution than the current rate. In his presentation, Helme expressed regret that the draft he initiated did not find support from either the government or the coalition members, but he nevertheless asked for the draft to be supported.
However, the Finance Committee, which was appointed as the lead committee and whose chair, Annely Akkermann, presented the report, was briefly and specifically of the opinion that the draft act should be rejected. Since there was no desire to open discussions, the lead committee's proposal was immediately put to a vote. The voting result confirmed the committee's recommendation.
Decisions Made 1
The Finance Committee's proposal to reject Draft Bill 236 at the first reading was put to a vote. With 41 votes in favor and 13 votes against, the draft bill was rejected and consequently dropped from the legislative procedure.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was the initiator of the bill, Martin Helme, a member of the Riigikogu. Helme represented the opposition's position, stressing that the draft legislation he had initiated, which aimed to lower the VAT rate to 19.2%, failed to gain support among either the government or the coalition MPs.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Riigikogu proceeds to the 12th item on the agenda. The first reading of Draft Act No. 236, the bill on amendments to the Value Added Tax Act initiated by Martin Helme, is taking place, and Martin Helme is invited to serve as the rapporteur.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme stated that the aim of their draft bill was to lower the VAT rate to 19.2% and to call for a vote in its favor, while adding that the government and the coalition did not support any of those draft bills.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked the speaker and invited Annely Akkermann, Chair of the Finance Committee, to the Riigikogu rostrum to deliver her report.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann stated that the Finance Committee had discussed the same draft bill and concluded that it must be rejected.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas gives thanks, notes that there are no questions, does not recommend opening the debate, begins preparations for the vote, and puts forward the lead committee's proposal to reject Bill 236 at the first reading, calling for a position and a vote.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
At the first reading, Draft Bill 236 has been rejected: 41 votes in favor, 13 against, with no abstentions, and is thus dropped from further procedure; the 12th item on the agenda is concluded.