First reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Value Added Tax Act (Bill 239 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-01-10 17:52
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 8
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 4m
AI Summaries: 8/8 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
As the 14th item on the Riigikogu's agenda, Bill 239 for the amendment of the Value Added Tax Act, initiated by Martin Helme and Mart Helme, was discussed. The purpose of the bill was to change the VAT rates. Martin Helme introduced the bill, simultaneously answering the question raised in the committee as to why different tax rates were being proposed. Helme explained ironically that the initiators were different and that the chamber was being given the opportunity to choose between several good options, noting that the proposed 19.3% rate was "still better than the current one." He asked for support for the bill.
Annely Akkermann, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the committee's position, which was to reject the bill. Akkermann sharply criticized the initiators of the bill (EKRE deputies) for their constantly changing and differing support for tax rates, recommending that the rest of the Riigikogu members wait until the initiators themselves finally reach a common position. Following the presentations, no debate was requested, and they proceeded to the vote. Before the vote, Mart Helme raised a procedural question regarding its duration, hinting at waiting for the Center Party deputies.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 239 was rejected during its first reading. The proposal by the leading committee (the Finance Committee) to remove the bill from the proceedings was adopted with 40 votes in favor and 11 against.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Martin Helme, who introduced Bill 239 and defended the initiators' position regarding the various proposed VAT rates. Martin Helme represents the initiators of the bill (EKRE, the right-wing opposition).
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas announced that the assembly would proceed to the 14th item on the agenda, which is the consideration of Draft Act No. 239 on the Amendment of the Value Added Tax Act, initiated by Martin Helme and Mart Helme. He then asked Martin Helme to introduce the draft.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme stated that the committee is currently debating various tax rates. There are two draft bills on the table, and they need to select one to move forward to the plenary session. He is therefore asking for support for the 19.3% VAT rate, arguing it is the superior option compared to the current one.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas thanked the rapporteur and invited Annely Akkermann, the Chair of the Finance Committee, to the Riigikogu rostrum for her presentation.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Finance Committee proposed rejecting the draft bill, and Annely Akkermann stated that as long as the EKRE members continue to support various tax rates, the others may have to wait until an agreement is reached.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas thanked the participants, stated there were no questions, did not request the opening of debate, and announced that preparations for the vote would commence, during which Mart Helme raised a procedural question.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme asks whether the Chair is desperately waiting for Centre Party members to enter the hall to vote, and that is why he is letting the voting call last for such a long time.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas called on all members of the Riigikogu to take a stand and put to a vote the proposal of the lead committee, the substance of which is to reject Draft Act 239 at the first reading.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
By a vote of 40 in favor and 11 against, Bill 239 has been rejected during its first reading and is hereby dropped from consideration; the discussion of agenda item 14 is concluded.