First Reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Value Added Tax Act (245 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-01-10 18:05
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 8
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 5m
AI Summaries: 8/8 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda item concerned the first reading of Draft Act 245, initiated by Riigikogu members Arvo Aller and Alar Laneman, concerning amendments to the Value-Added Tax Act. The main objective of the draft act was to lower the current VAT rate in Estonia to 19.1%.
The draft act was introduced by the initiator, Arvo Aller, who emphasized the fast and efficient pace of work of the Riigikogu session in his brief presentation. Annely Akkermann, the Chair of the lead committee, the Finance Committee, then announced that the committee had decided to propose rejecting the draft act during the first reading. During a brief discussion, Kalle Grünthal raised a procedural question regarding the speed at which the session was being conducted, but no substantive debate took place. The lead committee's proposal was put to a vote.
Decisions Made 1
The Riigikogu voted during the first reading to reject Bill 245, which sought to amend the Value Added Tax Act. The vote was held based on the recommendation of the lead committee, with 45 members of the Riigikogu voting in favor of the rejection and 10 members voting against. Consequently, the bill was removed from the legislative process.
Most Active Speaker
The most active politician in presenting the substantive issue was the initiator and rapporteur of the bill, Arvo Aller. His role was to introduce the draft legislation (position: in favor of the bill), which sought to lower the value-added tax (VAT) rate. Although his presentation was brief, he was the central figure representing the stance of the bill's initiators. Kalle Grünthal's (pid: WeJj4SPnuVY) procedural intervention, concerning the rapid conduct of the session, was also significant, but regarding the substance of the topic, Aller remained the most active.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu proceeded to the 17th item on the agenda and invited Arvo Aller to the rostrum to present a report on the draft Act on Amendments to the Value Added Tax Act (No. 245).
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller urged members of the Riigikogu to support the draft bill, which seeks to lower the value-added tax (VAT) to 19.1 percent, and noted that the work is proceeding at a rapid pace.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the audience, announced that there were no questions, and then invited Annely Akkermann, the Chair of the Finance Committee, to the Riigikogu rostrum as the next presenter.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Finance Committee discussed the draft legislation and decided to propose its rejection.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the rapporteur, announces that there are no questions, and addresses a question to Kalle Grünthal concerning the procedure for conducting the session.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal thanks the presiding officer of the sitting, notes that 17 draft acts have been processed within about an hour, and asks on what basis it is claimed that the matter will drag on until spring, and why our rules of procedure were disregarded.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that the work of the Riigikogu proceeds in a manner jointly agreed upon, and he would not comment on the allegation. He then put to a vote the leading committee's proposal to reject Bill 245 at the first reading.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Forty-five members of the Riigikogu voted in favor of the proposal, ten voted against, and there were no abstentions. Bill 245 has therefore been rejected in the first reading and is dropped from the proceedings.