First Reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Value-Added Tax Act (250 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-01-10 18:10
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 8
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 9m
AI Summaries: 8/8 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
At the Riigikogu session, they debated Draft Act 250 on amending the Value Added Tax Act, initiated by Leo Kunnas, Alar Laneman, and Anti Poolamets. The bill's objective was to lower the VAT rate to 18.6%. However, Anti Poolamets (pid: 1vrB8ts4yQI), the presenter of the draft bill, primarily used his speaking time to launch a fierce political attack against the governing coalition and the former opposition parties (now the current coalition). He accused them of destroying the Riigikogu's reputation and mocking the representation of the people during their previous obstruction. Poolamets highlighted earlier amendment proposals as examples, which included changes concerning the age limits for marriage, the legalization of pedophilia, and even proposals for joining Russia or establishing Russian as the state language, calling these "shameless" and "golden ideas." The presiding officer had to call him to order repeatedly, asking him to stick to the subject of the draft bill.
Annely Akkermann (pid: OYObvaclAIE), the Chairman of the Finance Committee, then briefly presented the committee's position, noting that the bill had been discussed by the committee, but no questions arose. Since there was no desire for further debate, the lead committee's proposal to reject the bill at the first reading was put to a vote. As a result of the vote, the bill was rejected and dropped from the proceedings.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 250 (the Act amending the Value Added Tax Act) was rejected at the first reading (42 votes for, 9 against) and dropped from the legislative procedure.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Anti Poolamets, who presented as the rapporteur on behalf of the bill's initiators. Although he was representing a bill focused on lowering the VAT rate (a typical right-wing opposition position), he used almost all of his allotted time for a political attack, accusing the opposing side (the current coalition) of destroying the Riigikogu’s reputation and shamefully employing obstruction tactics. His speech was emotional and provocative, leading the presiding officer to call him to order repeatedly.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Today, the Riigikogu is debating the 18th item on the agenda, Bill 250 on the Amendment of the Value Added Tax Act, which was introduced by Leo Kunnas, Alar Laneman, and Anti Poolamets, with Anti Poolamets serving as the rapporteur.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets accuses the opposition in the Riigikogu of obstruction, pointing to absurd proposals (for example, marrying 14-year-olds), and stresses that such conduct lowers the standing of the national representative body and threatens Estonia's sovereignty.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
At the beginning of the address, colleagues and the rapporteur are welcomed, and participants are asked to keep the discussion strictly within the framework of this draft bill.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets accuses his opponents of obstruction and humiliating the Riigikogu, recalling various proposals such as the legalization of pedophilia, an upper age limit for marriage, establishing the Russian language as the state language, and proposals for joining Russia. He then asks if they have apologized to the people's representatives, arguing that they completely shattered the reputation of the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the colleagues and requested that the discussion remain focused on the specific draft legislation. He then introduced Annely Akkermann, Chairman of the Riigikogu Finance Committee, as the next speaker at the podium.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Finance Committee discussed the draft bill presented by Martin Helme during its session on September 25. The committee had no questions for him, and the discussion centered on setting the VAT rate at 18.6% based on the taxable value.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announced the opening of the debate, noted that no one had requested the floor, and subsequently presented the steering committee's proposal to reject Draft Bill 250 on its first reading, requesting colleagues to take a stand and cast their votes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announced that 42 members of the Riigikogu were in favor of the motion, 9 were against, and there were no abstentions; Draft Act 250 was rejected during the first reading and will be dropped from the proceedings; the agenda has been exhausted and the session is concluded. We will meet tomorrow at 10 o'clock.