Inquiry Regarding the Saaremaa Fixed Link (No. 278)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
Date: 2024-01-15 21:49
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 10m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu proceeded to discuss the seventh item on the agenda—Interpellation No. 278 regarding the Saaremaa fixed link, submitted to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas by Riigikogu members Mart Maastik, Mart Helme, Martin Helme, Anti Poolamets, and Kalle Grünthal. Kalle Grünthal, representing the interpellators, introduced the query, starting with an ironically laudatory address directed at the Prime Minister, before emphasizing the regional policy significance of the fixed link for Saaremaa residents and businesses.
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas responded that the government had decided to terminate the preparation of the national special plan and the strategic environmental assessment for the fixed link across the Suur Strait. The primary obstacle cited was the deep deficit in the state budget position, which had fallen to –5.5% of GDP in 2020. Kallas explained that since it was impossible to allocate budgetary funds for continuing the planning starting in 2024, the continuation of the preliminary selection phase works, which had cost 4.6 million euros, was also terminated. The governing coalition has not set the goal of continuing the fixed link planning; instead, it is focusing on ensuring and improving the quality of existing ferry connections (the Virtsu–Kuivastu line) by introducing a new, larger ferry to the route by 2026. Martin Helme and Mart Helme criticized the government's infrastructure policy, accusing it of neglecting necessary domestic projects (such as the Saaremaa fixed link and four-lane highways) in favor of Rail Baltic. Mart Helme stressed the strategic necessity of the fixed link from the perspective of national defense and civil protection, proposing a tunnel as an alternative, which Prime Minister Kallas, however, estimated would be an even more costly solution. Mart Helme concluded the discussion with a statement, stressing that nationally vital projects are worth undertaking because they will serve the nation for generations, regardless of the initial cost.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Mart Helme was an active speaker, asking a question and delivering an address during the negotiations, criticizing the government's infrastructure policy and emphasizing the strategic importance of the Saaremaa fixed link. (Right-wing opposition)
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas announced that we are moving forward to the seventh item on the agenda, which is the interpellation (No. 278) regarding the permanent connection to Saaremaa, submitted on May 13, 2023, by Mart Maastik, Mart Helme, Martin Helme, Anti Poolamets, and Kalle Grünthal. Kaja Kallas will provide the response, and Kalle Grünthal, the representative of the interpellators, will present the interpellation to the public.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal and his associates thanked Kaja Kallas for her great work and submitted a formal query to her regarding the creation of a permanent connection between Saaremaa and the mainland, emphasizing its regional importance and the necessity of improving the situation for businesses and residents, and requesting answers from her.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Speaking from the Riigikogu rostrum, Jüri Ratas requested that Prime Minister Kaja Kallas respond to Interpellation No. 278.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas announced that the planning for the permanent connection across the Suur Strait will not be continued due to the budget deficit that began in 2020. Instead, the priorities are maintaining the existing ferry and air links to the islands and ensuring the smooth operation of the Virtsu–Kuivastu route, which will see the addition of a new, larger, environmentally friendly ferry by 2026. Furthermore, no concrete steps have been planned for the construction of the permanent connection itself.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked [the previous speaker] and asked Martin Helme to ask at least one question.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme is accusing the government of making the construction of Rail Baltic an absolute priority while simultaneously failing to develop or maintain domestic infrastructure. Furthermore, they are not allocating funds for four-lane highways or other domestic roads, but are instead spending millions on costly special projects and terminating the special planning process. He is demanding a logical explanation for this completely backward infrastructure plan.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas confirmed that the claim about their inaction is untrue, and that they are building railways, buying an additional train for the routes, and doing this domestically.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman calls upon Mart Helme to speak.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme claims that this is not about developing or building up anyone, but rather concerns the establishment of a nationally strategic permanent connection to Saaremaa, which could take the form of a tunnel, and which is critically necessary from the standpoint of crisis management and civil defense.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas affirmed that the country is sustainable and that both sides build the roads through mutual cooperation, but the tunnel is more expensive than the bridge, and if there is no money for the bridge, there certainly won't be any for the tunnel.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanks the Prime Minister, notes that previously there was no desire for negotiations, but now sees the necessity, opens the negotiations, and asks Mart Helme to take the floor.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme said that, in terms of national and regional development, the Estonian people need infrastructure projects such as the restoration of railway connections to Pärnu and Haapsalu and the creation of a permanent connection to Saaremaa, because these will last for generations. He also jokingly added that the Saaremaa tunnel could be named Kaja Kallas, but the construction must be fully completed.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas announced that the interpellation had been answered, the consideration of the seventh agenda item was concluded, closed the debate, declared a five-minute recess, and moved on.