First Reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (Bill 183 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-01-17 17:57
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 6
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 6m
AI Summaries: 6/6 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda item under discussion was the first reading of Draft Law 183 concerning the amendment of the Income Tax Act, initiated by Riigikogu members Leo Kunnas, Arvo Aller, and Anti Poolamets. The substantive objective of the draft law was to reduce the income tax rate payable on the income of natural persons and non-residents to 19.9%.
However, Anti Poolamets (pid: 1vrB8ts4yQI), who presented the draft law, primarily used his presentation as a platform to address Estonia's security situation and deficiencies in national defense. He sharply criticized the government's austerity programs in the current geopolitical situation, calling them insufficiently motivated. Poolamets highlighted previous mistakes, such as the failure to acquire medium-range air defense during Jüri Ratas’s government, and stressed that the state does not have time to "dawdle" and wait. He urgently demanded the rapid procurement of a tank battalion and other critical capabilities. The leading committee, the Finance Committee, proposed, through a presentation by Annely Akkermann (pid: OYObvaclAIE), that the draft law be rejected, and this proposal was subsequently put to a vote.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 183 SE was rejected during the first reading and subsequently dropped from the proceedings. The voting results were clear: 47 votes were cast in favor of rejecting the bill, and 6 against.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was the bill’s initiator, Anti Poolamets (pid: 1vrB8ts4yQI), who delivered the presentation on the draft legislation. Although the bill itself concerned income tax, Poolamets focused almost entirely on issues of national defense and security. Representing the opposition viewpoint (EKRE), he sharply criticized both the current and previous governments for their sluggishness and indecisiveness regarding arms procurement. Poolamets’s stance was distinctly right-wing and highly demanding on defense policy, emphasizing the necessity of immediate and extensive investment in medium-range air defense and tank capabilities.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is starting the first reading of Bill No. 183, concerning amendments to the Income Tax Act. The presentation will be given by Riigikogu member Anti Poolamets.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets emphasized that although a bill to reduce income tax is being presented, the security situation is so critical that national defense procurement must be started immediately, including acquiring medium-range air defense and at least a tank battalion, and strengthening defense alongside allies.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Thank you! There were no questions, and Annely Akkermann was invited to the Riigikogu podium to serve as the rapporteur for the lead committee.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Dear colleagues, the goal of this draft legislation was to reduce the income tax rate paid on the income of natural persons and non-residents to 19.9%, but the Finance Committee decided to reject the bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced the opening and closing of the debates and subsequently presented the steering committee's proposal to reject Bill 183 SE during its first reading, requesting his colleagues to state their position and cast their votes.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Draft Act 183 was rejected on its first reading by a vote of 47 for and 6 against, with no abstentions, and is consequently dropped from the proceedings. The consideration of agenda item 13 is concluded.