First reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (Bill 233 SE).
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-01-17 18:12
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 15
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 5m
AI Summaries: 15/15 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The 17th item on the Riigikogu’s agenda concerned the first reading of Draft Act 233 on amendments to the Income Tax Act, initiated by Riigikogu members Martin Helme and Rain Epler. The objective of the draft bill was to lower the income tax rate in order to improve the purchasing power, livelihood, and the general economic situation of the Estonian people. Rapporteur Martin Helme (pid: hJ4Xlv6ao-g) emphasized that the proposed amendment would have a positive effect on the economy as a whole, but expressed disappointment that the opposition's draft legislation fails to garner support among colleagues.
During the debate, the focus shifted from substantive issues to political squabbling and procedural aspects. Jürgen Ligi asked Helme why he did not use personal attacks and the introduction of hated individuals in his report, as other faction colleagues have done, pointing to a lack of party consistency. Kalle Grünthal raised the issue of violating the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and the narrative of accelerating the proceedings. Annely Akkermann (pid: OYObvaclAIE), Chairman of the Finance Committee, gave a brief presentation, noting that the committee decided to propose rejecting the bill because it provided for reducing the income tax rate to 1.1%. Since there was no desire to open negotiations, the leading committee’s proposal was immediately put to a vote.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 233 was rejected during its first reading (35 votes in favor, 8 against) and was dropped from the legislative process pursuant to the proposal of the Finance Committee.
Most Active Speaker
Martin Helme was the initiator and presenter of the bill, explaining the necessity of lowering income tax to improve purchasing power. He also actively participated in political dialogue with Jürgen Ligi, defending the content of his presentation and emphasizing that it was a bill put forward by members of the Riigikogu (Parliament), not by a specific faction. Helme represents the opposition (EKRE).
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Riigikogu moves on to agenda item 17, which involves the first reading of Bill 233 on amendments to the Income Tax Act, initiated by Martin Helme and Rain Epler. Martin Helme will serve as the rapporteur.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
I am slightly disappointed that none of the bills received the support of my colleagues, but we will continue and propose lowering the income tax rate, which could improve the purchasing power, well-being, and the economy of the Estonian people as a whole.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas noted that a little game was going on—questions were being taken off and put back on, and the respondents were reacting very quickly—and then called Jürgen Ligi next.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi asks Mr. Helme when the substantive discussion on the bills will finally be taken up, and whether the debate is now proceeding through the involvement of individuals such as Martin Herem and myself.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme says that the issue concerning Herem affects you and he is your relative, but the world doesn't revolve around Jürgen Ligi, and you need to deal with it.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas requested that the discussion not veer into the topic of our family lines, but rather focus on Draft Bill 233.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Ligi asserted that the presentation was too short and superficial, emphasized that he hadn't said everything had to revolve around him, and then asked why everything in Poolamets's presentations had been revolving around him for the second day running, and where the party continuity was.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The address emphasizes that these are bills proposed by individual members of the Riigikogu, not faction drafts. The initiators are Martin Helme and Rain Epler, and Poolamets's statement concerns his own proposals. Every initiator has their own personal stake in this.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas called on his colleagues to continue the substantive debate and requested that Kalle Grünthal take the floor.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal criticizes the accelerated procedure for draft legislation, asks where the narrative that these matters will be processed until spring originates, and notes that under the guise of this, the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules have been violated.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
I think they scared themselves so badly because of us that they completely lost their minds.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked the rapporteur, stated there were no questions, and asked Annely Akkermann to serve as the rapporteur for the Chairman of the Finance Committee.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The bill aims to reduce the income tax rate payable on the income of individuals and non-residents to 1.1%, but the Finance Committee met, discussed the matter, and decided to reject the bill.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas announced that he did not recommend opening negotiations and directed the leading committee's proposal to a vote on rejecting Bill 233 at the first reading.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
During the first reading of Bill 233, there were 35 votes in favor, 8 against, and no abstentions. Consequently, the bill was rejected and is removed from the legislative process, and the consideration of agenda item 17 is hereby concluded.