First Reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel, and Electricity Excise Duty Act (170 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-01-24 18:07
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 8
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1m
AI Summaries: 8/8 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The ninth item on the agenda was the first reading of Draft Act 170, initiated by Riigikogu members Siim Pohlak and Kalle Grünthal, concerning amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel, and Electricity Excise Duty Act. The purpose of the draft act was to alleviate the tax burden on residents and support the economy, including by lowering the excise duty on natural gas. The presenter, Kalle Grünthal (pid: WeJj4SPnuVY), stressed in his brief introduction that the reduction of excise duties helps maintain the livelihood and purchasing power of the populace and preserves the competitiveness of Estonian companies, thereby simultaneously mitigating the risk of rising unemployment.
The position of the lead committee, the Finance Committee, was presented by its chairman, Annely Akkermann (pid: OYObvaclAIE), who briefly announced that the committee had decided to propose rejecting the draft act. Since no questions were posed to the presenters and there was no desire for debate, the proceedings moved directly to the vote on the lead committee's proposal. As a result of the vote, the draft act was rejected in its first reading.
Decisions Made 1
The Riigikogu voted in favour of the leading committee’s proposal and rejected Bill 170 at the first reading (30 in favour, 9 against). The draft act was consequently dropped from the proceedings.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was the bill’s initiator, Kalle Grünthal, who presented both the content and the rationale behind Bill 170. Grünthal articulated the initiators’ stance, which focused on reducing the tax burden and boosting residents’ purchasing power. Within the parliamentary setting, as the bill’s proponent, he occupied an opposition position, challenging the tax policy implemented by the government. His role was to defend the draft legislation, even though he was not asked any questions.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas announced that we are moving to the ninth item on the agenda, and the draft Act No. 170 on the Amendment of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel, and Electricity Excise Duty Act has been initiated for the first reading by Siim Pohlak and Kalle Grünthal, and Kalle Grünthal is invited to the floor to present.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal stated that the draft bill amends the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel, and Electricity Excise Duty Act and lowers the excise duty on natural gas in order to reduce the tax burden on residents, maintain purchasing power, preserve the competitiveness of businesses, and curb the growth of unemployment.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked the presenter and stated that there were no questions.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal expressed very deep regret.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
He/She invites Annely Akkermann, the Chair of the Riigikogu Finance Committee, to the rostrum.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Finance Committee discussed the draft bill and decided to propose its rejection.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas announced that there would be no further debate, requested that the voting begin, and submitted a motion to reject the lead committee’s draft bill 170 at the first reading.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The voting result was 30 in favor and 9 against; Bill 170 was rejected during the first reading and removed from the proceedings, and the consideration of the ninth item on the agenda is concluded.