Road Maintenance Plan and Road Conditions
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-02-07 14:01
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 16
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 16/16 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The first topic of the Riigikogu information hour focused on the critical condition of Estonian roads and the government's road maintenance plan for 2024–2027. The question was initiated by Riigikogu member Lauri Laats, who referenced articles published in the press describing incidents where unmaintained roads hindered access for ambulances and rescuers to those in need, citing examples of tragic fires and ambulances getting stuck. Laats accused the government of lacking regional policy and reducing the revenue base of local governments (LG), which prevents them from keeping the roads in order. He emphasized that the amount of money allocated in the road maintenance plan is insufficient, according to specialists, being roughly half of what is needed, which will lead to the deterioration of road conditions.
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas defended the government's stance, stressing that all national expenditures depend on taxpayer money, and repeatedly referred to the difficult state of the state budget. She conceded that more money is needed for road maintenance but posed a counter-question: whether the opposition supports the introduction of a car tax to increase tax revenue. Kallas also highlighted the constitutional principle that the construction and maintenance of rural municipality and city roads fall under the independent competence of local governments. She rejected the claim that the revenue base of local governments had decreased, noting that it had actually increased. Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart presented a clarifying question, linking the road maintenance cuts to the car tax bill, asking ironically whether the government's strategy was simply to halve the number of cars so that investment in roads would no longer be necessary. Kallas replied that the state is investing significantly in infrastructure (including railways) (5.7% of GDP) and that the budget deficit requires cost cutting in all sectors.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made. This was a Riigikogu information session where the Prime Minister answered questions from members of Parliament.
Most Active Speaker
The most active participant was Lauri Laats, a member of the Riigikogu, who initiated the topic and posed two substantive questions, which were then followed by a procedural comment. Laats represented the opposition (offering left-wing/centrist criticism), and his position was sharply critical of the government’s regional policy and the cuts made to the road maintenance plan, emphasizing the danger of direct consequences to people’s lives and property. He was also the one who concluded the debate, responding negatively to the Prime Minister’s repeated questions regarding the car tax.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The first question today is addressed to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas concerning the road maintenance plan and the condition of the roads. The questioner is Lauri Laats, a member of the Riigikogu.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticizes the government's regional policy and the funding of local municipalities, highlighting how unmaintained roads have obstructed access for ambulances and rescuers to those needing help, leading to the loss of human lives and property, and asks rhetorically whether it is acceptable that these roads cannot be maintained in the 21st century.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas stated that the funding for services provided in Estonia comes from taxpayer money. Local governments are responsible for road maintenance, and for private roads, public usage agreements must be concluded. The state will support this effort with a total of 680.5 million euros between 2024 and 2027.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded his speech, offered his thanks, and asked Lauri Laats to pose a clarifying question.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasizes that road funding has decreased, and the support from local governments and the state budget is insufficient to maintain the roads at the current level; if road maintenance funds are halved within four years, the condition of the main roads will be much worse four years from now.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas emphasizes that the decision-making regarding local life issues, as well as the construction and maintenance of roads, falls under the competence of local governments pursuant to the constitution. She confirms that the revenue base for local governments has increased, stresses the need for more money for roads and road maintenance, and finally asks whether you support a car tax that would generate more tax revenue in the state budget for investments.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks [the previous speaker/attendee] and asks Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to pose a follow-up question.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart is accusing the government of slashing road maintenance investments by half under the new road maintenance plan. They also hope that the car tax will lead to half as many cars being on the road over the next four years, which subsequently reduces the need for investment.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas emphasizes that money is tight and all sectors require more funding, but the state must cut expenditures and collect more tax revenue to finance infrastructure, the social sector, education, healthcare, and culture. Furthermore, responsibility is divided between the state and local governments.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concludes the discussion of today's first item and states that before addressing the second item, there are two procedural matters concerning the conduct of the sitting, and he requests the assistance of Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that he does not support the car tax, but he definitely supports the bank tax.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman explains that Lauri Laats's question is not procedural.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats stresses that the money is available and should be sourced from where possible, rather than being taken from ordinary people.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that it was not a procedural question, noted the format restrictions for the objection, and requested that a question be submitted regarding the procedural rules for conducting the sitting, which Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart presented.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart requested clarification regarding the procedures of the information session, asking whether questions are directed to the Prime Minister or vice versa, how much deviation from the topic is permitted in the answers, and why the Prime Minister addressed teachers' salaries and the city government demonstration in her response.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Members of the Riigikogu ask questions, and the Prime Minister and ministers respond. As long as the answer remains primarily on topic, the presiding officer of the session does not intervene—that is a clear procedural rule.