First Reading of the Bill Amending the Act on the Restriction of Acquisition of Immovable Property (284 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting.
Date: 2024-02-07 16:09
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 Riigikogu debated the first reading of Draft Bill 284, initiated by the faction of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia, which proposes amendments to the Act on Restrictions on the Acquisition of Immovable Property. The aim of the bill is to restrict citizens of the Russian Federation who do not possess a residence permit in Estonia from acquiring real estate within Estonian territory, in connection with the war in Ukraine.
Statistics show that following the start of Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022, the acquisition of real estate by Russians in Estonia increased by 42.2%. Particularly popular are inexpensive apartments in Ida-Viru County, where properties are often bought sight unseen and subsequently remain vacant, leading to problems with utility debts. During the debate, the possibility of extending these restrictions to citizens of Belarus was raised, and the situation was compared to that in other countries, particularly Finland, which has considered similar measures.
Decisions Made 1
The first reading was concluded, and the deadline for submitting amendments was set for February 21st at 5:15 PM. The Rural Affairs Committee unanimously adopted a decision to forward the draft bill to the plenary session agenda and to appoint Urmas Kruuse as the representative of the lead committee.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Evelin Poolamets from the faction of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia, who participated both by posing questions and by delivering a comprehensive speech on behalf of the faction. She provided a detailed overview of the scope of the issue, highlighting specific examples concerning the situation in Ida-Virumaa and comparing Estonia's actions with those of other countries. Poolamets represented a conservative stance, supporting strict restrictions on real estate purchases by Russian citizens.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Next, we will consider the first reading of Bill 284, the draft Act on the Amendment of the Act on Restrictions on the Acquisition of Immovables, initiated by the EKRE Faction. The rapporteur is Riigikogu Member Rene Kokk.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk introduced a bill aimed at restricting the purchase of real estate in Estonia by citizens of the Russian Federation if they do not possess a residence permit in Estonia. He justified this by citing the significant growth in real estate purchases (a 42.2% increase between 2021 and 2022) that occurred due to Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, drawing a comparison to sanctioned athletes, and called on everyone to vote in favor of the bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the rapporteur and invited Henn Põlluaas to ask a question.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas stressed the significant importance of the draft bill, called for a broader perspective, and inquired whether this had been considered in the other Baltic states and Finland.
AI Summary
Thank you for the question—though I will provide the precise answer later, I have seen that neighboring countries are imposing similar restrictions in various regions, such as on islands, and our neighbors have also reviewed these and made changes, so this is nothing unprecedented.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Evelin Poolamets to speak.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets highlights that Finland established a working group this January aimed at restricting the real estate holdings of Russian citizens, and she asks how Estonia, based on the proposed bill, could set an example for other European nations.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rapporteur Andre Hanimägi notes that the draft bill is on the right track, but he demands a precise overview of the issue, including statistics and analysis detailing the number of people involved and the extent of real estate interest originating from beyond the eastern border, because the purchase of property by individuals holding residence permits could create points of concern.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is just a request directed at Andre Hanimägi.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk pointed out that in 2022, when the full-scale war began, the purchase of real estate in Estonia by Russian citizens grew by 42.2% compared to 2021. He emphasized that during such aggression, the acquisition of property in Estonia by Russian citizens should not be tolerated, and restrictions must be considered during the further processing of the draft law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the colleague and asked Urmas Kruuse, Chairman of the Rural Affairs Committee, to present the lead committee's positions and decisions.
Urmas Kruuse
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Kruuse stated that the Rural Affairs Committee discussed the draft bill on November 13, 2023, and all decisions were adopted by consensus. This included the proposal to place the draft bill on the plenary session agenda for November 21, conclude the first reading, and appoint Urmas Kruuse as the representative of the lead committee.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the rapporteur, noted the consensus achieved in the committee, and said that it was now time for faction negotiations, inviting Evelin Poolamets to speak on behalf of the EKRE faction.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets emphasizes that following the conflict in Ukraine, real estate transactions by Russian citizens have grown significantly in Estonia, particularly in Ida-Virumaa. These properties are often not purchased for residential use, which leads to utility debts and vacant apartment buildings, thereby jeopardizing the stability of the region. Consequently, she is calling for an urgent draft bill that would restrict the acquisition of real estate by Russian citizens in Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi informed [the body] that the negotiations have concluded and the first reading of draft bill 284 has been completed (no amendments were submitted). The deadline for submitting amendments is February 21st at 17:15. The consideration of the second item on the agenda has been concluded.