First Reading of the Bill (217 SE) to Amend the Income Tax Act
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting.
Date: 2024-02-07 19:44
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 36
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 20m
AI Summaries: 36/36 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The tenth item on the Riigikogu agenda concerned the first reading of Bill 217 for the amendment of the Income Tax Act, initiated by the faction of the Estonian Conservative People's Party. The aim of the bill was to remove the NGO Slava Ukraini from the list of legal entities that receive income tax exemption for making donations and gifts, and to replace it with the NGO Ukraina Eest.
Martin Helme explained that the NGO Slava Ukraini is linked to large-scale corruption, which has damaged the trust of the Estonian people in donating and reduced support for aiding Ukraine. He sharply criticized the Eesti 200 faction, which refused to give a moral assessment of Johanna-Maria Lehtme's activities. The Finance Committee had already discussed the bill in September 2023 and proposed its rejection, with 6 votes in favor (of rejection), 3 against, and 2 abstentions.
Decisions Made 1
The Riigikogu adopted the proposal of the lead committee to reject Draft Act 217 at the first reading, with 41 votes in favor, 8 against, and 1 abstention. The bill was subsequently dropped from the proceedings.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Martin Helme (EKRE), who presented the bill and answered the majority of the questions. He clearly maintained a right-wing conservative position, criticizing liberals and the Eesti 200 faction, and highlighting the conservative culture of charitable giving. Helme stressed his anti-corruption stance and demanded accountability regarding the MTÜ Slava Ukraini scandal.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas directs the discussion of the tenth item on the agenda to the first reading of Bill 217, initiated by the EKRE faction, concerning amendments to the Income Tax Act. He invites Martin Helme to the podium, stating that the initial presentation is scheduled for 20 minutes, followed by up to a 20-minute presentation from the lead committee and questions.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme said that the purpose of the bill is to terminate the income tax exemption granted to the NGO Slava Ukraini and replace it with the NGO Ukraina Eestiga, because Slava Ukraini has been linked to corruption, which has subsequently reduced donations, harmed aid efforts for Ukraine, and damaged the culture of Estonian donors.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanks the presenter and announces that the audience has questions, asking Evelin Poolamets to ask them.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The address asks whether Johanna-Maria Lehtme has done anything to rectify her action or to make the donation for Ukraine more honest, in order to remove the stain of corruption from it.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme accuses the Prosecutor’s Office of political bias and selective enforcement of justice, while simultaneously confirming that aid to Ukraine via the NGO 'Ukraina Eest' will continue, that party members are involved, and that they will not be deterred.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker invites Jürgen Ligi to take the floor.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi criticizes Maria Lehtme's partisan campaign and points out that Donald Trump's refusal to provide aid to Ukraine has become clear today. He then asks the respondent what their opinion is—whether they see it as a cause for concern or if they can find a justification for it.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Jüri Ratas requested that the discussion stick to Bill 217.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that many people are interested in how the major scandal related to Johanna-Maria Lehtme could have happened and why nothing is being done about it, asserting that Eesti 200 refused to give a moral judgment—a refusal which, in his opinion, created the situation. He believes it would have been right for them to say that they condemn her actions or that they wouldn't have put her on the list in the first place.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman called upon Toomas Uibo to speak.
Toomas Uibo
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Toomas Uibo stated that if there is knowledge regarding Lehtme's crimes, people should go to the police after the workday ends and provide all the evidence so that an investigation can commence. Furthermore, he wants to know exactly what happened and whether the evidence was delivered to the police this evening.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme stated that he should not be hired as an investigator, emphasizing that the investigation of this matter is the job of the police and the prosecutor’s office. He added that if they fail to investigate, we must ask what is wrong with them, because the materials clearly prove fraud and the siphoning of money to Ukraine. This information has also reached both the police and the Security Police (Kaitsepolitsei), and their subsequent inaction, coupled with a similar game involving Eesti 200, demonstrates the extent to which our rule of law has deteriorated.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas addresses Toomas Uibo and asks for something.
Toomas Uibo
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
He warns that by concealing the evidence, you risk prosecution, and asks that you take the evidence to the police after the workday is over.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He uses irony regarding the mobster style, points out that the criminal was one of their own, threatens that he too could end up in the hands of the police if he doesn't behave the way he's supposed to, and finally asks the listener if they understood what he said.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas asks to proceed with Bill 217 and addresses Raimond Kaljulaid.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid is asking, in connection with the draft legislation concerning the Income Tax Act, how exactly the income tax is calculated and what deductions can be made from the taxable income, and requests that the plenary provide a comprehensive overview of this matter.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that Estonia's income tax exemption system was cut back during the liberals' time, and the old exemptions for children and spouses are gone. All that remains is an annual sum that can cover training costs and donations. Furthermore, for a 100 euro donation, you get 20 euros back from the 22% income tax, assuming it fits within the specified limits.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas clarified that he would not interfere with the substance, but confirmed that the 2024 income tax rate is 20%, adding that he hoped he wasn't mistaken, and made a procedural remark to Erkki Keldo.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme admits he mixed up the value-added tax (VAT).
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas calms the audience, saying there is nothing to worry about, and then calls upon Mart Helme.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme stresses that a huge number of income tax and VAT amendments have been implemented. He then asks how much extra revenue the state coffers could gain by eliminating tax exemptions, asserting that the figure would definitely exceed the 5.7 million euros that was essentially spat in the faces of the teachers.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
I can't give you the exact figure, but the amount saved from abolishing the income tax allowance for spouses and children was in the tens of millions, and in that sense, it is naturally a poor signal.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Jüri Ratas invites Kert Kingo to speak.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo emphasizes that the principle of mandatory criminal proceedings applies in Estonia, meaning that if information about suspicious activity is received, it must be investigated. She cites the testimonies of Oleksandr Tšernov and other materials, along with the proceedings already initiated by the Prosecutor's Office, but questions why no progress is apparent.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme says that the Prosecutor's Office initially didn't want to launch the proceedings, but the outcry was so massive that it was initiated anyway. However, the investigation hasn't gone anywhere, and his task is to gather evidence and deliver it to the police and the Prosecutor's Office. He adds that if he doesn't go, he could be detained—which is what Eesti 200, at least, desired.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas asks Arvo Aller to come forward.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He submits the draft bill and wishes to add the NGO "Ukraina Eest" (For Ukraine) to the list. He also asks which cities this organization has delivered aid to—aid that was collected without income tax deductions and which people consciously donated to Ukrainian fighters.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme says he doesn't remember exactly and suggests asking his colleagues Anti Poolamets and Evelin Poolamets, because roughly six or seven busloads of supplies have been sent as humanitarian aid, including equipment for soldiers, but he cannot name the specific cities.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanked the rapporteur, noted that there were no questions, and invited the Chair of the Finance Committee, Annely Akkermann, to the Riigikogu rostrum to present the discussion that took place in the Finance Committee.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann describes the Finance Committee's discussion on September 25, 2023, regarding the draft bill, which addressed the retroactive income taxation of individuals who had donated to non-profit organizations. She recalls that the government did not support the bill. The committee decided to place the bill on the plenary session agenda for October 10 and made a third procedural proposal to reject the draft bill, which passed with 6 votes in favor, 3 against, and 2 abstentions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the presenter and invited Arvo Aller to take the floor.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He asked the manager for clarification regarding the final wording and inquired whether a vote had been taken on adding the NGO 'Ukraina Eest,' and whether the motion had passed.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The matter concerning the NGO "Ukraina Eest" was not discussed during the committee session; the procedural motion to reject the draft legislation received 6 votes in favor, 3 against, and 2 abstentions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the debate would not be opened and confirmed the leading committee's proposal to reject Bill 217 at the first reading, and he called the colleagues to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Forty-one voted in favor of the proposal, eight were against, and one abstained; Bill 217 was rejected in the first reading and is consequently withdrawn from the legislative procedure.