Estonian choices
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 6th sitting, press briefing
Date: 2025-09-24 15:01
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 20
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 20/20 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Member of the Riigikogu Helir-Valdor Seeder submitted an inquiry to Prime Minister Kristen Michal regarding Estonia's choices concerning the European Union's ambitious climate goals. Seeder sharply criticized the government's decision to unconditionally support the 90% carbon emissions reduction target set for 2040, arguing that it is unrealistic and harms the competitiveness of the Estonian economy, especially since there are no comprehensive economic and socio-economic impact assessments whatsoever. Seeder called this choice "stupid and detrimental." He also reproached the Prime Minister for Estonia's silence on crucial issues, such as the postponement of ETS2 and the failure to support the proposals of neighboring countries (Latvia, Poland) concerning the accounting of military expenditures.
Prime Minister Michal responded that Estonia's position was based on the mandate of the European Union Affairs Committee (ELAK), and the support was conditional. He emphasized that the future and competitiveness of the economy lie in new technologies and sustainable, lasting operations. Michal corrected Seeder's claims, noting that Estonia has been among the first countries to support the postponement or cancellation of ETS2. In a supplementary question, Mart Helme (EKRE) raised the issue of Donald Trump's warning that climate policy would lead to the collapse of the European economy. The Prime Minister rejected this claim, citing the positive forecast by the Bank of Estonia, which sees Estonia as one of the fastest-growing economies in the region in 2026–2027. Michal highlighted the government's steps (cancellation of tax increases, cuts, strong defense capability) that ensure economic growth and public confidence.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Helir-Valdor Seeder was the most active questioner, presenting the Prime Minister with a sharp and detailed formal query concerning Estonia's climate policy and economic choices. His stance represents right-wing/conservative criticism of the government's policies.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that Riigikogu member Helir-Valdor Seeder would begin the round of questions by submitting an interpellation to Prime Minister Kristen Michal on the topic of Estonia's national policy choices.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riigikogu member Helir-Valdor Seeder is asking Prime Minister Kristen Michal about Estonia's choices.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder questioned why impact assessments and financing schemes are absent for the European Union's and Estonia's 2040 climate targets, and why Estonia backed such a foolishly ambitious goal without having those in place.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder criticizes Estonia for its unconditional support within the European Union for economically restrictive and unrealistic climate goals. He asks the Prime Minister why Estonia was one of the few countries that approved the 2040 target of a 90% reduction in emissions without any economic or social impact assessments, which the vast majority of other member states deemed necessary before making the decision.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that even though we actually have the relevant Minister of Energy and Environment who could respond to this, and the issue is tied to the European Union mandate, and the same debate has already taken place in ELAK, and we gave conditional support and analyses still need to be carried out—he wasn't actually asked about it.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal criticized the questioner for attempting to jump the queue with a question directed at the Prime Minister, even though the topic (Estonia's conditional support under the ELAK mandate) fell under the competence of the relevant Minister of Energy and Environment, who would have been able to provide a more detailed answer.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar offers his thanks and makes a request to the Prime Minister.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar clarified the procedure for asking questions, confirming that faction leaders have priority, and then gave the floor to Helir-Valdor Seeder to ask a clarifying question.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar specified that the order for asking questions is as follows: first, the faction leaders may ask (provided they have expressed the desire to do so). He added that the procedure was exactly the same last week, just so everything is perfectly clear.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder considers the issue of maintaining the competitiveness of the Estonian economy strategically important, but expresses deep concern over the Prime Minister's lack of response and the widespread nature of the problem. He sharply criticizes Estonia for remaining silent at crucial European Union meetings, where it failed to support the proposals of its partners (Latvia, Poland) regarding the accounting of carbon emissions from military expenditures and amendments to ETS2, which demonstrates an inability to revise detrimental conditions.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder emphasizes that maintaining the competitiveness of the Estonian economy is a strategic issue for him, and expresses great concern regarding the sheer breadth of European Union topics. He criticizes Estonia's silence concerning the proposals put forth by Latvia and Poland, as well as its stance on climate and energy policy (including ETS2 and LULUCF), and calls upon the government to demand a clear response and active cooperation from the Prime Minister.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gives his thanks and makes a request to the Prime Minister.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal dismissed the questioner’s politically charged claims regarding environmental protection, stressing that the future and competitiveness of the Estonian economy depend on new technologies and the efficient, sustainable use of resources, which guarantees higher added value. She also confirmed that Estonia has actively advocated for the postponement of ETS2 and participated in discussions concerning the LULUCF methodology.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Prime Minister confirmed that Estonia must be future-oriented, developing new technologies and utilizing resources economically and smartly, which will boost added value and competitiveness. He also reiterated that Estonia's position on the ETS2 issue favors either postponement or cancellation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks [the previous speaker/group] and announces that Mart Helme will ask a supplementary question.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme deems the opposing side's competitiveness strategy illogical and points to US President Donald Trump's warning at the UN, according to which the continuation of the so-called "climate fraud" policy will lead to the collapse of the European economy, including Estonia's, subsequently asking how this statement is viewed.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme criticizes the dismantling of competitiveness, highlights the warning from Trump's UN address regarding the collapse of the European and Estonian economies, and asks how one should respond to this statement.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that the Estonian economy is not experiencing a collapse, and that in 2026–2027 we will be one of the fastest-growing economies in the region. Furthermore, inflation is falling, investments in the defense sector are increasing, and tax cuts combined with raising the wages of frontline workers will boost people's confidence and Estonia's competitiveness.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal dismissed fears of an Estonian economic collapse, citing the Bank of Estonia's forecast, which projects Estonia to be among the region's fastest-growing economies in 2026–2027. She affirmed that the government's plans—including the abolition of the progressive income tax, budget cuts, falling inflation, and robust defense capabilities—will boost public confidence and ensure the economy's prosperity, leaving more money in people's hands and improving the competitive position of businesses.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offers his thanks and announces that he is concluding the consideration of today's first question.