Spreading misinformation
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, press briefing
Date: 2024-03-06 15:38
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 9m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The seventh question during the Riigikogu information hour was addressed to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and concerned the dissemination of misinformation. The question was posed by Riigikogu member Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, who accused the Prime Minister of continuous lying, citing promises regarding tax hikes, her husband’s businesses in Russia, and claims about the improvement of the public’s standard of living against a backdrop of rising poverty. Tšaplõgin also highlighted the Prime Minister’s low trust rating (19%), asking whether this pointed to the public’s ignorance or the Prime Minister’s incompetence. Prime Minister Kaja Kallas categorically denied the accusations of lying, explaining that her previous answers concerning tax increases were tied to the specific context of the state budget, and that her husband neither has nor has ever had any Russian business, but rather assisted an Estonian transport company. Kallas defended her low popularity, noting that the trust rating of prime ministers who make difficult decisions during challenging times is naturally low, but these decisions are necessary to ensure the sustainability and security of the Estonian state. She stressed that the government is forced to ask taxpayers for a greater contribution due to crises and increased national defense expenditures, even though the tax burden remains among the lowest in Europe. In a supplementary question, Aivar Kokk raised the issue of energy security, recommending considering the conversion of the Narva power plants to pellet dust and criticizing Elering’s slow repair of the electricity cable, which he claimed was generating profit for the state company. Kallas confirmed the government’s commitment to repairing the cable quickly but dismissed the conspiracy theory regarding Elering’s profit motive, given that it is a state-owned enterprise.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riigikogu member Aleksandr Tšaplõgin is submitting the seventh question to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding the spreading of misinformation.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He emphasizes that spreading misinformation is the greatest threat to the state, admits an error concerning Mart Laar and the Council of the Bank of Estonia, and accuses the government of misinformation regarding the privatization of Estonian Railways, tax promises, and lending to Russian businesses.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas confirms that she has spoken the truth and that taxes will not rise in the context of the state budget, that her husband does not have a Russian business and only held a minority stake in one Estonian transport company, and that she does not understand what specific topic regarding the privatization of the railway is exactly being asked about during the information hour.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman offered his thanks and gave Aleksandr Chaplygin the opportunity to ask a clarifying question.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speaker expresses concern over why the prime minister is lying and failing to answer, highlighting the fact that only 19% of Estonians trust her, and asks whether the reason lies in the spread of disinformation or the prime minister's inability to perform her duties.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas stresses that unpopular decisions are essential for guaranteeing the nation's sustainability and security. She noted that while the tax burden will remain in the 33–34 percent range (rising slightly above 34% next year), the taxpayer's contribution is required to fund roads, teachers, and healthcare, because the state cannot spend beyond its means, and the necessary additional revenue must come specifically through taxation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman offers his thanks and announces that an additional question will follow, inviting Aivar Kokk to come forward.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk urged the government to discuss utilizing the production of pellets made from waste wood as a green and potentially cheaper energy source. He criticized Elering's transmission capacity bottlenecks and the resulting profits, and asked the prime minister to pound his fist on the table and declare: "It is unacceptable that repairing an electric cable takes longer than repairing a gas pipeline under the sea."
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas stated that the government is seeking the rapid repair of the Balticconnector pipeline, trusts the experts' assessments, and stressed that the state-owned company Elering cannot pocket the profits, adding that related issues will be discussed if the need arises.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He thanks everyone and concludes the discussion on today's seventh question.