The situation in the country
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 6th sitting, press briefing
Date: 2025-09-24 15:56
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 38
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 30m
AI Summaries: 38/38 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
During the Riigikogu information hour, Prime Minister Kristen Michal was asked two questions regarding the current situation in the country. The first question came from Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa), who sharply criticized the government's State Budget Strategy (SBS), calling it irresponsible and filled with unfunded figures. Reinsalu demanded explanations regarding the 100 million euro needs-based support planned for 2028–2029, the postponement of defense expenditures (several hundred million euros) to 2026 and 2027, and the revision of investments planned for 2029. Additionally, he asked why 330 million euros were planned in the SBS to cover ETS2 (the additional motor fuel tax), even though the Prime Minister opposes it. Prime Minister Michal defended the budget strategy, explaining that targeting needs-based support requires SKAIS IT developments, and while the 5% defense spending target remains, the Ministry of Defense is distributing procurements across the years. He emphasized that the revision of investments is necessary to cut costs and avoid tax increases. Michal confirmed that the government's official position is the postponement and cancellation of ETS2. Follow-up questions also addressed the growth of administrative costs and the low wages of special care workers.
The second question was posed by Helle-Moonika Helme (EKRE), who accused the Prime Minister of sugarcoating the situation and compared his performance to a North Korean news broadcast. Helme criticized the government's large budget deficit and the financing of the tax hump abolition with borrowed money, arguing that it is regressive and harms low-wage earners. Michal defended the abolition of the tax hump, calling it the largest tax cut in Estonian history (780 million euros) and necessary because the progressive income tax unfairly burdened middle-income earners. In a follow-up question, Helme also sharply criticized the consent law (the so-called "yes-model") approved by the government, calling it "absurd ideological mumbo-jumbo." Michal expressed bewilderment over EKRE's opposition to the yes-model, stressing that the law is intended to protect victims and support the weaker party.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa, right-wing) was the most active questioner, posing detailed and critical questions to the Prime Minister regarding the paradoxes of the state budget strategy, defense expenditures, and administrative costs.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Member of the Riigikogu Urmas Reinsalu is asking Prime Minister Kristen Michal about the state of the country.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar introduced the fifth item on the agenda, a question posed by Riigikogu member Urmas Reinsalu to Prime Minister Kristen Michal, focusing on the general situation of the country.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu sharply criticizes the government's state budget strategy, deeming it dangerous and unrealistic due to unfunded figures, and demands explanations from the Prime Minister on four crucial points: the substance of the needs-based support for 2028–2029, the reasons for postponing defense expenditures, the meaning of the 2029 investment revision, and the government's contradictory stances regarding ETS2, or the additional motor fuel tax, for which 330 million euros have already been included in the budget.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu criticized the government's budget strategy, citing unfunded figures, and demanded explanations regarding the planned 100 million euro improvement in the fiscal position for 2028–2029, the postponement of defense expenditures in 2026–2027 according to the development plan, the revision of investments scheduled for 2029, and the coordination of the ETS2 tax and its 330 million euro coverage, stressing that we must not live unrealistically.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the Prime Minister and submits a request.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that the 2027 elections will be won, at least 5% of the budget will remain for defense, IT systems (SKAIS) are being developed for needs-based benefits, an investment review will be conducted, and the state has chosen the path of lowering taxes and cutting costs.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal thanked for the congratulations, affirmed the government's goal to win the 2027 elections, and explained that implementing needs-based benefits requires extensive IT development (SKAIS) and will only be feasible in 2028–2029. He confirmed that the promise of 5% defense spending remains in place, adding that the funds will be used judiciously and foreign resources will also be leveraged. He also defended the government's policy of cutting costs and reviewing investments, stressing that this was the chosen route instead of raising taxes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the previous speaker and calls upon Urmas Reinsalu to ask a clarifying question.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu is criticizing the government's budget policy, noting the growth in administrative costs and the promised cuts. He is also asking why a 330 million euro ETS2 tax has been planned, what the 470 million euro 'other support' for the next fiscal year includes, and he is demanding an explanation regarding RES.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu sharply criticizes the government’s chosen path of debt-fueled existence and its financial management logic, deeming the situation an absurd, Švejkian paradox. Governing costs are rising by hundreds of millions of euros (approaching half a billion), yet the government is only discussing a €20 million cut. He is demanding that the prime minister provide clarity on both this dynamic and the substance of the €470 million increase in other subsidies.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offers his thanks and submits a request to the Prime Minister.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that since the Kaja Kallas government took office, approximately 1.4 billion euros in cuts have been agreed upon, the aim of which is to streamline spending and raise the salaries of frontline workers (teachers, cultural workers, rescuers, and police) without changing pensions. At the same time, he confirmed that the advancement of the written position regarding the ETS2 motor vehicle tax would be postponed and cancelled.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasized that although the budget details still require detailed analysis by the relevant committee, the government is committed to the previously agreed-upon cuts totaling 1.4 billion euros, which will be implemented over three years, leaving teachers, police officers, defense capability, and pensions untouched. He further explained that the cuts in the administrative areas of the ministries are directly linked to funding the salary increases for front-line workers (such as teachers and rescuers), noting that ministries must cut approximately the same magnitude as the salary increases total. Additionally, he confirmed Estonia's clear position regarding the postponement and cancellation of ETS2.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gives his thanks and announces that the supplementary question will be asked by his colleague Anti Allas.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked [the speaker/the audience] and then gave the floor to his colleague Anti Allas so that he could ask an additional question.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas points out the critical state of the special care services sector, highlighting low salaries and funding shortfalls. He questions the logic of allocating millions toward large salaries while the sector’s critical concerns remain unaddressed.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas highlights the extremely critical situation concerning special care services, pointing out that specialists' salaries are laughably low (e.g., under 1200 euros gross salary in Võru). Furthermore, the additional funding promised by the Minister of Social Affairs is inadequate to cover the deficit. He sharply criticizes the government's priorities, which allow for large "gifts" to be made to high-earners while simultaneously failing to fund this vital sector.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that due to the strained state of the national budget, which has been caused by sharp increases in defense expenditures, only five sectors will receive a pay raise, including special caregivers. However, she simultaneously stressed that abolishing the tax hump is a necessary and successful reform that will bring a significant increase in net income specifically for those earning average and slightly above-average wages (citing examples of up to 1,800 euros in additional annual income). She sharply criticized the progressive income tax, calling it a failed system that burdens the average person and must be eliminated.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated during the Q&A session that the salary increase for special care is planned to cost 4.2 million, but due to the rapid growth of other sectors and defense expenditures, coupled with a limited budget, a larger salary increase is not possible. He also stressed the need to adjust tax policy—specifically, abandoning the planned income tax hike and abolishing the progressive income tax—so that middle-class people and those with slightly below-average incomes could retain more earnings.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and concludes the consideration of today's fifth item.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked [the participants] and briefly announced that the consideration of the fifth item on today's agenda had been concluded.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar introduced the sixth question of the sitting, addressed to Prime Minister Kristen Michal. The question is being put forward by Riigikogu member Helle-Moonika Helme and, like the previous one, concerns the situation in the country.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme accuses the Prime Minister of delivering North Korean-style "good news" that ignores the deep economic crisis and the state budget deficit, which has spiraled out of control and is nearing two billion. She criticizes the government for engaging in massive borrowing at the expense of future generations instead of cutting costs. She further emphasizes that the consistent elimination of the tax hump and the raising of consumption taxes will painfully hit low-wage earners and the middle class, a situation reflected by the government coalition’s support hitting an all-time historical low.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar yielded the floor to the next speaker, briefly noting that their time had begun.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme criticizes the opposition for employing an election strategy reminiscent of North Korea ahead of the 2027 elections, sharply questioning what right they have to assume they represent the Estonian people or are even fit to govern.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar concluded his brief address, offered his thanks, and then gave the floor to the Prime Minister.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal defended the factual accuracy of the figures she presented, specifically regarding the budget deficit and Martin Helme’s past records. She stressed that the government is moving back to a uniform tax system, eliminating the failed progressive income tax that penalizes the average wage earner, in order to support economic growth and aspiration. Furthermore, she noted that the budget deficit is primarily attributable to defense spending and the loosening of European regulations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the previous speaker or the audience, and subsequently yielded the floor to Helle-Moonika Helme to ask a clarifying question.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme accuses the government of exaggerating the situation, concealing tax hikes, and being unable to deal with serious issues facing the country, such as the budget and livelihoods. In the speaker's assessment, the government is wasting time and human resources on completely absurd ideological drivel—primarily the Consent Act—which she calls a hypocritical intrusion into people's bedrooms at a time when the Riigikogu should be focused on ensuring the Estonian people can make ends meet. She further accuses the government of destroying family cohesion and sowing discord.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal fiercely defended the government's €780 million tax cut as the largest in Estonian history, dismissing the opposition's claims that the measure was mere "fine-tuning" and stressing its positive impact on average wage earners and business competitiveness. He also sharply criticized the resistance to the consent law (the "yes-means-yes" model), underscoring the necessity of always standing with the weaker party—that is, protecting victims—rather than hiding behind ideological prejudices, drawing parallels with the necessity of taking domestic violence seriously.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gave brief thanks and then passed the floor to the Prime Minister.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the previous speaker and, acting in his capacity as moderator, then gave the floor to his colleague Martin Helme so that he could ask a follow-up question.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme accuses the Reform Party of hypocrisy regarding the protection of women, and pivots to attacking the government's budget policy. He emphasizes that the tax changes are regressive—the poorest are paying more while the wealthiest receive benefits—and that these costs are being covered by irresponsible borrowing to finance current expenditures. This, he argues, demonstrates that the promised cuts are merely superficial, and state costs are, in fact, rising.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gave the next speaker a brief procedural cue, merely stating "Your time," which signaled the start of the presentation slot.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme concludes his point with a rhetorical question, casting doubt on whether the topic being discussed was even covered in the election promises and the coalition agreement.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar briefly offered his thanks and then invited the Prime Minister to the podium.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal initiated a political debate by recognizing ERR (Estonian Public Broadcasting) as a reliable source. This was followed by an explanation of the Foreign Ministry's budget: although the ministry must implement internal cuts, it will receive additional funding for economic diplomacy and aid to Ukraine, which is necessary to secure permanent financing following the previous government's one-off decisions. Finally, he defended the government's tax policy, stressing that cancelling the planned income tax hike and raising the tax-free minimum essentially constitute a tax cut, which leaves more money in the hands of average wage earners and the economy, thereby improving the country's competitive position.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the listeners and announced that he was thereby concluding the consideration of today's sixth agenda item, which was the issue/question.