Interpellation concerning the consequences of reducing family benefits (No. 561)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Date: 2024-04-01 19:34
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 82
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 8m
AI Summaries: 82/82 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The presented agenda item concerned the interpellation submitted on June 19 last year by Siim Pohlak, Rene Kokk, Henn Põlluaas, Jaak Valge, Kalle Grünthal, and Kert Kingo regarding the consequences of reducing family benefits. The interpellation was submitted, and the presentation took place via the Riigikogu rostrum, with Henn Põlluaas designated as the recipient. The discussion on the agenda focused not only on social and demographic effects but also on procedural issues concerning the organization of the Riigikogu’s work and the impact of agenda planning on the handling of interpellations. Furthermore, questions were raised about the volume of interpellations, their sequence, and how the Riigikogu Board attempts to ensure operational efficiency and the creation of a balanced agenda in conjunction with members of the coalition and the opposition.
Decisions Made 1
The Presidium of the Riigikogu decided to place interpellations on the agenda in a manageable volume and allow them to be processed in accordance with the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, in order to maintain working capacity and ensure the continuous answering of interpellations. This was a collective decision regarding the management of the agenda and the organization of proceedings, and not a confirmation of specific political innovations or promises.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker: Henn Põlluaas (BDH3H-JWux0) – right-wing political position (EKRE). He served as the key presenter during the introduction of the interpellation, the confirmation of the list of its proponents, and remained an active driving force for the agenda item throughout the ensuing debate.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu discusses, as the fourth item on the agenda, an interpellation submitted last year regarding the consequences of reducing family benefits, and hears a report by Henn Põlluaas, while Jaak Valge poses a question concerning the procedure for conducting the sitting.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge thanks them for the confidence and asks why the procedure for holding the sitting related to this very same topic has not taken place sooner, even though the interpellation was submitted on June 19th of last year.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar acknowledged that 569 inquiries had been submitted to the Riigikogu during the first half of last year, and processing all of them would not have been possible. For this reason, the board gradually placed them on the agenda. Now, the volume of inquiries has been significantly streamlined, and it is hoped that answers will be received soon. However, the inquiries will be addressed within 20 sitting days, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asked about the procedure for holding the session.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He emphasizes that the Parliament's working days have been extremely short over the past two months, and asks why the interpellations aren't compiled all at once and put on the agenda gradually, instead of being trickled in one by one.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar briefly expressed his thanks to a good colleague.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge asserts that there appear to be no government bills, and asks why we shouldn't then continue moving forward consistently.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that six to eight interpellations per day are manageable for the Riigikogu, but the current obstruction of debate and the removal of draft legislation from the agenda makes planning the schedule difficult. He added that the Board, taking into account both the coalition and the opposition, is still striving to ensure sufficient work through the weekly plan, and believes that there is enough work for discussion today and tomorrow.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller voiced a dissenting opinion regarding the work of the Riigikogu Board, noting that on many occasions, the presence of the presenters in Estonia has not been discussed during agenda planning, which frequently renders discussion impossible. He urged the Board to better organize the collection of information concerning the presenters' presence.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that it was not a procedural question, but rather a comment, and directed his colleagues back to the topics, noting at the same time that Henn Põlluaas was already almost at the speaker's stand, but now an attempt was being made to raise a procedural question.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He thanks for the opportunity.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar puts a procedural question to Henn Põlluaas.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas stated that the information regarding the review of interpellations on Monday is not entirely accurate, and since our day lasts until 12 o’clock, we could actually review much more, given that most of the inquiries have already been withdrawn and the remaining ones can be processed significantly faster.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar reiterated the principles of the Riigikogu Board when compiling the agenda, the purpose of which is to ensure the Riigikogu's capacity to function and the fulfillment of all duties arising from the Constitution, to enable the government to plan its work, and to incorporate initiatives from the factions, government bills, and other statutory duties so that they can presumably be processed by the end of Thursday’s sitting. He then asked Henn Põlluaas to introduce from the rostrum the interpellation submitted by Siim Pohlak, Rene Kokk, Henn Põlluaas, Jaak Valge, Kalle Grünthal, and Kert Kingo concerning the consequences of reducing family benefits.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas asserts that the government's reduction of support for large families will increase poverty and accelerate the decline in the birth rate. He stresses the crucial importance of family and children as the foundation for the nation's continued sustainability and requests specific answers from the Prime Minister regarding demographic and social issues.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This is a short message: your time has come.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas condemns the glorification of the lying government's propaganda and concludes with thanks.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker called Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to the Riigikogu rostrum to answer the interpellation.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that the tax burden is generating a lot of negative sentiment, noting that the level is exactly the same as it was during the EKRE government in 2019–2020, and she asked the public not to yell.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the time for debate and questions and answers is still to come, and the Prime Minister is currently responding to the written questions of the inquiry.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas emphasized that family benefits have increased and are paid for by taxes, affirmed the significant support provided to large families, and stated that implementing needs-based support measures is currently impossible because financial decisions must be made according to the families' own priorities.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the previous speaker and invites Martin Helme to ask questions.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme accuses Kaja Kallas of being a pathological liar, criticizes the government's decisions—such as the abolition of child benefits in 2024, the closure of small schools, the imposition of the car tax, and the implementation of climate hysteria and green policies—and asks what their positive plan is for exiting the crisis.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that child benefits are still higher than in 2022, the reform of funding for small schools makes it possible to keep schools close to home, and the birth rate is mainly affected by crises, as well as women's well-being and the balance between work and family life.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls upon Kert Kingo.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo accuses Kaja Kallas of increasing the tax burden and lying to the public, citing the VAT and income tax increases that were implemented during the EKRE government, as well as the plans to introduce a car tax and a sugar tax.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas recommended inviting specialists to clarify how the tax burden is formed and what factors are taken into account, adding that her role is not to provide that specific lesson, despite her education from the University of Tartu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invited Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to speak.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart claims that the sugar tax is an additional levy that primarily burdens large and poorer families and will not improve children's health. She also argues that its implementation will cost the state 4.9 million euros. Therefore, she suggests that if the state truly cared about children's health, it should consider increasing the school lunch allowance, restoring the school sports allowance, and lowering the VAT on fruits and vegetables or utilizing a digital tax as an additional source of funding.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks the listeners.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks why the taxation of Facebook and Google hasn't been considered.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that taxing sweetened beverages could help reduce childhood obesity, and Portugal’s experience shows its impact, but other measures must also be used, and the taxation of large digital giants must take place uniformly and in cooperation with others, otherwise it will not have an effect.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited Rene Kokk to the stage.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk criticized the prime minister for using partial facts and requested a comprehensive assessment. This assessment should compare Estonia's situation with other European countries regarding pensions, wages, costs, and taxes, while also factoring in inflation and the current state of schools and local municipalities.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas stressed that if we want services at the Nordic level, the tax burden would have to be raised by about 10 percentage points, and all that money comes from the taxpayers, because the government has no money other than the taxpayer’s money.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He asked his colleagues to speak in turn and announced that it was now Henn Põlluaas’s turn.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas accuses the government of causing the increase in child poverty and the decline of living standards, and demands a concrete and truthful answer regarding how much the living standard of Estonian families has fallen during its term, especially concerning families with children.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Although various claims were presented, including those concerning the necessity of aid for Ukrainian war refugees, actual data indicates that prices are rising slower than the increase in incomes and pensions, meaning that the standard of living and purchasing power in Estonia is improving.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman called Evelin Poolamets to the stage.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
According to the speaker, no exceptions will be made for large families when implementing the car tax, and the question is being asked whether the car tax was factored in when reducing family benefits and how significant the impact was.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas said that family benefits are still higher than they were in 2022. The increase in family benefits was reduced, but not the benefits themselves, and the main argument for larger families has been the need to buy a bigger car.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi makes a request to Mart Helme.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme points out that even though wages have risen, inflation and the cost of living have increased, meaning people often have to work multiple jobs just to get by.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks his dear colleague.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She accuses the opponent of avoiding the topic and arrogantly demanding that the calculations for the other side also be performed.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Kaja Kallas says that she talks all the time.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme is calling for an experiment to be carried out.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Thanks were expressed to Mart Helme in the speech.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme asks if anyone could live for a month on a €1,200 salary.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas notes that it is not right for low-wage workers to have to fund a larger benefit paid to people staying at home, especially when that benefit exceeds the workers' own wages.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi addresses Mart Helme and asks him.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stresses that the median wage is low, and working people pay taxes to finance all support payments, with that money coming directly out of their own pockets.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi calls Mart Maastik to the stage.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik notes that the median salary is lower than the child support payments designated for large families, and that over half of Estonian children are being raised in large families. He calls for the presentation of an alternative plan to prevent the decline of the Estonian nation-state, stressing that raising children is a huge undertaking, and asking where future taxpayers will come from if the state fades away.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas emphasizes that family policy must create a sense of security for families — not only financial security, but also the security that the father stays with the family — and ensure a better balance between work and family life and equality in the sharing of the burden, because this encourages childbirth; the birth rate in Estonia this year is approximately +0.4%.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Chair invites Arvo Aller to the stage.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller criticizes the respondent's style, emphasizes the demanding work involved in raising children and the economic contribution families make, and demands a concrete plan to ensure security, noting that support and financial value are the foundation of this.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stressed that social benefits are funded by the taxpayer, and any increase must be weighed against the burden placed on those taxpayers. She also addressed the necessity of achieving a better work-life balance, ensuring a fairer distribution of domestic responsibilities, and guaranteeing family continuity so that fathers do not abandon mothers in the process of raising their children.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker asked Jaak Valge to come up on stage.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge asks whether the birth rate of the peoples in the East Slavic cultural space is significantly lower than that of Estonians, and if one agrees with this, whether the resulting mass immigration reduces the birth rate and exacerbates demographic problems, and why the government is pursuing an immigration policy that results in mass immigration (not referring to Ukrainian refugees, but regular immigration).
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that facts are either true or they are not, and because she cannot verify the veracity of the claims being made, she is unable to respond to them.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is just a request to invite Kalle Grünthal to the stage.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal accuses Kaja Kallas of deflecting responsibility onto subordinates in her responses, stressing that as the head of the government, she is privy to the decisions. He also questions whether the interpellation concerning the consequences of cutting family benefits was unfounded.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
He says that the situation isn't ideal, but it's also not as bad as the opponents are portraying it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the Prime Minister, announced that there were no questions, and opened the negotiations, calling upon Jaak Valge.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He/She thanks the chairperson for the opportunity to speak and requests three additional minutes.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He/She politely asks for three more minutes.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge asserts that the state of Estonia's population is the most critical in history, with the birth rate being the lowest since 1919. While the underlying causes are varied, he suggests considering modifications to alcohol policy and increasing life expectancy, measures which could potentially raise the birth rate and secure the population's future.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
It was a 30-second call.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge said that the claim that our child and family benefits are the largest in Europe is not correct, and according to the data from the Social Insurance Board, if all benefits are taken into account, they are the European average.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge asks what the government intends to do to escape this catastrophic situation, including not only direct but also indirect steps.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks everyone and asks Mart Maastik to take the floor.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Maastik emphasizes that the consequences of reducing family benefits are a problem, and the state must ensure financial security for families—the means to raise children and provide them with a good education and sports activities—and highlights the importance of role models and stable support for the sustainability of large families.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked them and stated that a sense of confidence was important both for Mart Maastik and the Prime Minister, and that they were of one mind on the matter. Following this, he called Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart for extra time, asking whether it should be three or two minutes, and ultimately added three minutes.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart's speech criticizes the government's tax policy and the car tax, arguing that it fails to provide exemptions for large families. She contends that this policy threatens legal certainty and the protection of the state's special care derived from the constitution, especially given that subsidies increased before the elections are now being revoked post-election, while the government attempts to generate additional revenue through taxation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi simply expressed his thanks.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
This shows hypocrisy, and the tax increases were implemented merely to fill the budget deficit, not for the sake of improving people's standard of living.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Kalle Grünthal to the stage to speak.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal accuses the government of cutting family benefits and raising taxes, measures which make life significantly harder for large families. He emphasizes the state’s obligation under Article 28 of the Constitution to care for these families and concludes by referencing the payment that has been dubbed "the people's revenge."
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi concluded the proceedings on the agenda item, noting that child allowances are, in fact, established and amended by members of the Riigikogu, and stressed the need for decorum following the interruptions that had occurred in the chamber.