First reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to Abandon the Imposition of the Car Tax and Withdraw the Motor Vehicle Tax Bill from the Riigikogu Proceedings" (374 OE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-04-02 13:14
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 33
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 12m
AI Summaries: 33/33 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The first item on the agenda addressed the first reading of the Isamaa faction’s Riigikogu resolution titled "Proposal to the Government of the Republic to abandon the implementation of the car tax and withdraw the motor vehicle tax bill from Riigikogu proceedings" (Draft Bill No. 374). The main focus was on the fundamental question regarding the draft bill under discussion: whether its adoption required a majority vote of the Riigikogu membership or not, and how the differing interpretations of this by the coalition and the opposition should be applied in practice within the legal context. Both legal and political arguments were highlighted during the debate: including differences in the positions of the Legal and Analysis Department and the committee, as well as the question of how decisions made on the agenda and bills taken into proceedings must be lawfully handled for further processing.
Secondly, the discussion delved into substantive and political considerations: criticism regarding the close interplay between economic policy and the tax system, and the impact of the car tax on rural areas, families, and businesses. Various factions highlighted the European Union legal framework, constitutional viewpoints, and budgetary visions, while coalition representatives pushed forward solutions and emphasized the need not to increase the tax burden on the economy. Finally, the bill was put to a final vote, but it failed to gain sufficient support and was subsequently ruled rejected.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 374, titled "Proposal to the Government of the Republic to abandon the introduction of the car tax and withdraw the motor vehicle tax bill from the Riigikogu proceedings," was rejected during its first reading; the vote tally was recorded as 28 in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstentions.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker: VTIO4yVEz1k; a representative of the coalition whose position is right-wing (right). He frequently intervened in the subsequent discussions, directing the debate toward defending the positions of the government and the coalition, and addressing the context of economic and tax policy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi explains the first agenda item: the first reading of the Isamaa faction's proposal for the Riigikogu to decide to abandon the implementation of the car tax and withdraw the motor vehicle tax bill from the proceedings. He then requests Aivar Kokk as the rapporteur, but first, he addresses a procedural question to Kalle Grünthal.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal noted that if the current law states that the adoption of this bill does not require a majority vote of the Riigikogu membership, the committee must not unlawfully change that position. Furthermore, the basis for the proceedings should be the opinion of the Riigikogu Legal and Analysis Department, not the committee's, and he asked his colleagues whether we can truly violate the law based on this justification.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced a flexible approach: although the board has not mandated that committees must make decisions requiring 51 votes, draft legislation may be adopted in the chamber in the future without 51 votes, provided the bills do not amend the law. He also values the opinions of the Legal and Analysis Department, even though the final truth often lies in judicial decisions.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder claims that the coalition and the opposition are shaping what appears to be a compromise, stresses that we are in the right and the bill does not require 51 votes, and adds that due to yesterday's confirmation of the agenda and the delegation of the chairman, the entire affair is truly awkward and disgraceful.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi explains the procedure for compiling and approving the agenda, emphasizes the flexibility regarding changes in presenters, and clarifies the chairman's role in explaining the grounds for voting. He also informs that the next item on the agenda is the first reading of the Riigikogu decision submitted by the Isamaa faction, titled "Proposal to the Government of the Republic to abandon the establishment of the car tax and withdraw the motor vehicle tax bill from the Riigikogu proceedings," which will be presented by Aivar Kokk.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk stated that the proposed motor vehicle tax constitutes a betrayal of voters, arguing that it disproportionately burdens rural areas and families, while simultaneously damaging the competitiveness of businesses and the overall economy. He recalled the coalition's previous promises to reduce the tax burden and suggested that this legislation may violate the constitution and European Union legal norms.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman offered thanks and noted that there were still a few questions, inviting Aleksandr Chaplygin to respond.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He confirmed that he agrees with scrapping the car tax, but asked what the alternatives would be, and mentioned that the Centre Party is seeking a bank tax.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
I say once again that the Estonian economy does not need a tax increase, and abolishing the income tax exemption for high earners solves a large part of the problems. However, the introduction of a bank tax must not affect Estonian banks, because it would reduce their lending capacity and increase the cost of loans, thereby giving an advantage to foreign banks, especially Swedish banks.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a brief request for Kersti Sarapuu to come and speak.
Kersti Sarapuu
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kersti Sarapuu asks how, in the context of the given bill, one should interpret the fact that this is a tax aimed at making the environment more sustainable, as the Minister of Finance has claimed.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk claims that the coalition's draft bill is a big lie because the environmental tax is not discussed, the projected budget revenue of 230 million euros is uncertain, and the environmental impact of manufacturing electric cars and mining batteries has not been taken into account. Therefore, the tax burdens Estonian entrepreneurs and people, not the environment.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited Helir-Valdor Seeder to speak.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder asserts that the current coalition is implementing a tax policy contrary to its ideology, by increasing indirect and consumption taxes and abolishing the tax bulge, and calls for a description of the existing alternative options.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk claims that there are hidden costs in the state budget, and if the number of employees in every ministry were cut by about 25%, it would be possible to save roughly 300 million euros annually—and if we want real savings, we need to act, not just protest.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks the rapporteur, notes that there are no questions, and gives Jevgeni Ossinovski the opportunity to present the position of the leading committee and the discussion that took place within the committee, also asking him to speak a bit more broadly on the topic.
Jevgeni Ossinovski
AI Summary
Jevgeni Ossinovski described the discussion held in the Finance Committee regarding the core problem with the bill's procedure, arguing that the current practice, where the bill's passage requires a majority vote of the full membership, is inappropriate and should be discontinued. He also confirmed that the committee decided to place the bill on the agenda for April 2nd and to appoint him as the representative of the steering committee.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman thanked the rapporteur and called upon Kalle Grünthal to ask a question.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal stressed that the matter remains subject to a simple majority vote, and he asked the committee what the legal basis was for this requirement—a majority of the Riigikogu membership—citing both the response provided by the Riigikogu Legal and Analysis Department and the enumeration in Section 104 of the Constitution.
Jevgeni Ossinovski
AI Summary
Jevgeni Ossinovski stated that although interpretations regarding the preparation of legislation may differ, in his view, an absolute majority of the membership is required, and a parliamentary decision based on that gives the bill real meaning, and the government must fulfill its duties accordingly.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Aleksandr Chaplygin to the stage.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He is asking for an explanation as to why the banks' excess profit tax is bad, but the car tax is good.
Jevgeni Ossinovski
AI Summary
Unfortunately, this was not discussed thoroughly in the committee, even though various details of the draft bill were discussed, and it must be admitted that the motor vehicle tax received little attention.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi expresses his thanks, announces the conclusion of the questioning period, opens the floor for debate, and on behalf of the EKRE faction, invites Rene Kokk to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi requested an additional three minutes.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk announced that the Estonian Conservative People's Party does not support the motor vehicle tax, viewing its impact as detrimental to rural areas and small businesses, and called on the coalition to withdraw the draft bill and make the legislative process fairer and more sensible.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party faction, requested an additional three minutes of speaking time.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart said that the car tax bill is in conflict with both European Union law and the constitution, causes damage and additional costs to the state, and does not offer sufficient exceptions for vulnerable groups. Consequently, it is the last moment to withdraw the bill, and if the Riigikogu adopts it, the Centre Party will submit an appeal to the president, asking him not to promulgate the bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi offers his thanks and, on behalf of the Isamaa faction, presents a request to his colleague, Andres Metsoja.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Isamaa opposes the car tax, is organizing protests across Estonia from April 5–7, and is appealing to the president, arguing that it is unfair for families in sparsely populated regions and fails to account for mobility needs, as many require two cars to reach school, kindergarten, and work. Furthermore, the fuel excise duty is insufficient for road investments, and public transport cannot meet all necessary requirements.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced the termination of negotiations, noting that no amendments had been submitted and that a final vote must be held today, requiring a majority of the Riigikogu membership. The vote concerns Riigikogu draft decision 374, submitted by the Isamaa faction, the goal of which is to abandon the car tax and withdraw the motor vehicle tax bill from proceedings.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Twenty-eight members of the Riigikogu supported the proposal, 0 were against, and 0 abstained; Bill 374 was rejected because it did not receive sufficient support.