National Security
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-04-03 15:18
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The discussion focused on national security and the suspension of voting rights for third-country nationals in local government elections. MP Helir-Valdor Seeder (Isamaa) sharply criticized Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform Party) and the government for inaction, noting that no progress had been made on an issue critical for security for a whole year, while tax hike packages were quickly adopted. Seeder accused the Reform Party of treating security as secondary and engaging in political games.
In response, Prime Minister Kallas stressed that security is the government's number one priority, citing the 80% increase in defense spending, which necessitated the tax hikes to cover. Regarding the voting rights issue, Kallas emphasized the need to find a solution that would be "bulletproof" and not be overturned as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, referencing warnings from both the President and the Chancellor of Justice. She argued that the government is working on a solution, but this requires broader support and consensus, especially if the path of constitutional amendment must be taken. Seeder dismissed Kallas’s justifications, arguing that hypothetical obstacles do not justify inaction, and accused the coalition (especially the Social Democrats) of obstructing the process. In a follow-up question, Mart Helme (EKRE) accused the Reform Party of lacking political will and representing a puppet government, which Kallas briefly rejected.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Helir-Valdor Seeder (Isamaa, conservative) was an active participant, initiating the discussion and posing detailed clarifying questions while criticizing the government's inaction on security matters.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar informs that the second question will be posed by Riigikogu member Helir-Valdor Seeder to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, and the topic is national security.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder emphasizes that the government has been left responsible for deciding the issue of voting rights for third-country nationals, claiming security is its priority, while simultaneously the tax burden is growing and weighing heavily on people. He further blames the Reform Party for its lack of cooperation regarding the bill submitted by Isamaa in the Riigikogu to revoke the voting rights of third-country citizens.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stressed that security is the government’s foremost priority, noting that defense spending has increased by 80%, which necessitates asking taxpayers for additional funds to cover the costs. She added that the suspension of voting rights for Russian and Belarusian citizens must be enacted in the Riigikogu as a robust and fully finalized solution. Achieving this requires the support of a broad Riigikogu majority—not merely at the level of the Tallinn City Council—and the work is ongoing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks them and asks Helir-Valdor Seeder to ask a clarifying question.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder called for the initiation of a process to solve the problem, either through a law amendment or a constitutional amendment, and urged that they stop just talking, because without taking concrete steps, they won't get anywhere.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas confirmed that the government is engaged in real work, takes responsibility for the consequences, and that these issues are thoroughly discussed within the coalition. She stated that the necessary bill, aimed at strengthening state security and internal security and preventing unrest and confrontation, will be finalized, rather than making populist or half-baked decisions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and now poses a follow-up question, inviting Mart Helme to take the floor.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme claims that this was pure demagoguery, and that his party submitted a draft bill two weeks ago concerning the withdrawal of voting rights for third-country citizens in local elections. However, the Reform Party lacks the political will to take this step because they are representatives of a puppet government and are carrying out the orders of their masters.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
He briefly summarizes that people don't like the Reform Party.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He is concluding the discussion of today's second question.