Third Reading of the Draft Act (351 SE) concerning the Act amending the Electricity Market Act and other Acts (Termination of Universal Service and Ensuring Security of Supply)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-04-16 13:23
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 27m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The third reading addressed the Act amending the Electricity Market Act and other acts (termination of the universal service and ensuring security of supply), initiated by the Government of the Republic, Bill 351. The main focus was on whether to continue or terminate the universal service, and related issues concerning the pricing model and ensuring consumer protection. The debate centered on how to react to the market situation: whether and how to base the price of the universal service on the next day's exchange price, and what mechanisms should be adopted to ensure security of supply if market prices tend to fluctuate. Parallel proposals and visions also included reviewing the table of noted proposals and considering them in the context of amendments to the bill's sections.
In the second part, the positions of various parliamentary groups and interest groups were highlighted: Isamaa wished to continue the universal service but change its pricing and make it more consumer-friendly; the Centre Party and others emphasized transparency and improving market functioning, avoiding one-sided solutions. At the end of the discussion, it became clear that the bill would proceed to the final vote, and a vote would be cast for or against the adoption of the act. As a result of the final vote on the bill, the decision was made to adopt the act.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 351 was passed into law; the vote was 64 in favor, 2 against, and 2 abstaining.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Rain Epler (EKRE), as he delivered two comprehensive speeches regarding the termination of the universal service and issues of supply security. EKRE represents a right-wing perspective, and his speaking activity reflected strong opposition to/an attempt to change the current system, emphasizing the need for the quickest and most concrete solutions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu will begin the third reading of the draft legislation initiated by the Government of the Republic concerning amendments to the Electricity Market Act and other acts, the aim of which is the termination of the universal service and ensuring security of supply. Rain Epler will open the debate on behalf of the EKRE parliamentary group.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticizes the draft bill as "Social Democrat-style" state governance, arguing that the universal service obligation is imposed and then lifted according to stock market price fluctuations. He further highlights that while substantive proposals are visible in the table of remarks and suggestions, they have often been disregarded.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi requests three additional minutes.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He/She said that the changes to the MGS are complicated, and various parties, such as the Estonian Gas Association (Eesti Gaasiliit) and Eesti Energia, are demanding the quickest possible entry into force. Furthermore, the explanatory memorandum, along with the table of comments, will help people understand exactly what is changing and how it will be applied in practice.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks the chair and requests that the floor be given to Mart Maastik on behalf of the Isamaa faction.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Maastik stressed that the universal service must not be discontinued and should be made more consumer-friendly, with the price based either on the following day's hourly market rate or the production cost of the Narva Power Plants, depending on the circumstances, thus ensuring a functioning solution is available during crises.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked [the previous speaker] and gave the floor to Lauri Laats on behalf of the EK faction.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that the universal service is inflexible, noting that over 150,000 consumers are paying 19 cents per kilowatt-hour. Therefore, he argued, it should be ended and replaced with a flexible mechanism where the price equals the market rate during good times and is subsidized during bad times. He also stated that the government needs to make decisions more quickly next time.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks [the participants] for the efficient use of time, concludes the discussions, and announces that the Steering Committee recommends holding the final vote on Draft Act 351.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He requested a ten-minute recess on behalf of the EKRE faction before the vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that the break would last ten minutes.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He declares the recess concluded and puts to the final vote Government-initiated Draft Act 351 on amendments to the Electricity Market Act and other acts (Termination of the universal service and ensuring security of supply).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Bill 351 was adopted as law with 64 votes in favor, 2 against, and 2 abstentions.