Interpellation regarding the incompatibility of the motor vehicle tax with European Union law (No. 622)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Date: 2024-04-29 20:23
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 28
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 28m
AI Summaries: 28/28 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda item under discussion concerned the inquiry submitted to the Riigikogu on March 13, 2024, regarding the potential conflict between the motor vehicle tax and European Union law (Inquiry No. 622). The inquiry was presented by Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Lauri Laats, Vadim Belobrovtsev, Andrei Korobeinik, Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, and Aleksei Jevgrafov. The central issue was the conflict between the coalition's draft bill establishing the registration fee and EU law, along with the practical consequences of its interpretation and implementation. The purpose of the inquiry was to obtain clarification and answers regarding whether and how the relevant assessment of the European Commission would be taken into account, and what measures would be planned if the conflict were substantiated. The background also highlighted the issue of costs and the lack of legal clarity, which has drawn criticism in the context of both comparative law and constitutionality.
The second part of the agenda item focused on the interaction between the government and the Riigikogu. The discussion provided an overview of the comments related to EU law, the plans for reformulating the regulation of the registration tax, and the coalition's readiness to advance the bill through the legislative process using further amendments. The need to clarify taxpayer costs was also emphasized, and the discussion touched upon the context of regional balance and the green transition, both of which are linked to the tax system and the taxation structures of the transport sector. Speakers expressed their positions and called for the next step to ensure thorough coherence with the requirements of both the EU and Estonian legal frameworks.
Decisions Made 1
A final legislative decision was not reached in the current proceedings. The debate surrounding the inquiry and the European Commission's assessment focused on whether and when the component concerning the car tax and the associated registration fee should be reviewed. The coalition had planned to rephrase the regulation concerning the registration fee and continue the bill's further processing in the committee, but the decision could not be adopted on site. To ensure strong and unified implementation in the legislative process, the submission of additional amendments and the alignment of the draft bill with EU law are anticipated. The official decision regarding the specific format and deadlines was deferred to the next stage.
Most Active Speaker
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart was the most active speaker. She presented a comprehensive inquiry spanning several sentences and maintained active participation throughout multiple speeches, posing supplementary questions and offering deliberative feedback regarding inconsistencies related to EU law. This was followed by various speeches and responses, which highlighted her leading role in the debate. In describing her political position, she can be associated with "{other}" (as her party and position within the public spectrum were not specifically defined as left or right) and her role as a coordinator and guide of the discussion. Her presentations demonstrated a keen focus on EU law and the necessity for clarity and amendments regarding the substantive car tax bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu moves on to agenda item No. 4, addressing the interpellation (No. 622) submitted concerning the conflict between the motor vehicle tax and European Union law. The presentation will be delivered by colleague Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart on behalf of the questioners.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
This interpellation addresses the conflicts of the car tax bill with European Union law and the Constitution, including the discriminatory registration fee and the conflict confirmed by the European Commission. It asks whether the bill will be withdrawn and how much taxpayer money has been spent on its development.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker thanks [the previous speaker] and now gives the floor to the honorable Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas, at the Riigikogu podium.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas confirms that the motor vehicle tax bill is not entirely contrary to European Union law. The coalition reached a compromise regarding the registration fee, both to protect owners of older cars and to achieve the desired effect of encouraging the acquisition of newer, more economical vehicles. Consequently, the bill will continue through the legislative process, incorporating the necessary amendments required to follow the commission's guidelines.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
It is now time for questions, and Andrei Korobeinik is invited to respond.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik highlights an interview with Andrus Ansip, where Ansip claims that the current prime minister's tax policy is creating chaos and that he does not support the motor vehicle tax, and asks whether alternative solutions, such as a bank tax, have been considered for escaping the recession.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Kaja Kallas notes that Andrus Ansip is the opposition's absolute favorite, but emphasizes that abandoning the car tax has not been considered, answers regarding the bank tax have been provided, she did not cause the economic recession, and Ansip is not counted among the leading economic experts.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar approached Lauri Laats with a request.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats acknowledges that a tax increase is not pleasant for anyone, highlights the differences between the Reform Party’s past and present policies, and asks Võru what their opinion was on the car tax, what messages they conveyed, and whether the prime minister understood their concerns.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that the Centre Party is concerned about the Reform Party’s voters, but her concern lies with her own voters, and the feedback received from the residents of Võru regarding the car tax indicates that not everyone approves of it, and Tallinn needs to do more for the regions and promote the regional balance of the state.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to speak.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart stresses that we worry about the Estonian people, not the voters of the Reform Party, and notes the existence of a contradiction confirmed by the European Commission. She asks whether the draft law amendments mean a registration fee for all cars, and calls for the complete abolition of the registration fee or the withdrawal of the car tax bill.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that although the law contains different sections, and one of them might be in conflict, this does not mean the entire law is in conflict, and the European Commission has not said otherwise; the car tax and the registration fee apply to everyone, but the registration fee is reduced due to the wider base, which makes it cheaper for people.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to speak.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The central focus of Belobrovtsev's speech is the question of whether the registration fee complies with EU law, whether the taxation of 230 million must still continue or if an alternative plan must be found and the swift implementation of the law abandoned, and where to find money for the budget if the specific tax levy—the 'tax claw'—which would bring in 554 million euros, is dropped.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stresses that the '554 claim' is false. She further notes that amendments to the car registration fee are finalized and the committee will swiftly debate them during the second reading. Meanwhile, the income tax reform will increase people's incomes, lower labor costs for businesses, and lift the cap on wage growth, all of which are essential for revitalizing the Estonian economy.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The address links the topic of vehicles with the green transition and asks the Prime Minister whether giving up the official car and using a bicycle or other means of transport is planned.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
A call was made to Aleksei Yevgrafov during the speech.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
He said he cycles as much as possible, but due to security requirements, he cannot completely give up the car.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the participants and announced that there were no further questions, thus opening the discussions, and requested Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to take the floor.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The rapporteur claims that the car tax bill is discriminatory and conflicts with EU law, emphasizing that although the European Commission has approved it, the coalition plans to quickly push through substantive amendments, thereby limiting debate. Meanwhile, the opposition has submitted over 300 substantive proposals and is seeking exemptions for disabled people, large families, and low-income individuals, as well as directing the revenue toward road construction and innovation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi confirms that there is no restriction and asks to add three.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticizes the current parliamentary practice that restricts the rights of the opposition, recalls historical examples, emphasizes the supreme state power of the people, and demands the withdrawal of the motor vehicle tax bill or, if necessary, recourse to the courts.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi stated that he would like to participate in the debate, but that it was inappropriate to do so while occupying the chair, and he then called upon Andrei Korobeinik.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik says he can waste a couple of minutes.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi says he could do that at the expense of your time.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik is voicing deep concern regarding the Reform Party's prospective government, laying the blame squarely on their economic policies for driving Estonia into a recession. He stresses that measures like the proposed car tax and similar initiatives are designed to take money from the poorest citizens, rather than targeting banks and the wealthy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
I am closing the negotiations, and we have concluded the consideration of this agenda item.