Second Reading of the Draft Act Amending the 2024 State Budget Act (389 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Date: 2024-05-07 15:22
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 50
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 55m
AI Summaries: 50/50 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The procedure for the second reading of Draft Act 389 amending the 2024 State Budget Act is being discussed. The primary objective is to secure education funding by merging resources from the state budget and the local government support fund: raising the minimum teacher salary to 1,820 euros, including an additional 20% differentiation component, resulting in an expected calculated average salary of 2,184 euros. 9.27 million euros are allocated from the budget to local governments for the support fund, and the use of reserves as a source of coverage is central to the disputes. It was acknowledged during the debate that genuine targeted funding and long-term financial stability must be secured not only through cuts or the search for coverage but also through additional revenue streams. Other socially significant issues were raised on the supplementary agenda: the role of the collective agreement in future salary, workload, and career models, and cooperation between the state and local governments as a means of resolving long-term budgetary demands. The session concluded with a clarification: the seven amendments submitted for the second reading were ultimately disregarded, and the second reading was concluded; the consideration of the third agenda item was terminated concurrently with the end of the session.
Decisions Made 1
The second reading was concluded. All seven submitted amendments were rejected. The deliberation of the draft bill will continue according to the voting results and the subsequent procedure for the bill, but the discussion of the third agenda item was terminated due to the conclusion of this session. The deadline for submitting amendments is May 9th at 5:15 PM.
Most Active Speaker
The representative of the EKRE faction (the procedural side) was the most active in speeches concerning the voting on amendments and the conclusion of the proceedings. Position: right (right-wing), meaning an extremely critical approach guided by strong national and conservative values.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas announced that he was moving on to the third item on the agenda and requested that Annely Akkermann, Chairman of the Finance Committee, present the matter regarding the second reading of the bill amending the 2024 State Budget Act.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann stated that the central focus of the draft bill is increasing the minimum salary threshold for teachers to 1820 euros. This is to be funded by 9.27 million euros from the local government support fund, allowing the minimum salary rate to be raised from 1803 euros, which includes the 20% differentiation component. Amendments were debated in the Finance Committee, but the government did not support them. Consequently, the bill was moved to the second reading on May 2nd, with May 9th set as the deadline for submitting further amendments.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Jüri Ratas opened the debate, expressed slight confusion, and asked whether Tanel Kiik was speaking as a member of the Riigikogu or on behalf of the faction, and confirmed the authorization signed by Helmen Kütt, which allowed Kiik to speak on Bill 389 on behalf of the Social Democratic Party faction.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik supports the swift passage of the bill, but emphasizes that it is merely a band-aid for the immediate expectations of the education sector, and that a collective agreement and additional revenue sources are needed to find long-term solutions.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked the previous speaker and inquired whether the next speaker was a representative of the faction, before requesting the floor be given to Vadim Belobrovtsev, the representative of the Estonian Centre Party Faction.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev stated that although the Center Party faction supported the bill, the 17-euro salary increase will not solve the teacher shortage or meet the 120% of the Estonian average salary promised in the coalition agreement. This indicates a breaking of promises and underscores the need for a prestigious and better-compensated position.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
He/she asks the listeners to give him/her one minute.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev says that teachers still feel undervalued and their workload is growing, but the promises made in the coalition agreement fall short—the actual additional money amounts to only 17 euros per month.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Jüri Ratas explains that during the discussions, speeches may be delivered as a representative of the committee, a representative of the parliamentary group, or as a member of the Riigikogu, and he invites Tõnis Lukas, the representative of the Isamaa parliamentary group, to speak on behalf of the party.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas accuses the supplementary budget of deception and failing to fulfill promises regarding teachers' salaries, and calls on the state to draw up a genuine austerity budget that would reduce administrative costs and free up funds for general and vocational education, arguing that the current solution is temporary and fails to address the core issues.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Riigikogu Vice-Chairman Jüri Ratas invited Margit Sutrop to speak on behalf of the Reform Party faction and stated that faction members were also welcome to come forward and speak here under their own names as members of the Riigikogu.
Margit Sutrop
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Margit Sutrop, speaking on behalf of the Reform Party faction, stated that they supported the draft bill and the allocation of 9.27 million euros, viewing it as better than nothing. However, she emphasized that this is not a grand campaign to save teachers. The true priorities remain: raising teachers’ salaries to 120% as stipulated in the coalition agreement, ensuring the proper direction of the differentiation fund and that the money actually reaches the educators, streamlining the school network, and reducing the number of empty school buildings. This is because the quality of education is determined by working conditions and teacher qualifications, not solely by the minimum wage.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas calls for attention and announces that three minutes remain.
Margit Sutrop
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Margit Sutrop emphasizes that the Reform Party is seeking sustainable solutions for school buildings, while simultaneously promising the abolition of tax humps in 2025 and, next year, approximately 100 euros greater net income per month for teachers through a unified income tax system, which will eliminate historical injustice.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas offers his thanks and states that this is a response speech, inviting Helir-Valdor Seeder to take the floor.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Speaking as a representative of Isamaa, Helir-Valdor Seeder stated that there is no "tax hump"—nobody pays more than the income tax law prescribes—and the income tax amendment taking effect next year will increase the tax burden for everyone, which means the Reform Party's assertion is false, and he called on his colleagues to stick to discussing topics they actually understand.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas called Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to the rostrum, and she requested additional time—eight minutes.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticizes the coalition, stating that the teacher salary increase promised before the elections failed to materialize, and time and resources were wasted searching for culprits. Ultimately, only 17 euros were provided, and the oversight regarding the money's specific allocation remained inadequate, which demonstrates the state's deficient capacity for crisis resolution.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanks [the previous speaker] and now invites Annely Akkermann to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Annely Akkermann explains that teachers aren't actually receiving the full €17 because the tax wedge is 34%: the net amount remaining from that €17 is only about €11 or €12, and every €100 increase is being withheld as a third, not as 20–22 percent.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas expresses his thanks, notes that further discussion is desired, but understands that a right of reply is forthcoming, and calls upon Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speech claims that abolishing the tax hump might bring in a few extra euros, but because of the car tax, other tax hikes, and rising prices, teachers will ultimately end up with even less money overall.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas gives thanks, Erkki Keldo asks what happened to him, Keldo responds from the floor, and a counter-speech is delivered on behalf of the Reform Party.
Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo stated that the issue of teachers' salaries will be quickly resolved through the processing of the draft amendment to the state budget, and local municipalities will be able to utilize the funds earmarked for this, as education remains a priority for the government.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas concluded the negotiations and announced that the seven amendments to Bill 389 would now be reviewed, and their deliberation would begin; the lead committee decided to reject amendment No. 1 submitted by the Isamaa faction.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She thanks the esteemed Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu and requests that this amendment be put to a vote.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas announced the preparation of the vote and put to a vote Amendment Proposal No. 1 by the Isamaa faction, which the lead committee recommends rejecting.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The outcome was 11 votes in favor, 53 against, and there were no abstentions; the Isamaa faction submitted Amendment Proposal No. 2, and the leading committee recommended that it be disregarded.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Thank you, he is asking for this amendment to be voted on.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas called for the vote to begin, putting to a vote the second amendment proposal from the Isamaa faction, which the lead committee recommends rejecting, and asked members to take a position and cast their votes.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
11 in favor, 53 against, with no abstentions; the proposal failed to find support, and Amendment Proposal No. 3 submitted by the Isamaa faction was disregarded, as the leading committee had taken the position to reject it.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas announced the commencement of the vote and is putting the third amendment proposal by the Isamaa faction to a vote, even though the leading committee recommends that it be disregarded.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The result of the vote was 11 in favor, 53 against, and there were no abstentions; the EKRE parliamentary group submitted Amendment Proposal No. 4, and the leading committee recommended rejecting it.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak wishes to conduct a voting procedure before discussing this proposal.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas emphasizes that the signal must be given using the second key/register. We have now reached amendment proposal No. 4, and Siim Pohlak is being called.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks you to vote for the EKRE proposal.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas puts the fourth amendment proposal of the EKRE faction to a vote. The lead committee recommends rejecting the proposal, and he asks the chamber to take a stand and vote.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Parliament voted: 16 in favour, 53 against, and there were no abstentions. Amendment proposal No. 5, submitted by the EKRE faction, was disregarded, and the lead committee decided not to take it into consideration.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She thanks the esteemed Chairman and again requests a vote.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas began preparing for the vote, calling the chamber to order for the ballot. He then put forward the fifth amendment—submitted by the EKRE faction and recommended for rejection by the leading committee—asking members to take a stand and cast their votes.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The voting result was 17 in favor, 53 against, and there were no abstentions, meaning the proposal failed to gain support; Kalle Grünthal submitted an amendment within the framework of a procedural question.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal praises the manager's sporting spirit, but emphasizes that the pace must be slowed down and the internal regulations followed, so that all procedures are carried out properly and no one is left behind.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas confirmed that he always allows time and, if necessary, arranges a two-minute bell for voting, and mentioned that the sixth amendment was submitted by the EKRE faction and the responsible committee recommends disregarding it.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak thanks the chairman and, on behalf of the EKRE faction, requests another vote.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas announced that preparations for the vote are underway, the sixth amendment proposal from the EKRE faction will be submitted, and the leading committee recommends that it be disregarded, asking everyone to take a position and vote.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Amendment No. 7 was submitted by the EKRE faction but failed to gain support. The resulting vote was 22 in favor, 53 against, with no abstentions recorded. The responsible committee decided to disregard the proposal.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak asks the presiding officer and the floor to vote on and support the proposal to fund the continued operation of the Estonian consulates in San Francisco and New York.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas calls for a vote on the seventh amendment, submitted by the EKRE parliamentary group, which the lead committee recommends rejecting.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas informed that the voting result for the second reading of Bill 389 was 23 in favor and 52 against, and the proposed amendments failed to gain support; the deadline for submitting amendments is May 9th at 17:15, and the second reading and the handling of the third agenda item have been concluded, and the sitting is adjourned.