Political statement by Prime Minister Kristen Michal regarding the transfer of the draft State Budget Act 2026
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2025-09-25 13:07
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 59
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 4m
AI Summaries: 59/59 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
At the Riigikogu session, Prime Minister Kristen Michal presented the 2026 state budget draft on behalf of the government, calling it the "Budget of Security and Prosperity." The Prime Minister emphasized two main priorities: strengthening national defense and promoting economic growth. Defense expenditures will rise to an average of over 5% of GDP over the next four years, adding 2.8 billion euros to the defense budget. To revitalize the economy, the general income tax-free minimum will be restored to 700 euros per month, and the planned income tax increase will be scrapped, leaving nearly 780 million euros in the economy. Wage increases were also promised for frontline workers (rescuers, police officers, teachers), which will be covered by cuts to the operating costs of ministries.
The opposition sharply criticized the budget, accusing the government of irresponsible fiscal policy and accelerating the debt burden. Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa) and Martin Helme (EKRE) pointed to the actual growth of governance costs, increased inflationary pressure, and the financing of election promises through loans, citing the "After me, the deluge" mentality. Helme claimed that the tax system is becoming regressive, favoring the wealthier. Lauri Läänemets (SDE) and Lauri Laats (Centre Party) criticized the budget's unfairness, noting that it offers no relief to low-wage earners and ignores society's expectation to lower consumption taxes, especially the VAT on foodstuffs. The coalition (Õnne Pillak, Peeter Tali) defended the budget, emphasizing the need for bold decisions to ensure security and support economic recovery, asserting that the Estonian people have never lived so well.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announced that, as the first item on the agenda, Prime Minister Kristen Michal will present a political statement regarding the submission of the 2026 state budget bill. He specified the procedural rules, according to which the statement will last up to 20 minutes, no questions will be asked, and it will be followed by discussions among the factions.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Today, Prime Minister Kristen Michal's political statement on the submission of the 2026 state budget bill is presented; the presentation will last up to 20 minutes, no questions will be asked in accordance with the agreement between the board and the prime minister, and then negotiations with the factions will begin.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal presented the 2026 security and prosperity budget to the Riigikogu, emphasizing that the right-wing liberal government will secure Estonia's freedom and independence by raising defense spending to an average of over 5% of GDP over four years. At the same time, it supports growth in prosperity through the restoration of the income tax-free minimum and the lowering of the tax burden, achieving this by increasing state efficiency and cutting costs.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal presented the 2026 security and prosperity budget, which emphasizes strengthening national defense, tax cuts and the restoration of the income tax-free minimum, and investments in science, education, and infrastructure, to ensure Estonia's independence, security, and economic growth.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Arvo Aller opens the negotiations, invites Urmas Reinsalu, the representative of the Isamaa faction, to speak, and asks for three more minutes.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu criticizes the government's budget policy for failing to curb inflation, for the growth of spending and the debt burden, and for delaying investments and defense spending; he emphasizes a credibility problem in public finances and presents Isamaa's alternative budget.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu has issued sharp criticism of the government's budgetary policy, accusing the Prime Minister of adhering to Louis XV's maxim, "After me, the deluge!" He points specifically to the deepening of inflation, the concealment of the true increase in governance expenditures, the rapid, spiraling growth of state debt, and the deferral of funding for crucial tax increases (including ETS2) and defense spending until after the elections—actions which damage the business environment, create tax chaos, and push the state toward insolvency.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller notes that a procedural question has arisen.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits criticized the near-total absence of coalition deputies from the chamber, particularly members of Eesti 200, rhetorically questioning whether this indicated a lack of majority backing for the government's "after me, the deluge" policy.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits notes that there are almost only two coalition MPs present (Jüri Jaanson and Õnne Pillak), Eesti 200 is absent, and he asks whether the majority of the coalition does not support "let the flood come after me" or if it is something else.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
He apologizes and notes that the current round of negotiations is not related to the procedure, and on behalf of the EKRE faction Martin Helme asks for three more minutes.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme sharply criticizes the government's actions and budget, calling their messaging a "clown show" detached from reality, which has plunged the Estonian economy into Europe's longest and deepest recession. He emphasizes that the Reform Party is responsible for the fastest growth of national debt in history, which is steering the country toward bankruptcy. Furthermore, he argues that the government’s regressive tax policy takes from the poor and gives to the rich, while simultaneously deepening both the economic crisis and the crisis of legitimacy.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme accuses the Reform Party's four-year government of plunging Estonia's economy and state budget into a deep crisis, with the national debt rising and taxes increasing; the average person does not see any benefit, and he calls on the public to view the government as a clown show and a crisis of democracy.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy speaker thanked and gave the floor to Lauri Läänemets on behalf of the Social Democratic Party faction, and asked for three more minutes.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets leveled scathing criticism against the government's proposed state budget, labeling it a "budget of deceit and disarray" that exacerbates inequality and divides society. He argues this is because it funnels 114 million euros toward the wealthiest 10%, while simultaneously neglecting low-wage earners, caregivers, and other vulnerable groups. He stresses that the budget irresponsibly balloons the state's debt burden merely to buy the Reform Party a higher approval rating, rather than investing in Estonia's future. As an alternative, he proposes solidarity-based taxation and directing aid toward those in need, aiming to strengthen Estonia's cohesion and defense resolve.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets regards the government’s budget as unfair and deceitful, because it burdens the poor and deepens social divides, and offers as a solution higher taxation of the rich and investments in various care services and in improving the livelihoods of low-wage earners.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chairman, Arvo Aller, thanked the assembly and asked that the floor be given to Õnne Pillak on behalf of the Reform Party faction.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak rejects excessive pessimism and doom-mongering, citing the Bank of Estonia's positive economic forecast and listing a series of facts confirming that next year will see record investments in national defense (5% of GDP), a reduction in the tax burden, the elimination of the tax bulge, and increases in wages and pensions. She notes that the growing budget deficit is the price of freedom, which future generations will understand.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak said that although interpretations of economic forecasts may differ, next year a significant increase in defense spending is expected, while at the same time the tax burden will decrease and pensions and salaries will rise, but the state budget deficit will increase and ministries' spending cuts will continue.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Three extra minutes are requested for the speech.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
According to Õnne Pillaku, next year's budget is ambiguous and is framed as both a security and a prosperity budget, which, through investments and decisions, strengthens the state, the economy, and Estonia's independence, and invites substantive discussions.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak emphasized that the coming year’s budget is the multifaceted "budget of security and prosperity," which reflects historically large investments in national defense, the courage to make necessary decisions, and a commitment to growing the economy and people's incomes, all aimed at protecting and securing Estonia’s freedom.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Arvo Aller thanks and asks that Lauri Laats speak on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party faction, and requests three more minutes.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats sharply criticizes the government's proposed budget, arguing that it primarily benefits wealthier individuals, specifically through the elimination of the tax hump. He notes that the budget completely ignores the public expectation to reduce consumption taxes and VAT on food items—a step vital for improving living standards. Furthermore, he accuses the government of being blind and deaf to the real needs of the people and the ongoing demographic crisis, simultaneously predicting future tax increases necessitated by the large deficit.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats claims that the current coalition's budget serves the rich and does not meet society's expectations, because the promised reductions in consumption taxes and the easing of food prices do not materialize, and the demographic crisis and people's ability to cope have been neglected, although there is a large petition signed by nearly 100,000 people to lower food prices.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller concluded the previous stage, thanked the speaker, and immediately yielded the floor to Jüri Jaanson so he could raise a procedural question that had arisen during the negotiations.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller noted that a procedural question has arisen during the negotiations concerning Jüri Jaanson.
Jüri Jaanson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Jüri Jaanson expressed his view regarding Lauri Laats' disparaging remark—which claimed the government was blind and deaf—emphasizing that his question was procedural, not technically, but substantively.
Jüri Jaanson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Jüri Jaanson emphasizes that his question is essentially procedural and concerns Lauri Laats's claim that the government is blind and deaf, which was intended as an insult.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller expresses his willingness to assist with the procedural matters of the sitting, asking how he could best be of help in that specific area.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chair Arvo Aller asks how he can assist with the meeting procedures.
Jüri Jaanson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Jüri Jaanson claims that blindness and deafness are not obstacles, and blind and deaf people understand the world very well, and he draws attention to the fact that the Centre Party often talks about things that they themselves do not understand.
Jüri Jaanson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Jüri Jaanson emphasized that blindness and deafness are not obstacles to understanding world affairs. However, he used this analogy to criticize the Centre Party, accusing them of frequently speaking about issues that they themselves don't fundamentally grasp.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller streamlined the procedures for conducting the session, emphasizing that there was no point in starting a discussion right now, as the factions have the opportunity to present a two-minute response statement during the negotiations, and subsequently gave the floor to Lauri Laats to present a procedural question before Eesti 200 could deliver its closing statement.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Alleri's speech explains the protocol for conducting the session, in which the reply speech lasts two minutes, and Lauri Laats receives a procedural motion, after which Eesti 200 presents the closing speech.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said it was a procedural remark; he did not want to offend anyone who is blind or deaf, and if it seemed that way, he apologized, noting that it was figuratively stated in the context of the whole situation.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats apologized following a procedural remark, explaining that his previous phrasing regarding blindness or deafness was intended purely figuratively and that he had not wished to offend anyone, stressing that it was a metaphor appropriate for the specific situation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller announced that no procedural motion is being granted at the moment; Peeter Tali's remarks on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction will be heard, and three minutes of extra time have been requested.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller refused to give Peeter Ernits the floor for a point of order, asking him to wait until Peeter Tali (Eesti 200 faction) finished his speech, and subsequently granted Tali’s request for three extra minutes.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali, representing Eesti 200, defended the government's budget, stressing that it is a necessary response to the instability caused by the eastern neighbor, and its primary goal is to restore the confidence of the Estonian people. The budget focuses on four priorities: strengthening national defense (expenditures will rise to nearly 5% of GDP to build credible deterrence, including the "Kalevipoja kuppel" [Kalevipoeg's Dome]), boosting economic growth and prosperity, strategic investments, and raising the wages of frontline and cultural workers. Although the budget requires cuts to ministerial operating costs and an increase in the debt burden, the tax amendments will benefit lower-income individuals while simultaneously ensuring the sustainability of the Estonian state, nation, and culture.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali stressed that next year the budget will increase defense spending and strengthen national defense capabilities, in addition to developing economic growth, infrastructure and strategic investments, and the wages of frontline workers, and pension indexation will continue, using tax and borrowing measures and strong cooperation with NATO and the European Union, so that Estonia can live more safely and better.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller confined himself to just a brief procedural remark, announcing that it was now time for the speaker to begin.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
At the end of his speech, Peeter Tali expressed hope that the standard of living for the Estonian people would improve even further, and concluded with words of thanks.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller declares the requests to speak have ended and the negotiations closed, notes the procedural question that has arisen, and asks Peeter Ernits to come.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller closed the discussions, as there were no further requests to speak, but immediately gave the floor to Peeter Ernits to resolve the procedural question that had arisen.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits supported his colleague Jaanson's idea that the blind and the deaf are hardworking people, but added that Jaanson stressed Kristen Michal's government as the government of the blind and deaf.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits voiced support for his colleague Jaanson, who did acknowledge the blind and the deaf as capable people, but whose sharp statement was actually aimed at Kristen Michal’s government, referring to it as the government of the blind and the deaf.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chair Arvo Aller asks where there is a procedural question intended for the meeting chair.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller is challenging the procedural nature of the question directed at the presiding officer, raising doubts about its compliance with the current rules.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits says that he directly supports Jüri Jaanson.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits expressed his firm and direct support for Jüri Jaanson.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller steered the focus away from extraneous discussions, noting that support could be expressed in the corridor, and demanded that Peeter Ernits be given the floor for a procedural question addressed to the session chair.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
According to Arvo Alleri, support can be shown by speaking in the corridor, but procedurally you must address the chair of the meeting, and Peeter Ernits submitted a procedural question to the chair of the meeting.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The discussion arose because of colleague Jaanson's procedural question.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller expresses willingness to help.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits briefly confirmed that he had supported the individual or the party in question.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits said that he supported him.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller confirmed the successful passage of the first item on the agenda and announced that it was time to proceed to the next item.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Today the first agenda item has been completed, and we will move on to today's main agenda item.