Execution of the 2023 State Budget
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, press briefing
Date: 2024-05-15 15:01
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The focus of the current agenda was the execution of the 2023 state budget. In the first matter, Urmas Reinsalu addressed Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on behalf of the Riigikogu, highlighting that achieving the budget goals was complicated and the financial situation in 2023 was strained. The debate centered on the expenditures made by the end of the year, specifically how much of the budget had actually been spent and how much of the funds were planned to be carried over to 2024. Additionally, the nature of the carried-over funds, allocations, and grants were discussed, along with their impact on subsequent years.
The second topic covered the indexation of social benefits and pensions, as well as the positions held by the coalition and ministers regarding the priorities for future budgetary activities. Questions were also formulated concerning the schedule for drafting the 2025 budget and budget strategy, and how carried-over funds and contractual obligations affect the 2025 budget outlook. In summary, it is clear that the discussions were strongly linked to budget reviews and issues of fiscal sustainability. Specific deadlines have been set for resolving such issues (May 15 and 31), along with the plan for state budget preparation to be submitted to the Riigikogu in August. Finally, it was decided to discontinue the proceedings on the first question and move on to the next items.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made. Today’s discussion was divided into informative and procedural matters, and no specific financial decisions were adopted. Further discussion and careful reviews concerning transferable funds and the overall budget picture must be addressed within the framework of the next stages and deadlines (approvals on May 15 and May 31, and the budget planned for August).
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was pid-identifier nHm--Ta7jVU, who represents the right-wing political wing (primarily when communicating for the opposition or the coalition).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Member of the Riigikogu Urmas Reinsalu is submitting the first question to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding the execution of the 2023 state budget.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stressed that the 2023 state budget fell short and that state finances are in disarray. He posed a clear question regarding how much of the planned 2023 expenditures were actually spent and what size balance ministries intend to carry over into 2024, but both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance refused to provide specific figures.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas explains that the total expenditures for the 2023 state budget amounted to 16.28 billion euros, marking a 15.4% increase, driven primarily by the growth in social benefits and support funds allocated to local municipalities, and that the terms governing these transfers do not contribute to increasing the state reserve.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman confirms that we can indeed, and asks Urmas Reinsalu to pose a clarifying question.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu criticized the government for its failure to respond and posed a specific question concerning the size of the 2023 state budget: how much of it was spent in 2023, how much remained unspent, and how much money ministries have submitted requests to carry over into 2024.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that the total expenditure of state budgetary institutions in 2023 was 16.28 billion euros (representing 95% execution of the initial budget), or 87.4% when including transferred funds. She added that when compiling next year’s budget, these transferred funds will be reviewed based on their underlying reasons and needs, in order to utilize them where necessary and avoid excessive cuts. Furthermore, institutions must coordinate the proposals for the directive concerning transferred funds with the Ministry of Finance by May 15, and must sign and publish these directives on their websites by May 31.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the previous speaker/the audience] and invited Vadim Belobrovtsev to ask a follow-up question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev is asking whether the government is considering freezing the indexation of pensions, and whether, consequently, the promise that the average pension will be at least 1000 euros by 2027 will still stand (The Social Democratic Party's promise is 1200 euros).
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas confirmed that there are no plans to freeze the indexation of pensions or reduce pensions, that the state budget will be reviewed as part of the Ministry of Social Affairs' audit, and that the 2025 budget will be drawn up in August in conjunction with the state budget strategy, adding that constructive cooperation is expected from the opposition to resolve the crisis.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that he would not take up the discussion of procedural questions today and would proceed so that the 10th and 11th questioners could present their questions, thereby concluding the consideration of the first question.