By Plenary Sessions: Annely Akkermann
Total Sessions: 54
Fully Profiled: 54
2025-10-13
15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The speaker's position is strictly procedural and neutral, focusing on relaying the work conducted by the Finance Committee concerning supplementary budget bill 733. They emphasize the flow of the proceedings and the strict adherence to deadlines, as mandated by the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. No substantive personal opinion regarding the content of the budget (for example, the funding of Elering) is expressed; instead, the focus is on transmitting the minister's responses and the questions posed by committee members.
2025-10-08
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Strong backing for the government's 2026 state budget, highlighting the aggressive increase in defense spending (exceeding 5% of GDP) and a reduction in the overall tax burden. The political framework is heavily geared toward delivering on election pledges (such as eliminating the income tax 'kink' and maintaining sound fiscal policy). It defends the resulting deficit as a necessary measure to cover investments and defense costs. The method used to draft the budget—lowering revenues while simultaneously increasing expenditures—is being commented on ironically, drawing attention to Isamaa's prior recommendations.
2025-10-06
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The political focus is on the implementation of the motor vehicle tax law and bringing it into compliance with the Constitution. There is strong support for the tax benefit aimed at families with children (automatic, equal division between parents), and the necessity of quickly resolving the constitutional bottlenecks highlighted by the Chancellor of Justice is emphasized. These positions are policy- and procedure-based, stressing administrative feasibility and a fair tax system.
2025-09-11
15th Riigikogu, 6th plenary sitting
There is not enough data
2025-09-04
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
The speaker focuses primarily on resolving institutional and administrative issues, supporting the increase of budgetary autonomy for constitutional institutions and the improvement of the tax system. His position is clearly reform-minded, emphasizing the need to bring legislation into compliance with the constitution and ensure the protection of the fundamental right to property.
2025-06-18
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker strongly supports the government's tax policy, stressing that the income tax hike will not affect low-income individuals or pensioners. They firmly assert that the tax burden will decrease by 1.2 percentage points next year, noting that the Estonian tax system is recognized by OECD countries as the best in the world. The speaker opposes providing local municipalities with additional funding from the state budget, emphasizing the autonomy of local governments.
2025-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The speaker strongly supports comprehensive national defense funding, emphasizing its priority in the current security situation. The speaker expresses clear opposition to the Social Democrats' proposals to reduce the government reserve for the purpose of increasing social expenditures, justifying this by the need to avoid creating permanent costs through a supplementary budget. The speaker defends the autonomy of local governments regarding kindergarten placement fees, refusing to support state intervention.
2025-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting.
The speaker is focusing on the reform of constitutional issues and the area of financial supervision. They strongly support establishing a financial ombudsman institution within the Financial Supervision Authority, emphasizing the need for an out-of-court dispute resolution mechanism. This position is clearly pro-reform and aimed at improving the regulation of the financial system.
2025-06-09
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker strongly supports the termination of the taxation treaty with Russia, stressing its urgency and the necessity of ending the agreement starting early next year. This stance is clearly supportive and is grounded in similar decisions made by other Baltic states.
2025-05-21
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
The speaker strongly supports the government's tax policy, particularly the changes to the security tax and the increase of the VAT to 24%. He asserts that the "tax festival" is over and consistently defended the decision to make the security tax permanent due to the changed geopolitical situation. He categorically rejected proposals from opposition members to lower taxes, justifying this stance by the necessity of balancing the budget.
2025-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
The speaker strongly supports increasing budget transparency and improving the control of public finances. He expresses clear support for the bill submitted by the Isamaa party, which he characterizes as a "smart bill." He emphasizes the need for savings and control over expenditures, as well as for a clearer state budget.
2025-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The speaker clearly adopts an environmentally friendly stance, strongly supporting renewable energy sources (solar and wind power) while sharply criticizing the oil shale energy sector. He emphasizes that the sun and wind are "more eternal things" and even uses religious argumentation (a biblical reference) to back up his position. His opposition to the oil shale industry is very strong and comprehensive.
2025-05-06
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker strongly supports raising national defense expenditure to 5% of GDP and the corresponding increase in the tax burden required to achieve this, underscoring the absolute necessity of peace and a sense of security. They express clear backing for the implementation of the "Estonia 2035" strategy and a stable fiscal policy. Furthermore, the speaker criticizes the assertions made by colleague Urmas Reinsalu regarding the decline in residents' standard of living, presenting data that contradicts these claims.
2025-04-16
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker supports the existing Land Tax Act and strongly opposes the bill initiated by the Isamaa faction, which seeks to revert to the version effective at the beginning of 2024. They emphasize that the Government of the Republic unanimously decided against supporting the draft legislation, and that there are no grounds for introducing amendments to the implementation of the current law. This stance is clearly pro-government and anti-reform.
2025-04-08
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The speaker clearly supports gender equality and the expansion of career opportunities for women, expressing a strong belief that women can find happiness in high-ranking positions. The politician backs the draft legislation concerning gender balance in the governing bodies of listed companies, stressing its encouraging impact on women.
2025-01-22
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session.
The speaker firmly supports the government’s tax policy, particularly the retention of the current rates for the motor vehicle tax and VAT. He takes a clear stand against the proposals put forth by Isamaa and EKRE, justifying this by citing the necessity of maintaining budget balance. His position is strongly policy-driven, prioritizing practical economic considerations over ideological arguments.
2024-12-16
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Insufficient data
2024-12-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The speaker strongly supports tax hikes aimed at improving the state budget position and reducing the deficit, stressing that the tax burden will still remain within the lowest third of the European Union. The speaker expresses clear backing for a significant increase in national defense spending (9.3%) and aid to Ukraine, deeming both to be in Estonia's national interest. Furthermore, the speaker favors increasing the funding for the Cultural Endowment via the gambling tax, alongside growth in social expenditures (7.6%).
2024-12-04
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
The speaker represents the Reform Party faction and serves as the chairman of the Finance Committee, focusing on fiscal policy issues. He strongly supports budget discipline and limiting the carry-over of balances, emphasizing the need for stricter control over government expenditures. Regarding the postponement of the alcohol excise duty increase, he takes a pragmatic position, balancing health considerations with the risks associated with border trade.
2024-11-20
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The speaker strongly supports funding national defense and fulfilling NATO obligations. They justify postponing the elimination of the tax hump by citing the need to raise more money for acquiring weaponry and ammunition. The speaker maintains a pragmatic stance on supporting the war in Ukraine, backing the inclusion of the Freedom Convoy NGO (MTÜ) on the list of tax exemptions, while simultaneously stressing the necessity of avoiding tax risks.
2024-11-13
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session.
The speaker strongly supports activity-based budgeting and increasing national defense funding, emphasizing that defense expenditures must exceed 3% of GDP due to NATO’s new defense plans. The speaker advocates for maintaining tax peace and increasing social spending, particularly raising pensions. The speaker defends the government's budget policy, arguing that the state is putting more money back into the economy (2.4 billion) than it is taking out through taxes (1 billion).
2024-10-16
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The speaker strongly supports increasing national defense expenditures and the gradual reduction of the budget deficit. He emphasizes that Estonia ranks in the top three among NATO countries in terms of the proportion of defense spending, and that collecting taxes from all citizens is justified to cover these defense costs. Furthermore, he supports the indexation of pensions and criticizes the dismantling of the second pension pillar as a "cynical mistake."
2024-10-15
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary session
The speaker strongly backs the government’s fiscal policy and the decision to postpone the tax reform, justifying this stance by citing the necessity of ensuring the sustainability of state finances. The delay in abolishing the tax hump is defended as a necessary measure to cover expenditures, even though it disproportionately impacts middle-income earners. The overall position is clearly pro-government and pragmatic.
2024-09-25
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
The speaker takes a clear position on the issue of the tax hump, supporting the amendment to the Income Tax Act which would reduce the marginal tax rate from 34.5% to 22% in the income range of 1200–2100 euros. This position strongly supports the government's stance and contrasts with the proposal by the Isamaa parliamentary group to raise the basic exemption to 700 euros per month.
2024-07-29
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
The speaker is a strong proponent of implementing the motor vehicle tax starting in early 2025, basing this support on the necessity of boosting the state's revenue base and achieving environmental objectives. They stress that Estonia needs to align itself with Nordic tax levels to guarantee the provision of essential public services and national defense. Furthermore, the speaker defends the legislation against the president's criticism, asserting that the recent amendments actually make the law better.
2024-07-15
15th Riigikogu, Extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
The speaker strongly supports the introduction of a motor vehicle tax, emphasizing its environmental and fiscal necessity. He/She shows a willingness to consider the president's constitutional concerns, recommending that the law be amended to ensure the equal treatment of people with disabilities. The speaker defends activity-based budgeting and demonstrates a pragmatic approach to reforming the tax system.
2024-06-19
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, extra plenary sitting
The speaker strongly supports increasing national defense spending, emphasizing that under Kaja Kallas’s government, these costs have risen above 3% of GDP. He/She advocates for abolishing the tax hump as a way to lower labor taxes and boost competitiveness. Furthermore, the speaker defends the government’s supplementary budget measures, which aim to reduce the budget deficit below 3% of GDP, in line with EU fiscal rules.
2024-06-14
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, additional plenary session
The speaker strongly supports the government's supplementary budget and budgetary discipline, emphasizing the need to comply with European Union budget rules and keep the budget deficit below 3% of GDP. He defends the abolition of the tax hump as a tax reduction for working people, especially low and middle-income earners. He takes a pragmatic approach to budget cuts, acknowledging that choices must be made and that a scarcity of funds is the driving force of the economy.
2024-06-13
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Third Session, Plenary Session
The speaker takes a clear stance on issues of financial supervision and fines, strongly emphasizing that current penalties are disproportionately small compared to the volume of assets under supervision. They advocate for implementing a stricter punitive policy in the field of crypto fraud, demanding that fraudsters be stripped of all income earned through illicit means, and that an additional fine be imposed.
2024-06-12
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session.
The speaker strongly supports the introduction of the motor vehicle tax, while simultaneously acknowledging that tax increases are unpopular. They emphasize a pragmatic approach: revenue must be collected for the state budget, and this requires utilizing both cost cutting and increasing income. The speaker advocates for making the tax conditions more tolerable for the taxpayer, thereby demonstrating a willingness to compromise.
2024-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The speaker supports the government’s budget consolidation measures and adherence to the European Union’s Maastricht criteria, but recognizes the criticism voiced by opposition members concerning the adequacy of these measures. The speaker takes a pragmatic approach to reducing the budget deficit, stressing the necessity of meeting the stricter budget balance requirements imposed by both the EU and Estonia.
2024-06-05
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
The speaker strongly supports the implementation of the motor vehicle tax starting in 2025, emphasizing its environmental objectives and the redistribution of the tax burden toward wealthier individuals. They express clear support for abolishing the tax hump, the Rail Baltic project, and supporting Ukraine. The speaker defends the government's tax policy, asserting that Estonia's tax burden remains below 34% of GDP and is among the nine lowest in the European Union.
2024-06-04
15th Riigikogu, third session, plenary sitting
The speaker focuses on institutional issues, particularly the process of appointing members to the Bank of Estonia Council. He/She supports both draft bills neutrally, emphasizing due procedure and a sound legal basis. The political stance is technical and procedural rather than ideological.
2024-05-30
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting
The speaker clearly adopts a conservative fiscal policy stance, strongly emphasizing the need to curb the growth of national debt and reduce the budget deficit. He supports reducing indexation and cutting fixed expenditures, arguing that the current low debt burden is Estonia's opportunity, not a hindrance. The position is staunchly fiscally conservative, warning against the experiences of Greece, Italy, and other countries.
2024-05-29
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The speaker strongly advocates for raising teachers' salaries, stressing the urgent need for a swift legislative amendment to allow the minimum teacher salary threshold to be raised to 1820 euros. They also support defense cooperation with allied nations, specifically assisting Ukraine and Moldova with defense-related equipment. The overall position is pragmatic and procedure-focused, underscoring the necessity of maintaining the integrity of the legislative process.
2024-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Insufficient data
2024-05-13
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
The speaker strongly supports the Chancellor of Justice's proposal to align the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act and other related legislation with the Constitution. They emphasize that the closure of bank accounts without providing adequate justification is a growing problem that requires a legislative remedy. Furthermore, the speaker advocates for making a social account or basic payment account available as an alternative to using cash.
2024-05-08
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session.
The speaker focuses on issues of parliamentary culture and decorum, expressing concern over the declining standard of political discourse. Their position is clearly aimed at defending parliamentary civility and the quality of argumentation, criticizing personal attacks in lieu of substantive arguments.
2024-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The speaker strongly supports increasing teachers' pay, emphasizing the necessity of raising the minimum salary threshold to 1820 euros and allocating 9.27 million euros to the local government support fund for this purpose. The rejection of the amendments proposed by the opposition factions (Isamaa and EKRE) demonstrates adherence to the government coalition's policy line.
2024-05-02
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The speaker supports the implementation of a sugar tax for public health purposes, stressing that exercise and sports cannot compensate for the detrimental effects of excessive sugar consumption. They also express strong opposition to Russia's actions in Ukraine, linking this stance to personal religious conviction and emphasizing the emotional impact.
2024-04-03
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The speaker strongly supports providing aid to Ukraine in the military conflict by extending income tax incentives for organizations supporting Ukraine until the end of 2025. They advocate for adopting international tax cooperation initiatives, particularly increasing transparency in the taxation of multinational groups. Furthermore, they champion educational accessibility, supporting the option to deduct the costs of hobby education from taxable income, even for students over the age of 18.
2024-03-19
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The speaker supports lowering the VAT rate on cancer medicines, representing the Finance Committee's position on the matter. This stance is clearly aimed at improving the accessibility of healthcare.
2024-03-13
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting.
The speaker clearly takes a stand against lowering the VAT on foodstuffs and medicines, arguing that reducing the sales tax will not result in a genuine price decrease for the consumer. He emphasizes that prices are agreements negotiated between the buyer and the seller, and last year’s experience demonstrated that even without raising the VAT rate, prices still rose and sellers’ profit margins expanded.
2024-03-12
15th Riigikogu, 3rd plenary sitting
The speaker strongly advocates for increasing the budgetary independence of constitutional institutions, stressing the necessity of reducing the executive branch's influence over their funding decisions. These views are clearly aimed at protecting institutional balance, highlighting the crucial role of the principle of separation of powers in a democratic state governed by the rule of law.
2024-03-07
Fifteenth Riigikogu, third sitting, plenary session
The speaker is a staunch proponent of the free market economy within the energy sector, highlighting that electricity prices are lower in the Nordic countries precisely because of a more liberalized market. They advocate for the liberalization of energy markets and are keen to learn about current trends in market freedom. Furthermore, they support the concept of a European Energy Union and call for increased investments aimed at achieving closer integration of energy markets.
2024-03-05
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The speaker adopts a clear stance on education policy matters, stressing the necessity of a differentiated approach to boys' education. He/She raises a critical question regarding the minister's proposal to extend compulsory schooling, suggesting that changing teaching methods would be preferable instead.
2024-02-21
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The speaker takes a clear position on the VAT issue, supporting the government's stance and opposing the reduction of VAT on foodstuffs to 5%, which was initiated by EKRE. He emphasizes that such a change would harm the budgetary balance by over 400 million euros and would fail to achieve its stated goal of helping the poor.
2024-02-14
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The speaker strongly supports the implementation of a motor vehicle tax, justifying it based on environmental objectives, improving urban planning, and the necessity of state revenue. He expresses a clear liberal worldview, advocating for a minimal state and austere social benefits. He emphasizes the need for personalized assistance rather than general tax breaks.
2024-02-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting.
The speaker is acting in the capacity of the Finance Committee representative, consistently recommending the rejection of the draft legislation. All the bills under discussion concerned tax issues—specifically, changing the income tax rate to 15% and eliminating the tax exemption for donations made to non-profit organizations. This stance clearly supports the government’s position, emphasizing the importance of achieving budgetary goals.
2024-02-06
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
The speaker supports institutional continuity and the representation of parliamentary groups in state bodies. He clearly expresses the position that the composition of the Council of the Bank of Estonia must reflect the actual affiliation of the factions, supporting the recall of Ester Karuse following her departure from the Center Party faction.
2024-01-24
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The speaker clearly represents the government coalition's position, consistently supporting the Finance Committee's proposals to reject the draft bills concerning changes to excise duty rates. His position is strong and uncompromising: all 13 draft bills amending alcohol, tobacco, fuel, and electricity excise duties, as well as the 11 draft bills changing the personal vehicle compensation rate, must be rejected because the government does not support them.
2024-01-18
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The speaker adopts a clear position on education policy issues, supporting the autonomy of local municipalities in organizing the school network. He/She expresses criticism regarding the consolidation of small schools when this is achieved by overriding the local government's will.
2024-01-17
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The speaker is clearly representing the governing coalition's position, consistently supporting the current tax system while opposing the income tax reduction proposals initiated by EKRE. The stance is firm and uncompromising—all the bills under consideration were recommended for rejection without exception.
2024-01-10
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The speaker clearly represents the governing coalition’s position, consistently backing the Finance Committee’s decisions to reject the draft legislation initiated by EKRE. The speaker defends the current tax policy, stressing that the tax burden must remain within the 33–34% range of GDP. This stance is firm and uncompromising toward the tax initiatives put forward by the opposition.