By Plenary Sessions: Maris Lauri
Total Sessions: 31
Fully Profiled: 31
2025-10-13
15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The political stance is firmly focused on supporting fiscal discipline and budget transparency, highlighting the exceptionally high standard of Estonia's budget information system when compared internationally. Furthermore, the speaker strongly supports adherence to the agreements made with the European Union and the Eurozone, equating any desire to break these agreements with the necessity of leaving Estonia. Any potential deviations seen in earlier periods have disappeared; the focus is now strictly policy- and procedure-driven.
2025-10-09
15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The political focus is on ensuring the competitiveness and stability of the Estonian economy amid global instability. The speaker emphasizes strengthening the four pillars of the economy (natural resources, labor, capital, knowledge) and is strongly opposed to measures that diminish domestic capital, specifically criticizing the dismantling of the second pillar of the pension system. The approach is analytical and policy-driven, concentrating on long-term development and innovation.
2025-09-17
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting.
The political position focuses on the deliberation of the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (RahaPTS). The speaker supports the Finance Committee's consensus decision not to endorse the adoption of the draft bill in its unchanged form, emphasizing the need for further discussion and clarification. The position is strongly procedural and legal, defending the Riigikogu’s right to make choices as a legislator, even if those choices are challenged by the President or the Supreme Court.
2025-09-16
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
The speaker is focusing on the procedural integrity of the anti-money laundering bill and the necessity of amending it following the president's return. The political focus is aimed at improving the substance of the draft law, supporting the continuation of the process, given that the president determined that "it could be done better."
2025-09-11
15th Riigikogu, 6th plenary sitting
The political stance focuses on ensuring the stability and security of the financial system, while simultaneously stressing the necessity of avoiding unduly rigid and burdensome regulations. We support the review and potential loosening of banking standards (S1). There is an urgent need to combat financial fraud and predatory savings and loan associations, which constitute problems of systemic importance.
2025-06-18
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The political focus is directed towards regulating consumer credit and preventing excessive borrowing through Bill 652, which establishes a loan register. The support is procedural and moderate, concentrating on the bill's progression from the Finance Committee to the plenary session. The framing of the bill is policy-based, emphasizing the register's benefit in reducing the burden on the courts.
2025-06-17
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
The political position strongly supports the bill concerning the Financial Intelligence Unit (RAB) (Bill 640), emphasizing the necessity of employing technological solutions in the anti-money laundering (AML) fight to safeguard Estonia’s reputation and economy against international criminal activities. The focus is on enhancing policy and operational effectiveness to more rapidly detect complex money laundering schemes and prevent the country from being added to international blacklists. The speaker stresses that this bill is a direct response to previous negative experiences (e.g., the Danske Bank case).
2025-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The speaker politically supports the abolition of the security tax and justifies the government’s ideological shift to the right following the departure of the left-wing party, stressing that the tax debate is inherently ideological. He substantiates his positions on an outcome-based approach, citing the Ministry of Finance’s forecast that the tax burden will drop from 36.8% to 35.1% of GDP by 2029. The speaker maintains a strict boundary, differentiating between his personal ideological stance and his role as a representative of the commission.
2025-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting.
The political stance is cautious and procedure-focused, concentrating on guaranteeing the constitutionality of proposed changes to the judicial system. Emphasis is placed on the difficult dilemma faced by members of the Riigikogu (Parliament), which stems from the conflicting views of various authorities regarding the issue of budgetary independence. This position seeks to establish legal certainty prior to the enactment of the legislation.
2025-05-20
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The political position is divided: some speakers are focusing on the technical and procedural aspects of legislation (specifically, the prevention of money laundering), while another speaker is expressing a strong, value-based right-wing stance on tax policy. This latter speaker supports lowering income tax and opposes the progressive income tax, justifying the higher tax rate with security considerations (referencing Putin). Speaker C emphasizes that only two right-wing parties remain in the Riigikogu who are standing up for a better Estonia.
2025-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
The political position is articulated through the communication of the Steering Committee’s stance, which supports rejecting the draft bill (5 in favor, 1 against), as the government believes that an overview of the economic substance is already covered by the current legal framework. This position is primarily procedural and politically cautious, supporting the government's view on the adequacy of existing legislation.
2025-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The speaker, acting as the representative of the committee, emphasizes the position held by the government and the majority of the Finance Committee: that repealing the tax hikes cannot be supported, as doing so would create a budget shortfall without any replacement revenue. The political focus remains on fiscal responsibility and balancing the budget, supporting the government’s package, which includes raising the income tax rate for individuals to 24% while simultaneously protecting low-income earners. This stance is strongly driven by policy and results.
2025-03-20
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The political stance heavily emphasizes national security and border policy concerning Russia. The speaker advocates for measured, strategic decisions rooted in threat assessments, and opposes the rushed adoption of the draft law, arguing that it was not done "with a cool head." This approach is policy-driven, stressing the necessity of evaluating Russia's potential countermeasures and the overall consequences of these decisions.
2025-01-16
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The political position is strongly opposed to the draft amendment to the State Budget Act, initiated by the Centre Party faction, which is deemed superficial and lacking substance. The speaker supports the government’s plan to implement a comprehensive and thorough reform of the budget law, involving a wide range of stakeholders. The position places a strong emphasis on the quality of the legislation and procedural correctness.
2024-12-17
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The political position is strongly opposed to the opposition's draft amendment to the basic budget law, which has been dubbed a "shambles." It is stressed that the necessary, more detailed amendments have either already been implemented (Draft 511) or are planned for next year, and the current draft is criticized for being ill-conceived and submitted purely for the purpose of "point-scoring." This approach is firmly policy- and results-driven, defending the government's existing and proposed budget reforms.
2024-12-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The political position is one of strong support for the 2025 budget, which is a compromise among the three governing parties and focuses on three priorities: enhancing security, stimulating economic growth, and supporting the vulnerable. This stance is strongly value-based concerning security (the nation must fund its military) and performance-centric in demanding fiscal discipline, criticizing previous long-term laxity. The budget's goal is to reduce the significant deficit by implementing tax hikes, cutting expenditures, and ensuring smarter spending.
2024-12-04
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
On the political agenda, the central issue is security funding (the Security Tax), which is strongly supported as the best possible solution for covering the state budget deficit and increased defense expenditures that exceed 2% of GDP. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of contributing to security independently, referencing a value-based framework that the nation must maintain its own military. In addition to security, fiscal discipline and preventing the rapid growth of national debt are also crucial.
2024-11-13
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session.
Strongly supports the coalition's 2025 budget, calling it the best possible option, which focuses on security, economic growth, and supporting the socially vulnerable. While emphasizing the need to improve the budget's format, they defend the current legislation and the commission's decisions, prioritizing fiscal responsibility and legislative correctness. They frame the budget as a "budget for building confidence."
2024-11-06
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The speaker adopts a policy-driven and cautious stance on budget reform, criticizing the poor preparation of the activity-based budget and the absence of strategic management. He supports a strategic results-based approach but warns against hastily reverting to a cost-based budget, stressing the necessity of a well-considered transition. His position is critical of the actions of previous governments that resulted in the "darkest" budget of 2020.
2024-10-23
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
The speaker strongly supports the multi-party system and coalition governments, emphasizing the vital role of the opposition in a democracy. He/She sharply opposes the motion of no confidence currently under consideration, deeming it insincere, attention-seeking, and a reflection of the failure to engage in substantive work. This stance is heavily procedural and value-driven, focusing on the quality of political conduct.
2024-10-16
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The political stance is firmly focused on the rapid increase of national defense spending (up to 4% of GDP) and the support of the new taxation (the Security Tax) required to fund it. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of tackling the structural economic recession, alongside a warning against demagoguery that impedes statesmanship. These positions are strongly rooted in security and fiscal responsibility.
2024-09-17
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The political position is strongly rooted in values, emphasizing the balance between freedom and responsibility, and strict adherence to constitutional principles. The speaker strongly opposes populism and short-sighted behavior that sacrifices fundamental freedoms for the sake of perceived security or material abundance. The primary objective is to keep society balanced and prevent internal fracturing, achieved by balancing diverse needs such as national defense, the economy, and environmental protection.
2024-09-11
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fourth session, plenary session
The political position strongly supports the adoption of the European Union’s digital operational resilience requirements for financial institutions, emphasizing the necessity of reducing risks within the financial sector and protecting client assets. The approach is clearly policy-based, focusing on achieving regulatory objectives and mitigating cyber threats. Flexible adjustment of the law's entry into force date is also supported, taking into account potential delays in the Riigikogu’s procedural practice.
2024-06-13
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Third Session, Plenary Session
The political position heavily focuses on the smooth operation and regulation of the financial system, which is viewed as the economy's lifeblood. The speaker stresses the necessity of resolving long-standing regulatory issues, such as the oversight of credit and savings associations and the establishment of a positive credit register. This position is policy- and results-driven, strongly supporting supervision while simultaneously cautioning against excessive rigidity within the system.
2024-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The most crucial issue is the poor financial health of the Estonian state and the growing budget deficit, which is approaching the 5% threshold. The speaker urgently calls for the rapid rectification of the budget and cost cutting, opposing living beyond our means and increasing spending. The political framework is heavily results-oriented, focusing on fiscal discipline and accountability. The position strongly supports cuts and fiscal consolidation.
2024-05-30
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting
The core political position is strong support for fiscal discipline, maintaining a low debt burden, and restricting the growth of expenditures. The speaker sharply criticizes the previous irresponsible deficit policy, stressing the necessity of bringing state revenues and expenditures into balance. This stance is both policy-driven and value-based, underscoring wisdom and responsibility toward future generations. The implementation of an expenditure ceiling within the budgetary rules is considered crucial.
2024-05-29
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The political focus is on ensuring the strict regulation of crypto-asset markets and the mitigation of risks, highlighting Estonia's previous negative experience in this sector. It strongly supports placing the supervision of virtual currency service providers under the Financial Supervision Authority (FSA) to ensure the adequate management of risks related to financial supervision. The position is strongly policy- and results-based, emphasizing the need to prevent the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing.
2024-05-16
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Third Session, Plenary Session
The political stance strongly emphasizes the necessity of a stable and fair legal framework and ensuring robust competition to support business development. The primary concern is the poor state of public finances, which is viewed as a source of economic uncertainty, demanding a swift resolution to avoid widespread cuts or tax hikes. The approach is results-oriented, focusing on creating the necessary conditions for innovation and risk-taking. In shaping policy, the state's role is prioritized as a condition-setter, rather than as an entity that does the work for businesses.
2024-05-15
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Political activity is aimed both at highlighting practical issues within the social sector (such as difficulties in recruiting staff) and at providing detailed reports on the legislative process concerning the financial sector. The focus is primarily on the precision of policy implementation and legislative procedures. The initial address is directed to the minister to clarify the contradiction between the need for employees and the complexity of recruiting them within the social sector.
2024-05-08
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session.
The political debate is dominated by the state budget deficit crisis, which is being described as a "fire" and demands immediate action. One position emphasizes fiscal discipline and the necessity of correcting past errors (such as the tax hump), while the other focuses on procedurally streamlining the budgeting process for constitutional institutions. The crisis resolution must involve both spending cuts and revenue generation; otherwise, the deficit will balloon to 5% of GDP.
2024-04-09
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The speaker strongly advocates for stricter regulation of the crypto services sector, justifying this position by citing the need to overhaul the previously "very lax" regulatory framework and implement European Union requirements. This political stance is policy-driven, focusing on strengthening financial oversight and ensuring security. While acknowledging that the stricter measures might lead to a market contraction, the speaker deems them necessary.