By Plenary Sessions: Tõnis Lukas
Total Sessions: 81
Fully Profiled: 81
2025-10-08
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Information Hour
The economic perspective centers on the long-term planning of the Government Budget Strategy (GBS) and securing public sector payroll funds. It supports planned investments in teachers' salaries and the funding of a new career model, stressing the fulfillment of fiscal commitments.
2025-09-17
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, press briefing.
Economic perspectives are tied to labor regulation, demanding stricter language requirements for platform workers and temporary agency staff. This position emphasizes the necessity of regulating employment to protect the use of the state language by making language proficiency a prerequisite for employment.
2025-09-16
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
There is too little data.
2025-09-04
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
I am not presenting broad economic views, but I strongly support state budget expenditures on education, demanding that the necessary funds (e.g., 10 million euros) be found to increase the teachers' salary budget. I emphasize the need to invest in the educated community and avoid crises that cause societal stress.
2025-06-18
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Economic perspectives support increasing education expenditures and ensuring a dedicated allocation for the teachers' salary fund within the state budget to guarantee a pay rise for everyone. Emphasis is placed on valuing the workforce (teachers) and the necessity of providing them with salary guarantees to prevent them from leaving the system.
2025-06-12
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Regarding economic views, the only thing mentioned is the government-created "tax mess" as an example of strategic failure and a lack of mandate. No concrete positions on taxes, spending, or regulations are presented.
2025-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
State financial guarantees are supported for the core funding of science and for salary subsidies provided to cultural managers, in order to ensure continuity and professionalism. It is emphasized that these guarantees must be statutory, not subject to arbitrary change. Furthermore, the personal responsibility of hobbyists and the founders of collectives is highlighted regarding covering costs (e.g., rehearsal spaces, costumes) alongside state support.
2025-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing.
The speaker stresses the necessity of addressing the labor shortage by prioritizing the greater inclusion of those of retirement age in the labor market to ensure economic stability. This suggests caution regarding the use of mass immigration as an economic solution. The goal is to boost domestic employment.
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Economic considerations are linked to defense budget constraints. The speaker supports cost-effective defense measures, such as anti-personnel mines, because acquiring other similar weapon systems is financially beyond Estonia's means. Emphasis is placed on the need to acquire types of weaponry that can also be manufactured domestically.
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing
The speaker advocates for state intervention and strict regulation within the service sector to guarantee compliance with language requirements, which directly impacts the labor market and the operations of platform workers. He/She also calls for increased public sector spending on education to prevent a drop in teachers' real wages and ensure that salary targets are met.
2025-06-03
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fifth session, plenary session
Economic perspectives stress fiscal discipline and efficient investment, standing in opposition to the senseless duplication of costs and the squandering of funds. Systemic planning is prioritized to ensure investments do not become futile.
2025-06-02
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session
Economic viewpoints focus on the financial aspects of the education reform, noting that the takeover of state gymnasiums in large cities (e.g., Tallinn) represents a financial gift to local governments, which points to concerns about the inefficient allocation of resources. The risk of budgetary loss or gain for local governments during the streamlining of the school network is also mentioned.
2025-05-15
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker focused on public sector funding, criticizing the government's assertion that there are insufficient funds for the transition to Estonian-language instruction (such as creating smaller study groups), arguing instead that resources are plentiful. The speaker also supports a pay rise for teachers, viewing it as a sign of valuing their profession.
2025-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
Economic views support the payment of compensation to owners of private forests and properties upon which nature conservation restrictions have been imposed. This demonstrates support for the protection of property rights and state compensation for regulatory restrictions, extending this principle to new categories of real estate.
2025-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing
Economic views are focused on protecting the domestic labor market, opposing the introduction of cheap labor, which drives down wages and forces Estonians to emigrate. It supports higher wage levels as the solution to labor needs and criticizes the tendency to blame the lack of coordination between the education system and the labor market when the real issue is low pay.
2025-05-05
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Economic views center on regional fairness and the more even distribution of investments, noting that state institutions in Tallinn were created by all Estonian taxpayers. The need is stressed to stop this unequally rolling "snowball" and ensure decent living conditions and an available workforce in rural areas too, supporting, for example, farmers and haulers.
2025-04-22
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Economic perspectives favor public expenditure to sustain the cultural pyramid, but they also see a solution in involving private capital. The speaker strongly advocates for increasing tax incentives for patronage and expanding them to include donations made to the Cultural Endowment, arguing that the current limits have become outdated.
2025-04-14
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The economic views strongly favor a market economy and oppose state intervention. The speaker opposes subsidizing economic sectors, stressing that investments should be covered by consumers according to market rules, rather than from the state budget. Fiscal discipline and market-based growth are supported.
2025-03-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Insufficient data.
2025-03-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing
The economic viewpoints are tied to the labor market, where the speaker strongly opposes increasing immigration, negatively viewing it as a mechanism for importing cheap labor. He points out that immigration is insufficient to meet the needs of businesses, even in the event of an unprecedentedly large influx.
2025-03-18
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fifth sitting, plenary session
Economic perspectives strongly favor labor protection, emphasizing the necessity of paying a normal, market-level wage (a 1.5x coefficient). They oppose state policies that allow employers to undercut wage levels through a quota-based economy, which ultimately causes local workers to leave.
2025-03-17
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The fiscal outlook is critical of cuts targeting social priorities, such as large families. The speaker questions the reality of the government’s projected savings (€300,000) from making education leaders redundant, stressing that cost-saving should not be the main driver. They prioritize protecting social priorities over implementing routine budget cuts.
2025-03-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The economic stance is protective concerning the labor market, stressing the necessity of preventing wage levels from being driven down by the introduction of cheap foreign labor. The speaker notes that salaries for specialists are already high and accuses the government of favoring cheap labor. They support higher wages as a means to halt the emigration of Estonians.
2025-02-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Economic considerations focus on state funding for research and development and the transparency of budget allocation. It is crucial to prevent the reduction of budgets for existing research institutions due to the funding of new private entities, while emphasizing fiscal discipline and clarity.
2025-02-25
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker mentions in passing that some people choose to live in Estonia because it is "economically easier to manage here." No other positions regarding taxes, expenditures, trade, or regulations are presented.
2025-02-19
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th sitting, information briefing
Support is provided for resolute state action and investments aimed at rapidly developing the defense industry, thereby enabling manufacturers to quickly produce ammunition and drones. The focus is on strategic economic growth in the defense sector, utilizing existing investments (1.6 billion euros) to boost domestic production.
2025-02-17
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
The economic stances are tied to the balance between budgetary discipline and the quality of education. The speaker questions the feasibility of the savings proposed by the ministry (300,000 euros annually), pointing out that process costs and the need for new premises could negate the savings. Quality and stability are prioritized over mechanical cost reduction.
2025-02-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The increase in defense spending is supported, indicating a willingness to boost national expenditures in the security sector, even during a complex situation. No other views on taxes, trade, or economic growth were put forward.
2025-01-28
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Economic perspectives focus on concerns regarding the importation of cheap labor, which indicates a desire to protect the local labor market and wage levels. The speaker differentiates between necessary labor and economic migrants, who could potentially become an economic burden.
2025-01-21
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
It supports a drastic increase in national defense spending, setting a target of 3.5% to 5% of GDP, while stressing that other expenditures are needed in addition to the procurement of ammunition. The priority of defense spending outweighs fiscal prudence.
2025-01-20
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Economic perspectives are addressed indirectly, by linking the population decline to a direct threat against the Estonian economy and its school system. Specific economic policy proposals (such as taxation or regulation) are not put forward; instead, the focus is placed on the impact of demographics on future economic sustainability.
2024-12-18
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, press briefing
Culture is viewed as a crucial economic engine that drives the tourism sector and brings money into Estonia, supporting hotels, restaurants, and transport companies. There is strong support for funding culture, with the justification being economic necessity rather than mere leisure activity. Criticism is directed at the budget classification system, which places culture in the leisure category—a designation deemed economically unfair.
2024-12-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Insufficient data.
2024-12-11
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fourth session, press briefing.
Not enough data
2024-12-04
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
The speaker stresses the necessity for supplementary funding, given that vocational education is currently underfunded. He sharply criticizes efforts to implement reforms by utilizing internal reserves, such as shrinking the school network or introducing tuition fees for adult learners. He inquires about options for covering fixed costs (teachers' salaries), advocating for stable budgetary planning.
2024-11-20
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, press briefing.
There is not enough data.
2024-11-18
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fourth Session, Plenary Session
Economic perspectives are centered on tax revenue forecasts and fiscal efficiency, especially regarding car purchases. Concerns are being raised about whether the one-time taxes will be collected as anticipated and how the annual taxes will be collected going forward. A link is perceived between an increased number of cars and a better quality of life ("more cars, life gets better").
2024-11-14
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary session
There is not enough data.
2024-11-13
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session.
It supports targeted increases in public sector spending on education and culture to fulfill commitments and value highly educated professionals. It proposes covering the budget through savings in state administrative costs, criticizing the government for failing to utilize these opportunities adequately. Furthermore, it supports a wage increase corresponding to the projected rise in the Consumer Price Index (5%).
2024-11-13
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, information briefing
Economic perspectives focus on the salary issues of education workers and state budget priorities. The speaker demands the allocation of additional funds for financing the career model, opposing its funding from within the existing wage fund or from the internal reserves of the education sector.
2024-11-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The economic perspective is demonstrated by defending the tax exemption for residential land, an initiative started by Isamaa, against critics who argue that it stifles economic activity. The speaker emphasizes the social aspect, pointing specifically to elderly residents who are accustomed to viewing their plots as their permanent homes, contrasting this sentiment with a purely economic principle of turnover.
2024-11-06
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Economic views are strongly opposed to tax hikes, especially when they are cumulative and make life harder for families. The car tax is viewed as a negative factor that discourages the purchase and maintenance of vehicles, which is essential for living in rural areas.
2024-11-06
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, information briefing
Economic perspectives relate to the distribution of education spending and the regional economy. The speaker is concerned that national requirements regarding the proportion of the wage fund (at least 60% of current expenditures) may force local municipalities to optimize costs by closing schools. He/She refers to principles of education economics, but believes that regional policy must take precedence over them.
2024-11-05
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fourth session, plenary session
The primary economic stance involves strong opposition to the growth of bureaucracy and the proliferation of regulations, which they seek at least to slow down or "chain to a rock." This indicates a favorable disposition toward alleviating the regulatory burden. The car tax is indirectly criticized, as it creates financial hardship in rural areas.
2024-11-04
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Economic views focus on regional viability, criticizing the aggressive price hikes imposed by monopolistic state-owned companies (like Elektrilevi), which negatively impact people's livelihoods and small-scale production. We do not support paying hourly wages to sports referees out of the state budget, arguing that this is the responsibility of event organizers.
2024-10-23
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, information briefing
Economic perspectives emphasize the need for regional equity, opposing taxes (such as the motor vehicle tax) that disproportionately harm residents of rural areas who rely on cars to access essential services. There is strong support for state investments (like teachers' salaries) aimed at maintaining social balance, but the previous government is criticized for running the state finances into the ground.
2024-10-21
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Not enough data
2024-10-15
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary session
Economic perspectives stress the necessity of responding to forecasts of decelerated economic growth and aligning budgetary decisions with the changed circumstances. Concern is voiced that an austerity budget will not be adequate if economic growth turns out to be slower than anticipated.
2024-10-14
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
Economic views concern the relationship between social contribution and future claims on the state budget. The position is indirectly supported that demographic contribution (raising children) should grant greater entitlements to state services and benefits in the future.
2024-10-09
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, information briefing
Economic perspectives emphasize the protection of wages for local labor and skilled workers. There is strong opposition to employers' desire to import cheap labor paid below the average wage, as this suppresses wage growth and forces local skilled workers to leave the country. The principle is supported that the criteria for importing labor should be tied to the average wage, rather than the median or minimum wage.
2024-10-08
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Economic views stress the need for genuine fiscal discipline and cost cutting. The speaker criticizes the government's budgetary methods, which, in their opinion, neither lead to reduced costs nor improve the budget situation, but instead create an unnecessary administrative burden.
2024-09-17
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Economic views emphasize the need to regulate state monopolistic enterprises to prevent their excessive focus on profit and and efficiency at the expense of the consumer. The speaker supports strong consumer protection and criticizes the bureaucratic methods used to suppress consumer demands.
2024-09-11
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fourth session, plenary session
There is not enough data.
2024-09-09
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Economic perspectives concern public sector wage policy and budgetary exceptions, demanding that the wage claims of cultural workers be addressed alongside those of teachers. The emphasis is on fair compensation and the prioritization of the social sector during the budget debate.
2024-07-29
15th Riigikogu, Riigikogu extraordinary session.
Not enough data.
2024-07-29
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
Economic perspectives are strongly opposed to slapping on a new tax burden, especially when it affects large families and rural residents. The tax is viewed primarily as a mechanism for balancing the budget, rather than a driver of economic growth or environmental sustainability. Concerns have been raised regarding the planned substantial reform of funding for large families and the reduction of associated benefits.
2024-07-22
15th Riigikogu, Riigikogu's extraordinary session.
Economic perspectives center on fiscal continuity, particularly concerning the delayed cancellation of the 'tax hump' and its resulting effect on teacher salary increases. Furthermore, concern is voiced over the potential dismantling of the funding principles of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia (Kultuurkapital), citing a previous statement made by the candidate for Minister of Finance.
2024-06-12
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, information briefing
The economic arguments are implicit, noting that proficiency in Estonian is necessary for children's economic advancement within Estonian society. This links language policy to pragmatic benefits, although the speaker stresses that this perspective is not the primary reason for the transition to Estonian-language instruction.
2024-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
The speaker notes that when supporting Georgia on its path toward the European Union, "Money may not be the most important thing here," highlighting the priority of investing values and energy over mere financial resources. No other economic viewpoints are stated.
2024-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The economic views are regulatory, demanding strict language proficiency checks in the service sector and platform work (taxis, couriers) in order to close legal loopholes that allow businesses to hire employees who do not speak Estonian. A warning is also issued that outsourcing municipal services to the private sector (kindergartens) should not cause parents' costs to rise "drastically."
2024-05-13
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
The inflow of labor is mentioned as one component of migration, but there are no specific standpoints concerning taxes, spending, or economic regulation.
2024-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Advocates for strict budgetary discipline and demands cuts to state administrative expenses via a negative supplementary budget in order to free up resources for essential functions. He/She stresses that being the capital city is a privilege, which results in substantial income tax revenue for the Tallinn budget.
2024-05-02
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Insufficient data.
2024-04-29
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Economic perspectives stress the importance of reducing consumption and curbing waste to protect the environment. They advocate for fiscal and energy efficiency, citing the reduction in the use of one- and two-cent coins as an example.
2024-04-10
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
The economic viewpoints center on the equitable distribution of state funding, calling for a rapid readjustment of equalization fund coefficients to support rural areas that are declining due to economic factors. The objective is to keep people living locally, preventing subsequent social and security costs, and to support private schools in sparsely populated areas regarding operating expenses on an equal footing with municipal schools.
2024-04-10
15th Estonian Parliament, third sitting, information briefing
Economic perspectives stress the need to raise wages in Estonia in order to attract back specialists and technicians currently working abroad, particularly in sectors like the metal industry. The speaker is vehemently opposed to the mass importation of cheap labor, viewing it as an inefficient and socially detrimental solution. He directly links the labor shortage problem to the insufficient wage levels within Estonia.
2024-04-09
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Economic views stress the necessity of highly skilled specialists who are already exempt from existing quotas. The speaker is vehemently against the policy, which seems designed to bring in cheap labor, and questions whether it is truly necessary for the Estonian economy.
2024-04-08
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Supports state intervention and increased permanent spending in the education sector, contrasting with the government’s practice of using one-off sums. It demands a significant increase in teachers' salaries (20% for senior/master teachers within the career model) and the state acting as the "engine" to ensure a uniform educational standard. It criticizes the state's "handouts" to wealthier local governments.
2024-03-20
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Economic perspectives center on fiscal certainty and criticism directed at the government for failing to legally secure the funds promised for teachers' salary increases within the state budget. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of guaranteeing funding for long-term political priorities (education, cultural infrastructure). Worry is also voiced regarding the temporary nature of the budget surplus.
2024-03-19
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Economic perspectives focus on prioritizing education and investing in human capital as the means to solve social and economic problems. The policy supports a nationally regulated minimum wage and a career model to ensure teachers receive adequate compensation. It is believed that Estonia's high proportion of GDP spent on education is both commendable and necessary.
2024-03-11
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
The economic perspective focuses on fiscal discipline within the cultural sector, stressing the need to avoid unnecessary duplication and ensure that funding is available for projects that have already been approved. It is noted that, according to information from the Cultural Endowment of Estonia (Kultuurkapital), there is likely no longer any funding available for the seventh and eighth projects.
2024-02-21
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Economic views focus on budget allocation and the impact of new tax revenue on existing expenditures. Concern is expressed regarding financial discipline, with questions about whether the exceptional financing mechanism being introduced (the "side road") will permanently affect the budget. Support is given for directing additional funds toward creative salaries.
2024-02-21
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Economic views are tied to population size and limitations on business activity, emphasizing Estonia's small scale and the necessity of factoring this in, rather than attempting to satisfy entrepreneurs through immigration. The speaker opposes immigration as a solution to labor force issues, arguing that it threatens national security.
2024-02-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Economic views are strongly opposed to the introduction of new taxes, particularly the car tax, which is considered detrimental given the current state of the economy. It is stressed that the tax should not impede activities that create cultural value, such as the restoration and preservation of vintage vehicles.
2024-02-05
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting
Economic policies are focused on protecting domestic labor, opposing the importation of cheap labor, which drives wages down and forces Estonians to emigrate. Mass immigration is viewed as a significant budgetary expense, citing, for instance, the costs associated with burned vehicles and stores.
2024-01-23
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
It strongly supports public funding for science and higher education, emphasizing adherence to the 1% of GDP agreement and the necessity of increasing university funding. It is concerned that economic innovation (MKM 40%) may not undergo sufficient quality control, and that science funding should not be viewed too narrowly as merely an engine for economic development.
2024-01-18
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Economic positions focus on state intervention and the fair redistribution of revenue among local governments. There is a demand for the Ministry of Finance to adjust the coefficient of regional disparity so that funds are specifically allocated to economically weaker, sparsely populated areas. Support is given to establishing a national standard for teachers' base salaries to prevent inequality resulting from the differing revenue bases of local governments.
2024-01-17
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
The economic arguments center on the state's budgetary responsibility to fulfill the promises made in the coalition agreement regarding teacher salary increases, demanding that specific funds (e.g., 200 million euros) be secured for the coming years. He/She supports public sector wage increases and criticizes the government's inability to find the necessary resources to implement them.
2024-01-15
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
Strong support is given to raising teachers' salaries as a continuous path toward making the profession competitive for specialists with higher education. The salary increase and the establishment of a career model are considered a critical investment that ensures the replenishment of the teaching workforce and is thus the foundation for the success of the national reform.
2024-01-09
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
There is not enough data.
2024-01-08
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
Economic perspectives support increasing education funding, demanding that teachers' salaries be raised based on a unified standard across Estonia, rather than being limited by local competitiveness. The speaker emphasizes the urgent need to quickly secure funds (10 million euros) to ensure labor peace, clearly supporting the interests of the workforce and responsible state budget planning.