By Plenary Sessions: Lauri Läänemets
Total Sessions: 40
Fully Profiled: 40
2025-10-08
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The main priority is amending the Value Added Tax Act to lower the VAT on basic foodstuffs from 24% to 9%. This applies to root vegetables, vegetables, dairy, meat, grain, and fish products, as well as eggs. The speaker is the initiator and a strong proponent of the bill, offering it as an alternative to the government’s draft state budget. He/She criticizes the Ministry of Finance for the lack of analysis regarding the plans of other countries.
2025-10-08
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Information Hour
The legislative focus centers on opposing the budget and the associated tax amendments submitted by the government to the Riigikogu. The speaker is acting as a critical opponent to the proposed fiscal policy, which is set to plunge the state budget into a two-billion deficit.
2025-10-07
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The legislative focus is on opposing the state budget and associated tax laws, particularly those provisions concerning the reduction of revenues and the increase of national debt. The speaker is a strong opponent of the government’s budget plan and proposed tax amendments.
2025-10-06
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The speaker is primarily an opponent of the government's budget and its tax legislation, specifically the car tax. They advocate for solutions that necessitate amending the state budget and reallocating funds to address the financing issues surrounding school meals and extracurricular activities. Their role is chiefly that of a critic and a proposer of alternative funding sources.
2025-09-25
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The primary legislative objective is the rejection of the government’s state budget bill and its subsequent amendment during the budgetary process. The speaker opposes the current draft and has initiated alternative proposals, which include redirecting subsidies intended for the wealthy toward specialized social care, lowering the value-added tax (VAT) on foodstuffs, and increasing the income of low-wage earners.
2025-09-24
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
The main legislative focus is the adoption and implementation of the Civil Protection Act, the purpose of which is to regulate civil protection activities. The speaker is a strong proponent of the law, emphasizing the need to quickly implement the establishment of well-planned shelters and other technical solutions.
2025-09-24
15th Estonian Parliament, 6th sitting, press briefing
The legislative focus centers on the strong opposition to the government's adopted or proposed tax amendments and the state budget. The speaker criticizes the impact of these bills on the economy and social justice, effectively acting as the primary representative of the opposition to the government's fiscal policy.
2025-09-22
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The speaker is primarily an opponent of the government's draft legislation, particularly regarding flexible employment contracts and tax cuts. He emphasizes the need to increase the salaries of teachers, police officers, and rescue workers, and criticizes the coalition for stalling the amendments to the Law Enforcement Act.
2025-09-17
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, press briefing.
The legislative focus is currently centered on shaping the state budget, specifically aiming to introduce a reduction of the VAT on foodstuffs to 9 percent, thereby alleviating the tax burden on low-wage earners. The speaker is a strong opponent of abolishing the 'tax hump' (or progressive tax adjustment), arguing that such a move would deepen inequality and disproportionately favor the wealthy.
2025-09-15
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting
The focus is on demanding government action plans and strategies, particularly concerning the steps for reducing educational inequality, and strengthening the oversight of public procurements. These issues relate to improving existing systems and demanding accountability, rather than initiating new legislation.
2025-09-10
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The primary legislative priorities are population protection (opposing the exception to the mandatory requirement for building shelters) and the regulation of rest periods (supporting the bill to move national holidays into the working week). He/She acts as an active opponent to government changes and demands the logical and consistent application of legislation.
2025-09-08
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The main legislative priority is to close the legal vacuum concerning end-of-life procedures in order to ensure the protection of individuals. The speaker also referenced earlier Social Democrat initiatives, such as regional industrial policy, the rental housing program, and the proposal to lower the value-added tax (VAT) on foodstuffs.
2025-09-04
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
The main legislative priorities are the initiation of the Population Protection Act (covering shelters and training) and bills proposed by the SDE faction aimed at reducing the VAT on basic foodstuffs. Furthermore, there is active obstruction of the proceedings concerning the Competition Act, citing ethical problems and the necessity of representing the public interest.
2025-06-18
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker is a vocal opponent of the government’s tax package (the VAT increase). They are critical of the specifics of the proposed education law amendment regarding the minimum wage for unqualified teachers. Their priorities include supporting the Social Democrats' proposal to eliminate kindergarten placement fees and ensuring sufficient funding for the police action plan.
2025-06-18
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing
The primary legislative focus is the Competition Act, the adoption of which the speaker opposes. He/She addresses concerns regarding the bill’s procedural process and the detrimental nature of its content, being a strong critic of the recently adopted version of the legislation.
2025-06-12
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The legislative focus is directed towards opposing the Competition Act, which is deemed to serve narrow business interests. The main activity is oppositional, expressed through initiating and supporting a motion of no confidence aimed at stopping the government’s political decisions (specifically regarding the prisoner issue and the legal amendment).
2025-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The primary legislative priorities include supporting supplementary budget amendments (such as abolishing kindergarten fees and raising subsistence benefits) and preventing the entrenchment of regressive taxes. There is strong opposition to the draft competition law, which is viewed as serving narrow business interests and failing to help businesses avoid penalties. Furthermore, it opposes the bill regulating employment relations because it fails to provide workers with a sense of security and faces resistance from trade unions.
2025-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing.
The legislative focus is on making kindergarten places free of charge across Estonia, a goal which the Social Democrats are attempting to achieve through a proposal submitted in the supplementary budget. The speaker is a strong proponent of this change and demands that the government lend its support.
2025-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting.
The legislative focus is currently directed toward reforms of the legal system, particularly the funding of courts and the reduction of their workload. There is significant criticism of the draft law concerning the stages of administrative and criminal proceedings, driven by fears that it could lead to cases expiring (statutes of limitations) and the preferential treatment of major business interests. The speaker is involved in supporting the Social Democrats' bill within the committee.
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The legislative focus is aimed at eliminating deficiencies in the existing legislation that hinder local municipalities from operating. In particular, support is being given to a draft bill that would grant broader powers to the law enforcement unit, specifically the municipal police, and the government is being criticized for letting this bill stall for over a year.
2025-06-03
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fifth session, plenary session
The legislative focus is on completing infrastructure projects and regulating the housing sector. The speaker is demanding a clear plan from the government to replace the terminated rental housing program in order to address the housing crisis.
2025-06-02
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session
The legislative focus is centered on demanding changes to legal drafting in order to restore public trust in the state and prevent future issues within the justice system. Maintaining social guarantees is also a priority, specifically by preventing funding for extracurricular activities from being dissolved into the local government's general budget. He/She is demanding concrete legislative action from the minister.
2025-05-21
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing.
The legislative focus is centered on overturning or amending government decisions regarding the reclassification of 70% of forests into commercial woodlands. A key priority is demanding robust engagement processes and public debate before any major political decisions are made, thereby ensuring that public interest is properly considered.
2025-05-20
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The legislative focus is currently on opposing the government's tax laws, particularly the permanent implementation of a higher VAT rate. The speaker is acting as a critical opponent of the bill, demanding a socio-economic justification for it and questioning its usefulness to the Estonian economy.
2025-05-19
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
The legislative focus is directed at opposing the government's forestry plan (which would turn 70% of forests into tree plantations) and reducing logging volumes. Key proposals include raising the felling age, granting private individuals broader forest management rights within protected areas, and directing state subsidies to the forestry sector to increase added value. Ensuring national energy security and decentralized production is also a priority.
2025-05-15
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The legislative focus is primarily centered on challenging existing funding decisions and demanding budget amendments to ensure adequate state support for extracurricular activities. The objective is to compel the government to invest in hobby education.
2025-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
The main legislative priority is ensuring security through legal means, supporting a bill that will end the Kremlin’s influence on Estonian religious life. A secondary focus is the oversight of environmental laws and their implementation, demanding clarity regarding logging restrictions and compensation mechanisms.
2025-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The primary legislative focus is on civil defense, requiring the swift passage of amendments to the Emergency Situation Act (covering the hazard notification system and shelters). While they support the draft bill concerning vital service providers, they remain critical of the unemployment insurance bill, proposing that its second reading be suspended, citing insufficient stakeholder engagement and an inappropriate context.
2025-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing
The speaker opposes the government's plan to make the temporary VAT permanent, a measure that was originally introduced as part of the security tax. Furthermore, he is demanding clarification on the status of the proposed changes to the political party financing system, which were intended to restrict the activities of parties that have been criminally convicted.
2025-05-05
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The speaker is a strong opponent of the new draft competition law, viewing it as serving the interests of big business. They are also against the bill that reduces worker protections. Their priority is the enactment of a regional industrial policy and changes to tax policy (specifically, lowering the VAT on food).
2025-04-23
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is on the failure to make strategic decisions regarding the development of the energy sector and the absence of a comprehensive vision, rather than specific legislative drafts. The objective is to compel the government to establish a realistic and integrated energy plan to avert a future energy crisis.
2025-04-22
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The legislative focus is directed at the autumn state budget process, where the priority is guaranteeing a salary increase for cultural workers despite ongoing cuts. The speaker is demanding a commitment from the minister regarding this pay raise.
2025-04-16
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing
The legislative focus is directed at opposing the proposed amendments to the Employment Contracts Act concerning the employer's unilateral right to determine wages. The second priority is opposition to changes in higher education funding, which would introduce administrative fees and make studying a second time subject to tuition. The speaker is acting as a strong opponent of these reforms.
2025-04-15
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
The legislative focus is currently on opposing a specific government bill concerning the terms of employment contracts and the minimum number of working hours. The speaker is acting as a critical opponent of the bill, emphasizing the necessity of sound legislation and proper consultation with labor market stakeholders.
2025-04-09
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
The main legislative focus is on a security-related bill concerning the ties of religious organizations with foreign countries. The speaker is a strong supporter of this law, emphasizing that it gives the church the opportunity to decide for itself and comply with the law in order to sever ties with the Kremlin.
2025-04-09
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing
The primary legislative focus is the opposition to the government-submitted draft amendment to the Employment Contracts Act. The speaker acts as a strong opponent of the bill, emphasizing that it creates an unprecedented right for employers in Estonia when deciding on wages and the volume of work.
2025-03-27
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The legislative focus is institutional and procedural, centering on the election of the Riigikogu's governing bodies. The priority is to ensure that the leadership includes individuals who uphold the rule of law and parliamentary democracy.
2025-03-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The legislative focus is on the draft constitutional amendment. The speaker will vote in favor of the amendment itself but is opposed to both specific proposed changes. Additionally, the need is stressed to initiate legislative steps to simplify the granting of citizenship to grey passport holders in order to accelerate their integration.
2025-03-20
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is on previous executive decisions and budgetary measures related to strengthening border security. Specifically mentioned are decisions regarding the construction of the Saatse Boot, funding for the drone wall, providing border guards with stronger weaponry (anti-tank weapons), and establishing the PPA crisis reserve.
2025-03-19
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing.
The legislative focus centers on amending the government's defense procurement plan, demanding the swift execution of the military recommendations provided by the Commander of the Defense Forces. The top priority is the acquisition of €1.6 billion worth of ammunition over a three-year period, necessitating a complete overhaul of the budget and funding structure. The speaker is operating as a source of political pressure and an overseer of government actions.