The minimum salary rate for teachers will rise from 1,803 euro to 1,820 euro to which a 20 per cent differentiation part will be added. The calculated average of teachers’ salary will increase by a total of 6.6 per cent, to 2,184 euro. For this purpose, 9.27 million euro will be directed to the local governments support fund in the state budget. The funds for the additional salary for teachers were found from the budgets of the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Social Affairs. The total volume of the state budget will not change.
During the debate, Tanel Kiik took the floor on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group, Vadim Belobrovtsev on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Group, Urmas Reinsalu on behalf of Isamaa Parliamentary Group and Mart Helme on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group.
67 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act on Amendments to the State Budget for 2024 Act (389 SE), initiated by the Government. One member was against.
Three Bills passed the second reading
The purpose of the Bill on Amendments to the Information Society Services Act, the Copyright Act and the Taxation Act (390 SE), initiated by the Government, is to ensure implementation of the European Union Digital Services Act Regulation and to better counter the spread of illegal content online, to protect the freedom of speech and of information of users of digital services and to harmonise the requirements applicable to digital services in the European Union’s internal market.
The Digital Services Act Regulation imposes strict obligations on very large online platforms and search engines with over 45 million users in the European Union. Every year, platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Amazon and Booking.com must assess the risks of their services in terms of dissemination of illegal content, fundamental rights, the protection of public health, and public security, and put in place measures to mitigate risks.
The Regulation will make the activities of online platforms more transparent when it comes to content moderation and making related decisions. For example, users will have the right to be informed when their published content is removed or access to it is disabled. At the same time, online platforms must indicate in a comprehensible way in their terms and conditions on what bases and how they moderate content. The information obtained will allow users to contest such decisions and to protect their rights.
In Estonia, the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority will exercise supervision over intermediary service providers in order to ensure the rights of users and the transparency of digital services. The Authority will be able to participate in cross-border joint procedures and in the exercise of supervision over very large service providers to protect Estonian users. Among other things, the Authority will be able to assess whether the measures taken by very large service providers are sufficient to mitigate the potential risks the services offered by them present to public security in Estonia.
The Market in Crypto-assets Bill (398 SE), initiated by the Government, will bring crypto-asset service providers as well as issuers of crypto-assets under the supervision of the Financial Supervision Authority. The Bill will affect the virtual currency service providers who are already operating as well as new entrants to the market in crypto-assets.
Last year saw the entry into force of the EU’s “MiCa Regulation” which allows crypto-asset service providers to offer their services under the same rules in all Member States. The Bill will ensure proper national implementation of the Regulation. The aim of the Regulation is to support innovation and fair competition, while at the same time ensuring adequate investor protection and the integrity of crypto-asset markets. The Regulation regulates for example the granting of authorisation to crypto-asset market participants, the organisation of their management, the requirements for capital, the obligation to act honestly, fairly and professionally in the best interests of clients, the safekeeping of clients’ crypto-assets and funds, complaints-handling, and the management of conflicts of interest.
At present the crypto-asset service is called virtual currency service. In the future, instead of virtual currency, a broader definition of crypto-asset will be in place and in order to continue activities in the field, they will have to be brought in line with the requirements arising from the MiCa regulation and a crypto-asset service authorisation will have to be obtained from the Financial Supervision Authority. The Bill also provides additional provisions for the exercise of supervision which are analogous to the regulations provided in other Acts concerning the financial sector and thereby equal treatment of asset classes will be ensured.
In the course of the second reading, among other things, an amendment was made to the Bill to extend the period of transition to new requirements by six months. This means that market participants will have to transfer to the requirements set out in the Regulation by 1 July 2026 at the latest.
During the debate, Andrei Korobeinik and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart from the Estonian Centre Party Group and Maris Lauri from the Estonian Reform Party Group took the floor.
The Bill on Amendments to the Health Services Organisation Act and Other Acts (401 SE), initiated by the Government, will allow family physicians to also service people who are not on their practice list and will make the division of work in primary health care more flexible. Under the Bill, the Estonian Health Insurance Fund will also have the possibility to assign people who are on a list that no longer has a family physician to another list that is not full and that has a service area corresponding to their place of residence.
At the same time, the Bill will create the possibility to authorise the marketing of a medicine without a marketing authorisation in the case of a definite diagnosis in order to ensure uninterrupted availability in Estonia of a medicine significant in terms of human or animal health. In addition, in the interests of legal clarity, family medical care will be introduced into the Act as a new definition instead of general medical care and the definition of health centre will be employed which will give family medical centres an opportunity to carry greater regional responsibility.
In the course of the second reading, several amendments were made to the Bill that concern above all the state fees relating to tobacco products. An amendment was also incorporated into the Bill under which dentists, in the same way as doctors, will be able to participate in the provision of specialised medical care, according to their competence and experience, together with a specialised dentist.
Liisa Pakosta from Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group took the floor during the debate.
Five drafts passed the first reading
The Bill on Amendments to the Land Tax Act (437 SE), initiated by the Government, will increase local governments’ decision-making power in determining land tax. The amendment of the Act will not mean an increase in land tax to a greater extent than provided by the current Act. The tax relief for land under homes will remain, but its amount will be decided by municipal councils which will be given greater discretion for this.
At present, the fiscal autonomy of local governments is insufficient, leaving municipalities dependent on central government funding decisions. This forces municipalities to wait for state funding when making their budgets which in turn hinders forward planning for local life. Increasing fiscal autonomy at local government level will allow municipalities to strike a better balance between the level of services and the imposition of taxes.
In 2025, the annual increase in land tax will be subject to a uniform national ceiling of up to 50 percent, and 20 euro in the case when the 50 percent increase in an amount of land tax is less than 20 euro. From 2026 onwards, local governments will be able to set their own limit for the annual increase in land tax, ranging from ten to one hundred percent. Land tax cannot exceed the amount of the land tax calculated on the basis of the taxable value of the land and the land tax rate.
According to the Bill, the nationwide area-based tax relief for land under homes will be abolished from 2026, but local governments will be able to decide on the size of the amount-based tax relief for land under homes within the range of five to one thousand euro and land tax will have to be paid for the part exceeding the tax relief. A higher land tax can be paid in two instalments: by 31 March and 1 October. The Bill will increase the amount of the first payment from 64 euro to 100 euro.
Pursuant to the Bill, from 2025 the maximum tax rate on residential land and land parcels located within yards on profit yielding land will be increased from 0.5 per cent to one per cent of the taxable value of the land. The maximum rate of land tax on “other land”, such as commercial land, production land and transport land, will also be increased from one per cent to two per cent of the taxable value of the land.
In addition, the Bill will make a specification that land in state ownership with intended purpose of public construction works land will be exempt from tax only if the land is used by a state agency or local government agency.
Land tax is currently the only property tax in Estonia that has remained at the same level since 2012.
During the debate, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Group, Aivar Kokk on behalf of Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Arvo Aller on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Madis Kallas on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group.
The Estonian Centre Party Group, the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Isamaa Parliamentary Group moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 18 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 52 voted against. Thus, the motion was not supported, and the first reading of the Bill was concluded.
The purpose of the Bill on Amendments to the Child Protection Act and Other Acts (427 SE), initiated by the Government, is to improve the identification and assistance of children in need and to increase the number of foster families.
Everyone has a duty to report a child in need to the local government, but despite this many cases come to the attention of child protection too late. The role of people working with children in identifying children in need will therefore be increased.
The Bill lists specialists, such as teachers, coaches and doctors, who have a special duty of care to recognise a child’s need for help and to inform the child protection worker of the local government thereof. The Bill will also specify the right of local governments and the Social Insurance Board to process personal data in the performance of child protection tasks.
The Bill will improve support for foster, guardianship and adoptive families who have taken a child from another family to be raised in their family. The aim of the support services will be to provide ongoing additional support to families who have taken on this responsible task and to safeguard the well-being of the children growing up in the families.
The Bill will also create the possibility for information on children in need of permanent support due to their health condition to be automatically transmitted to local governments via information systems early on. A list of such health conditions will be set out in a regulation. According to a provisional agreement they will be blindness in both eyes, cancer diagnosis, rare disease, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities. The aim of the amendment is to integrate the health and social services offered to children and families to ease the burden on parents by making optimal use of available data. Once the information about a child is received, the local government and the Social Protection Board will have an obligation to offer support measures to the family without the parent or guardian having to apply for assistance themselves.
During the debate, Rain Epler took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Helmen Kütt on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group.
The Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 11 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 50 voted against. Thus, the motion was not supported, and the first reading of the Bill was concluded.
The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Supporting the adoption of nuclear energy in Estonia” (431 OE), submitted by 55 members of the Riigikogu, will enable the start of the preparations for the adoption of nuclear energy in Estonia and the establishment of an appropriate legal framework for this purpose.
With the draft Resolution, the Riigikogu will make a fundamental decision on whether to consider nuclear energy production in Estonia in the future. The draft Resolution is mainly based on the analysis conducted by the Nuclear Energy Working Group in 2021–2023 which concluded that the adoption of nuclear energy in Estonia is feasible.
Preparation for the adoption of nuclear energy will mean the drafting of the Nuclear Energy and Safety Act and, if necessary, amending and supplementing the existing legislation, the establishment of an institution regulating the safe use of nuclear energy, and the development of sectoral competences.
During the debate, Priit Lomp took the floor on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group, Urmas Reinsalu on behalf of Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Toomas Uibo on behalf of Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group, Rain Epler on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Mario Kadastik on behalf of the Estonian Reform Party Group.
The Social Democratic Party Group moved to reject the draft Resolution at the first reading. 19 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 45 voted against. Thus, the motion was not supported, and the first reading of the draft Resolution was concluded.
The purpose of the Bill on Amendments to the Aviation Act (436 SE), initiated by the Government, is to organise the legal landscape for military aviation.
The Bill will allow the Estonian Military Academy and the Estonian Aviation Academy to cooperate from the new academic year. The Military Academy wishes to start training in aircraft piloting and to procure a service regarding pilot training from the Aviation Academy. For this, it is necessary that the Minister of Climate be able to grant the Aviation Academy the right to train the Military Academy cadets under its certificate.
Provisions delegating authority will also be organised in the Act so that the necessary areas can be properly regulated in military aviation Regulations. Among other things, defence industry companies will have the opportunity to expand their activities in the field of military aviation, as the unit engaged in the supervision of military aviation within the composition of the Defence Forces will be able to grant them the relevant certificates to provide a service or sell a product, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle or its parts.
Under the Bill on Amendments to the European Parliament Election Act (lowering of the electoral age and the age for standing as a candidate) (414 SE), initiated by 45 Members of the Riigikogu, people of at least 16 years of age will be able to vote and people of at least 18 years of age will be able to stand as candidates in the European Parliament elections from 2029. Currently, citizens of at least 18 years of age can vote and citizens of at least 21 years of age can stand as candidates in European Parliament elections.
With the amendment, the initiators wish to involve more young people than before in the discussion and deciding of European issues. They point out in the explanatory memorandum that, as Estonia’s population is ageing, political engagement and decision-making is increasingly skewed towards the elderly electorate. According to the initiators, the amendment will put youth issues more in the public spotlight, encourage young people to participate in social life as active citizens, as well as help influence European-level decisions concerning young people’s interests, needs, and future.
Citizens of Estonia and citizens of the European Union who do not have Estonian citizenship whose permanent residence is in Estonia will continue to have the right to vote and to stand as candidates.
During the debate, Jaak Valge took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group, Urmas Reinsalu on behalf of Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Raimond Kaljulaid on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group and Irja Lutsar on behalf of Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group.
The Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. Four members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 48 voted against. Thus, the motion was not supported, and the first reading of the Bill was concluded.
Five drafts were dropped from the proceedings
The Riigikogu rejected the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Making a proposal to the Government of the Republic to lower the VAT on domestic fruit and vegetables to 5 per cent“ (406 OE), submitted by the Estonian Centre Party Group. It was intended to make a proposal to the Government to lower the VAT on domestic fruit and vegetables to five per cent.
According to the explanatory memorandum, the aim of the draft Resolution was to encourage people to consume healthier products and thereby to improve their eating habits.
During the debate, Lauri Laats took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Group, Jürgen Ligi on behalf of the Estonian Reform Party Group and Siim Pohlak on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group.
At the final vote, 12 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of the draft Resolution and two were against. There were two abstentions. The support of a majority of the membership of the Riigikogu, that is, at least 51 votes in favour, would have been needed for the Resolution to be passed.
The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Making a proposal to the Government of the Republic to implement a digital services tax in Estonia” (408 OE), submitted by the Estonian Centre Party Group, was intended to make a proposal to the Government to establish a digital services tax to ensure that high-turnover multinational digital service providers contribute fairly to the budget of the country in which they earn their revenue. According to the draft Resolution, the tax rate would have been ten per cent and would have been payable by foreign legal entities with a global turnover of at least 750 million euro in the preceding year and earning a revenue of at least 100,000 euro from the sale of digital services in Estonia.
During the debate, Siim Pohlak took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Lauri Laats on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Group.
At the final vote, 13 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of the draft Resolution. The support of a majority of the membership of the Riigikogu, that is, at least 51 votes in favour, would have been needed for the Resolution to be passed.
The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Making a proposal to the Government of the Republic to increase support to hobby activities of young people” (407 OE), submitted by the Estonian Centre Party Group, was intended to make a proposal to the Government to raise the amount of the support to hobby activities of young people paid to local governments to 14.25 million, as it was before 2022. According to the presenters, municipalities are not able to cover to the full extent the needs of hobby activities, and an increase in support would help improve the availability of hobby education and offer young people a wider range of opportunities.
During the debate, Lauri Laats took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Group.
At the final vote, 11 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of the draft Resolution. The support of a majority of the membership of the Riigikogu, that is, at least 51 votes in favour, would have been needed for the Resolution to be passed.
The Riigikogu rejected the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Making a proposal to the Government of the Republic to restore the school sport support for young people” (405 OE), submitted by the Estonian Centre Party Group. It was intended to make a proposal to the Government to restore the school sport support for young people.
The explanatory memorandum pointed out that school sport plays a significant role in shaping children’s physical activity habits as well as healthy lifestyles. The presenters pointed out that a total of half a million euro had been withdrawn from the organisations that had been centrally supporting school sport, the Estonian School Sport Union and the Estonian Sports Association Jõud, and distributed to county sports associations.
During the debate, Vadim Belobrovtsev took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Group and Kristina Šmigun-Vähi on behalf of the Estonian Reform Party Group.
At the final vote, ten members of the Riigikogu were in favour of the draft Resolution and 40 were against.
The Bill on Amendments to the Penal Code (411 SE), initiated by Member of the Riigikogu Kalle Grünthal, was intended to include in the Code the necessary elements of an offence to provide a punishment for ignoring the principle of the presumption of innocence.
According to the Bill, activities whereby, knowingly and without a legal basis, a person was presumed guilty of a criminal offence before a judgment of conviction has entered into force with regard to him or her would have been punishable by a pecuniary punishment or up to one year’s imprisonment.
The lead committee moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 38 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and one was against.
The deliberation of two drafts was deferred
The first reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic not to recognise the results of the presidential election in the Russian Federation” (395 OE), submitted by Isamaa Parliamentary Group, and the Bill on Amendments to the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act and the Vocational Educational Institutions Act (404 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Group, was cancelled at today’s sitting due to the absence of the presenters.
The sitting ended at 11.50 p.m.
Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)
Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.