The Bill on the cancellation of excise duty increases passed the second reading in the Riigikogu
The Riigikogu deliberated three Bills and heard the replies to five interpellations.
A Bill passed the second reading
The purpose of the Bill on Amendments to the Act on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act and Other Acts (RT I 14 December 2021, 1) and the Act on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act and Other Acts (RT I, 2 January 2025, 1) (cancellation of the excise duty increases planned for 1 May 2026) (857 SE), initiated by the Government, is to alleviate the price pressure on energy carriers faced by Estonian consumers and businesses as a result of the crisis in the Middle East. The bill will cancel the increases in the excise duty rates for motor fuels and heating oils, as well as natural gas and electricity planned for 1 May 2026. The amendment will help curb inflation and support the competitiveness of Estonian companies in a situation where prices are rising across the region.
Due to the changed security situation and the resulting supply disruptions in the global market, the sharp rise in energy prices has created a new economic environment where the implementation of previously planned tax increases in their original form is not expedient. It is necessary to ensure economic stability in a situation where retail prices are responding quickly to global crises. Since the current price increase is due to supply-side obstacles, the state’s move is aimed at avoiding the addition of an extra tax burden.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin (Centre Party), Aivar Kokk (Isamaa), Lauri Laats (Centre Party) and Rain Epler (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Evelin Poolamets (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) and Peeter Ernits took the floor during the debate.
The second reading of the Bill was concluded. The third reading and final vote are scheduled for the sitting on Wednesday, 15 April.
A Bill passed the first reading
The Bill on Amendments to the Weapons Act and the Explosives Act (855 SE), initiated by the Government, aims to streamline the regulation of the handling, storage, use, and supervision of weapons and ammunition so that the Act would be more effective. According to the explanatory memorandum, in addition to increasing national defence readiness, society’s defence capability, and internal security, the Act will also help improve opportunities for hunting tourism and sports. The bill will make the requirements for storing weapons more risk-based, reduce the administrative burden on owners of smaller quantities of weapons, and allow for holding larger stocks of ammunition to increase national defence readiness. The Weapons Act will be fully brought into line with the EU Firearms Directive.
The bill will also specify the rules for the use of weapons and the transport of weapons and ammunition and establish a procedure for notifying of economic activities for shooting ranges and for businesses engaged in the sale of certain weapons. In addition, the regulation of the weapons register will be updated, the validity period of acquisition permits and the deadlines for handling inherited weapons will be extended, and the Police and Border Guard Board will be given more precise discretionary power when revoking permits.
The bill will not amend the requirements for the medical examination needed for a weapons permit as any potential amendments concerning the medical component require more in-depth discussion. However, it was pointed out that it would be reasonable for family physicians to refer applicants for a weapons permit to a psychiatrist only when necessary, and to consider combining the medical certificates required for a driver’s license and a weapons permit, that is, creating a universal medical certificate.
During the debate, Peeter Tali (Estonia 200), Henn Põlluaas (Isamaa) and Varro Vooglaid (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor on behalf of their parliamentary groups. Minister of the Interior Igor Taro also took the floor.
The first reading of the Bill was concluded.
A Bill was rejected at the first reading
The first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Family Benefits Act (808 SE), initiated by the Centre Party Parliamentary Group, continued at today’s sitting. It had been adjourned due to the end of the working hours of the sitting on 9 April. The aim of the Bill is to increase childbirth allowance and adoption allowance in order to improve the financial well-being of families and reduce the risk of facing economic difficulties immediately after childbirth. The Bill was intended to increase the childbirth allowance to 1000 euro per child, 3000 euro in the case of twins, and 10,000 euro per child for the birth of triplets or higher-order multiples. In addition, it was intended to raise the adoption allowance to 1000 euro.
The lead committee moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 42 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 23 voted against. The Bill was dropped from the legislative proceedings.
Five interpellations were replied
Jürgen Ligi replied to the interpellation concerning the differences in economic growth between Estonia and Latvia (No. 956), submitted by members of the Riigikogu.
Minister of Culture Heidy Purga replied to the interpellation concerning the availability of cultural and sporting events and activities in the cultural sector for young people (No. 941).
Minister of Energy and the Environment Andres Sutt replied to the interpellations concerning the planned consolidation of silviculture positions at the State Forest Management Centre (No. 935), the damage to state property during the implementation of nature conservation and climate policy measures(No. 936), and the spending of the State Forest Management Centre (No. 943).
The interpellation concerning the costs of CO2 quota in connection with the decisions of Estonia and Italy (No. 937) was excluded from the agenda for today on the motion of the interpellators. It had been submitted to Minister of Energy and the Environment Andres Sutt.
At the beginning of the sitting, the Riigikogu observed a moment of silence in memory of Vootele Hansen who had been a member of the 7th, 8th, and 9th Riigikogu.
The sitting ended at 10.26 p.m.
Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)
Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
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Questions: [email protected]
