The Riigikogu discussed issues related to livelihood
The Riigikogu heard replies to six interpellations.
Prime Minister Kristen Michal replied to the interpellation concerning the sharp increase in absolute poverty (No. 884), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Tanel Kiik, Helmen Kütt, Andre Hanimägi, Riina Sikkut, Jaak Aab, Heljo Pikhof and Lauri Läänemets.
The interpellators wanted to know how the Government assessed the impact of the economic downturn, crises, and tax policy decisions on social cohesion and people’s sense of security.
Michal said that the economic downturn and crises had an impact on people’s sense of security. He referred to the European Commission’s Economic Sentiment Indicator which fortunately has been growing steadily since last year. According to the level last measured this January, the Economic Sentiment Indicator was the best in the past 29 months. “Consumer confidence, as measured by the Estonian Institute of Economic Research, is also on the rise, reaching its highest level in the past 27 months this January,” the Prime Minister noted. He added that the employment rate was 76.8% for people aged 16 to retirement age; for people aged 20–24, the employment rate was 60.8% in 2025. According to the estimates of the Bank of Estonia, the unemployment rate will fall and remain at 6.6%. “Therefore, there is reason to believe that the economic decisions made by the Government have increased residents’ confidence in the future and their sense of security. This is also demonstrated by the Economic Sentiment Indicators referred to earlier,” Michal said.
The interpellators also wanted to know what the Government’s main measures would be to support people’s livelihoods, strengthen cohesion, and prevent radicalization in the coming years.
“The most important thing is to continue with decisions that support economic growth: reducing bureaucracy, increasing competitiveness, and maintaining a stable tax burden,” Michal explained. According to him, it is important to move forward with the reform that ensures uniform Estonian-language education for all children. “Estonia is a democratic country where people have freedom of action and the right to express their diverse thoughts and beliefs,” the Prime Minister noted. He referred to the 2024 Democracy Index compiled by The Economist which ranked Estonia 21st as a full democracy. This is a category that includes only 25 countries in total. Estonia ranks first in the 2024 Human Rights Index by Our World in Data.
Michal stated that radicalization in itself was certainly more multifaceted, part of which could also involve the livelihood aspect, as well as many other issues, including belonging, extremist propaganda, a sense of belonging, and many other things.
Prime Minister also replied to the interpellations concerning children living in absolute poverty (No. 864), the use of social networks and social media among children and young people (No. 885) and the record low birth rate for the fourth consecutive year (No. 890).
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras replied to the interpellation concerning the closure of post offices (No. 872) at the sitting on 9 February. The debate on the issue was adjourned at that sitting due to the end of the working hours of the sitting. The debate continued at today’s sitting.
Terras also replied to the interpellation concerning the reform of public transport in counties (No. 873).
Two interpellations were not discussed today due to the end of the working hours of the sitting. They were the interpellation concerning the worsening of the economic situation of pensioners and families with children (No. 889), submitted to Terras, and the interpellation concerning the state of dentistry in Estonia (No. 849), submitted to Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller. The deliberation was deferred.
The interpellation concerning ensuring freedom of conscience in the implementation of the LGBTIQ action plan (No. 883) submitted to Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas was excluded from the agenda for today on the motion of the interpellators.
At the beginning of the sitting, Tõnis Lukas submitted a motion of no confidence in Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas on behalf of 28 members of the Riigikogu.
The sitting ended at 11.47 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
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