The faction of the Riigikogu Estonian Central Party will vote against the adoption of the state budget related to the government’s vote of confidence, because the coalition led by the Reform Party does not take into account the ability of people and companies to cope in the economic downturn, says Jaak Aab, the deputy chairman of the finance committee.
“Today’s government has left the majority of Estonian families at the mercy of the economic crisis, the tax changes serve the interests of the wealthier social class. Also, the coalition parties stand idly by as companies go bankrupt and unemployment increases. The next year’s state budget prepared by the government and the related tax increases, the increase of various state fees and charges will not help to improve the livelihood of Estonian people and companies, but will worsen the problems even more,” confirms Jaak aab.
The faction of the Center Party made a number of amendments to the 2024 state budget, which drew attention to areas of concern, which, according to Jaak Aab, the last two governments led by the Reform Party have not found solutions to.
“We made, among other things, proposals for revitalizing the economy, a salary increase for teachers, policemen and rescuers, an extraordinary pension increase, supporting municipal investments, continuing with road construction, raising the subsistence level and continuing with free county public transport. Since the government coalition tied the state budget draft and 12 other drafts to the government’s confidence, these proposals could not be discussed in the hall or voted on. The government did not consider any of the opposition’s amendments!” emphasizes Jaak Aab.
According to Jaak Aabi, in a situation where Estonia’s economy has declined for seven quarters in a row, a package to revive the economy through public investments must be developed as a matter of urgency. “The coalition has several opportunities to stop the decline of the economy, but unfortunately it is not being done. Road construction projects are significantly cut, national investments agreed in previous governments have been omitted, municipalities are not given additional money for local investments,” the former multiple-time minister lists. “Due to the indecision and incompetence of the government, the salaries of the teachers, who are forced to go on strike to achieve their demands, remain unpaid. It is also unacceptable to leave lifeguards and police officers without a salary increase in conditions of high inflation.”
Jaak Aab notes that the government has reneged on the promise to raise the average old-age pension to 1,000 euros within four years. “The Center Party has consistently stood for an extraordinary pension increase, and our proposal was to increase the basic part of the pension every year by at least 30 euros and to raise the support of a pensioner living alone to 300 euros,” says the deputy. “Additional money must also be allocated to implement the care reform and ensure support persons for children. The current funding is not enough for people to get the necessary support both at home and in welfare institutions.”
The coalition’s road roll has created a stalemate in the Riigikogu, where the normal law-making process has been blocked, and according to Jaak Aabi, it is not clear that the Reform Party is ready to find a common ground with the opposition. “In the current economic crisis and the tense security situation, necessary decisions should be made quickly, but this is not possible. The government coalition led by Kaja Kallas does not understand the criticality and danger of the situation that has developed for the Estonian state and people. The prime minister does not seek agreements, but opposes himself both to the opposition and to the interests of the Estonian people. That’s why Kaja Kallas has to leave the post of prime minister, only then will it be possible to get out of the stalemate and get the Estonian state functioning again,” says the deputy chairman of the Center Party.
