“Last week, I made efforts to end the obstruction. We analysed the amendments thoroughly and I negotiated with the opposition to restore the normal functioning of the state. Unfortunately, the meetings did not produce any results, as the opposition lacked any will to reach an agreement. Therefore, the Government had no choice but to bind the five bills to an issue of confidence,” said Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
The opposition has submitted more than a thousand amendments to the tax bills, making it possible to delay the debate on the bills in the Riigikogu and block the normal everyday work of the Riigikogu.
In addition to the draft Act on Amendments to the Family Benefits Act and to the Act on Amendments to the Family Benefits Act, the Family Law Act, and the Employment Contracts Act (17 SE), the Government has bound the draft Act on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act and to the Act on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act and other Acts (145 SE), the draft Act on Amendments to the Gambling Tax Act (146 SE), the draft Act on Amendments to the Value-Added Tax Act (147 SE), and the draft Act on Amendments to the Income Tax Act and Military Service Act (148 SE) to an issue of confidence.
The Government also requests the President of the Riigikogu to place the adoption of bill 17 SE on the agenda of the sitting of the Riigikogu on 12 June 2023 and the adoption of bills 145 SE, 146 SE, 147 SE, and 148 SE on the agenda of the sitting of the Riigikogu on 14 June 2023.
If the Government binds an issue of confidence to the adoption of a bill it has initiated before the second reading of the bill, it takes over the work of the lead committee, and the President of the Riigikogu sends any amendments to the bill to the Government. The Government must then prepare a new text of the bill, a list of amendments, and an explanatory memorandum. At the same time, the Government sets the date when the Riigikogu will discuss the bill relating to the issue of confidence.
During the discussion of the bill, a representative of the Government makes a presentation, from whom each member of the Riigikogu can ask two questions. Afterwards, the negotiations will begin, during which all members of the Riigikogu and representatives of the committees and parliamentary groups can express their opinions. Amendments are not put to the vote. After the end of the negotiations, the bill is set for a final vote. If the Riigikogu does not adopt a bill bound to an issue of confidence, the President of the Riigikogu immediately informs the President of the Republic thereof, and the Government resigns.
