Parties name 'most realistic' platform pledges
Uudised.err.ee asked the major parties to name their "most realistic" election pledges.
Social Democratic secretary general Indrek Saar:
"Minimum wage growth to 800 euros in four years, smart child benefit of 100 euros a month per child (75 euros child benefit + 25 euros for enrichment classes and the like) and, for large families, benefits of 200 euros a month starting from the third child in the family.
Reform Party board member Kristen Michal:
Securty strategy, raising the benefit paid for a third child to 300 euros, and lowering workforce taxes and increasing the tax-free minimum.
"Lowering workforce taxes will mean 1,512 euros a year more for ordinary Estonian families," he said.
Center Party Deputy Chairman Kadri Simson:
Free public transport across the nation, at a cost of 13 million euros per year as subsidies already count for two thirds of costs.
“I dare to promise that free school lunches will exist in the future, not just as a figure of speech for the ministry,” Simson said, adding that state support should be increased from 78 cents to 150 per meal per student. The increase would come at a cost of 6.5 million euros per year and free meals for kindergarten kids would cost 13 million. The missing sums would come from tax reform, she said, including a progressive tax system and tax on profits for businesses.
IRL Chairman Urmas Reinsalu:
Priority for his party is tax reform for the low-income bracket. He said the party will hand in a motion to Parliament next week to increase the tax free minimum to 500 euros per month from 2016.
The promise comes with a 120-million-euro- annual price tag, which according to Reinsalu will be covered by the natural increase of the state budget. He said according to the Ministry of Finance, the state will rake in 355 million euros more in taxes in 2016 compared to this year.
Reinsalu said the number of people on benefits would decrease and a 1-percent increase in employment rates adds up to 20 million euros in additional tax income.
Editor: J.M. Laats, K. Rikken