08.September 2025

Kai Realo: parem tegelda sotsiaal- ja tervishoiukuludega kui automaksuga

Kai Realo: It's better to deal with social and healthcare costs than with a car tax

Ma pean tunnistama, et mul on kahju, et jääb valimistega samal ajal. Valimiste ajal tavaliselt öeldakse asju, mis ei pruugi olla tõsi. See ei aita riigieelarve tegemisel.

Eesti inimesed vajavad kindlust. Maksutõusud ja maailma olukord on tekitanud paljudes hirmu. Näiteks Leedus tunnevad inimesed, et kõik saab paremaks. See aitab ka riigi majandusel. Meiegi peaksime inimestele julgustust andma.

Populistlikud sõnumid, mis on valimistega seotud, ei aita riiki. Näiteks automaksust räägitakse palju, aga see ei lahenda meie suuri probleeme. Oluline on tegelda sotsiaaltoetuste ja ega. Meie rahvastik vananeb ja see toob kaasa suuri väljakutseid.

Automaksu kohta on palju arutelusid. Kas see on varamaks või keskkonnamaks? Praegu ei ole selge, kuidas seda õigustada. Samuti on oluline mõelda, kas tuleks tõsta makse. Eestis on praegu paljudel raske ja maksude tõstmine ei aita.

Ka u langetamist tuleks kaaluda. Meil on üks väheseid riike, kus toit on samamoodi maksustatud kui teised kaubad. Rootsis ja Soomes on elatustase kõrgem, aga ka toit on odavam.

Riigieelarve tegemisel tuleks lähtuda lihtsamast süsteemist. Praegu on raske aru saada, kuhu raha läheb. Klassikaline eelarvemudel oleks selgem ja läbipaistvam.

Samuti peaksime mõtlema, kuidas laenud mõjutavad riiki. Laenamisega tuleb olla ettevaatlik, sest tuleb tagasi maksta intressidega.

Meil on vaja leida viise, kuidas majandust elavdada. Praegu on langenud ja see takistab u. Samuti on vaja rohkem töötajaid, eriti kvalifitseeritud töötajaid.

Pensionid ja tervishoid on olulised teemad. Meil tuleb mõelda, kuidas tagada, et need jääksid kättesaadavaks. Samuti peaksime mõtlema noortele peredele, kellel on tihti raske.

Kokkuvõttes on vaja leida tasakaal. Me ei saa ainult makse tõsta, vaid peame leidma viise, kuidas majandust elavdada ja inimesi toetada.

I must admit that I regret that the state budget preparation coincides with elections. During elections, things are usually said that may not be true. This does not help in preparing the state budget.

Estonian people need security. Tax increases and the global situation have caused fear in many. For example, in Lithuania, people feel that everything will get better. This also helps the country's economy. We should also give people encouragement.

Populist messages related to elections do not help the country. For example, there is much talk about car tax, but it does not solve our major problems. It is important to deal with social benefits and healthcare costs. Our population is aging and this brings great challenges.

There is much debate about car tax. Is it a property tax or an environmental tax? Currently, it is not clear how to justify it. It is also important to consider whether taxes should be raised. In Estonia, many are struggling right now, and raising taxes will not help.

Reducing VAT on food should also be considered. We are one of the few countries where food is taxed the same as other goods. In Sweden and Finland, the standard of living is higher, but food is also cheaper.

When preparing the state budget, a simpler system should be used. Currently, it is difficult to understand where the money is going. A classical budget model would be clearer and more transparent.

We should also think about how loans affect the country. Borrowing should be done cautiously, as it must be repaid with interest.

We need to find ways to stimulate the economy. Currently, people's purchasing power has decreased, and this hinders economic growth. We also need more workers, especially skilled workers.

Pensions and healthcare are important topics. We need to think about how to ensure that these remain accessible. We should also think about young families, who often find it difficult.

In conclusion, we need to find a balance. We cannot just raise taxes, but we must find ways to stimulate the economy and support people.