By Plenary Sessions: Varro Vooglaid

The speaker demonstrates expertise in the procedural matters of the Riigikogu, particularly concerning the organization of political statements by ministers and the options available under the Rules of Procedure. On economic topics, they refer to the assessment by the Estonian Association of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises regarding the impact of tax increases on SMEs. They are also knowledgeable about the work of the Social Affairs Committee when discussing international conventions.

The speaker demonstrates expertise in the fields of energy and economics, utilizing precise data on renewable energy subsidies and corporate net profits, and performs his own calculations to determine profits without those subsidies. He is also familiar with legal and semiotic analyses concerning prohibited symbols (referencing the 2004 analysis by the University of Tartu Centre for Semiotics). Furthermore, he has a strong understanding of the role CO2 quotas play in establishing a competitive advantage in the energy market.

The speaker demonstrates expertise in the fields of banking and taxation, citing specific financial data regarding the growth of bank profits (from 0.5 billion to 1 billion euros). They also delve into the technical details of taxation, comparing the Estonian situation with the Lithuanian bank tax model and the role of deposit interest in calculating taxable profit.

The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding statistics on hate speech proceedings in the United Kingdom, using specific figures (e.g., 12,737 cases, 85% conviction rate in 2023) to support their positions. They are also familiar with the results of the earlier expert analysis of the Lihula monument from 2004, emphasizing that the absence of Nazi symbolism had already been established. They pose detailed questions concerning the use of prisons and the potential for corruption schemes.

The speaker demonstrates deep knowledge of both the legal and substantive matters concerning the drafting of the state budget, referencing Articles 115 and 116 of the Constitution and the positions held by the Chancellor of Justice. Furthermore, they are familiar with specific budget lines, such as the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications' expenditures on gender equality. In addition, they are up to date on the developments and cost fluctuations of the international infrastructure project Rail Baltic, citing Latvia's position as an example.

The speaker demonstrates expertise in the specifics of social and family policy legislation, particularly concerning the conditions for health insurance. They accurately describe which mothers are affected by the change (e.g., those raising children aged 3–8). Furthermore, they are familiar with previous cuts related to family policy, such as the removal of the income tax exemption. They leverage this technical knowledge to critique the claims made in the explanatory memorandum and the sheer absurdity of the draft bill.

The speaker demonstrates knowledge of legislative procedure by inquiring about procedural options (recess, suspension of debate). He also shows a deep engagement with the impact of legal obligations (enhanced duty of care) on specific offices, analyzing the fundamental transformation of those roles.

The speaker demonstrates detailed knowledge on both environmental (diameters and depths of phosphorite boreholes in Lääne-Virumaa) and economic topics (the scale of Nordica's losses, the 22 million loss from the SAS contract). He relies on legislation, citing Section 80 of the Public Service Act regarding the responsibility of officials. He also uses historical context, mentioning the phosphorite war of the 1980s.

The speaker demonstrates knowledge of the history of tax policy, specifically referencing the decoupling of the link between motor fuel excise duty and road maintenance funding during the previous economic crisis. He/She uses technical language ("earmarked use," "fuel excise duty") and demands specific statistical data from the minister responsible for the sector regarding the collected amount and its proportional utilization.