Agenda Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
Draft law amending the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Tax Act and the Value Added Tax Act (594 SE) – First Reading
2025-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political stance is highly critical of the government's tax policy, which has resulted in mass emigration and a surge in the cost of living. The most crucial issues are the residents' ability to cope and easing the tax burden. The framework is outcome-based, emphasizing the negative impact of the policy on daily life, making it virtually impossible at times.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The expert analysis focuses on the direct impact of excise duties and VAT on residents' cost of living and inflation, emphasizing that high energy prices are caused by local taxation. Specific comparisons are drawn with the tax environments of other countries, such as Spain's 4% VAT on food. The speaker stresses the direct effect that the prices displayed on gas station signs have on price increases across every sector.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is urgent, alarmist, and combative, employing strong language such as "epidemic" and "massive" to characterize the situation. Personal stories (the emigration of a friend) are utilized to create an emotional appeal. Opponents are criticized for lacking a sense of reality and for not needing to worry about counting money (a reference to expense reimbursements).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
No data available.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the Reform Party, which is being blamed for hiking all taxes, excises, and fees, and pushing people past their breaking point. The criticism is intense and includes a personal attack regarding the opponents' disregard for the cost of living, since they benefit from Riigikogu (Parliament) expense allowances.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
No data available
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is at the national level (the Estonian tax environment and residents' ability to cope) and on international comparisons (the Spanish tax environment). There is no specific regional emphasis.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views strongly favor cutting taxes in order to ease the burden on people and curb inflation. The heavy tax burden is responsible for making entrepreneurship unattractive and contributing to mass emigration. Priority is given to measures that improve people's ability to cope with daily life.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social problem is massive out-migration, which is being described as epidemic. This emigration stems from the difficulties of coping with daily life in Estonia due to the high cost of living and heavy taxation.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on supporting the draft amendment (Bill 594 SE) to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel, and Electricity Excise Duty Act and the Value-Added Tax Act. The Speaker supports the bill, the aim of which is to lower excise duties and taxes, even slightly, in order to ease the situation for the public and mitigate the rise in prices.
3 Speeches Analyzed