Agenda Profile: Annely Akkermann
First Reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Value-Added Tax Act (661 SE)
2025-10-09
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Political Position
The political stance strongly backs the government's fiscal policy, emphasizing that the borrowed funds (1.6 billion) are being channeled into investments and defense expenditures, rather than being used to cover running costs. This position is results-oriented, focusing on concrete financial metrics and exceeding the NATO 2% standard. The speaker defends the government's decision to take out the loan and ensures its targeted application.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the financial specifics of the state budget and defense spending, citing concrete figures for the loan (1.6 billion), investments (1.3 billion), and defense expenditures (1.2 billion). They emphasize the ability to differentiate between investments and ongoing fixed costs, and reference the 2% standard agreed upon within NATO. They assume that their opponents should have read the budget's front page.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is confrontational and authoritative, leveling direct accusations of the opponent's incompetence during the budget reading. Analogies emphasizing hierarchy and order (president, boatswain, car) are employed, and references are made to statements by President Meri. The criticism targets both the substance and the procedure, stressing that certain actions are simply not permissible.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The data is limited to a single appearance in the Riigikogu on October 8, 2025, during the first reading of the draft Value Added Tax Act. The speaker mentions that they listened to the presentation and the discussion from their room.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary criticism is directed at opponents who fail to grasp the structure of the state budget and the purpose of the loan, accusing them of not even reading the budget's first page. The Social Democrats are separately criticized for inappropriate actions (specifically, conducting VAT calculations within the Ministry of Agriculture), with emphasis placed on this being an unacceptable procedural error.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is not enough data.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is strictly on national and international issues, covering the state budget, defense expenditures (the NATO standard), and questions of ministerial competence.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Supports state borrowing and significant expenditure, provided that these funds are directed toward investments and national defense, rather than covering ongoing fixed costs. It emphasizes fiscal responsibility, clearly distinguishing between investment loans and loans taken out to cover current expenditures.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Insufficient data.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative focus is on the draft Act amending the Value-Added Tax Act (661 SE) and the associated defense of the state budget. The speaker is a strong supporter and defender of the government's budget package, focusing primarily on the targeted use of finances.
4 Speeches Analyzed