Agenda Profile: Annely Akkermann
Draft Land Tax Act (582 SE) - First Reading
2025-04-16
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The speaker backs the current Land Tax Act and strongly opposes the bill put forward by the Isamaa faction, which aims to reinstate the version that was in effect at the start of 2024. They stress that the Government of the Republic unanimously decided not to support the draft legislation and that the implementation of the existing law has not become unreasonable. This stance is clearly pro-government and supports the current tax policy.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the field of land tax legislation, utilizing precise statistical data and technical terminology. They cite specific percentage increases in the tax across various local municipalities, thoroughly explain the mechanisms for determining taxable value, and rely on clarifications provided by experts from the Ministry of Finance. Their knowledge encompasses both legislative aspects and practical implementation issues.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker employs a formally informative style of expression, relying on facts and data. The tone is more explanatory than emotional, featuring many technical details and statistics. They honestly acknowledge the limits of their knowledge ("I simply don't know that," "I can't answer") and regularly reference expert opinions, which demonstrates a cautious and responsible approach.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participated in the Finance Committee's session on April 8, where the first reading of the draft bill was discussed with experts from the Ministry of Finance. He/She serves as the representative of the lead committee and has been appointed to oversee the processing of the draft bill. His/Her work focuses on committee activities and the engagement of experts.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The speaker clearly opposes the bill initiated by the Isamaa faction, but does so primarily through political and factual arguments, rather than resorting to personal attacks. They emphasize that the government does not support the bill and that its reversal is not justified. The criticism is moderate and well-reasoned, rather than sharp or emotional.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker demonstrates a cooperative approach, actively involving experts from the Ministry of Finance and colleague Aivar Kokk. He answers questions from colleagues, although he occasionally admits the limits of his knowledge. His attitude is professional and open to dialogue, even though he maintains a clear stance on the draft bill.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker emphasizes the role and decision-making power of local governments regarding land tax issues. They specifically mention the Väike-Maarja municipality as an example where the land tax is decreasing, and stress that 100% of the land tax revenue accrues to the local government budgets. The focus is clearly on supporting the autonomy of local government in shaping tax policy.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker supports market-based taxation, stressing that the land tax ought to be based on the land's market value. He advocates for greater autonomy for local governments concerning tax rates and reliefs, and views the land tax as a vital revenue stream for local municipalities. The position is pragmatic, endorsing both market mechanisms and local autonomy.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The speaker mentions special concessions for pensioners and victims of repression concerning land tax, but fails to address social issues more broadly. Based on the available data, there is insufficient information regarding his views in other social policy areas.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The speaker is focused on maintaining the Land Tax Act in its current form and opposes any amendments to it. He/She has been appointed as the representative of the leading committee for the processing of this bill and recommends that the draft legislation be rejected. His/Her legislative focus is clearly within the field of taxation, supporting the existing regulation and its phased implementation.
7 Speeches Analyzed