By Plenary Sessions: Annely Akkermann

The speaker supports lowering the VAT rate on cancer medicines, representing the Finance Committee's position on the matter. This stance is clearly aimed at improving the accessibility of healthcare.

The speaker clearly takes a stand against lowering the VAT on foodstuffs and medicines, arguing that reducing the sales tax will not result in a genuine price decrease for the consumer. He emphasizes that prices are agreements negotiated between the buyer and the seller, and last year’s experience demonstrated that even without raising the VAT rate, prices still rose and sellers’ profit margins expanded.

The speaker strongly advocates for increasing the budgetary independence of constitutional institutions, stressing the necessity of reducing the executive branch's influence over their funding decisions. These views are clearly aimed at protecting institutional balance, highlighting the crucial role of the principle of separation of powers in a democratic state governed by the rule of law.

The speaker is a staunch proponent of the free market economy within the energy sector, highlighting that electricity prices are lower in the Nordic countries precisely because of a more liberalized market. They advocate for the liberalization of energy markets and are keen to learn about current trends in market freedom. Furthermore, they support the concept of a European Energy Union and call for increased investments aimed at achieving closer integration of energy markets.

The speaker adopts a clear stance on education policy matters, stressing the necessity of a differentiated approach to boys' education. He/She raises a critical question regarding the minister's proposal to extend compulsory schooling, suggesting that changing teaching methods would be preferable instead.