Session Profile: Aleksei Jevgrafov
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
2024-03-19
Political Position
The most significant problem is considered to be the rapid rise in youth obesity, which is being treated as a serious health crisis. The attitude towards the government's proposed sweetened beverage tax is strongly polarized, as it is viewed as an ineffective measure that merely hits people in the pocket. The political framework is policy-centric, focusing on criticizing the ineffectiveness of the proposed solutions (the tax).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrated expertise in the field of public health, highlighting specific statistical data from studies conducted by the National Institute for Health Development (TAI) regarding childhood overweight. They cited that 31% of students in the first, fourth, and seventh grades have excessive body weight. The fundamental basis for solving this problem is considered to be the balance between calorie intake and expenditure.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is formal and analytical, beginning with a polite expression of gratitude to the Minister for the substantive presentation. In justifying their stance, the speaker relies on a specific sad truth derived from statistics and a logical explanation concerning the causes of obesity. Simultaneously, the presentation includes sharp and convinced criticism of the government's tax proposal.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
There is too little data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opposition is aimed at the government's policies, specifically the draft bill for the sweetened beverage tax prepared by the Ministry of Social Affairs. The criticism is policy-driven, accusing the government of failing to solve the underlying problem and focusing solely on collecting tax revenue ("dipping into people's pockets").
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is seeking a solution, urging the Minister of Health to convey a message to the government and inquiring how other government members and ministries could contribute to tackling the problem of obesity. This signals a desire for broad-based, cross-ministerial cooperation.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is strictly national, centering on the health data of Estonian children and national tax policy.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Strong opposition is being voiced against new consumption taxes (the sweetened beverages tax), which are deemed ineffective in solving health problems. The introduction of these taxes is seen first and foremost as the government's effort to collect money, rather than a measure aimed at changing behavior.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is public health, highlighting concerns over the high number of overweight children and adolescents in Estonia. The severity of the issue is underscored, with it being referred to as a "very serious problem."
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is centered on opposing the sugar tax bill drafted by the Ministry of Social Affairs. The speaker is a strong opponent of this proposal, arguing that it lacks the capacity to solve the obesity problem.
1 Speeches Analyzed