Session Profile: Aleksei Jevgrafov
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
2024-04-09
Political Position
The political emphasis is on criticizing the economic crisis, rapid impoverishment, and the government's failed tax policy. The speaker strongly opposes the coalition's actions, stressing that the government has chosen an unjust path to resolve the difficult situation, which primarily harms the most vulnerable population groups. The focus is heavily directed toward assessing the government's actions and performance, demanding immediate measures to keep the economy afloat.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of macroeconomics and social statistics, citing the Bank of Estonia’s forecasts regarding the prolonged recession and Statistics Estonia’s data on poverty. Concrete figures and thresholds for relative and absolute poverty are used (e.g., 303,900 people, the 756 euro limit). Detailed changes in tax policy and their impact on specific groups are also addressed (e.g., 150,000 people affected by the cancellation of the tax benefit for housing loan interest).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is sharply critical and urgent, highlighting the severity of the recession and increasing poverty, contrasting this with the minister's "beautiful numbers" projected for 2035. Logical arguments and factual lists (a list of tax hikes) are employed to demonstrate the negative impact of the government's actions. The piece concludes with an emotional appeal directed at the coalition and a patriotic rallying cry ("Straighten your back, Estonia!").
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Delivering a report at the plenary session of the Riigikogu, he/she criticizes the government's actions and economic policy. He/She notes that the speaker's parliamentary group recently submitted bills to the Riigikogu for deliberation concerning the introduction of a bank tax and a digital services tax.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opponents are the coalition led by the Reform Party (Reform Party, Eesti 200, Social Democrats), which is facing sharp criticism over tax hikes and failed crisis management. The criticism is policy- and performance-based, accusing the government of breaking promises made before the elections and dipping into people’s pockets. The opposition is intense, leveling accusations that the government is serving the interests of the wealthier segment of society.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Insufficient data. The speech focuses on introducing bills initiated by its faction and criticizing the government, and there is no mention of willingness to cooperate with other parties.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily on national economic and social issues (Estonia's economic downturn, national debt, poverty rates). The sole regional reference is the criticism regarding the cancellation of free county public transport, which affects local residents.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Supports stimulating the economy through state borrowing and investments to help businesses and preserve jobs. It strongly opposes raising income tax and VAT, which disproportionately harm the poor and the middle class. It advocates for alternative revenue sources, such as a bank tax and a digital services tax, and emphasizes the necessity of boosting the international competitiveness and added value of companies.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The social focus is on the issues of poverty and income inequality, particularly concerning the circumstances of elderly individuals living alone and families with children. The text criticizes the reduction of benefits for large families and the cancellation of tax breaks for spouses and children, arguing that these actions deepen poverty. It demands that the state stop taking the last pennies from pensioners and the poor.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is opposing the tax increases (such as the rise in income tax and excises) and benefit cuts (such as the support for large families) imposed by the coalition. The speaker’s faction has initiated bills to establish a bank tax and a digital services tax to secure funds for crucial investments, including salary increases for teachers and rescuers.
1 Speeches Analyzed