Session Profile: Aleksei Jevgrafov
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
2024-06-05
Political Position
The most prominent theme is the opposition to the government’s tax increases (car tax, state fees, fines), which are widely regarded as unpopular and detached from reality. The political stance is fiercely oppositional, highlighting the economic downturn and the negative impact of the government’s actions on low-income segments of the population. The rhetoric is heavily value-driven and results-oriented, sharply criticizing the government for its greed and obstinacy. The speaker urges people to vote against the car tax.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise on fiscal policy and addressing budget deficits, offering alternative solutions such as a bank tax and public sector personnel reform. Specific economic data is utilized (economic recession for nine consecutive quarters) and historical comparisons are drawn (a 14% economic decline during the crisis). Furthermore, the speaker is meticulous regarding the sections and points of the draft law, asking for specific justifications for raising state fees and fine rates.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly critical and combative, employing powerful metaphors, such as comparing the Reform Party's economic policy to "a Russian rebellion—senseless and ruthless." The speaker balances reliance on economic data with emotional appeals, accusing the government of greed and being detached from reality. The tone is alarming and demanding, particularly when pressing for justifications and analyses concerning the increase in fine rates.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker’s pattern of activity is centered on participating in the Riigikogu plenary sessions, where they repeatedly pose questions to the rapporteurs of draft legislation and deliver lengthy critical speeches regarding the government’s economic policy. This activity is intense and concentrated within a short period (June 5 and 6), during which several draft bills concerning tax increases are being addressed.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary adversary is the Reform Party-led government coalition, whose economic policy is characterized as intentionally making life harder for the Estonian people. The criticism is intense and accusatory, focusing on the failed implementation of the government's tax increases and the blatant disregard for the opposition's proposals. The government's representative, Finance Minister Mart Võrklaev, is singled out as being particularly cynical and completely out of touch with reality.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker notes with regret that the proposals put forward by the opposition (the Centre Party) were disregarded by the lead committee, indicating a lack of cooperation. He/She urges the members of the Riigikogu to vote together against the car tax, thereby seeking collaboration with other opposition forces or even members of the coalition parties. There is no apparent willingness to compromise with the government.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is clearly directed at rural areas, emphasizing that the car tax will hit families with children living in rural areas the hardest. For these families, a personal car is often the only transportation solution, and they cannot switch from a large, powerful vehicle to a smaller one. This highlights the unique transportation needs of rural regions.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic policies are focused on a crisis exit strategy that necessitates investment, rather than tax hikes and spending cuts. It supports implementing a bank tax to levy enormous profits (550 million euros) and public sector personnel reform. It is strongly opposed to tax increases that diminish families' ability to cope and deepen the economic recession.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
When addressing social issues, the focus is placed on supporting the most vulnerable segments of the population. This includes criticizing the government's decisions to cut benefits for multi-child families and to tax the average pension of retirees. It is stressed that new taxes (such as the car tax) will specifically undermine the financial stability of low-income families. Furthermore, the inconsistency between implementing a sugar tax and simultaneously eliminating funding for the Estonian School Sports Association is also being highlighted.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently centered on the opposition to the government's tax package, particularly regarding the steep rise in the car tax and various state fees (like expedited ID card applications and travel documents). The speaker is a staunch opponent of these bills, raising detailed questions about the justification for increasing fine rates and the actual capacity to inspect vehicles that fail to meet technical standards.
9 Speeches Analyzed