Session Profile: Aleksei Jevgrafov
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
2024-07-29
Political Position
The most striking position is the strong opposition to the car tax, which is viewed as undermining family livelihoods and making life more difficult in rural areas. The political stance is performance-based, highlighting the government's failure to rescue the economy and its broken election promises regarding tax increases. Alternative methods for filling the budget are supported, such as a bank tax and abandoning the planned income tax reform.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of fiscal policy, presenting specific figures comparing the expected revenue from the bank tax (€500 million) and the car tax. Legal expertise is also referenced, citing the Supreme Court's observations regarding the feasibility of challenging the car tax and the restriction of the rights of the parliamentary minority. Statistical indicators (inflation, economic recession, rising unemployment) are used when describing the economic situation.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative and critical, accusing the coalition of hypocrisy and deliberately attempting to make life harder for the populace. Both emotional appeals (the struggles of families and rural residents) and logical arguments (economic recession, tax hikes) are employed. The speaker frequently directs pointed questions at the coalition and highlights the Reform Party's failure to deliver on its promises.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Insufficient data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the government coalition, particularly the Reform Party, which stands accused of breaking election promises and deliberately worsening the lives of the populace. The criticism is intense, focusing both on failed economic policy and procedural issues related to the handling of bills, which have been labeled as obstruction. Rather than seeking compromise, the coalition is being called upon to change its policies.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker referred to collaboration with stakeholders—specifically people with disabilities and large families—when drafting the proposed amendments. They also mentioned a proposal signed by their colleague, Igor Taro. There was no expression of readiness to compromise with the coalition; instead, the coalition was urged to think and find new ways to fill the state budget.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
In politics, there is a strong regional focus on rural areas, emphasizing that owning a car is often an essential means of transportation there. Criticism is leveled against measures that make life in rural areas untenable, such as the closure of rural schools, the abolition of free public transport, and the reduction of investment in road construction.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker opposes broad-based tax hikes (such as VAT, income tax, and car tax) that reduce the purchasing power of the population, and supports the redistribution of income through the introduction of a bank tax. The development of a public sector personnel reform and an economic rescue plan is demanded in order to halt the recession and curb inflation.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Socially and politically, the focus is on supporting vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities and large families, though the government ignored the amendments proposed for them. Raising the excise duty on tobacco and alcohol is considered acceptable because it is linked to free choice, in contrast to the necessity of owning a car.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative goal is to oppose the car tax bill and vote against it, while also pointing to the possibility of challenging it in administrative court. The Center Party’s amendments concerning social benefits (for people with disabilities and large families) are considered important, although the coalition deemed them obstructionist.
1 Speeches Analyzed