Session Profile: Ester Karuse
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
2025-06-11
Political Position
The political stance is firmly against the government’s supplementary budget, criticizing it as an unfair and ideological choice that increases the national debt burden. The main points of emphasis are the lack of social justice and the necessity of finding permanent and equitable funding for defense expenditures (5%), rather than relying on borrowed money. The speaker questions whether the current fiscal policy truly serves society as a whole or merely benefits a wealthy few.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in fiscal policy, budget deficit management, and the mechanisms of the social sector, focusing specifically on the funding sources for the supplementary budget and the national debt burden. Specific financial data is utilized, citing the increase in interest expenses (320 million euros by 2027), the impact of abolishing the income tax exemption mechanism (500 million euros), and the forecasts provided by the Bank of Estonia. Furthermore, the speaker is knowledgeable about previous increases to the subsistence level.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is critical, analytical, and morally charged, frequently employing rhetorical questions concerning government priorities and justice. The speaker balances logical arguments (such as debt burden figures) with emotional appeals, highlighting the lack of solidarity and the excessive burden placed upon working people. Sharp phrases are used, such as "coddling the banks" and "gifts for the rich."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaking pattern indicates active participation in the plenary session during the supplementary budget discussion, first by posing questions to the government representative and subsequently delivering a longer, substantive debate speech.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main adversary is the governing coalition, which is sharply criticized for its unfair tax policy, the deliberate expansion of the deficit, and its failure to support vulnerable groups. The criticism is political and ideological, accusing the government of coddling the wealthy and pursuing irresponsible fiscal management. The opposition to this specific budget is intense and uncompromising.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker identifies themselves as a representative of the Social Democrats and emphasizes the party's prior support for a strong security policy and raising defense spending to 5%. Their readiness to cooperate on national defense matters is conditional, however, requiring that the funding must come from fair and sustainable revenue streams, not through loans or by cutting social expenditures.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is clearly directed towards Southeast Estonia and Valga, highlighting the lower wage levels there, reduced access to services, and the closure of bank branches in smaller settlements. The speaker specifically asks what a person living in Valga stands to gain from the supplementary budget.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views are strongly focused on social justice and progressive taxation, demanding that revenue be collected from large corporations (Google, Facebook) and banks (via a bank tax). The speaker opposes increasing the tax burden on working people (through VAT or income tax hikes) and criticizes the government for consciously increasing the deficit and growing the debt burden. Permanent sources of income are preferred over borrowed funds.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The focus of the social sphere is currently directed at alleviating financial hardship and supporting vulnerable societal groups in the face of inflation. There is a strong call to raise the minimum subsistence level and provide targeted relief measures for pensioners, elderly people living alone, and families with children. The lack of solidarity is the main point of criticism directed at the government's policy.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on opposing the supplementary budget, as it deepens unfairness and increases debt. The priority is the introduction of social relief measures (raising the subsistence level) and finding a permanent and fair source of funding for national defense expenditures, rather than financing them at the expense of education and healthcare.
3 Speeches Analyzed