By Plenary Sessions: Tanel Kiik

Economic perspectives focus on the efficient utilization of labor resources, highlighting the general labor shortage in Estonia. The speaker objects to burdening internal security personnel with the task of guarding Swedish prisoners, arguing that this does not improve the country’s labor situation.

The speaker supports the implementation of a progressive income tax, which, he notes, is common across almost all of Europe, contrasting it with the current tax breaks afforded to the wealthy. He calls for a shift in state budget priorities, channeling funds into the social sector and healthcare, even in the face of a record deficit, prioritizing social redistribution over wealth accumulation.

Economic perspectives emphasize social solidarity and the necessity of finding additional funds for healthcare financing, drawn from other tax revenues. The speaker is vehemently opposed to tax giveaways (exceeding 100 million euros) benefiting the wealthy segment of society (those earning €4,000 or more), arguing that these measures exacerbate inequality and undermine funding for the social sector. There is support for the state contributing to health insurance for children, mirroring the current arrangement for non-working pensioners.