Session Profile: Mait Klaassen
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
2024-12-10
Political Position
The political position is strongly focused on supporting the fulfillment of environmental requirements and improving registry organization, particularly concerning end-of-life vehicles. The speaker defends the government’s decision to introduce a motor vehicle tax, stressing its inclusion in the state budget and action plan. He justifies the 800-euro charge not as a classical state duty, but as an environmental fee for the failure to meet the duty of due diligence.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the technical details of the Waste Act and the Traffic Act, particularly concerning the procedure for deregistering vehicles from the registry and the regulation of historic vehicles. He/She employs precise procedural terminology, such as "suspended registration entry" and "rolling deletion," and references specific sections and ministerial proposals. Furthermore, he/she presents statistical data regarding the number of temporarily deregistered vehicles (approximately 30,000).
22 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly formal, procedural, and informative, focusing on the detailed presentation of the preparations for the second reading of the draft bill. When answering questions, the tone is defensively justificatory, particularly regarding the car tax and the environmental levy, utilizing logical arguments and references to the objectives of the draft legislation.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The operational pattern is intense and focused on lawmaking, involving three committee meetings (October 15, November 18, December 5) for the preparation of the draft bill. He/She emphasizes the extensive involvement of stakeholders, naming 12 different organizations whose opinions were sought.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary conflict is with the Isamaa faction, whose amendments seeking to repeal the motor vehicle tax were rejected, citing the government’s action plan and budget. Proposals put forth by Riigikogu member Raimond Kaljulaid to restrict light personal mobility devices were also rejected on procedural grounds, as they were not directly related to the bill being discussed and required further analysis.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is open and inclusive, emphasizing that all procedural decisions within the commission were consensual. The commission worked closely with the Ministry of Climate and the Ministry of Finance and took into account the proposals of several interest groups (e.g., the Estonian Federation of Veteran Vehicle Clubs, the Estonian Land Rover Club) during the preparation of the amendments.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is entirely on national legislation and regulations (waste management, traffic register). There is no regional focus, apart from a reference to the role of local government units in handling end-of-life vehicles on municipal land.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Supports the motor vehicle tax established by the government, but emphasizes tax exemption for temporarily deregistered vehicles starting in 2027. Separate emphasis is placed on tax incentives and regulatory simplification for historical vehicle restorers, considering this a major victory.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Regarding social issues, emphasis is placed on the need to ensure the public is adequately informed about changes. Proposals to restrict the movement of personal mobility devices were rejected, citing the need for further analysis and infrastructure, which demonstrates caution when implementing new social restrictions.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on amending the Waste Act and the Traffic Act to reduce the number of missing vehicles and establish clearer regulations for deleting vehicles from the register. An important priority is ensuring the preservation of historically valuable vehicles and their spare parts, as well as clarifying the grounds for removing scrapped vehicles.
22 Speeches Analyzed