By Years: Rene Kokk

The speaker places a strong emphasis on the issues concerning rural areas and regional development. They stress that the car tax and the consolidation of services (e.g., birth registration, school closures, such as the one in Vana-Vigala) harm rural residents who lack access to alternative transportation. They also highlight the funding shortfalls faced by local municipalities (LGs) and the need to support farmers and beekeepers against damage caused by large predators.

There is a strong focus on rural and sparsely populated areas, emphasizing the negative impact of government policies (the car tax, school closures, lack of public transport) on residents living in the countryside. He highlights specific regional problems, such as the plans to close the Vana-Vigala school in Rapla County and the effect of bringing foreign prisoners to Tartu. He stresses that state services are increasingly moving away from rural areas and toward major population centers.