Agenda Profile: Andrei Korobeinik
First Reading of the Draft Act on the 2024 Supplementary Budget (456 SE)
2024-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to the supplementary budget bill, criticizing it as short-sighted and detrimental to vulnerable groups. The focus is on the government’s poor economic management (Estonia being the only declining EU economy) and the decision to make cuts at the expense of internal security and social services. The speaker frames the government’s actions as incompetent and prone to blaming the past.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in fiscal and economic policy, tackling structural issues and proposing alternative tax solutions. Concrete figures are cited, referencing the long-term losses resulting from EAS (Enterprise Estonia) cuts (20–30 million) and the annual state budget deficit (one billion euros). Furthermore, the discussion covers the efficiency of the public sector and investments in artificial intelligence.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, critical, and urgent, employing strong metaphors ("SMS loan mentality," "beer-drinking family member"). The speaker directly accuses opponents of lying and distorting the truth. Logical criticism concerning the economic recession is combined with emotional appeals regarding cuts aimed at children.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participated in the first reading of the draft supplementary budget, both posing questions and delivering a critical address. This course of action culminated in a motion to suspend proceedings, made on behalf of the parliamentary group, indicating an intent to obstruct the legislative process.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the Reform Party and the government as a whole, who are accused of incompetence in governing the country and causing the economic recession. The criticism is intense, focusing on political choices (cuts) and the government's inefficiency, with reference to Andrus Ansip's criticism directed at the government. A compromise is ruled out, as the supplementary budget cannot be supported under any circumstances.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is confrontational and critical, as the speaker sharply criticizes the claims made by the Social Democrats (Priit) and notes that they are simply doing what the Reform Party tells them to do. There is a complete absence of any reference to a willingness to compromise or engage in cross-party cooperation, apart from the mention of alternatives proposed by other factions (Isamaa).
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is entirely on the national and international level, addressing Estonia's economic recession within the context of the European Union and the structural problems of the state budget. Regional or local topics are not covered in the speeches.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views advocate for saving the state budget using progressive tax solutions, specifically by retaining the tax bulge/hump for the wealthy (i.e., abandoning the plan to abolish it) and introducing a special windfall profit tax on banks. They reject short-term austerity measures (the "payday loan mentality") that stifle economic growth and diminish future income (EAS). Furthermore, they support reducing the number of public sector employees and boosting overall efficiency.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
In the social sector, strong emphasis is placed on protecting welfare services for children with special needs from budget cuts, with critics noting that the government is attacking the most vulnerable. Regarding security, there is opposition to reducing the budgets of the Ministry of the Interior and the PPA (Police and Border Guard Board), viewing this as saving money at the expense of national security, which also impedes the completion of the border infrastructure with Russia.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is opposing the draft law on the 2024 supplementary budget and attempting to halt its passage (a motion to discontinue proceedings). The speaker is offering alternative legislative solutions for covering the structural deficit, including proposals concerning the income tax bracket structure and the bank tax.
4 Speeches Analyzed