Agenda Profile: Andrei Korobeinik
First reading of the draft resolution of the Riigikogu, "Submitting a proposal to the Republic's Government to lower the value-added tax on foodstuffs to 5 percent" (492 OE)
2024-11-07
15th Parliament, 4th sitting, plenary session
Political Position
There is strong support for reducing the VAT on foodstuffs to 5% in order to alleviate poverty and the recession stemming from the current coalition's policies. The text sharply criticizes the government's actions, which effectively take money from the poor and pensioners (citing the security tax as an example), while emphasizing the dire state of the Estonian economy (second globally in terms of recession, and dead last among the Baltic states). The overall political framework is heavily focused on achieving social justice and improving economic performance.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Demonstrates expertise in tax policy (VAT, bank tax, progressive income tax) and socioeconomics, utilizing specific data regarding the expenditures of subsistence benefit recipients and the purchasing power of pensioners. It explains the mechanism for stimulating the economy through increased purchasing power and a chain reaction, also referencing the tax schemes used by European Union countries.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is critical, urgent, and deeply concerned, emphasizing the catastrophic state of the Estonian economy, using dramatic comparisons (e.g., the example of Haitian mud cakes). It utilizes both emotional appeals (describing poverty, the losses faced by pensioners) as well as economic justifications (the functioning of the market economy, increased tax revenue). It addresses colleagues with a direct appeal to support the bill.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Demonstrates significant activity during the first reading of the current draft bill, delivering the opening address, repeatedly answering questions, and making procedural proposals. He/She also proposes improvements to the Riigikogu’s working procedures to prevent the delay in the handling of an important bill caused by the absence of coalition members.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Strong criticism is leveled against the coalition and the Reform Party, accusing them of driving the Estonian economy into a stalemate and protecting the interests of banks (with a specific reference to Jürgen Ligi). The criticism also targets former Prime Minister Kaja Kallas's stance—that stores are not lowering prices—labeling that position naive. The critique is fundamentally policy and procedure-based, alleging that the coalition is taking money at the expense of the poor.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Addresses the Riigikogu with an appeal to support the draft legislation, emphasizing the importance of every vote to achieve an absolute majority of the membership. Demonstrates procedural constructiveness by offering solutions in the event of the absence of the committee rapporteur (e.g., involving the oldest member or changing the agenda) so that the proceedings can continue.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on Estonia's national economic situation and social problems, using comparisons with EU countries (VAT) and the Baltic states (economic recession). It highlights a specific regional risk: a 'food rally' to Latvia, which would replace the earlier 'alcohol rally' if price gaps widen too much.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
It advocates for stimulating the economy through consumption, specifically by increasing the purchasing power of lower-income individuals via tax cuts (setting VAT on food at 5%). It supports income redistribution through a progressive income tax and a bank tax, contrasting sharply with the government's current tax policy, which taxes the poor while protecting banks. Furthermore, it views increasing the efficiency of the public sector as a key source of revenue.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
It focuses on social justice and poverty alleviation, highlighting the hardships faced by welfare recipients and pensioners who spend a large portion of their income on food. It emphasizes that both relative and absolute poverty are growing rapidly in Estonia, and the bill would help curb this trend.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary focus is the draft resolution (492 DR) submitted by the Centre Party aimed at lowering the VAT on groceries to 5%. It is stressed that this represents the first crucial step in pulling the Estonian economy out of its current deadlock, and the text also points to the bank tax bill as the necessary source of revenue.
9 Speeches Analyzed