Agenda Profile: Andrei Korobeinik
Draft resolution "Proposal to the Republic of Estonia's Government Regarding the Imposition of a Temporary Solidarity Tax on the Banking Sector" (535 OE) – First Reading
2025-02-18
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The most striking position is the strong support for implementing a temporary solidarity tax on the banking sector, which is seen as a means of filling the budget and reducing social inequality. The political stance is strongly oppositional, criticizing the coalition’s economic policy (especially the car tax and tax increases) as a failure that has driven the Estonian economy into recession. The position is heavily results-oriented, contrasting the coalition's "faith" or "belief" with the real consequences of the economic downturn.
23 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Shows expertise on the topics of banking taxation, profit margins, and income tax, highlighting specific figures (e.g., banks' profit margins between 70–80%) and comparisons (casino margins). Uses comparisons with other countries to assess the economic decline (Lithuanian economic growth, Estonia's decline ranking after Haiti) and refers to the practice of European Union countries regarding the taxation of credit institutions. Explains the impact of taxes on job creation and the dynamics of deposit interest rates.
23 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is highly aggressive, polemical, and sarcastic, especially when addressing the coalition partners (the Social Democrats, Eesti 200). It employs colorful metaphors (e.g., running the coalition "by faith," referring to the Social Democrats as those who treat voters like a "goldfish") and sharp comparisons (the Estonian economy ranking second only to Haiti). It combines logical arguments, economic data, and comparisons with an emotional appeal aimed at fighting inequality.
23 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speech is part of ongoing legislative activity (the bank tax bill represents a repeated effort) and points to active involvement in the work of the Riigikogu. It mentions earlier discussions with the Prime Minister and participation in the Constitutional Committee session. It indicates a readiness for a long and detailed discussion during the Q&A session.
23 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the coalition parties: the Reform Party, the Social Democrats, and Eesti 200. Criticism is directed both at their policy choices (the car tax, tax hikes, and the ongoing recession) and at perceived political dishonesty (specifically, the Social Democrats voting with the Reform Party, and Eesti 200's loyalty pact). The intensity of the attacks is high, accusing the coalition of causing the decay of the Estonian economy and the growth of inequality.
23 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speech does not indicate any openness to compromise with the coalition; the focus is on highlighting the coalition's mistakes and fulfilling the programmatic promises of their own party (the Centre Party). It refers to positive cooperation experience both within the Centre Party and in previous coalitions (e.g., the extraordinary pension increase).
23 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
It focuses on national economic policy, but emphasizes its negative regional impact on rural areas and Southern Estonia (Valga, Pärnumaa). It mentions the closure of courthouses, unemployment fund offices, and rural schools, as well as the unfair impact of the car tax on people living in the countryside who need a car.
23 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The individual/group strongly advocates for the redistribution of income via a bank tax to fund social programs and mitigate inequality. They oppose the coalition’s current tax policies (the car tax and VAT increase), arguing that these measures disproportionately harm the poor and rural regions. Furthermore, they criticize banks for charging higher loan interest rates compared to neighboring countries, viewing the bank tax as a mechanism for returning money to the Estonian people.
23 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
It focuses on reducing social inequality, emphasizing the critical need to support poorer residents, pensioners, and large families. It strongly advocates for lowering the VAT on food and raising the subsistence benefit, while criticizing the current coalition for taking the last resources from the poor during a crisis.
23 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative focus is the initiation and support of the draft decision concerning the implementation of a temporary solidarity tax for the banking sector, which is part of the Centre Party's election program. The importance of the draft bill to lower the value-added tax (VAT) on food is also emphasized. The Speaker is both the initiator and a strong supporter of bills that oppose the coalition's policies.
23 Speeches Analyzed