Agenda Profile: Andrei Korobeinik
Third reading of the draft law on the state's supplementary budget for 2025 (651 SE)
2025-06-18
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
A strong opposition stance focused on criticizing the failures of the government’s (Reform Party) economic policy and budget management. The main demands are increasing social benefits (specifically the subsistence benefit) and improving the transparency of public finances, particularly concerning the unused balances held by ministries. The political framework is heavily results-oriented and values-driven, highlighting the widening social divide and the decline in purchasing power. There is a call not to support the supplementary budget, effectively giving the Reform Party’s policies a red card.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Demonstrates a keen interest in the transparency of the state budget and public finances, focusing on the issue of unused balances carried over by ministries, which are deemed classified and impede the management of public funds. Utilizes economic statistics, pointing to the drop in Estonian purchasing power back to 2015 levels, effectively wiping out a decade of economic progress. Details tax policy (progressive income tax, bank tax) and social benefits (subsistence allowance, kindergarten fees).
7 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is sharp, combative, and ironic, employing strong metaphors, such as comparing the government to "demented squirrels." It utilizes emotional appeals, highlighting the plight of pensioners and the poor, and levels accusations against the spokesperson (Annely) for evading questions and operating with distorted information. The overall tone is anxious and urgent, stressing the immediate need to make fundamental decisions.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speeches were delivered during the Riigikogu session on the third reading of the supplementary budget, indicating active participation in the debate. This pattern involves asking repetitive questions of the rapporteur and giving lengthy, critical presentations concerning government policy. The speaker requests additional time to speak in order to fully elaborate on their positions.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the Reform Party, which is accused of plunging the Estonian economy into its worst state and unfairly drafting the state budget, resulting in the rich benefiting while pensioners pay income tax. The criticism is both political (deepening inequality) and procedural (lack of transparency in state finances and evading questions). Compromise is ruled out, with calls not to support the supplementary budget and a proposal to do the exact opposite of the Reform Party's program in order to achieve success.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The text mentions defending the Social Democratic faction's proposals within the committee, citing intra-factional cooperation. However, the overall tone is sharply antagonistic toward the governing coalition, particularly the Reform Party, and there is no apparent willingness to compromise regarding the supplementary budget. The criticism also extends to the coalition partners (Eesti 200, the Social Democrats) for their failure to successfully implement public sector cuts.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily on state finance and economic policy. It provides examples at the local municipality level concerning kindergartens, specifically mentioning the high kindergarten fees in Pärnu and the fact that the Reform Party is in power there, and also makes a reference to Tallinn.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
It strongly supports progressive taxation (graduated income tax) and the introduction of a bank tax so that the wealthy contribute proportionally more. It criticizes the expansion and inefficiency of the public sector, demanding a reduction in the number of civil servants. It favors directing funds toward social benefits and free kindergartens, contrasting with the fiscal logic of the Reform Party, which favors the rich.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
It focuses on social inequality and economic subsistence, demanding an increase in subsistence benefits and free kindergartens to reduce the societal divide. It highlights the tax burden on pensioners and the decline in purchasing power, criticizing the government's recommendation to save when income is already too low.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary focus is opposing the Draft State Supplementary Budget Act of 2025 (651 SE) because it fails to include fundamental decisions aimed at reducing the societal gap. It supports amendments that would increase social benefits and make kindergartens free of charge. It criticizes the government's stance that the supplementary budget is merely a technical document, thereby pushing fundamental decisions back until the autumn.
7 Speeches Analyzed