Session Profile: Andrei Korobeinik
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
2024-10-22
Political Position
The political focus is on taxing banks' excess profits, a measure strongly supported for the sake of improving the state budget and ensuring social justice. The central thrust is sharp criticism of the government's economic policy, citing three years of economic recession and the taxation of the poor. This stance is strongly policy- and results-driven, emphasizing the necessity of creating a foundation for optimism, even given the current economic climate.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Demonstrates expertise in banking, taxation, and macroeconomics, utilizing specific data (Euribor levels, bank profits) and referencing Lithuania's tax experience. It thoroughly explains how excess profits are linked to Euribor and how the draft legislation addresses loss carry-forward/offsetting. Furthermore, it shows knowledge of the differing practices for fixing housing loan interest rates between Estonia and other EU member states.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is sharp, critical, and incisive, combining economic arguments (the example of Lithuania, the impact of Euribor) with emotional appeals regarding social justice and poverty reduction. It employs strong opposition rhetoric, accusing the government of causing the economic recession and breaking promises. It also utilizes irony and personal attacks directed at opponents (e.g., regarding Jürgen Ligi's capacity for empathy).
16 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
All addresses have been consolidated into a single plenary session for the presentation and defense of the draft bill, demonstrating active participation in the legislative process. The speaker appears repeatedly, answering colleagues' questions thoroughly and attempting to kickstart the debate.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Strong opposition to the Reform Party and the Social Democrats. The Reform Party is sharply criticized for causing the economic recession, taxing the poor, and protecting banks, with critics calling this their only fulfilled election promise. The Social Democrats are accused of political maneuvering and failing to back up their rhetoric, as they refuse to support the bill despite their public statements.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
He is working with his colleague Lauri Laats on the submission of the draft bill and refers to a similar previous initiative by EKRE. He calls on coalition members of parliament to support it, emphasizing that this is a proposal directed at the government, which allows for further modification. He expresses hope that the Social Democrats will break ranks and begin supporting the bill.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
It focuses on Estonia's national economic problems and budget, drawing strong comparisons with Lithuania (cited as a positive example regarding the bank tax and investment stimulation) and the Scandinavian countries. It stresses that banks' excessive profits are flowing to the owners of Swedish pension funds rather than into the Estonian economy.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
It strongly supports a redistributive tax policy, emphasizing the necessity of taxing the excess profits of the banking sector, which are linked to Euribor rather than to genuine value creation. The objective is to lower the tax burden on the poorer segments of society (pensioners, minimum wage earners) and stimulate consumption to restore economic growth. It views the implementation of a bank tax as a means of compensating for this injustice.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Focuses on social issues, particularly the protection of people and pensioners living in absolute and relative poverty. It supports the reinstatement of social benefits (such as the single pensioner allowance) and the reduction of the tax burden on low-income earners in order to mitigate social division.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is the draft bill concerning the taxation of banks' excess profits, which aims to bring over 0.5 billion euros into the state budget. [The subject] is acting as the initiator and fervent defender of the bill, attempting to secure the 51 affirmative votes required for its passage.
16 Speeches Analyzed