Session Profile: Andrei Korobeinik
15th Parliament, 4th sitting, plenary session
2024-11-07
Political Position
The political platform heavily focuses on mitigating the economic downturn and poverty, supporting the reduction of VAT on foodstuffs to 5% and the introduction of a bank tax. The speaker sharply criticizes the coalition’s policies, which, in their view, are driving the Estonian economy into a dead end and increasing poverty, particularly among pensioners. This policy is framed as an essential step for saving the Estonian economy, highlighting the country's negative economic performance within the European Union.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in tax policy (VAT, progressive income tax, bank tax) and socioeconomics, utilizing specific data regarding livelihood support benefits and the purchasing power of pensioners. He/She brings forth international examples (the Lithuanian bank tax, EU derogations, Spanish food prices) to support his/her viewpoints. Furthermore, he/she is well-versed in the procedural details of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament), particularly concerning the organization of committee work.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is sharply critical and incisive, emphasizing the crisis facing the Estonian economy and the rise of poverty. It employs both emotional appeals (the plight of the poor, the comparison to Haiti's mud cakes) and logical economic arguments (chain reaction, decline in purchasing power). The speaker uses irony, referencing the coalition members leaving the chamber to eat, and sharply criticizes the opposition.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is very active in the plenary session, presenting and defending their faction's draft bill, and repeatedly posing questions during debates on other draft legislation (such as the Rail Baltic investigative committee). They also address procedural issues within the Riigikogu, offering solutions to the problem of an absent committee rapporteur.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the governing coalition, which is accused of driving the Estonian economy into a deadlock and taxing the poor (the pensioners' security tax). The Reform Party is particularly criticized for protecting banks from additional taxation, with Jürgen Ligi and Kaja Kallas being named. The criticism is intense and focuses both on political choices and procedural shortcomings (the absence of MPs).
11 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is seeking broad support for their bill, emphasizing that every vote is crucial and asking all members of parliament to press the green button. Regarding procedural issues, they offer constructive yet ironic solutions (e.g., suggesting the oldest committee member be appointed as rapporteur) to ensure the progress of the Riigikogu's work.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on the national economic crisis and social problems, particularly the decline in purchasing power. Internationally, Estonia is being compared to other EU countries, the Baltic states, and even Haiti, with warnings being issued about a "food run" to Latvia, which would mirror the earlier "alcohol runs."
11 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
It strongly supports redistributive policies, advocating for the introduction of a progressive income tax and a bank tax to fund tax breaks for lower-income individuals. The key to stimulating economic growth is viewed as leaving money in the hands of the poor, which would increase spending and tax collection (a chain reaction).
11 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social focus is on alleviating poverty and the decline in purchasing power, especially among pensioners and recipients of subsistence benefits. A reduction in the Value Added Tax (VAT) is viewed as a crucial step in reducing poverty (both absolute and relative), given that poorer individuals spend a larger portion of their income on food.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative priority is the bill to lower the VAT on foodstuffs (to 5%), the funding source for which has been proposed as the bank tax bill. Furthermore, they support the creation of an investigative committee for Rail Baltic to ensure the realistic completion of the project. They criticize the inability of the Riigikogu committees to process important bills in a timely manner.
11 Speeches Analyzed