Agenda Profile: Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart

The speaker maintains a strongly oppositional stance, challenging government initiatives such as lowering the gambling tax and importing foreign prisoners, labeling these policies as turning Estonia into "Europe's prison and casino center." The political focus is centered on preserving domestic food production and agriculture, and improving people's livelihoods, particularly against the backdrop of poverty and rising taxes. The government's actions are criticized for lacking a strategic economic plan and for essentially running an election campaign at the public's expense. The overall style is heavily value-driven and highly condemnatory of the government's activities.

The speaker demonstrates detailed knowledge of tax policy, highlighting the history of changes to the remote gambling tax and the specific differences between banks' advance income tax and general income tax. To support the arguments, criticism from the head of the Money Laundering Data Bureau regarding the reduction of the gambling tax is used, along with data from the Statistical Office concerning relative poverty. The budgetary cost of eliminating the tax hump (over half a billion euros) and its impact on incomes are also emphasized.

The style is sharp, critical, and combative, employing strong labels and metaphors such as "Estonian Nokia," "tax circus," and "cynical election campaign." The speaker balances logical criticism (lack of impact analysis, tax examples) with emotional appeal (concern over poverty and making ends meet). The overall tone is worried and accusatory, emphasizing the wrong direction of the government's priorities.

The data is restricted to three consecutive interventions delivered on a single day (November 10, 2025) in the Riigikogu, specifically within the framework of an interpellation addressed to the Prime Minister. This indicates active engagement in parliamentary scrutiny mechanisms and sharp criticism of government policy. No further data is available concerning the frequency or rhythm of these appearances.

The main opponents are the governing coalition of the Reform Party and Eesti 200, who are accused of prioritizing banks and casino businessmen over the Estonian people. Criticism targets both political decisions (tax incentives, borrowing for operational expenses) and procedural deficiencies (lack of impact analysis). The attacks are intense, characterizing the government’s policies as repeated "empty promises" and a "tax circus."

Not enough data

The focus is directed toward national economic and security issues (Estonia’s image in Europe, the state budget). Particular attention is being paid to the necessity of preserving domestic food production and agriculture, signaling concern that local economic sectors are suffering due to crises.

The speaker is strongly opposed to tax hikes that burden the populace and tax breaks for casino businessmen. They support lowering the VAT on foodstuffs to improve people's financial standing. The government's fiscal policy is criticized as irresponsible, as loans are being taken out to cover current expenditures, and the elimination of the tax hump primarily benefits people with higher incomes.

The main social concern is growing relative poverty, where, according to data from Statistics Estonia, every fourth person lives in poverty, alongside people's ability to make ends meet and food accessibility. Security risks and money laundering risks associated with lowering the gambling tax and importing foreign prisoners are also being raised. It is demanded that people's livelihood be set as a priority.

The speaker is a strong opponent of the government's budgetary and tax initiatives (such as lowering the remote gambling tax and abolishing the tax hump). He/She demands a reduction in VAT on foodstuffs, citing a corresponding petition by nearly 100,000 people that the government has ignored. The focus is on highlighting the negative impacts of the existing draft bills.