Agenda Profile: Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Draft Law Amending the Value Added Tax Act (593 SE) – First Reading
2025-04-17
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The Center Party is strongly backing the draft bill: "The Center Party will definitely support this." He points out that the coalition may not support a reduction in VAT for all foodstuffs, but there is an ongoing discussion regarding lowering the VAT specifically on local products. The speaker stresses the dual benefit of state support for both local businesses and consumers, and remains open to further ideas and proposals that would help improve people's ability to cope financially.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker highlights the issues of tax policy and budget transparency, referring to the potential for VAT reduction and referencing the National Audit Office reports regarding COVID support and energy-related decisions. He/She emphasizes the need to demonstrate where tax revenues are allocated and why this is crucial.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The focus is on cooperation and involving discussion: the speech has a friendly tone, uses questions, and adopts an inclusive approach; it utilizes targeted examples and references, not an attack.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Participates in the first reading debate and shows readiness to introduce additional draft bills; solicits feedback from peers.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The text avoids launching a direct attack on specific opposition groups; the focus is instead on the success of the proposed bill and the coalition's positions. The core of the criticism centers on the transparency of tax-based funding.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Demonstrates readiness for cooperation: mentions bilateral flexibility and is open to the mutual sharing of ideas and the submission of additional drafts.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
Focus on local products and consumer livelihood—this is linked to the national level, but specific regional programs are not evident.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
He emphasizes consumer financial resilience and the competitiveness of local businesses, and advocates for a VAT reduction on certain goods. He expresses the need for transparency regarding the use of tax revenues and points out that the 24% VAT increase fails to account for where the money is actually going. He also cites positive examples related to COVID support and energy subsidies.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
No data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main focus is the first reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Value-Added Tax Act (593 SE); discussion regarding the lowering of VAT on local products and the plan to submit additional draft legislation; reference is made to the reports of the National Audit Office.
2 Speeches Analyzed