Session Profile: Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
15th Riigikogu, Extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
2024-07-15
Political Position
As a representative of the Centre Party, there is strong opposition to the car tax bill. He/she emphasizes the need for tax differentiations and exemptions, especially for people with disabilities. Furthermore, he/she stresses the consistent adherence to constitutionality and European Union law, warning that the general imposition of a car tax may be in conflict with the constitution. This represents a highly influential, antagonistic, and combative position where opportunities for compromise are limited.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Incorporates legal analysis and constitutional/high-quality legal reasoning, referencing European Union law and Supreme Court observations; highlights the administrative burden and risks of discrimination (registration fees, etc.); utilizes clear, technical, and analytical language, and employs specific legal citations to substantiate the contrary position.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The tone is measured, composed, and official, but it includes an emotional appeal regarding people with disabilities and based on federal and constitutional considerations; it utilizes questions and methodically cited evidence (proposals, examples from the Chancellor of Justice and the Supreme Court); aggressive criticism is directed at the Coalition, but the tonality of oversight and insistence maintains the dominance of the formal and argumentative style.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
This demonstrates long-standing involvement in the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament): referencing prior warnings, legal analyses, and substantive amendment proposals; crucial legislative proposals were submitted in cooperation with stakeholders; the President was approached regarding legal issues; criticism was voiced concerning the fast-tracking of the legislation; and the entity remains prepared to present further substantive proposals and advocate at the Riigikogu level.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The Opposition urges the Coalition to look beyond unilateral solutions, criticizing the bill's handling and its conflicts with both statutory law and the Constitution. It is stressed that the coalition is relying on tax exemptions for winnings and is attempting to prohibit the use of funds designated for disabled people. The Opposition remains strongly critical and is not prepared for a general compromise regarding the car tax.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Cooperation with interest groups and various stakeholders has been emphasized: collaboration was undertaken with interest groups in preparing key amendment proposals; however, the firm stance of the opposition indicates that cooperation requires stronger guarantees and assurances of constitutionality; a consistent, yet critical approach to the coalition.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
It emphasizes the tough inherent issues facing rural and regional areas: road construction, the closure of rural schools, the abolition of free public transport, and future changes to land tax; it criticizes the coalition for failing to discuss how people living in rural areas will cope with the car tax; it also focuses on regional vulnerability and infrastructure deficits.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
From an economic standpoint, the central issue is the opposition to the widespread implementation of the car tax. Instead, emphasis is placed on the necessity of focusing on carefully targeted measures and tax benefits specifically for disabled individuals. Concerns are raised regarding the administrative burden and the actual scope of support coverage. Additional benefits are preferred over the car tax, as they could be more effective and better targeted. Maintaining the balance between funding and expenditure remains a key priority.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
When addressing social issues, it focuses on protecting the principle of equal treatment and the rights of people with disabilities; emphasizes reducing the risk of poverty and alleviating difficulties caused by disadvantages; highlights the vulnerability of large families and rural areas, and stresses a conservative approach to support measures that would be effective and fairly distributed.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on the car tax bill and associated amendments; emphasis is placed on the substantive points and their continued discussion in the Riigikogu; reference is made to the Supreme Court's findings and the possibility of challenging the measure in administrative court; [we/they] remain prepared to continue submitting substantive proposals and pursuing the fight in the subsequent stages of the proceedings.
3 Speeches Analyzed