Session Profile: Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
2024-10-16
Political Position
The opposition representative from the Centre Party, whose central priority is the transparency of the state budget and parliamentary oversight. He is strongly opposed to the current draft bill, stressing the crucial role of the Riigikogu and the visibility of every single line item for both expenditure and revenue. He proposes an alternative solution that would establish greater transparency for amounts up to the 500,000 euro threshold. Furthermore, he emphasizes the necessity of cooperating with the coalition to ensure the constitutional legitimacy of the budget development process.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Knows the concepts of budget transparency, referencing the separate visibility of expenditures and revenues (cost nodes), and uses examples such as the 500,000 euro limit and previous limits (100,000 euro). Furthermore, it mentions the importance of oversight by the Ministry of Finance and the Riigikogu, as well as the role of the special committee against corruption.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
A critical style that uses emotional elements; it presents straightforward questions, employs examples, and delivers long, convincing arguments to emphasize the importance of work transparency; it often flirts with academic jargon and adopts an official tone that calls demagoguery into question.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Participates regularly in plenary sessions (16.10.2024), raising several questions and observations, and referencing the work of committees and prior cases; emphasizes the importance of swiftly including items on the agenda and initiating proceedings for draft legislation; draws the attention of the Special Committee on Anti-Corruption.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
A strong opposition stance; critical of the coalition and the Ministry of Finance; emphasizes that the budget must be transparent and controllable, and is prepared to disregard the coalition’s plans if they do not increase transparency; offers an alternative and demands changes.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
He is seeking cooperation with the coalition, mentioning the need for "cooperation between the coalition and the opposition," and wants the bill he submitted to be quickly taken up for debate; at the same time, he clearly emphasizes that the solution must be constitutional and transparent.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
National level; lacks a separate regional focus; concentrates on the role of the state budget and the Riigikogu (Parliament), as well as financial issues across the entire country.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Supports increasing financial transparency and is critical of tax hikes that could impact the poorest citizens; emphasizes that income and expenditure lines must be visible, and that current tax policy changes may increase inflation and reduce purchasing power, meaning they must be carefully considered; believes that the public needs to see the real picture when state expenditures are being allocated.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Advocates for the well-being and solidarity of the people; stresses that tax increases exacerbate the hardships faced by the poor and make it difficult to afford the contents of the shopping basket; highlights the role of the public in ensuring control and transparency, as well as the humanitarian impact on the state budget.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
It advocates for amending the Riigikogu's decision-making powers and the Budget Act such that all revenue and expenditure lines exceeding 500,000 euros are made visible. It stresses that the current draft bill is purely cosmetic and fails to address the underlying issues. Furthermore, it seeks to quickly place an alternative draft bill on the agenda and invite the ministers to the committee hearing.
7 Speeches Analyzed