Session Profile: Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart

The main profile focuses on the interplay of two key areas: supporting the price regulation bill and enhancing the transparency and oversight of the Rail Baltic project. The representative stresses the importance of the bill and intends to compare the measures proposed by Latvia in order to find a superior solution. Simultaneously, there is an emphasis on the necessity of risk management, clear funding sources, and budgetary transparency within the context of Rail Baltic. The position is moderately critical regarding the financing of large infrastructure projects and seeks reasonable compromises, but it does not completely reject the bill; rather, it underscores the need for responsible funding.

Expertise is evident in the areas of cost/financial analysis and special budget protocols. It addresses the problem based on the results of profitability analyses (4 billion, 3.1 billion, 3.6 billion, etc.), the assessment of various revenues and expenditures, and the crucial differentiation in calculating socio-economic profit. Mention is made of utilizing the findings of the special anti-corruption commission and the National Audit Office, and the necessity of providing specific figures and clear answers is stressed.

The factual narrative is fact-based and driven by inquiry, often formal and analytical. It utilizes concrete examples and figures, posing underlying questions and inviting further questioning, which leads to the involvement of various factions. The tone is substantive, focusing on expressions of thought and reasoning; it is sometimes concerned and critical, but free of personal attacks.

The activity consists of consistent statements regarding oversight and budget issues related to the Rail Baltic project. The need has been voiced to establish a separate investigative commission, inviting representatives from all parliamentary factions, and drawing attention to the fact that receiving responses from the National Audit Office and the Minister of Finance takes months. Statements were made more than once on the same day (2024-11-07), emphasizing continuous communication and the submission of questions.

The opposition’s stance is critical of the Center Party/Estonia’s political handling of Rail Baltic’s management and finances: unverified figures are being cited, the formation of a special commission is being demanded, and it is stressed that funding and expenditure issues must be resolved through independent oversight. Furthermore, criticism is leveled against the coalition’s draft legislation, and while greater consensus is deemed necessary, control over project risks and costs is stressed as being more important.

The central approach is bipartisanship and moving forward jointly through the establishment of a special investigative commission. Emphasis is placed on the need to involve all factions and collectively find balanced solutions between the coalition and the opposition. This recommended cooperation is underscored by the requirement that the use of public funds must be targeted and purposeful, and the composition of the team is essential.

Regional attention is focused on the Baltic states, the Rail Baltic project, and its financing. It is pointed out that the figures and risks concern Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; signals coming from Latvia and priorities related to Latvia are mentioned, and reference is made to a joint state audit. This demonstrates a strong emphasis on regional cooperation and oversight.

An economic approach is moderately critical regarding significant expenditures: it highlights that expenditures are real money and revenues are "socio-economic" and must be distinguished; it emphasizes the need for funding sources, the mentioning of errors and risks, and the purposeful allocation of funds; it aims to avoid unreasonable losses to the state and supports transparent financing.

Social aspects have been highlighted as a way to protect the most vulnerable (referring to the possibility of providing aid to less secure individuals; the budget and taxes are discussed, as is the need to ensure a social safety net). It is important for them that any funding is fair and transparent.

The legislator’s priorities are the formation of a special committee for Rail Baltic and increasing budget transparency, including a systematic review of the feasibility analysis and risk management; efforts will be made to seek consensus between the coalition and the opposition, and to establish a parliamentary oversight mechanism responsible for providing answers to questions.