Session Profile: Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
2025-11-05
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to the government and the car tax, demanding the resignation of Kristen Michal’s government and the cancellation of the tax. Emphasis is placed on the government’s leadership crisis and low public trust (12%), as well as the injustice and unconstitutionality of the taxes, labeling the car tax the biggest legislative mess/omnibus failure. The focus is equally on the government's poor performance (failed forecasts) and the value-based issue of fairness (disabled people, families).
5 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding the costs of tax administration, citing specific figures for IT development and management, including 2.4 million euros for establishing the information system and the annual administrative costs. Legal expertise is also evident, with references to analyses of unconstitutionality and court appeals, alongside knowledge of the funding requirements for road maintenance (a deficit of 300 million euros).
5 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, accusatory, and dramatic, demanding the government's resignation and employing strong emotional expressions (e.g., "in agony," "devastating assessment," "total botch job"). Logical arguments and specific data (costs, confidence ratings) are interwoven with political attacks to underscore the scale of the crisis. The speaker utilizes repeated questioning and irony (spending taxpayer money on the tax collection system itself).
5 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The individual is active in the Riigikogu plenary sessions during debates on tax legislation and is involved in the Centre Party's political struggle. Their patterns of activity include commissioning legal analyses and filing complaints with the Chancellor of Justice, the President, and the courts, demonstrating a continuous substantive and political fight against the car tax. Efforts to remove the Reform Party from the Tallinn City Government are also mentioned.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the Reform Party government led by Kristen Michal, as well as Eesti 200 and the Social Democrats, who are accused of adopting the "cluster bill disaster" (kobarkäkk). The criticism is intense, covering political failures (missed forecasts, failure to collect the registration fee) and ethical shortcomings (the attitude towards people with disabilities, the prime minister's conduct). Separately, Eesti 200's initiatives concerning tax breaks for prisons and casino companies are being criticized.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation centers on the Centre Party's substantive and political fight against the Reform Party government, emphasizing the legal analysis commissioned by the parliamentary faction. The government's failure to respond to the proposals of the Chamber of Disabled People is sharply criticized. There is no mention of a willingness to compromise with the government regarding the car tax; the objective is the abolition of the tax and the removal of the government.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national tax issues and the government crisis, but a specific political goal is also mentioned: removing the Reform Party from the Tallinn City Government. Reference is also made to the Reform Party's devastation in the local elections "everywhere across Estonia," and there is concern about broken cars and roads, which affects people across the country.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic stance is firmly opposed to new taxes (such as the car tax and the registration fee), arguing that they are unjust, burden citizens simultaneously with existing taxes (fuel excise duty, VAT), and are costly to administer. Emphasis is placed on concerns regarding family incomes, and the government's failed budget implementation plans are criticized. The issue of creating a tax haven for casino companies is also being raised.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
In social issues, the central theme is the unequal treatment of people with disabilities and the lack of exceptions in the car tax, as they are not treated equally and are being disregarded. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Minister Karmen Joller are strongly criticized for canceling regular meetings and for spending funds designated for service development on travel. The negative impact of reducing benefits for large families is also emphasized, which has led these families to face food shortages.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is centered on opposing the proposed car tax bill and challenging its constitutionality in court, with the readiness to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court. Furthermore, there is criticism directed at the Eesti 200 party's initiatives concerning the creation of tax breaks for prisons and casino companies. The speaker is an active opponent who is demanding amendments to establish special provisions for people with disabilities and families with children.
5 Speeches Analyzed