By Plenary Sessions: Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart

The economic views center on capping tax rates and halting the expansion of the revenue base for local municipalities. The proponents seek alternative sources of income (such as a digital tax or abandoning the proposed income tax reform for the wealthy) and criticize the state’s budget cuts and the "stripping" or "fleecing" of the populace through taxation.

A negative and resistant viewpoint is represented regarding economic issues; tax changes, including the taxation of pensioners, the sugar tax, the car tax, and the raising of state fees and fines, are considered unpopular and politically motivated, and they are being voted against as a tentative choice before the elections. He emphasizes that these measures are planned for implementation after the elections, not because they are economically unavoidable, and they potentially have a negative impact on voter support.

The economic position emphasizes avoiding the taxation of pensioners and reducing inequality; it is critical of draft legislation that would increase the tax burden on pensioners and widen the social gap; regarding the taxation of banks, the necessity of not increasing the burden is stressed.

The text expresses support for substantial social benefits for disabled people and potential tax exemptions. It highlights the rising cost of living and jokes that the proposed benefits might not even cover the revenue generated by the car tax. Furthermore, it demonstrates a critical stance against a unilateral interpretation of fiscal policy, focusing instead on the social and inflationary impacts.

Economically, critics highlight the bureaucracy and administrative burden these draft laws would create: small businesses and local governments would be overwhelmed by the load, and the legislation itself would fail to provide any significant added value. There is strong criticism regarding the proposed penalty measures and the overall negative effect on the business environment. The preference is for less regulation and a greater focus on practical implementation.

Emphasis is placed on the necessity of impact analysis and concrete steps for economic recovery; there is opposition to the plan to abolish the tax hump, and a warning that unbalanced changes in tax benefits and expenditures may diminish the country's competitiveness. The criticism focuses on the fact that budget cuts and tax increases cannot be recommended without a thorough impact assessment; there is a need to frame economic policy in an economically sound and prioritized manner.

It is mentioned that the draft legislation may increase the administrative burden and require additional staff, pointing to potential expenditures. There is no concrete position regarding taxes or the state budget; concerns are raised regarding staff shortages and the need for training.

The text emphasizes the impact of financial constraints on citizens in the context of state fees and bailiff costs, along with ideas for alleviating these burdens within the financially demanding administrative system. It does not present a broader tax or economic policy program; the issues raised point to the need for improved accessibility and cost reduction, but no concrete policy measures were proposed.

Speakers in economic policy have prioritized not increasing the tax burden, and the impact of plans to abolish the tax 'hump' is considered critical. There is an ongoing discussion regarding the tax on banks' excess profits, and a desire to see the budget shortfall addressed through balanced taxation and tax hikes. There is a strong emphasis on the need to avoid bureaucracy and ensure efficient resource utilization. Furthermore, the focus remains on impact and transparency (for instance, providing clear information regarding the tax rates applied to compensation for non-pecuniary damage and parking fines).

A position has been highlighted in economic policy that increasing fines and state fees must not harm vulnerable groups, and balanced measures must be chosen to fulfill the budget. The speech emphasizes the need for impact analyses and criticism regarding the significant economic downturn, high inflation, and employment uncertainty. Frugal positions lean toward protecting the vulnerable and insist on analytical policy, rather than one based on explicit short-term revenue.

Expectations and criticism focus on tax and expenditure policy. This stems from concerns regarding additional taxes (such as the car tax and other levies) and criticism directed at the redistribution of costs associated with teachers' salary increases. The text emphasizes the economical and transparent use of the state budget and resources, highlighting the requirement for demanding the return of funds (clawbacks) as a fundamental guarantee of a state governed by the rule of law.

A critical attitude is expressed regarding the government's economic performance in the education sector; it highlights that the coalition's promised salary increase to 120% of the Estonian average has not been fulfilled. While supporting the increase of teachers' salaries in line with the commitments, it is emphasized that the government has failed to find a solution, which stems from issues of efficiency and management.

On the economic level, he opposes broad tax increases; he emphasizes that additional burdens during start-up periods are detrimental and desires strong economic growth and an environment that fosters entrepreneurship. He stresses the need for EU legal compliance and control over state aid, as well as the need for a clear and well-justified solution for healthcare funding.