By Plenary Sessions: Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart

I represent the Centre Party and stress the necessity of reducing the value-added tax (VAT) applied to agricultural products. There is strong support for this tax cut, as the grain industry has recently faced a difficult situation due to cold winters and excessively rainy summers. The Centre Party has already presented this proposal and urges the government and its coalition partners to take it under consideration.

Key issues include the defense against cuts to extracurricular education funding and ensuring the consistency of the constitution with European Union norms. The position is critical of the government's austerity plan and emphasizes the vital role of support designated for children and families, as well as the development of creativity. A topical issue is the regularity of criticism leveled by government members in the Riigikogu (Parliament), the necessity for greater cooperation among ministers, and increased oversight.

The speaker, in a supportive tone, emphasized that the draft bill is highly important, aiming to improve the legal aspects of restrictions under the Arms Act. They wish to include citizens of OECD countries to maintain and expand cooperation with those nations. The proposal shows no noticeable opposition or major ideological change; the focus is purely on the legal supplement.

As a representative of the Centre Party, they emphasize the need for young people’s well-being, family security, and alleviating the demographic crisis. They are critical of the government’s tax policy and cuts, which they consider unfair and a violation of solidarity in their economic views, and they stress that weaker families should not suffer under the burden of tax changes and cuts. They oppose the bank tax and value a greater sharing of the burden by the state in caring for families. The framing is policy- and value-based, focusing on social security and demographic recovery.

The core political stance is maintaining the indexation of pensions and opposing any decoupling of indexation. He/She stresses that pensions must not be burdened and that indexation protects against the rising cost of living. Furthermore, he/she is critical of the government's proposed taxes, such as the idea of a security tax and the increase in specialist doctor visit fees, preferring instead to consider targeted funding mechanisms (like a bank windfall profit tax) over broad-based levies. His/Her position is strongly policy-driven and centered on social protection and ensuring financial fairness.

A strong, principled emphasis is placed on defending the constitution and respecting the parliamentary process. The position is highly critical of government decisions (especially the car tax) and the handling of the budget, stressing the necessity of representing the public voice and ensuring parliamentary oversight. The stance is values-based and results-driven—forceful in its sector-specific approach and oriented toward changes, provided those changes guarantee adherence to the constitution and a socially equitable distribution of burdens. Noticing a perceived constitutional drift, the individual calls upon the Riigikogu to renew its respect for the constitution and fulfill its role as the guardian of the separation of powers.

Critical and emphasizing the protection of rights: expresses concern over the trajectory towards a surveillance society and a police state, and stresses the need for transparency and decision-making based on clear grounds, especially regarding the potential prohibition of public assemblies.