Agenda Profile: Lauri Laats
Draft law amending the Value Added Tax Act (596 SE) – First Reading
2025-05-22
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
Political Position
The opposition's position: They are against the VAT hike and the amendment of the bill, emphasizing the issues of tax fairness and social risks. They argue that low and middle-income earners will bear the heaviest burden, necessitating a complete review of the tax structure. They characterize the current policy as unjust and detrimental to the economy.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
It uses data on the tax system and tax shares (e.g., VAT share 42%, general tax burden 36%), and cites international sources (European Commission, OECD, IMF) regarding the need to review the tax structure; furthermore, it provides examples of European countries' tax policies and price decreases during a crisis.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
A combination of emotionally charged and fact-based claims; aggressive, conversational, and utilizing lyrically personal experiences and local examples in some sections; it emphasizes illusion and contradictions through repetitive questions and references.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Repeated participation in the same session regarding the same topic; uses short, emotional segments and numerical evidence; references the experiences of Mustamäe and other districts; shows readiness for a longer discussion (repeats the phrase, "I'll take three more minutes").
6 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opposition is directed at the government's tax policy and ministers (the finance minister, the commission); the criticism is intense and continuous. It delves into the personal accountability of politicians and symbolizes an alternative economic platform (in addition to the criticism, specific events and counterarguments are presented).
6 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
An oppositional tone, yet it calls for dialogue and meeting with the public: it urges the parties (the Reform Party and Estonia 200) to organize meetings, demonstrating a willingness for broader discussion, but fails to specify concrete forms of cooperation or coalition policy.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
It is based on a regional perspective: Tallinn (Mustamäe), rural areas, Southeast Estonia, and the islands; it emphasizes the differences in the standard of living and the impact of taxation, and the utilization of regional experiences in arguments.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic Viewpoint: Criticism against raising the general tax burden and consumption taxes; favors considering tax and price cuts to improve national competitiveness; refers to international examples where taxes are lowered in some countries during difficult times; pro-antaa arguments as a persistent key partner, in contrast to increased spending cuts.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Focus on poverty and social well-being: highlights that higher taxes and an unequal standard of living exacerbate poverty, particularly among pensioners and young people; criticizes the utilization of the social services department and subsistence benefits, and stresses the psychological and social risks involved.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main focus is the first reading of Draft Act 596 SE on amendments to the Value-Added Tax Act; it expresses an objection, calling for a reduction in VAT or at least a non-significant increase, and highlights the need to discuss tax policy, including the impact on financing and competitiveness; it references the decisions made by the state and foreign entities, and notes the lack of progress regarding the current draft act.
6 Speeches Analyzed