By Months: Lauri Laats
Total Months: 19
Fully Profiled: 19
10.2025
39 Speeches
The political stance is strongly oppositional, focusing on criticizing the government’s tax policy and public safety measures. The most pressing issue is the car tax, which they demand be abolished, and they emphasize the need to regulate the use of mini-mopeds by minors. The political framework is results-oriented, highlighting the public's lack of confidence in the government (86% dissatisfaction) and the ministers' inadequate attitude toward the populace.
09.2025
160 Speeches
As the Centre Party faction spokesperson, the speaker focuses on improving healthcare accessibility, maintaining regional political services, and boosting youth employment. He has critically addressed government decisions and the coalition's significant economic policies, calling for shared responsibility and sometimes proposing a vote of no confidence against a minister (e.g., in the health or social sector). The defining values lean toward need-based, regional, and demographic sustainability, alongside critical state oversight. The political style is highly scrutinizing and confrontational, centered on transparency and accountability.
06.2025
83 Speeches
A strong expression of an oppositional stance is evident: social vulnerability and economic uncertainty are highlighted, while criticism is simultaneously directed at the government's tax and energy policies. The position presented clearly favors pro-family and pro-citizen welfare (e.g., the proposal to reduce VAT on food to 9%, and the consideration of family policy and free kindergarten places). However, there is a simultaneous emphasis on the need to review energy security and the sustainability of the economic environment. The factional tone remains consistently critical: while potential is acknowledged in the tax and green policies and major investment plans, significant risks and deficiencies in budgetary procedures are also identified.
05.2025
82 Speeches
The Centre Party faction stresses a critical and generally oppositional stance toward the current government's energy and economic policies. It emphasizes the concept of popular consultation (a referendum) and the necessity of a credible mandate, indicating a readiness to consider snap elections if confidence is lost. Furthermore, in energy policy, the faction is navigating issues related to shale oil and the consideration of CO2 quota reforms, striving to balance economic and security concerns.
04.2025
90 Speeches
The representative of the Center Party faction is critical of the current coalition's activities, emphasizing issues of trust and the need for clear, transparent decisions. They are an oppositional force, working on behalf of tax revenue and consumer welfare, but also stress the importance of balanced energy policy and economic protection. In the context of e-elections, they demand parliamentary oversight and opportunities for cooperation, not just individual speeches.
03.2025
17 Speeches
The most crucial issues revolve around the crisis of democracy, the crisis of governance, and the demographic crisis; the opposition stresses that the coalition is incapable of adequately addressing these problems. They are demanding snap elections and the resignation of the Prime Minister if the new coalition fails to secure a mandate to continue, framing the restoration of accountability and trust primarily through a change in government. The political stance is highly critical and is aimed first and foremost at the principles of democracy and sustainable governance.
02.2025
67 Speeches
The opposition’s position relative to the coalition is clearly dominant: criticism is leveled at the government’s energy, tax, and regional policies, alongside the need to establish comprehensive analysis and dialogue to prevent instability. They are demanding extensive oversight mechanisms, a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister, and snap elections as the path to renewing the mandate. The framework prioritizes views stemming from consumer protection and a fair economy, rather than relying solely on institutional rhetoric. Although the justifications often fall within the scope of political maneuvering, the necessity of democratic mechanisms and transparency is emphasized.
01.2025
66 Speeches
The Centre Party faction emphasizes cooperation among the Baltic states in ensuring energy security and the development of Estonia's independent energy policy, including the use of oil shale to maintain dispatchable capacities. Concurrently, there is strong criticism directed at the government's transparency and budget formulation, specifically regarding the allocation of 100 million euros and the accelerated push for green energy. They underscore the vital role of economic and social projects, such as the Tallinn Hospital, and stress the necessity for a frank and comprehensible financial and energy policy. The position articulated is primarily oppositional and policy-driven, placing emphasis on transparency and energy security as fundamental values.
12.2024
105 Speeches
The Center Party faction is critical of the government's tax policy, emphasizing that the sharp rise in consumption taxes primarily burdens low and middle-income people and harms the economy. It intervenes in energy issues, stressing the stability of the energy market, the continuation of oil shale usage, and the securing of European derogations for the energy sector. It also emphasizes the principles of transparency and compliance regarding parliamentary expenses (Riigikogu expenses) and warned the government by speaking of "taxes of incompetence." It rather defends a modular, revenue-directing approach to created payment solutions than general tax increases.
11.2024
114 Speeches
The representative of the Centre Party faction focuses on defending regional issues and ensuring the viability of rural areas, emphasizing that the loss of services and increased taxation pull rural regions into deep dependency. He/She is critical of the government's regional policy and stresses that regional inequality and service deficits must be resolved, not exacerbated; his/her tone is strongly critical, yet he/she calls for an honest, transparent, and cooperation-based approach. He/She highlights the necessity of securing regional development and services and is ready for cooperation between the coalition and the opposition, including through legislative proposals and investigative committees. The main priorities are regional policy, the preservation of services in rural areas, and a transparent budget.
10.2024
72 Speeches
Representatives of the Centre Party faction emphasize regional and agricultural priorities, fighting for the preservation of services in the counties and the sustainability of food production. They are critical of the government's tax policy and prefer generating broader tax revenue through a bank tax, rather than significantly increasing consumption taxes. They also stress the need for transparency, a consistent budget, and regional investments; they do not rule out cooperation, but are therefore strongly in opposition to the coalition, which has demonstrated urgent and "omnibus bill"-style measures. Legislative policy is primarily viewed through the lens of public welfare (livelihood, regional development), and they have been ready to offer alternatives (e.g., the bank tax).
09.2024
45 Speeches
Representing the Centre Party, the speaker highlights policies aimed at the economy and family welfare that have a direct retail impact, but stands against the implementation of extensive tax increases, emphasizing regional inequality as the greatest problem. Lowering the VAT on food to 5% is seen as having a significant social and economic benefit. At the same time, there is a warning against extreme green transition steps that could potentially harm the economy. The parliamentary group places strong emphasis on protecting entrepreneurship and criticizes the inefficiency of bureaucratic consultation rounds, viewing some government actions as highly hostile to business practices. The focus is directed toward finding solutions to these problems, underscoring the need to increase regional influence and foster a greater sense of regional fairness.
07.2024
4 Speeches
The speaker holds a position of strong opposition regarding the car tax, emphasizing that the tax will not improve people's well-being and may be unconstitutional. Reference is made to the importance of the presidential veto and the necessity of constitutional review, stating that the debate must be concluded before the law enters into force. They are prepared to submit amendments and seek alternative ways to balance the budget, but they do not see the implementation of the car tax as a solution.
06.2024
45 Speeches
As a representative of the Estonian Centre Party's parliamentary group, the primary stance is oppositional to the coalition: criticizing the government's actions and emphasizing the necessity of snap elections. On the issue of Georgia, the position is quite pragmatic and critical: the handling of the draft bill and foreign policy must proceed calmly, thoroughly, and with the involvement of allies and diplomats, not hastily. The political rhetoric is strongly geared toward confrontation and the defense of principles, and the government's policy is characterized by being labeled as "lying" and "foul play." The policy is framed as a question of government responsibility and accountability, where the coalition must take steps toward greater responsibility and an inclusive decision-making process.
05.2024
46 Speeches
Representing the Centre Party faction, the focus remains primarily on resolving economic and social issues. However, as the opposition, our direction is sharply critical of the government's tax policy. We are highlighting the overall burden imposed by consumption taxes and excise duties, along with the controversial nature of the sugar tax. As alternatives, we propose a temporary solidarity bank tax and putting an end to tax erosion. Furthermore, we stress the necessity of alleviating poverty and strengthening both subsistence benefits and funding for extracurricular activities. There is a strong reflection of the emphasis placed on protecting the economic network and individual well-being, coupled with cognitive skepticism regarding the government's ability to deliver on its promises.
04.2024
18 Speeches
The opposition maintains its stance on issues discussed in the Riigikogu; it is critical of the government's economic policy and calls for swift, agile solutions. It supports terminating the universal service (electricity/energy) and believes that state support mechanisms should be restructured, for instance, by synchronizing them with market prices and providing subsidies where necessary. The opposition strongly opposes major tax increases (including the motor vehicle tax) and emphasizes alternative financing mechanisms (such as a bank tax). Furthermore, it opposes the continuation of income tax reform if it proves detrimental to the economy. While factional cooperation is necessary, the opposition remains critical of decisions made by the coalition, focusing primarily on specific economic and energy policy matters.
03.2024
16 Speeches
Strong opposition to the government's tax policy; stresses the negative impact of the rising cost of living on the poor and middle-income earners, and underscores the necessity of reviewing tax funding structures. It highlights the bank tax and specific tax levies as alternatives, while remaining critical of new taxes, such as consumption taxes. Furthermore, it condemns the proposed car tax and emphasizes its central role in safeguarding the economy and the populace's financial well-being.
02.2024
10 Speeches
The core focus concentrates on the cost of living, managing price increases, and a concise discussion of the economic crisis. It is critical of the government's economic and regional policies, and emphasizes the importance of impact assessments and the effects experienced by people. In certain areas, a proactive desire emerges to quickly and purposefully change tax policy (e.g., opposing the car tax, supporting the bank tax) and direct resources toward solving problems, but at the same time, there is also a wish to accelerate the termination of the universal service as a method for reducing costs.
01.2024
6 Speeches
The issue of the nuclear power plant is a critically important decision that demands broad-based discussion and debate. The speaker neither clearly supports nor objects to the proposal, instead awaiting substantive answers from the government and the continuation of the discussion in light of new information. He/She stresses the necessity of involving local municipalities, communities, and both local and international experts. This position underscores the importance of oversight, transparency, and cooperation, rather than haste.