Agenda Profile: Arvo Aller
Granting Authorization to Prime Ministerial Candidate Kristen Michal to Form the Government
2024-07-22
15th Riigikogu, Riigikogu's extraordinary session.
Political Position
The speaker strongly opposes the tax hikes proposed by the prime ministerial candidate (income tax, VAT, security tax), criticizing their impact on poorer people. He/She questions the legitimacy and political mandate for these tax increases and demands that a guarantee of food security be added to the coalition agreement. The political focus is directed toward social justice and a comprehensive approach to national security.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates a strong grasp of tax mathematics by correcting the prime ministerial candidate’s statement regarding the magnitude of the tax hike, stressing that it constitutes a 20% increase, not merely 2 percentage points. He employs specific economic terminology, such as "final prices," and connects the rise in VAT directly to its impact on purchasing power. Furthermore, he is well-informed about the specifics of the coalition agreement concerning food security.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is critical, inquisitive, and skeptical, employing rhetorical estrangement (e.g., calling taxes a security tax) to challenge the claims made by the prime ministerial candidate. The speaker relies on logical and numerical arguments, posing direct questions regarding the mandate for tax hikes and the absence of food security. The tone is formal, yet confrontational in substance.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The information is restricted to just two questions posed to the prime ministerial candidate during a single hearing, meaning that broader patterns of action are unavailable.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The speaker is a strong opponent to both the plans of Prime Ministerial candidate Kristen Michal’s government and the previous Kaja Kallas administration, criticizing both for failing to address food security. The criticism targets the substance of the policy (tax hikes that hurt the poor) and the procedure (the lack of a mandate to impose new taxes). The opposition is both intense and substantive.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is no data regarding cooperation, willingness to compromise, or inter-party communication; the speaker is acting purely as an opposition questioner.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national issues, such as tax policy, security, and food security for the Estonian people and military personnel. There are no references to specific regional problems or projects.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker is strongly opposed to tax hikes, particularly increases in consumption taxes (VAT) and income tax, arguing that this negatively impacts poorer individuals and leaves them with less money for food. He/She also questions the justification for implementing new taxes (car, sugar, security tax), highlighting the social consequences and the resulting decline in purchasing power.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is food security and the ability of poorer people to cope, as tax increases reduce their purchasing power and the funds available for buying food. This has been framed as part of the broader theme of security, emphasizing that national security also encompasses the well-being of citizens.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The focus is on the critical analysis of and opposition to the content of the government's proposed tax legislation (security tax, car tax, tax on sweetened beverages) and the coalition agreement. The speaker operates as a critical scrutinizer of the initiated draft legislation and the government's action plan.
2 Speeches Analyzed