Agenda Profile: Arvo Aller
The Regional Affairs and Agricultural Minister's 2024 presentation on the implementation of the state’s long-term development strategy "Estonia 2035"
2024-09-25
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The political stance is strongly critical of the government’s performance in regional and agricultural policy, highlighting the absence of substantive results and the government’s overall incompetence. The primary demands include lowering the VAT rate for primary producers and opposing the transfer of the Land Board (Maa-amet) and the management of land resources to another ministry. The political framework is clearly results-oriented and focuses on demonstrating the government’s inefficiency.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates deep expertise in agricultural policy, referencing the creation of PõKa 2030 and possessing detailed knowledge of the reform of the advisory system, as well as the technical and administrative challenges of the e-farm register (e.g., PRIA inspections and data submission deadlines). Furthermore, the speaker uses specific data concerning job creation and fund allocation from the Just Transition Fund (JTF), highlighting contradictions with the figures presented by the minister.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is combative, sharply critical, and accusatory, focusing on exposing the government's incompetence and contradictions. It employs logical argumentation and concrete examples of failed policies (e.g., the unwieldiness of the e-farm register, the JTF's spending). The tone remains formal but incorporates sharp questioning and irony (e.g., concerning the repercussions of dismissing the PTA Director General).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker references their past work as a minister (the creation of PõKa 2030) and their current legislative activity, specifically mentioning repeated proposals for VAT amendments in the Riigikogu (alongside EKRE and the Centre Party). Their current modus operandi involves participating in the debate following the minister's presentation, where comprehensive and detailed criticism is delivered.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary target is the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, along with the government, both of whom face sharp criticism for their incompetence and inability to act (citing examples like the Tartu Agro tender and the relocation of the Land Board). The criticism focuses on political decisions and procedural failures, specifically highlighting the exclusion of farmers from the ÕÜF. The criticism is intense and uncompromising.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker mentioned cooperation with other opposition parties (the Conservative People's Party and the Centre Party) when drafting proposals for VAT amendments. The style directed at the government, however, is confrontational, rejecting any collaboration whatsoever and citing the minister's inability to carry out even the simplest procedures.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
There is a strong regional focus on Ida-Virumaa, criticizing the management of the Just Transition Fund, the lack of job creation, and the environmental footprint of organic food transport. The lands of Tartu Agro are also mentioned, along with the need to assess the impact of laws on different regions, finding that current decisions negatively affect these areas.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Supports targeted tax cuts (lower VAT for primary producers, such as fruits, vegetables, and potatoes) to improve the competitiveness of producers. It criticizes government spending, finding that ÕÜF funds are being wasted on soft activities and administration (e.g., 46 million for the Education and Youth Board) rather than on investments that would create permanent jobs.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The focus in the social sector is on the use of school meals and organic food, criticizing the discontinuation of the fruit and vegetable subsidy and the disregard for the issue of pre-school childcare facilities. It also touches upon animal welfare in relation to the demands of animal rights activists, referencing the dismissal of the PTA Director General.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative priority is the reduction of VAT on the output of primary producers, a matter for which bills have been repeatedly introduced. The speaker opposes the current clumsy implementation of the e-field logbook, arguing that it functions more as a monitoring tool than a simplified method. Furthermore, they criticize the reform of the advisory system, which completely upended the system for consultants.
1 Speeches Analyzed