Agenda Profile: Arvo Aller
Draft Act Amending the Motor Vehicle Tax Act (677 SE), second reading
2025-11-05
15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Political Position
The political position centers on strong opposition to the motor vehicle tax, which is viewed as an unfair property tax that harms rural residents. The stance is both value-based (anti-tax) and results-based (criticizing the draft bill’s incompetence and its failure to achieve stated goals). The speaker promises that EKRE will repeal this tax if they come to power, stressing that they had promised to avoid raising taxes.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in analyzing tax laws and their impact, citing the Chancellor of Justice's proposal of February 26, 2025, regarding the constitutionality of taxing vehicles that have been deregistered. He/She analyzes the economic consequences of the tax, such as the loss of VAT revenue and the resulting increase in final consumer prices for services and foodstuffs. Furthermore, technical inconsistencies in the refund mechanism are criticized, specifically where funds are transferred to a "mystical prepayment account."
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, critical, and accusatory, employing strong negative language like "bungling," "cynical," and "demagogic claim." Emotional appeals (such as the property tax levied on rural residents) are combined with logical arguments detailing the failure to achieve the tax objectives. Ironic juxtaposition is utilized, emphasizing Estonia's unique status regarding e-voting and high VAT on food products, specifically to criticize the coalition’s selective use of European comparisons.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker references the previous activity of a colleague (Rene Kokk) both in the committee and during the plenary session, demonstrating its relevance to the ongoing legislative debate. Data regarding the speaker's personal frequency or pace of contributions is unavailable.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the parties of the ruling coalition: the Reform Party, Eesti 200, and the Sotsid, who are accused of voting for the tax and its botched implementation. The criticism is intense and politically charged, accusing the coalition of only seeing the light after the intervention of the Chancellor of Justice. Compromise is ruled out, as the speaker promises the complete abolition of the tax.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Data regarding the cooperation style is unavailable, as the speech is entirely focused on sharply criticizing the governing coalition and opposing their activities.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is clearly aimed at rural areas and the people who live there. It is stressed that the motor vehicle tax is purely a property tax for these individuals, given that they rely on their cars for daily transportation.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views are strongly opposed to taxes, particularly regarding the introduction of new taxes that hike the price for the end consumer (via food, services, and transport). The government’s claim that the money will go towards roads is criticized, with critics emphasizing that this is a pure revenue grab because, as they put it, "money is needed everywhere."
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
There is no data regarding traditional social issues.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is the opposition to the draft act amending the Motor Vehicle Tax Act (677 SE). The speaker is a strong opponent of the draft, criticizing it as merely making cosmetic "minor fixes" to a law that is unconstitutional and failed. The priority is the complete repeal of this tax in the future.
1 Speeches Analyzed