By Months: Maris Lauri
Total Months: 13
Fully Profiled: 13
10.2025
7 Speeches
The most crucial topic is strengthening the competitiveness of the Estonian economy via four pillars, especially given the unstable global environment. The political position is strongly opposed to the dismantling of the second pillar of the pension system, arguing that this reduced domestic capital and slowed down economic development. This approach is clearly grounded in policy and strategy, underscoring the necessity of being prepared for unforeseen circumstances and ensuring a rapid response capability.
09.2025
19 Speeches
The political focus is strongly directed toward the stability of the financial system, the effectiveness of supervision, and the prevention of financial crime. It supports the flexibility of banking regulations and the establishment of a positive credit register. A firm stance is expressed that the anti-money laundering bill returned by the president requires further discussion and amendment, emphasizing the need to refine both policy and legislation. The political framework is clearly policy- and results-based.
06.2025
40 Speeches
The political position is clearly center-right, supporting the coalition's direction following the departure of the left-wing party. He/She emphasizes the reduction of the tax burden (forecasting a drop from 36.8% to 35.1% of GDP by 2029) and deems the technological strengthening of anti-money laundering efforts important. Furthermore, he/she acknowledges the difficult dilemma concerning the constitutionality of changes to the judicial system organization. His/Her framework is primarily policy and procedure based.
05.2025
6 Speeches
The political position is strongly pro-coalition, defending a new tax package that raises the personal income tax rate to 24% and taxes companies' distributed profits. This stance is framed by security needs, stressing that the tax hike is necessary "thanks to Putin," and ideologically, by emphasizing the majority held by right-wing parties in the Riigikogu (Parliament). The speaker opposes the opposition's attempts to repeal the tax increases without proposing replacement revenue.
03.2025
2 Speeches
The political position is one of moderate opposition to the immediate and unconsidered closure of the border with Russia, emphasizing the need to await a new threat assessment. The speaker strongly supports deliberate, strategic decisions made with a "hot heart and a cool head," rather than being driven by emotion. The primary focus is on the strategic management of national security and the analysis of Russia’s countermeasures. This position is strongly policy- and risk-based.
01.2025
9 Speeches
The political position is one of firm support for the budget policy of the government and the coalition. The speaker forcefully opposes the draft legislation initiated by the Centre Party faction to amend the State Budget Act, deeming it superficial and inadequate. He emphasizes the necessity of a comprehensive and transparent budget reform, which the government is currently preparing, prioritizing the quality of policy and substantive debate.
12.2024
29 Speeches
The most crucial issues are ensuring national security and increasing defense expenditure (over 2% of GDP), as well as restoring budgetary discipline, thereby contrasting with long-term fiscal laxity. The implementation of a security tax is strongly supported as a temporary and equitable solution that distributes the burden across the whole of society. The political framework is strongly rooted in values (security, independence) and policy (fiscal discipline).
11.2024
14 Speeches
The speaker strongly supports the coalition's 2025 budget, calling it "a budget for building confidence," which focuses on security, economic growth, and supporting the socially vulnerable (pensions). They defend the substance of the budget but acknowledge the need to improve the form and transparency of the State Budget Act (the fundamental law). The position is policy- and results-driven, emphasizing that the budget represents the best possible solution given the current tight constraints.
10.2024
8 Speeches
The political position is strongly supportive of the government's budget and defense policies. The main areas of focus are the structural economic downturn, increasing defense spending (up to 4% of GDP), and the necessity of new taxes (a security tax). The framework is policy- and value-based, emphasizing statesmanship, fiscal responsibility, and international security.
09.2024
2 Speeches
The political position is strongly value-driven, emphasizing the importance of freedom, responsibility, and constitutional balance within society. The speaker warns against populism and short-sighted behavior, which ultimately lead to mandates, prohibitions, and the violation of fundamental rights. Furthermore, he supports the adoption of requirements for the financial sector's digital operational resilience (cyber defense) derived from EU law.
06.2024
2 Speeches
The political position focuses heavily on fiscal discipline and the swift reorganization of state finances, given that the current deficit is "quite bad." They call for the cutting and reallocation of costs, opposing reckless spending and borrowing that exceeds the nation's capacity. A second priority emphasizes the completion of financial system regulation and oversight to ensure the smooth functioning of the economy’s circulation. These views are strongly policy- and results-driven, warning that failure to act will otherwise lead to impoverishment.
05.2024
12 Speeches
The political focus is on the critical state of the nation's finances, which is being described as a "fire emergency" and a "debt spiral." The stance is strongly results-driven, demanding immediate and swift action (a supplementary budget, cuts, and revenue increases) to balance the budget and mitigate economic uncertainty. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of acknowledging past mistakes, such as the implementation of the tax hump, and acting responsibly.
04.2024
1 Speeches
The political stance is strongly focused on tightening regulations, particularly in the fields of cryptocurrencies and financial services, stressing the need to correct previous overly lax regulation. This position is policy-driven, centering on the implementation of European Union regulations and ensuring financial stability. The speaker advocates for stricter requirements for managers and owners to guarantee security.