Agenda Profile: Mart Maastik

Santa Claus

2024-12-19

15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session

Political Position
The politician expresses a strong commitment to the Isamaa party, emphasizing that the party is "in the right hands." The main themes are opposition to tax hikes and the bleak outlook for the energy future. The political framework is value-based, focusing on the traditional family and improving the nation's standard of living through "tax peace" (maintaining stable tax levels).

2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The politician demonstrates awareness regarding tax policy and energy issues (molecules, wind energy), though the delivery is rather poetic and satirical. Parliamentary activity is also mentioned, referred to dismissively as a "gabfest." Specific technical data or statistics are not used.

2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is unconventional and poetic, utilizing a long rhyming poem addressed to Santa Claus and colleagues. The tone is a blend of humble supplication, satire, and political demands, particularly concerning a tax truce. It employs both emotional appeals (family, home) and political ones (taxes, energy), while simultaneously maintaining formality ("Dear colleagues").

2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Speech activity is brief, limited to two appearances on a single day, which is connected with Christmas and the close of the parliamentary session ("our talk shop is wrapping up"). This pattern suggests a special, celebratory, or satirical performance. A long-term plan is referenced for the New Year, giving an indication of future activity.

2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The opposition is directed at the government's tax policy, urgently demanding an end to tax increases and the implementation of a "tax peace." The system of expense allowances is also indirectly criticized ("life without expense allowances"). The criticism is policy-based and delivered in a playful, yet intense manner.

2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The politician addresses their colleagues but asks Santa Claus for help to "knock some sense" into the politicians, which points to difficulties in achieving internal cooperation. The text contains no direct willingness to cooperate or offer compromises; instead, demands are being presented.

2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The main emphasis is on national topics (taxes, energy). Regionally, the focus is on bringing Estonian families back from Finland so that they can establish a home in Estonia and "forge a new Estonian generation."

2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views are clearly against tax increases, calling for "tax peace" (a freeze on new taxes) to give people breathing room. Concern is expressed over the scarcity of money (colloquially, "running on empty"). Satirical solutions are also offered, such as the "tax hump" and the "reindeer sleigh tax," which points to criticism regarding the complexity of the tax system.

2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Regarding social issues, emphasis is placed on the traditional family model, requesting clarification that men cannot have children together and that concerns about having children vanish if an "adorable wife" is brought home. This points to a conservative viewpoint on family matters. The repatriation of Estonian families from Finland to restore the population is also a topic of discussion.

2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on reforming tax policy, specifically demanding a halt to tax increases and the establishment of tax stability (or "tax peace"). Securing the energy future and encouraging families to return are also priorities. The politician positions himself as the proponent of these demands for the new year, stressing the importance of the "long-term plan."

2 Speeches Analyzed