Session Profile: Mart Maastik
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
2024-12-17
Political Position
The political position centers on strong opposition to the growth of bureaucracy, especially concerning sustainability reports, and robust support for reducing the burden on small businesses. The speaker is demanding that audit thresholds be raised by 50% to save businesses money and provide them support during these difficult times. The proposal to vote against the draft law is based on principle, as the government is ignoring the wishes of businesses and tying sensible proposals to absurd levels of bureaucracy.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise on the topic of the Accounting Act and audit thresholds, citing the 2016 regulations and their subsequent obsolescence. They draw upon the proposals made by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Auditors, as well as previously submitted tables, treating the subject technically and with precise attention to detail. This professional knowledge also extends to assessing the impact of sustainability reports (CSRD).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is critical and polemical, emphasizing the plight of entrepreneurs and condemning the government's stubborn attitude. Figurative expressions and analogies are used ("Brezhnev package," "half an egg as an empty shell") to describe the irrationality of the legislative process. The tone is rather emotional and politically charged, although the argumentation relies on economic logic.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker references previous presentations given in the Riigikogu chamber on this same subject, noting that they have previously submitted relevant tables and addressed the issue of thresholds. No other data regarding the frequency of appearances or specific activity patterns is available.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main criticism is aimed at the ministry and Finance Minister Ligi, who is accused of having a stubborn attitude toward entrepreneurs and ignoring their proposals. The criticism is intense and focuses on the political inability to support entrepreneurs during a difficult time. Opposition is also directed at the Economic Committee, which "tucked its tail between its legs" and failed to stand up for the interests of entrepreneurs.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation relies heavily on the proposals put forward by business organizations (such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and professional associations (such as the Chamber of Auditors), utilizing these proposals to validate its own standpoints. The speaker is collaborating with fellow faction member Evelin Poolamets and is speaking on behalf of Isamaa, but highlights the failure to achieve a compromise with the ministry.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is strictly national, addressing legislative changes that affect all small Estonian businesses and the economic environment as a whole. There is no regional or local focus present in the speech.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views are strongly pro-business, emphasizing the need to cut bureaucracy and save businesses money. Concerns are raised regarding tax hikes and general economic hardship, with a strong preference for protecting entrepreneurs. They favor modernizing regulations to meet contemporary requirements.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Not enough data
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on the amendments to the Accounting Act, specifically the opposition to mandating sustainability reports and the inadequate increase in audit thresholds. The speaker opposes the draft legislation because it bundles reasonable and unreasonable provisions together, and therefore proposes, on behalf of the Isamaa party, that the bill should not be supported.
1 Speeches Analyzed