Agenda Profile: Vadim Belobrovtsev
First reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic for the Implementation of the Digital Services Tax in Estonia" (408 OE)
2024-05-29
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Political Position
Strong opposition to the government’s recent tax hikes (car, sugar, and security taxes) and support for implementing alternative revenue measures, such as a bank tax and a digital tax. The political framework is value-based, emphasizing the necessity of securing funds for the state budget without unduly burdening the poor. The speaker criticizes the coalition's timidity and passivity in discussing these revenue measures.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The assessment focuses on tax policy and alternative sources of state budget revenue, particularly the tax on digital services and the banking tax. The speaker demonstrates knowledge of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure, repeatedly questioning the presiding officer of the session regarding calling the rapporteur to order. Detailed economic data or statistics are not used in the addresses.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The tone is critical, confrontational, and procedurally demanding, especially toward the coalition and the rapporteur. The speaker employs accusatory rhetoric, asking why the coalition "fears" or "dreads" their proposals, and criticizes the rapporteur's "patronizing tone." The style is formal and focuses on political accountability and adherence to parliamentary rules of procedure.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is highly active during the Riigikogu session, engaging in the debate on the draft legislation with both substantive questions and procedural inquiries directed at the presiding officer. Their patterns of behavior demonstrate a commitment to defending opposition tax bills and ensuring adherence to parliamentary rules of procedure. Their remarks are brief and pointed, focusing strictly on specific issues.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary criticism is aimed at the government and the coalition, accusing them of increasing the tax burden and sidestepping the opposition's proposed revenue measures. The criticism is both political (the tax hikes) and procedural, targeting the absence of coalition representatives in the chamber and the inappropriate conduct of the rapporteur. No willingness to compromise can be discerned from the speeches.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Information regarding cooperation is absent because the speeches focus on defending the opposition's proposals and criticizing the coalition. The speaker refers to measures proposed by "us," which suggests cooperation within the faction, but cross-party cooperation is not mentioned. Openness to compromise is not demonstrated.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is entirely on the national level, addressing the state budget, tax policy, and legislative procedures. Regional, local, or international issues are not addressed in the speeches.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
We strongly support implementing a Digital Services Tax and a Bank Tax as effective measures to boost state budget revenue. We oppose the taxes introduced by the government (such as the car tax and sugar tax) because they disproportionately burden low-income individuals, stressing the critical need for a socially equitable tax system. We advocate achieving fiscal discipline by identifying new sources of revenue, rather than relying solely on cost-cutting or raising consumption taxes.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The social focus is on economic justice and protecting the poor from excessive tax burdens. The speaker emphasizes that the proposed tax measures will help generate revenue for the state budget while simultaneously avoiding the excessive burdening of the poorer segments of the population. Other classical social issues are not addressed.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative priority is supporting and pushing through the draft bill (408 OE) concerning the implementation of the digital services tax. The speaker is a strong proponent and defender of this bill, using it as a platform to criticize the government’s tax policy. Furthermore, attention is focused on adherence to the procedural rules of the Riigikogu and session proceedings.
3 Speeches Analyzed