Agenda Profile: Vadim Belobrovtsev
Second Reading of the Draft Act on the Amendment of the State Fee Act and the Amendment of Other Related Acts (417 SE)
2024-06-06
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political stance is fiercely opposed to the amendment of the State Fees Act, viewing it as a hidden tax hike and an attempt to plug holes in the state budget. The speaker stresses that this is part of a larger package of tax increases, which highlights the government's poor financial management. The position is strongly results-oriented, criticizing the government's failure to manage the budget responsibly.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates detailed knowledge regarding state fee rates, citing specific figures and percentage increases (e.g., an 1100% hike in the citizenship application levy and a sixfold increase for expedited documents). He/She focuses on analyzing the financial implications of the draft bill, calling into question the government’s claim of a cost-based rationale and emphasizing the true objective of generating revenue.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharply critical and accusatory, calling into question the coalition's stated justifications regarding cost-effectiveness. The speaker employs emotional appeals and demands honesty from the government ("be brave, have backbone"), supporting their arguments with concrete numerical examples. The tone is formal, but the substance is confrontational.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker was highly active during this period, delivering substantive addresses on two consecutive days (June 5 and 6) and repeatedly engaging in procedural disputes. He/She repeatedly demanded votes on amendments and also requested a 10-minute recess, which points to active obstruction of the bill's swift passage.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the government and the ruling coalition, who are being criticized for patching budget holes and for being dishonest about the true objectives of the proposed bill. The criticism is intense, accusing the government of yet another attempt to take money from the people, linking this to other tax hikes (such as the car tax and increases in excise duties).
10 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker referenced their cooperation with colleagues, noting that their proposed amendments failed to gain support in the committee. This collaboration is also manifested in joint procedural actions, such as calling for recesses and demanding votes on amendments, in an attempt to rectify the committee's decisions on the floor.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
Insufficient data. The focus is entirely on national issues (state fees, the state budget, citizenship).
10 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic viewpoints are strongly opposed to tax hikes, emphasizing that raising government levies is an unfair way to fill the state budget. The speaker criticizes the government's lack of fiscal discipline and the creation of budget deficits, which forces the state to take more money from the people.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The speaker addresses the social implications of the 12-fold hike in the Estonian citizenship application fee, criticizing the move as running counter to the goal of encouraging more people (particularly citizens of Russia or Belarus) to acquire Estonian citizenship. The rising cost of expedited document processing, which is an essential service, is also subject to criticism.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on opposing the draft bill to amend the State Fees Act (417 SE), which is widely viewed as part of a broader package of tax increases that also includes raising fines and introducing a car tax. The speaker is acting as a staunch opponent of the bill, attempting to overturn the committee’s negative decisions by pushing for votes on amendments in the chamber.
10 Speeches Analyzed