Agenda Profile: Vadim Belobrovtsev
Draft law amending the Holiday and Commemoration Day Act (453 SE) – first reading
2024-11-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is one of strong support for declaring Easter Monday a national holiday, an initiative viewed as non-partisan and positive. The speaker contrasts this proposal with the government's negative agenda, which includes raising taxes, excise duties, and specialist doctor visit fees. This stance is strongly value- and results-driven, emphasizing the necessity of positive change.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of European public holiday practices, noting that Estonia is one of three exceptions where the second day of Easter (Easter Monday) is not a day off. Reference is also made to the history of Estonian legislation (the last public holiday was added in 2005), and counterarguments are presented against both economic and religious points. The expertise focuses on a comparative and historical analysis of the legislation.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is at times combative and critical of the coalition, but it remains logical and well-reasoned concerning the actual proposal. It employs both logical appeals (such as comparisons to Europe and economic compensation) and emotional contrast (pitting a positive draft bill against the backdrop of negative tax increases). The speaker utilizes rhetorical questions to highlight the lack of logic in the coalition's arguments.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively involved in the legislative process, having submitted a similar draft bill on September 10th and now supporting a new, similar initiative on November 11th. This demonstrates repeated action in highlighting the issue of national holidays and consistent effort in supporting opposition initiatives.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the governing coalition, which is being criticized for rejecting positive and non-partisan legislative drafts. The criticism is intense and focuses on the coalition’s negative agenda (raising taxes and medical co-pays). The speaker openly doubts the coalition's capacity for initiative and faults them for making policy on issues that should be cross-party.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker emphasized the necessity of a cross-party compromise on the matter of national holidays and referenced the unanimous 2005 decision. A willingness was expressed to support a similarly worded bill drafted by the coalition, provided it would help achieve the stated objective. They are also cooperating with other opposition parties by supporting their bills of similar substance.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
There is not enough data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views are focused on supporting the welfare of the workforce, arguing that an extra day off will be offset by improved work capacity and higher productivity. The speaker is strongly opposed to raising taxes, excise duties, and specialist doctor visit fees, viewing these as detrimental economic measures.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Regarding social issues, the focus is on the recognition of traditional holidays (the Second Day of Easter) and the addition of days off, highlighting European practice. The initiative to declare June 1st, or Children's Day, a national holiday is also supported, emphasizing worthy social initiatives.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on amending the Holidays and Observances Act to include the second day of Easter in the calendar. The speaker is an active proponent and a previous initiator of similar draft legislation, stressing the necessity of adding national holidays to the Estonian calendar. A second pending initiative (Children's Day) is also mentioned.
2 Speeches Analyzed