Agenda Profile: Vadim Belobrovtsev
Second reading of the draft law on the 2025 state budget (513 SE)
2024-11-13
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session.
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to the 2025 state budget draft, which is considered poor in both substance and form and fails to improve the lives of the Estonian people. The criticism is primarily aimed at the government's failure to secure pay raises for civil servants and prevent increases in taxes and state fees. The drafting of the budget is viewed as a matter of priorities, not a necessity for unavoidable cuts, thereby highlighting the government's unsuccessful performance.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The expertise clearly lies in the domain of budget and financial policy, drawing attention to the lack of budget transparency (specifically, the activity-based budget) and citing the State Audit Office's damning assessment. Concrete data on price hikes are utilized, including the 40% increase in food prices over two years and the quadrupling of specialist consultation fees. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on understanding the history and expectations surrounding civil servants' salary increases.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharply critical and combative, accusing the government of driving Estonia into a "deep impasse" and breaking its promises. Both logical arguments (a list of tax increases) and emotional appeals are utilized, emphasizing the situation of struggling families and public sector employees awaiting pay raises. The tone is formal, yet it employs strong condemnatory expressions, such as labeling the teachers' career model a "big bluff."
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The rhythm of the debate is tied to the key agenda items of the Riigikogu session, focusing specifically on the second reading of the state budget. Reference is made to previous activities, including the questioning of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of the Interior during the first reading and the information hour, respectively.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the governing coalition (Reform Party, Social Democrats, Eesti 200), who face criticism regarding both the substance of the budget and the process by which it was drafted. The criticism is intense and policy-driven, accusing the coalition of being unable to cooperate and of voting down all 16 amendments proposed by the Centre Party. This opposition is manifested in a proposal to suspend the second reading of the draft bill.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is presented as constructive, given that the Center Party faction decided to submit 16 specific amendments to improve the budget instead of resorting to obstruction. At the same time, it is emphasized that the coalition showed no desire whatsoever to cooperate with the opposition, voting down all the proposals. Reference is made to a positive tradition of cooperation in the capital, contrasting it with the national level.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily national, concentrating on the quality of life for Estonian people and the country's financial document. There is a brief mention of the capital city's tradition of supporting the opposition's proposed amendments, but this remains secondary to the overall national criticism.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic stance is firmly opposed to raising taxes, excise duties, and state fees—measures which only make life harder for people. We support shifting state budget priorities to ensure salary increases for public sector employees (police officers, rescuers, teachers) and to alleviate the effects of inflation. Budget formulation is viewed as a matter of setting priorities, rather than an unavoidable necessity for making cuts.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
In the social sector, attention is focused on the deteriorating situation of vulnerable groups (families with children, people with disabilities, pensioners) due to tax hikes and the rising cost of living. A separate and intense focus is also placed on the failure to meet the salary levels and expectations of employees in the education and internal security sectors (teachers, police officers, rescuers, cultural workers).
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on opposing the draft 2025 State Budget Law (513 SE). The faction submitted 16 specific amendments aimed at improving the budget and, consequently, improving the lives of the people. As these proposals failed to gain support, a motion was made to suspend the second reading of the draft bill.
4 Speeches Analyzed