Agenda Profile: Vadim Belobrovtsev
Inquiry Regarding Bank Tax (no. 673)
2025-02-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The political focus centers on Estonia's failure to implement the bank tax (or solidarity tax), contrasting this with the successful approach taken by Latvia and Lithuania in funding national defense. The speaker strongly backs the view that banks should be paying a security levy on their massive, windfall profits, rather than burdening private individuals and businesses. This stance is highly critical of the government's inaction amidst an economic downturn and escalating defense expenditures, underscoring the need for political accountability.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in Baltic financial policy and the taxation of banking, highlighting specific data regarding the revenue collection and implementation deadlines for the Lithuanian and Latvian solidarity tax. Technical terms are used, such as Euribor, European Central Bank interest rates, and GDP percentage in the context of defense expenditure. This expertise is also evident in linking bank profits with the necessity of funding national defense.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is analytical and critical, extensively utilizing comparative data regarding the implementation of the bank tax in Latvia and Lithuania. The speaker poses several pointed rhetorical questions intended to cast doubt on the government's decisions and inaction ("Is the situation different here in Estonia? Is everything fine with us?"). The tone is formal and focuses on the logical failure inherent in the timely implementation of fiscal policy.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The pattern of action involves the use of official parliamentary tools (an interpellation), which was filed last December, indicating a long-term planned effort to hold the government accountable. The speaker notes the delay in the interpellation reaching the plenary hall.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opposition targets the current and previous governments (led by Kaja Kallas), who are criticized for failing to implement a bank tax. The criticism is political and centers on the government’s decision to allow banks to pay extraordinary dividends instead of imposing a tax, a move deemed unfair to taxpayers. The resistance is intense, manifesting in questions about why Estonia’s situation is worse compared to its neighbors.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Insufficient data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
A strong regional focus is placed on the Baltic states (Lithuania and Latvia), which are used as direct examples and benchmarks regarding the imposition of the bank tax and the financing of national defense. It is emphasized that the neighbors' policies are superior to Estonia's and provide a model for security financing.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Supports the imposition of an extraordinary tax on banks' excessive profits, which are driven by the rise in Euribor, with the aim of finding additional budgetary revenues for national defense. It expresses concern about the impact of the recession and inflation on ordinary people and favors shifting the tax burden onto sectors generating massive profits.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Insufficient data
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is the demand to implement a temporary bank or solidarity tax in Estonia, mirroring the corresponding legislation in Latvia and Lithuania. The speaker is a strong proponent of this fiscal measure and initiated the debate via an official inquiry, stressing the necessity of securing additional resources to fund national security.
2 Speeches Analyzed