Agenda Profile: Vadim Belobrovtsev
Draft law amending the Basic Education Act, the Education Act of the Republic of Estonia, and amending other acts related thereto (establishing compulsory education), second reading (644 SE)
2025-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting.
Political Position
The political position is one of support for the specific draft bill (644 SE), as it reduces bureaucracy in childcare services and corrects existing flaws. At the same time, the speaker strongly criticizes the government (the state) for the insufficient funding of school and kindergarten meals, emphasizing the need to invest in children's health. The criticism is mainly policy- and performance-based, focusing on the government's inability to resolve this specific bottleneck.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of education and childcare financing, focusing specifically on school meal costs and the impact of inflation. Specific data is presented regarding the state's contribution (1 euro since 2018) and the 40% rise in food prices over two years. Furthermore, they are aware of the different compensation arrangements utilized by local governments (Tallinn, Tartu).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is initially supportive, but shifts to become critical and urgent when addressing the topic of school meals, stressing that it is high time for the government to take concrete action. Logical appeals are employed, drawing on numerical data and examples of inflation to justify the necessity of increasing the state's contribution. The speech maintains a formal register and centers on core principles (investment in health).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is an active proponent of legislation, citing bills repeatedly introduced by the Centre Party faction in recent years aimed at increasing funding for school meals. It was noted that a third, similarly themed bill is currently under review.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary adversary is the government/state, which is being criticized for failing to fix a specific bottleneck (the funding of school meals), despite being fully aware of the problem's existence. The criticism is both political and procedural, given that the government has repeatedly voted down the Centre Party’s draft legislation and ignored the topic during budget negotiations.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is intra-factional, evidenced by the support of a colleague (Peeter Ernits) and the joint submission of draft legislation by the Centre Party faction. There is no information regarding a willingness to compromise or cooperate with other parties on the issue of school meal funding.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is at the national level (the state's contribution), but specific examples from local municipalities are utilized to support the arguments. Particular emphasis is placed on the City of Tallinn's supplementary contribution to school meals and the City of Tartu's plans to increase parental contributions.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Supports increasing the national investment in the social sector, emphasizing that this is an investment in children's health, where the principle is more important than the specific amount. It is noted that inflation (a 40% increase in food prices) has rendered the state's fixed contribution (1 euro) inadequate.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social concern is the well-being and health of children, which must be guaranteed through high-quality, healthy, and nutritious food provided in kindergartens and schools. The state is being criticized for its inability to guarantee healthy food due to insufficient funding.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
Supports draft bill 644 SE, which is aimed at reducing bureaucracy in childcare services. The main legislative priority is increasing the state's contribution to the financing of school meals (to the desired level of 2 euros), concerning which the faction has submitted repeated draft bills.
1 Speeches Analyzed