Session Profile: Vadim Belobrovtsev
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary sitting
2024-09-10
Political Position
The political focus is currently on the draft legislation to designate the second day of Easter as a national holiday and a day off, a measure being presented as apolitical and popular among the public. The speaker strongly supports increasing the leisure time available to working people and strengthening family ties, while also stressing the importance of aligning Estonian laws with the practices of the majority of EU member states. This stance is value-based (family, rest) and oriented toward supporting the working population.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding the legislation concerning public holidays and observance days, as well as international comparisons, citing data from the practices of over a hundred countries and exceptions among EU member states (Malta, Portugal). They also utilize Eurostat statistics on the length of the average working week in Estonia (38 hours) and Europe (37.5 hours) to support their economic arguments. Furthermore, they are knowledgeable about international banking systems, referring to the impact of European Central Bank holidays on transfers.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is persuasive and argumentative, grounded in logical appeals, international comparisons, and statistical data. The speaker maintains a formal yet direct tone, criticizing the ministries for their inadequate impact assessments and expressing hope that the draft legislation will be supported regardless of its proponent (the opposition forces). He repeatedly emphasizes that the bill is apolitical and positive.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker's pattern of activity includes an appearance at the Riigikogu plenary session during the first reading of the draft bill. He refers to previous activities, including a meeting with the leaders of the Estonian Council of Churches in March and informal communication with representatives of other factions.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is aimed at the ministries that presented old and insufficient arguments against the draft bill, and those who failed to conduct a proper impact analysis. Specifically, he/she finds the Ministry of Education’s argument that the learning process would suffer due to one extra day implausible. Concern is also expressed that the draft bill might be rejected merely because it was submitted by an opposition force.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker emphasizes the necessity of cross-party cooperation, describing the draft bill as apolitical and referencing unofficial support received from other factions. He is open to debating colleagues' more radical suggestions (such as a four-day work week) and concurs with colleague Lauri Laats concerning the limited capacity of Riigikogu members to commission analyses.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national legislation and its comparison with international practice, specifically the member states of the European Union, the Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden), and the other Baltic states (Latvia, Lithuania). There is no regional focus within Estonia.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic arguments favor employee well-being, stressing that days off replenish energy levels and motivate staff, ultimately benefiting businesses in the long run. He disputes short-sighted business worries, citing Eurostat data that indicates the Estonian work week would still remain near the European average. It is also crucial to emphasize that passing the bill will not result in additional state budgetary expenditures.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social focus is on strengthening family ties by providing parents and children with more time together during the Easter holidays. Regarding education, the argument that one extra day off per year would drastically affect the quality of learning is rejected. The Estonian Council of Churches also supports the bill.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on amending the Law on Public Holidays and Commemoration Days of the Republic of Estonia to add the second day of Easter as a national holiday to the calendar. The speaker is the initiator/strong supporter of the bill and emphasizes the necessity of moving the bill past the first reading in order to conduct a more thorough impact analysis.
6 Speeches Analyzed