Session Profile: Vadim Belobrovtsev
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
2024-11-11
Political Position
The speaker strongly supports designating the second day of Easter as a national holiday, stressing its non-political and positive nature. They criticize the governing coalition for negative measures (raising taxes and excise duties) and for opposing initiatives that would benefit the people. The political stance is clearly oppositional and focuses on increasing social benefits.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge when comparing Estonian and European public holiday legislation, noting that Estonia is one of only three exceptions in Europe. They refer to the history of previous legislation (the addition of Christmas Eve in 2005) and are able to refute economic and religious objections, basing their arguments on logic and the productivity argument.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is consistent, argumentative, and formal, while simultaneously expressing disappointment over the coalition's opposition. The speaker uses logical appeals, emphasizing that adding a national holiday is positive and compensates for economic losses with improved productivity. He contrasts his positive bill with the coalition's negative steps, such as tax increases and the fourfold increase in consultation fees.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively involved in the legislative process, having previously submitted a draft bill on the same subject on September 10th, and is participating in the repeated discussion of this topic. He/She also references other initiatives currently under review by the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament), demonstrating continuous engagement with legislative matters.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main conflict is with the coalition, which is being criticized for rejecting positive initiatives and for its illogical behavior. The criticism is directed at the coalition's policies, which focus on raising taxes and excise duties, and quadrupling the specialist doctor's visit co-pay. The speaker doubts the coalition will take any initiative and believes their arguments for opposition don't hold water.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker emphasized the desire for cross-party compromise on non-political issues. He offered the coalition the opportunity to submit the same bill themselves, promising the support of the opposition, thereby demonstrating a readiness to cooperate for the sake of the outcome. Furthermore, he supports a similar initiative proposed by another opposition party.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is national, addressing the topic of the calendar and public holidays in the Republic of Estonia. International comparison is also utilized, highlighting that Easter Monday is a public holiday in most European countries.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker rejects claims about the negative economic impact of the national holiday, arguing that the time off boosts people's productivity and compensates for the lost workday. The speaker is sharply critical of the government’s economic policy, which includes raising taxes, excise duties, and specialist doctor visit fees.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The social focus is on increasing people's rest time and well-being through the addition of public holidays. The speaker strongly supports declaring the second day of Easter (Easter Monday) and June 1st (Children’s Day) as public holidays, citing necessity and European practice. He/She uses the religious context (Easter holidays) as an argument for logical continuity.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative priority is declaring Easter Monday a national holiday, a bill for which the speaker’s faction has previously submitted, and which he supports even when presented by other opposition parties. He also supports the initiative by 36 organizations to declare June 1st (Children’s Day) a national holiday.
2 Speeches Analyzed