By Plenary Sessions: Vadim Belobrovtsev

The political focus is on Estonia's demographic crisis and the continuity of the nation, which is considered the highest priority issue for the ruling power. The speaker is strongly opposed to the government’s decisions to reduce benefits for large families and abolish tax incentives, viewing this as a threat to the survival of the nation. This position is value-based, directly referencing the objectives set out in the preamble of the constitution.

The political stance is critical and results-oriented, questioning the government's ability to meet ambitious targets (R&D 3% of GDP) and fulfill current coalition agreement promises (teacher salaries at 120% of the average wage). Emphasis is placed on the government's unreliability, citing previous unfulfilled objectives as examples. The overall direction is strongly opposed to the government's actions.

The political focus is on preserving small rural schools, which are considered a symbol of community vitality and social cohesion. The speaker criticizes the government's previous inaction and its focus on budget balance, which has led to schools being deemed unprofitable. The position strongly supports the preservation of rural schools, emphasizing an individualized approach and the regional policy aspect. The framing of the issue is predominantly value-based and outcome-based, rather than purely policy-based or finance-based.

The political position centers on the problems associated with the transition to Estonian-language education, stressing that the reform was ill-conceived, rushed, and prepared haphazardly (or "slapped together"). The speaker defends the Center Party's earlier warnings and proposed amendments, accusing the coalition of ignoring the issues and seeking scapegoats. The stance is strongly opposed to the government's methods for implementing the reform.

The most prominent topic is the practical problems associated with the transition to Estonian-language education and the resulting teacher shortage. The political stance is critical of the reform's implementation, stressing that a large number of teachers do not meet the language requirements, which jeopardizes the continuation of education. The focus is outcome-based, concentrating on failures in implementation and the necessity of finding rapid solutions.

The speaker strongly objects to the government's regional policy, which penalizes high-performing local municipalities by taking away funds and redistributing them to others. He questions the sustainability, validity, and fairness of this approach, emphasizing the need to assess the policy's overall effectiveness. The political position is clearly geared toward protecting the fiscal autonomy of local governments.

The political stance is firmly opposed to the tax package (the increase in VAT and income tax) that the government rushed through, which is deemed detrimental to the Estonian economy and the ability of people to cope financially. The second primary focus is on issues within the education sector, specifically advocating for the rapid resolution of the shortage of support specialists and ensuring flexibility during the transition to Estonian-language instruction. The position is critical and centers on the negative repercussions of the policy.