Agenda Profile: Urmas Reinsalu

The political position is strongly oppositional to the government's 2025 budget, emphasizing its negative impact on inflation and the continuation of the economic recession. The speaker is advocating for the Isamaa party's alternative budget, which focuses on scrapping tax increases and stimulating economic growth. The framework is primarily results-oriented, criticizing the poor economic consequences of the government's policy, which are worsening the ability of the Estonian people to cope financially. Making budgetary policy choices is considered a strategic task for the parliament, but the current choices are poor.

The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in public finance and macroeconomics, utilizing specific terminology such as net purchasing power, Eurostat data, and Ministry of Finance forecasts. He stresses the significance of quantitative indicators and corrects the government representative on the methodology used for calculating inflation, clarifying that the rise in Euribor is not factored into the inflation rate. Specifically, he demands precise data concerning the decline in purchasing power within the groups of pensioners and working individuals.

The rhetorical style is sharp, demanding, and fact-based, with the speaker repeatedly demanding specific figures regarding the decline in purchasing power. The speaker employs both logical arguments (economic data) and emotional appeals ("Dear Estonian people!", "people are not in the mood for jokes") to underscore the gravity of the situation. The speaker accuses the opposing side of political hypocrisy and presenting misleading information, all while maintaining formal parliamentary language.

The speaker was highly engaged during the second reading of the 2025 state budget bill, making multiple interventions—both questions and longer statements—across two consecutive days (November 13 and 14). Their pattern of activity demonstrates a clear focus on the budget debate and the rigorous questioning of government representatives.

The primary standoff is with the government coalition and the coalition majority on the Finance Committee, who are being criticized for their tax hike policies and the deterioration of the economy. The criticism is intense, targeting both the substantive policy choices and the procedural hypocrisy involved in blocking the vote on the alternative budget. The speaker deems the government representative’s assertions misleading and politically unconvincing.

Cooperation is evident within the Isamaa faction during the compilation and submission of the alternative budget. The speaker approvingly referenced Tõnis Lukas’s positions regarding cultural and educational workers and suggested utilizing the assistance of the Finance Committee advisor to obtain objective information. He also acknowledged Jaanus Karilaid’s proposal, although it did not receive support.

The focus is exclusively on the national level, addressing the general state of the Estonian economy, inflation, and the population's standard of living. The speaker references Eurostat data to compare the purchasing power parity of Estonian households with other European countries. Specific regional topics or projects are not included.

The speaker is vehemently opposed to tax hikes, emphasizing that imposing over a billion euros in tax increases on individuals and businesses will exacerbate inflation and stifle economic growth. They advocate for the sustainability of public finances through genuine, rather than merely declared, cuts in administrative spending. Furthermore, they promote stimulating domestic demand by directing EU funds appropriately. The objective is to curb inflation and foster economic growth by boosting the purchasing power of people's net incomes.

Among social issues, strong emphasis is placed on the ability of the elderly (pensioners) and working people to cope, and on the decline in their purchasing power, necessitating precise data regarding these groups. Separately, the necessity of fulfilling promises concerning the remuneration of teachers and education staff is highlighted, specifically to prevent the erosion of real wages and to offer hope to the populace.

The primary legislative focus is opposing the draft 2025 state budget (Bill 513 SE) and presenting the substance of the Isamaa party’s alternative budget. The speaker proposed halting the second reading of the budget to allow for policy adjustments. A crucial priority is also the full implementation of the €1.6 billion ammunition procurement project, proposed by the Commander of the Defense Forces, in order to guarantee security.