Agenda Profile: Urmas Reinsalu
Third reading of the draft law on the 2025 state budget (513 SE)
2024-12-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is scathingly critical of the 2025 budget proposed by the Reform Party-led government and the ten accompanying tax hikes, which they have dubbed "Black Tax Wednesday." The primary focus is on the counterproductive impact these taxes will have on economic growth and people's ability to cope, particularly for lower-income groups. The representative highlights Isamaa's alternative, responsible, and tax-hike-free budgetary approach, and pledges to repeal the tax increases should they come to power.
15 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The representative demonstrates expertise in state budget and tax policy, referring to specific budget lines, such as the reduction in special defense equipment by 96 million euros. Technical terms such as "income deciles," "consolidated volume," and "real economic impact" are used. The government is repeatedly asked for a quantitative analysis regarding the impact of tax increases on the net income of the average wage earner.
15 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharply accusatory, forceful, and emotional, employing labels such as "black tax Wednesday" and accusing the government of ignorance and fearing answers. The representative utilizes both logical appeals (referencing billions and inflation) and emotional appeals, emphasizing the decline in people's quality of life and the forced choices they face. The speech is formal, yet it contains strong judgments ("shamelessly," "impudently," "disgraceful style").
15 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speeches were concentrated on a single day (December 11th) during the third reading of the state budget, indicating active participation in critical legislative processes. The representative repeatedly intervened with questions and procedural remarks to draw attention to the government's activities and the violation of the opposition's rights.
15 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main confrontation is with the Reform Party-led government coalition, which is criticized for both substantive errors (tax hikes, calling the reduction of governing costs a bluff) and procedural errors. The criticism is intense, accusing the government of refusing to provide answers and abusing the "absolutist power" inherent in the Riigikogu's working procedures. The representative promises to reverse the policy of tax increases.
15 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Cooperation with the ruling coalition is not mentioned; the focus is on Isamaa's own alternative budget proposal and criticizing the government's actions. The representative emphasizes the ruling coalition's disregard for the opposition's rights and the failure to include proposed amendments in the official table, which points to a lack of cooperation and a breakdown of trust.
15 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The main focus is on national topics (economy, budget), but the representative highlights the particularly painful impact of tax increases on residents of rural areas, where the average level of income is lower. This emphasis links national policy with specific regional livelihood challenges.
15 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views are strongly opposed to tax increases, emphasizing that these measures stifle economic growth and fuel inflation, resulting in nearly 200 million euros less in state revenue. The representative advocates for improving the state budget through economic growth and criticizes the government's choice to place the entire burden on the shoulders of the people. They promise to repeal the car tax and other tax increases if Isamaa assumes responsibility.
15 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Concerning social issues, the negative impact of tax increases is highlighted, particularly on the elderly who live from one pension payment to the next, and on families with children whose real income is shrinking. Furthermore, the government is criticized for its inaction regarding teachers' salaries, with critics arguing that the necessary funds to prevent the strike were available.
15 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on opposing and voting against the draft State Budget Act of 2025 (513 SE). Procedural focus is also important, with criticism directed at the Speaker of the Riigikogu and the committee for failing to include the Isamaa amendments in the table, an omission seen as violating the minimal rights of the opposition.
15 Speeches Analyzed