Session Profile: Urmas Reinsalu
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
2025-06-11
Political Position
A strong opposition to the government's tax policy and the deepening budget deficit, stressing the necessity of tax stability and reduced government spending. The political framework is primarily performance-driven, criticizing the quality of the government's financial management and the resulting loss of public trust. The government's activities are labeled "incompetent politics" and "deceptive politics," policies that have turned Estonia into Europe's champion of inflation and economic recession.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Demonstrates deep expertise in the field of taxation and Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) procedural processes, utilizing specific terminology such as "omnibus bill" (kobareelnõu), "bundle bill" (pundareelnõu), and "annihilate." References analyses conducted by economic experts (banks, IMF) and presents concrete figures regarding tax hikes (16 new taxes in 2024, 26 new taxes in 2026) and the unspent budget surplus. Raises legal questions concerning the Rules of Procedure Act and the right to vote on proposed amendments.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The tone is extremely combative, critical, and accusatory, utilizing strong emotional phrases such as "ugly situation," "audacity," and "botched failure." It combines procedural and legal argumentation with the direct citation of the people's voice (a letter from an Estonian citizen) and rhetorical questions concerning the crisis of trust. It repeatedly employs the contrast between the "virtual world" (government rhetoric) and the "real world" (people's ability to cope/livelihood).
19 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speeches focus intensely on the procedure for the second reading of the supplementary budget and tax legislation currently under debate in the Riigikogu plenary session. Procedural questions are raised, and motions for adjournment are repeatedly submitted. A demand is made for the Parliament's board to make specific classified documents (analyses by KAPO and PPA) available before tomorrow’s motion of no confidence.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the coalition led by the Reform Party (Reform Party, Eesti 200, Social Democrats), who are accused of violating laws and lacking democratic legitimacy. Criticism is directed both at policy (tax hikes, deficit) and procedures (the removal of Isamaa’s amendments from the vote). The government is openly called a "lying government," and compromise is ruled out, with demands for the rejection of the draft legislation.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is no cooperation with the ruling coalition parties. Emphasis is placed on the majority's ignoring and "annihilation" of Isamaa's proposals (a negative budget, the cancellation of tax hikes). The text refers to earlier dialogue with interest groups (business organizations, representative organizations for people with disabilities), whose promises (regarding the temporariness of taxes) the government has broken. It demands transparency regarding the empathy between remote gambling entrepreneurs and the government.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is predominantly on national tax and budget policy and its effect on the Estonian economy and people's ability to make ends meet. Decisions made by the Tallinn City Council (the abolition of kindergarten fees) are mentioned in the context of the elections, but this serves more as an illustrative comparison to the government’s short-sighted and poor policy.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
It supports tax stability and is categorically opposed to all tax increases (VAT, income tax, car tax), demanding that these proposals be abandoned. It calls for a reduction in administrative costs and the drafting of a negative supplementary budget to curb the current deficit and inflation. It criticizes the government's policies, which have led to an economic recession and accelerating price increases, and supports national defense spending, provided it remains within the limits of the existing budget.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
It highlights the negative impact of tax increases on ordinary people, pensioners, and those with disabilities, pointing out the resulting decline in purchasing power. It criticizes the reduction or postponement of support for large families and the effective extortion of consent regarding the car tax from organizations representing people with disabilities. It stresses the need to restore people's optimism and their outlook on the future.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main priorities are the rejection of the government’s tax hike bill and the supplementary budget that increases state expenditures. [The party/He] will submit amendments on behalf of Isamaa to exclude the tax hikes and draft a negative budget. [The party/He] is strongly opposed to the violation of procedural rules concerning the voting on amendments and demands the disclosure of the information necessary for processing the motion of no confidence.
19 Speeches Analyzed