Agenda Profile: Signe Riisalo
Second Reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Tax Act and the Traffic Act (694 SE)
2025-11-05
15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Political Position
The speaker supports the car tax in principle but stresses strong support for the current draft bill (694 SE) because it offers economic relief to families with children and large families. The political focus is directed toward addressing social needs and economic difficulties, while emphasizing the fulfillment of previous compromises. The speaker emphasizes the need to treat people with special needs with dignity, rather than merely as recipients of aid.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the field of social policy and benefits for people with disabilities, referencing specific historical negotiations and compromises made during the establishment of the car tax. Detailed figures are presented regarding the increase in benefits (approximately 9 million) and the state's coverage of assistive devices (90% for children). This expertise also encompasses legislative details, such as the substance of the draft bill that the President declined to promulgate.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker's style is empathetic, respectful, and procedural, preferring the term "people with special needs" and emphasizing their dignity. The rhetoric is balanced, combining historical and procedural explanations (negotiations, compromises) with social concerns. The tone is sincere, acknowledging that the path toward addressing the needs of people with disabilities has not yet been fully traversed.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker referred to an active mediating role, mentioning meetings held in the middle of last month with representatives of the Chamber of Disabled People, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Social Affairs. This demonstrates continuous work toward finding a legislative solution following the presidential veto. Previously, the speaker was active as the Minister of Social Protection during the establishment of the car tax.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The speaker directly refutes historical accusations—specifically, the claim that the Chamber of Disabled Persons was not consulted during the creation of the car tax—calling these allegations untrue. Regret is also expressed regarding the president’s decision not to promulgate the bill, a decision stemming from the tax exemption granted to adapted vehicles. The amendment proposed by the Social Democratic Party is mentioned as potentially being too ambitious a path.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker stresses the importance of cooperation and honoring compromises, actively taking on the role of mediator between the Chamber of People with Disabilities and the Ministries of Finance and Social Affairs. They are seeking a legal resolution that aligns with the initial commitments, signaling their openness to negotiations.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is directed towards national socio-political issues and legislation, and there are no references to specific regional interests or projects.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker supports the car tax as a source of revenue but emphasizes the need for targeted economic relief to support the economic well-being of families with children and alleviate their financial hardship. The preference is to increase social benefits using the tax revenue, rather than creating tax breaks for all people with special needs.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Key social topics include the dignified treatment and well-being of people with special needs, as well as the financial support of families with children, particularly large families. Emphasis is placed on the need to ensure mobility options and access to assistive devices for people with disabilities, subsidized by the state.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is on adopting the draft amendment (694 SE) to the Motor Vehicle Tax Act, which eases the burden on families with children and M-category minibusses. Furthermore, a priority is finding a new legal solution to exempt adapted vehicles for disabled persons from taxation, in order to fulfill a prior agreement.
2 Speeches Analyzed