Agenda Profile: Helir-Valdor Seeder
Inquiry Regarding the Involvement of Interest Groups (no. 656)
2024-11-18
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fourth Session, Plenary Session
Political Position
The political stance is strongly oppositional, focusing on the government's poor legislative culture and the resulting loss of public trust in the state. The speaker sharply criticizes the rapid and uncoordinated changes to tax policy (especially the land tax) implemented after the elections, stressing that the government lacked the mandate to implement this policy. This position is firmly directed against the government's actions and procedural deficiencies.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in legislative processes and the history of taxation, emphasizing the protracted nature (spanning over a decade) of the land tax reform procedure. Technical terms are employed, such as "principles of good law-making," "legal certainty," and reference is made to the failure to implement existing legislation (specifically, regular assessment) since 2001.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharp, critical, and emotionally charged, emphasizing regret and responsibility. Figurative comparisons are used, such as "tax carnival" and the analogy of a farmer sowing at the wrong time, to highlight the error in the timing of the government's actions. The speaker also utilizes rhetorical questions and stresses the loss of state trust.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
No data available
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary criticism is aimed at the government and the prime minister, accusing them of a duplicitous legislative culture and concealing their true plans from the electorate. The criticism is intense, focusing on procedural violations (uncoordinated decisions) and political unaccountability. The speaker regrets that the entire parliament is held responsible for the damaged reputation caused by the government's actions.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker highlights the previous broad-based compromise and consensus on the land tax issue, which was reached through a joint vote by the opposition and the coalition, and the inclusion of business organizations. The current government is being criticized for destroying this consensus and trust by overturning the compromise with a snap of the fingers.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
No data available.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives emphasize the importance of legal certainty and predictability for entrepreneurs, landowners, and homeowners. The speaker is strongly opposed to a sudden and uncoordinated tax hike (land tax 50% and 100%), which undermines business plans and the ability to meet obligations taken out with banks. They prefer a stable and agreed-upon tax increase (in 10% increments) rather than rushing the process.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Among the social issues raised was the question of voting rights in local elections for citizens of the Russian Federation and stateless persons, a change which requires amending the constitution. The speaker criticized the slow and subpar initial processing of this fundamental change, especially when compared to the rushed implementation of tax policy.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is directed towards improving the culture of lawmaking and opposing the amendments to the current Land Tax Act, which violated a previous broad-based agreement. Criticism is also leveled at the poor quality and slow handling of the constitutional amendment (regarding voting rights), a process that has lasted longer than the "tax carnival."
3 Speeches Analyzed