Agenda Profile: Helir-Valdor Seeder
Draft law amending the simplified taxation act for entrepreneurs and the income tax act, and repealing the security tax act – second reading
2025-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political position is firmly against raising taxes, stressing that the Isamaa Party does not support making tax hikes permanent. The primary focus is on procedural fairness, challenging the Finance Committee's interpretation that restricts the opposition from submitting amendments if those amendments conflict with the bill's stated objective. The speaker views this as a serious issue concerning the fundamental principles of the Riigikogu's rules of procedure.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in legislative procedure, particularly in interpreting the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act concerning the handling of amendments. The discussion is technical and centers on procedural practice, specifically questioning whether an amendment must be related to the bill's objective. There are no references to economic data or statistics.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is formal, analytical, and consistent, focusing on the interpretation of procedural rules and ensuring their uniformity. The speaker uses logical appeals to challenge the committee's position, seeking a clear answer from the board through repeated questioning. The tone is concerned, emphasizing that this is a "very important procedural matter" and a "serious problem."
7 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker was active during the second reading of the draft bill, repeatedly raising questions about procedural order to the committee representative and the Riigikogu Board. In addition to the questions, the speaker repeatedly demanded (four times in total) a vote on specific proposed amendments.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The speaker is clearly a representative of the opposition (Isamaa), criticizing the procedural practices of the Finance Committee and, indirectly, the coalition. The criticism is procedural because the committee’s interpretation of the Rules of Procedure prevents the opposition’s amendments from reaching a vote. The speaker warns that such an interpretation could exclude the majority of the opposition’s amendments in the future.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is seeking a resolution from the Riigikogu Board to guarantee the consistent interpretation of the Rules of Procedure and uniform practice across the committees. Direct cooperation with the coalition is not mentioned; instead, the emphasis is placed on the necessity of protecting the rights of the opposition.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
Not enough data.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views are strongly opposed to tax increases, as the Isamaa Party does not support the entrenchment of raising taxes. The speaker’s position advocates for either reducing taxes or keeping them unchanged, submitting amendments that run contrary to the objective of the proposed bill.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Insufficient data.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on procedural fairness and the consistent interpretation of the Rules of Procedure Act, ensuring that the opposition's proposed amendments are eligible for a vote. The speaker is an active opponent of the Tax Law Bill (645 SE) and repeatedly calls for a vote on amendments that would alter the bill's substance or objective.
7 Speeches Analyzed