Session Profile: Helir-Valdor Seeder

The political focus is currently centered on the critical state of the nation's finances and budget balance, with accusations leveled against the government for continuing its deceitful policies. The speaker is vehemently opposed to the government's plan to abolish the so-called 'non-existent tax hump,' deeming it unreasonable and detrimental during an economic crisis. The overall framing aims to criticize the government's operational inefficiency and its profound lack of statesmanship. This political position is defined by a strong demand that the government admit its error and immediately halt the legislative process for the bill.

Shows competence in the field of finance and budget policy, using specific terms like income tax exemption, the tax hump (maksuküür), and borrowing to finance the second pillar. It proposes concrete financial solutions (a billion-euro solution, saving 500 million) to cover the national budget deficit. It references prior political agreements and Isamaa's historical behavior concerning tax reforms, demonstrating a profound understanding of the issue.

The style is sharp, accusatory, and penetrating, highlighting the government's deceitfulness and its rigid adherence to dogma. It repeatedly employs the term "statesmanship" as a moral appeal, urging the coalition toward greater responsibility. It combines logical arguments (specific monetary figures) with emotional accusations (lying, farce, a foolish draft bill). Procedural issues are also raised, challenging the competence of colleagues and the interpretation of the rules of procedure.

Active participation in the plenary session, repeatedly posing questions and requesting extended speaking time (an additional 8 minutes). Demonstrates a pattern of intervening in debates through both questions and longer addresses, focusing specifically on demanding substantive responses. Submits a procedural motion for a vote on the proposed amendment.

The main opponents are the ruling coalition (especially the Reform Party and the Social Democrats), who are accused of lying and continuing to pursue dishonest policies. The criticism is intense and targets both the substance of the policy (the tax hump) and ethical issues (breaking promises, lack of statesmanship). It accuses the coalition of being trapped by harmful dogmas and being unwilling to implement sensible solutions. Compromise is out of the question unless the government is prepared to admit its mistake.

Acting on behalf of their party (Isamaa), they submitted the only amendment proposal to the bill under consideration. Although critical of the measure, they offered a potential compromise (postponing the tax reform until 2028) should complete cancellation prove impossible. They directly appealed to members of the Reform Party for statesmanship, citing Isamaa's past willingness to compromise. Furthermore, they criticized a colleague who is constantly overruled on financial matters within their own party, suggesting that the colleague ought to switch affiliations.

It focuses exclusively on the national level and macroeconomic issues, such as state budget revenues, the deficit, and national stability. It mentions plans to increase the revenue base of local governments but criticizes them as confusing and unsustainable solutions. There is no regional or local focus present.

Supports strict fiscal discipline and opposes measures that reduce state budget revenues during an economic crisis (such as the abolition of the tax hump). It supports reducing the tax burden for low-wage earners, while simultaneously criticizing the current reform for granting benefits to higher-income individuals. It proposes a specific billion-euro solution, which involves abandoning the abolition of the tax hump and ceasing the borrowing used to cover the second pillar.

In the social sector, emphasis is placed on the need to maintain the income tax exemption for the average pension, with accusations leveled against the government for breaking this promise. Concern is expressed that the government is cutting pennies from the salaries of police officers and rescuers, while simultaneously failing to find wage funds for teachers. Social issues are primarily discussed within the context of the state budget deficit and the government's priorities.

The main legislative focus is on opposing the tax reform bill currently under consideration and halting its proceedings. The speaker supports Isamaa’s sole amendment proposal, which calls for the postponement of the reform until 2028. He demands that the initiator be allowed to interrupt the second reading, withdraw the bill, or simply shelve it, in order to prevent moving forward with this "stupid bill."