Session Profile: Helir-Valdor Seeder

The political stance is strongly oppositional, focusing on both the procedural and substantive flaws in the government's reforms (covering education, energy, and regional administration). Emphasis is placed on the lack of comprehensive planning and the tendency to make decisions within a narrow circle, which is detrimental to rural regions and national security. The speaker criticizes the government for its unfair tax policy (specifically the car tax) and poor regional policy, arguing that these measures are designed to penalize people living in the countryside. The overall critique targets deficiencies in both policy formulation and practical performance.

The speaker demonstrates detailed knowledge regarding regional administration (the abolition of county governments, the role of counties) and the school network for children with special educational needs, naming specific schools (Ämmuste, Nurme) and their management structures. In energy matters, comprehensive calculations are demanded, referencing specific projects (the Narva gas plant, the Paldiski storage cavern) and financial data. Specific data is also used concerning public transport frequency (60 trains on the western route versus 5 to Viljandi) and the financial impact of the tax reform.

The style is critical, direct, and at times combative, particularly when addressing government inaction and issues of injustice (the car tax). The speaker demands logical and calculated answers, employing rhetorical questions and strong language, such as "the wicked plan of officials" and "perverse regional policy." The appeal targets both logic (the requirement for a comprehensive solution in the energy sector) and emotion (punishing rural residents via the car tax).

The pattern of activity demonstrates active participation in plenary sessions, responding to inquiries and posing questions across various sectors. The speaker references recent personal visits to rural schools (in Viljandi and Järva counties) and engagement with local authorities (Mulgi municipality). This indicates an effort to gather information firsthand, directly from the field.

The main opponents are the government and its ministers, who are criticized for making decisions behind closed doors and for inadequate regional policy. The criticism is aimed both at political choices (the car tax) and procedural errors (the failure to involve local municipalities in the school reform). The speaker faults the ministers for using political rhetoric that frames the criticism as the "bogeyman of EKREIKE" or "political provocation."

Cooperation is primarily envisioned with local governments (KOV) and county associations, emphasizing the necessity of involving them in decision-making processes (school reform, regional administration). The speaker criticizes the central government's failure to establish good cooperation with local municipalities. The Minister is asked not to view the criticism as destructive, but rather as concerns that require answers, which signals a desire for substantive dialogue.

The focus is strongly regional, protecting rural areas and dispersed settlements from the government's centralizing policy. Viljandi County (schools, cross-border wind farm in Mulgi municipality) and Põlva County (the departure of state institutions) are repeatedly brought up as both examples and points of concern. The speaker considers 15 counties to be the optimal unit for regional administration and opposes the creation of new, mystical regions.

The economic views expressed are highly critical of taxation, particularly regarding the car tax, which is deemed unfair and punitive toward rural areas. They demand strict financial analysis and efficiency concerning state budgetary expenditures (such as the fallout from the administrative reform) and major energy projects. The income tax reform is also criticized; it provided local municipalities with only 60 million euros, while the state collects a total of 740 million through the car tax and the income tax reform combined.

In the social sector, the focus is placed on supporting and specializing schools for children with special educational needs, while expressing skepticism regarding the current implementation of inclusive education. Emphasis is placed on the social and economic burden faced by rural families, stemming from poor public transport and the car tax. There is a demand for the state to resolve the unfair funding of student transport, where local governments in sparsely populated areas are forced to cover the costs themselves.

The legislative focus is on opposing government initiatives and demanding procedural correctness. There is a demand for the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) to play a role in making long-term, billion-euro decisions (specifically concerning energy), while criticizing the delay of key legislation (the Climate Law, the Energy Management Development Plan) in parliament. The speaker opposes both the proposed car tax and the reorganization of regional administration.