By Plenary Sessions: Riina Sikkut

The speaker strongly supports the Social Democrats' programmatic stance regarding the implementation of progressive income tax, viewing it as the foundation for equitable funding. They oppose the government's plan to raise VAT and income tax, arguing that this disproportionately burdens low-wage earners and socially vulnerable groups. Furthermore, the speaker is a firm advocate for gender balance in decision-making bodies, supporting the introduction of quotas stemming from the relevant directive. This political position is clearly value-driven, focusing on fairness and social welfare.

The political stance is strongly opposed to the government's tax package, particularly concerning the increase in VAT and the abolition of the tax hump. This position is framed by the necessity of promoting social justice and economic growth, asserting that the government’s choices are unwise and run contrary to the recommendations of the IMF. The address concludes with a proposal to reject the draft legislation. The political framework is clearly driven by policy and values.

The speaker heavily emphasizes environmental values, contrasting the view of the forest as a mere asset with the view of the forest as a living environment. He criticizes the government's policy, which relies on isolated, singular decisions (such as the nuclear power plant or the boundaries of protected areas) rather than being guided by a comprehensive, inclusive strategy document. Furthermore, he demands political consensus and a national referendum on crucial strategic matters (like the nuclear power plant), opposing decisions rushed through the Riigikogu (Parliament).

The political emphasis is placed on educational inequality and the challenges associated with artificial intelligence, which the speaker links to the importance of mathematics. The speaker strongly advocates for a rigorous approach to teaching mathematics in order to develop analytical thinking skills. This stance is outcome-based, requiring that every graduate achieves at least a satisfactory level of proficiency in mathematics.

The speaker holds a strongly progressive and values-based political position, supporting the improvement of gender balance (the 60:40 principle) in the governing bodies of listed companies, and identifying as a social democrat and a feminist. They consider the representation of Estonian women in management bodies (10–11%) to be exceptionally poor and support the introduction of quotas as a necessary measure to reduce inequality. The speaker is idealistic, standing in opposition to conservative cynics.

The political position is strongly oriented towards evidence-based policy, robust state institutions, and social protection. The speaker supports increasing the powers of the Competition Authority and demands political accountability for the transposition of EU directives. Particular emphasis is placed on the social protection of platform workers, as their overtime is often driven by economic necessity rather than a desire to invest. The political framework is value-based, underscoring the role of social democrats in defending democracy and the rule of law.