Agenda Profile: Margit Sutrop
First Reading of the Draft Act on the 2024 Supplementary Budget (456 SE)
2024-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The political focus is currently on state finances and the reduction of Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) expenditures in the supplementary budget. The speaker challenges the government's assertion that the 1% RDI spending target for the public sector has been met, stressing that the actual allocation, according to Statistics Estonia, stands at 0.77%. This stance is critical and policy-driven, centering on the accuracy and transparency of budget execution.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the field of research and development (R&D) funding and budgetary accounting. They employ technical terminology such as the "Frascati Manual" and cite specific data (0.77%), thereby challenging the Ministry of Finance's accounting methodology. The expertise is aimed at contrasting international standards with national definitions of expenditure.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is formal, direct, and interrogative, aimed at the Minister of Finance. The speaker relies heavily on logical arguments and data (19.4 million, 0.77%) to challenge official claims, deliberately avoiding emotional appeals. The tone is critical and demands clarification regarding the budget accounting methodology.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The data indicates participation in the first reading of the 2024 supplementary budget draft law, where a specific question was posed to the Minister of Finance.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is aimed at the actions of the Ministry of Finance and the government, particularly concerning the accounting methodology used for R&D expenditures. The opposition is rooted in policy and procedure, accusing the ministry of including costs that merely support research in order to show a larger allocation, which in reality is far short of the agreed-upon commitment.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Insufficient data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national budget expenditures, research, development, and innovation allocations, and international standards for measuring research costs (Frascati Manual).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker supports maintaining the target level for Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) expenditures. Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of fiscal transparency and precise accounting of state budget costs. The speaker criticizes the 19.4 million euro reduction in the allocation and the government's attempts to distort the budget figures.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Not enough data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative focus is the draft law on the 2024 supplementary budget (456 SE) and its impact on research and development funding. The speaker is acting as a critical opponent regarding the budget details and accounting methods, demanding explanations for the budget reduction.
1 Speeches Analyzed