By Agendas: Aivar Sõerd

Total Agendas: 34

Fully Profiled: 34

All Categories Political Position Topic Expertise Rhetorical Style Activity Patterns Opposition Stance Collaboration Style Regional Focus Economic Views Social Issues Legislative Focus
2025-10-15
Discussion of the state issue of significant national importance initiated by the Committee on European Union Affairs: "Estonia's Choices and Opportunities in the European Union's 2028–2034 Long-Term Budget"

The 15th Riigikogu, VI Session, Plenary Sitting

The criticism targets the European Union’s budget policy and priorities, specifically climate measures and related administrative tasks (ESG reports, green awareness training), the value of which is considered dubious. This opposition is political and demands a swift change in priorities, favoring security and innovation.
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2025-10-13
First reading of the Draft Act on the Amendment of the Act on Simplified Taxation of Business Income and the Income Tax Act, and the Act on the Repeal of the Security Tax Act and the Amendment of the Income Tax Act (Bill 734 SE)

15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting

The speaker himself does not criticize his opponents; instead, he neutrally references the conflicting viewpoints presented in the commission regarding the state budget deficit and the actual economic impact of the measure. He presents the Minister’s answers to the opposition’s questions concerning the impact of abandoning the income tax increase on the deficit and on stimulating the economy.
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2025-10-09
Discussion of the Crucial National Issue 'The Future of the Estonian Economy'

15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting

There is no direct confrontation or attack aimed at specific opponents. The criticism is directed at the poor performance of the economy (a decline in productivity), but this is framed as a neutral question posed to the presenter in order to obtain data.
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2025-10-08
First Reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Planning Act and Other Related Acts (683 SE)

The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting

The criticism is aimed at a specific provision of the draft bill, which is considered overly harsh and a threat to property rights. The opposition is strictly policy-based, focusing on the ambiguous wording of the law and its effect on property owners.
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2025-10-08
Continuation of the first reading of the Draft Law on the State Budget for 2026 (737 SE)

The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting

Criticism is directed at the government and ministries, who are making budget decisions, including cuts, improperly. The objection is procedural, focusing on the ministries' inability to adhere to the principles of activity-based budgeting in their internal decisions.
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2025-10-06
First Reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Securities Market Act (690 SE)

The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting

The attitude is non-confrontational; the speaker does not criticize any group or individual. He treats the problems (e.g., low stock market volume, a banking-centric market) as systemic challenges that the draft bill seeks to resolve.
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2025-09-24
Draft law amending the Securities Market Act and, as a consequence, amending other laws (regulation of derivatives and repo transactions) – second reading

Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.

No political confrontation exists, and criticism is lacking. The only disagreement was a technical discussion with the Estonian Association of Real Estate Companies regarding collateral valuation models, which was treated more as a peripheral issue requiring resolution. This disagreement was resolved by adding clarifying text to the explanatory memorandum, not through opposition.
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2025-09-18
Bank of Estonia 2024 Report

15th Estonian Parliament, 6th sitting, plenary session.

The main criticism is directed at the investment policy and asset allocation decisions made by the management of the Bank of Estonia. The criticism is policy-driven and intense, stressing that the current share of gold is "negligible" and ignores global trends.
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2025-06-11
Second reading of the draft law on the state's supplementary budget for 2025 (651 SE)

15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting

The primary criticism is directed at the government because the funding sources proposed for their supplementary budget are unclear and conflict with the existing budgetary structure. Additionally, the speaker supports the committee's decision to reject the Isamaa amendment, criticizing it as "completely generalized," a move that demonstrates procedural rigor.
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2025-06-05
Discussion of the significant national issue initiated by the Economics Committee: "How to increase productivity in the Estonian economy?"

15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session.

The primary criticism is aimed at the chairman of the economic committee, whose grasp of key economic indicators is being called into question. The critique is both performance-based and procedural, demanding accountability for tracking strategic objectives. The intensity of the attack is high, given that answers are being demanded regarding fundamental data.
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2025-05-20
Draft law amending the Securities Market Act and, as a consequence, amending other laws (regulation of derivatives and repo transactions) - first reading

15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting

There are no direct opponents or specific groups being criticized. A technical question has been raised to the Ministry of Finance concerning the adequacy of the real estate valuation model, which is more an expression of caution than outright opposition. The criticism is aimed more at the technical details of policy implementation rather than the overall objective of the draft bill.
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2025-05-07
Draft law amending the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Tax Act and the Value Added Tax Act (594 SE) – First Reading

15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting

Strong opposition to the faction (EKRE) that initiated the bill, criticizing the false claim regarding rising energy prices upon which their bill is based. Criticism is also aimed at political consistency, questioning why EKRE failed to lower the VAT when they held the Finance Minister portfolio in the government. The opposition is both substantive and procedural, highlighting the lack of necessary fiscal calculations.
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2025-05-06
The Minister of Finance's 2025 presentation on the implementation of the state's long-term strategy "Estonia 2035" (including an overview of the development directions of the public service in 2024)

15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session

The criticism is aimed at the Ministry of Finance and the minister, who, in the speaker's estimation, have either shirked responsibility (by pointing the finger at another ministry) or provided inaccurate answers (by linking productivity to EU funds or inflation). The opposition centers on questions of policy implementation and accountability, stressing that the ministry is directly involved with the issue.
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2025-04-23
First reading of the draft resolution of the Riigikogu "Appointment of Members of the Bank of Estonia Supervisory Board from Members of the Riigikogu" (629 OE)

15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session

In the discussion under review, no opposing party or faction is criticized. The report highlights the consensus decisions reached within the Finance Committee.
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2025-04-17
Draft Law Amending the Value Added Tax Act (593 SE) – First Reading

15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session

The primary criticism targets EKRE, who stand accused of failing to lower the VAT on food products despite holding the finance minister portfolio while they were in government. The criticism focuses on political hypocrisy and their prior inaction. Furthermore, the Centre Party is brought up as an even greater advocate for VAT reduction, drawing a sharp contrast between EKRE's actual performance and the Centre Party's promises.
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2025-04-09
Draft law amending the Income Tax Act (566 SE) – First Reading

15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session

Sharply criticizes the initiators of the opposition’s draft bill, accusing them of superficiality, errors, and context-free copying of Lithuanian practice. The criticism targets the bill’s economic assumptions (growth in interest income) and its legal preparation (conflict with the constitution).
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2025-02-18
Draft resolution "Proposal to the Republic of Estonia's Government Regarding the Imposition of a Temporary Solidarity Tax on the Banking Sector" (535 OE) – First Reading

15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting

The primary opposition is aimed squarely at the bill's initiators (the Centre Party/Andrei Korobeinik), whose arguments are widely viewed as arbitrary and factually incorrect. The criticism focuses both on the substance of the policy itself (the 50% tax rate) and the initiators' inadequate analysis, particularly concerning the comparison of tax systems between Estonia and the other Baltic states. The speaker forcefully rejects the assertions that banks are not paying sufficient taxes.
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2025-01-16
Draft law amending the State Budget Act (520 SE) - First Reading

15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session

The main criticism is directed at the bill's presenter and the solution proposed by the government, which is considered ill-conceived and failing to enhance transparency. The criticism is policy-driven and focuses on the technical and logical deficiencies of the draft legislation, such as the pointlessness of basing it on the Minister of Finance's 2021 regulation.
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2024-12-04
Second reading of the draft resolution "Approval of the Consolidated Financial Report of the State for the 2023 Financial Year" (503 OE)

15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting

The criticism is primarily aimed at the current budgetary framework, which grants ministers overly broad powers to make significant financial changes (e.g., 10 million euros) within programs without the Riigikogu's approval. This criticism is procedural and stems from concerns regarding the diminishing constitutional oversight the Riigikogu has over the state budget.
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2024-12-04
Draft law amending the 2024 State Budget Act (517 SE) – third reading

15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting

The criticism is directed at the government's actions (the reallocation of Ministry of Education funds) and the failure of parliamentary oversight (specifically, the Finance Committee's unawareness). The objection is procedural, emphasizing that crucial information is reaching the public via the press, rather than being presented directly to Parliament. The speaker demands accountability and a full overview of similar hidden transfers.
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2024-11-13
Draft law amending the State Budget Act (511 SE) - Second Reading

15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session.

The main criticism is directed against the methodological guidelines of the Ministry of Finance and the government's budgeting practices, which are considered ineffective and excessively formal. The criticism is policy- and procedure-based, accusing the system's creators of establishing artificial and non-existent links between costs and results. He also criticizes the position of the Chairman of the Finance Committee that the system can simply be improved.
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2024-11-06
Overview of the Use and Preservation of State Property in 2023–2024. Five Years of Activity-Based State Budget: Results of the Reform and Necessary Further Decisions

15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting

The criticism is aimed at the system's implementers (ministries and officials), who are accused of inefficiency and squandering taxpayer money. The critique is both procedural and political, centering on the enormous expense incurred by building and maintaining this "piece of nonsense."
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2024-11-06
First reading of the draft resolution "Approval of the consolidated annual report of the state for the 2023 financial year" (503 OE)

15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting

Not enough data
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2024-11-06
Draft law amending the Income Tax Act and the Mandatory Pension Act (434 SE) - Second Reading

15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting

No opposition is being voiced; the focus is on solving problems identified by market participants and ministries and adopting decisions based on consensus. No amendments were received from Riigikogu factions or members, which indicates broad support for the committee's work.
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2024-10-22
Draft resolution "Proposal to the Republic of Estonia's Government regarding the introduction of a temporary solidarity tax on the banking sector" (487 OE) – first reading

15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session

Opposing the initiators of the draft bill on the grounds of insufficient political substance and preparation, it accuses them of failing to present the necessary analysis in the explanatory memorandum. It sharply criticizes the principle of temporary favorable economic conditions serving as the basis for taxation, labeling it an overreach and cautioning against the state's "tax experiments."
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2024-09-16
2024 Report by the Minister of the Interior on the Implementation of the State's Long-Term Development Strategy "Estonia 2035"

The 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting.

Criticism is leveled against the ministry's activities and the implementation of budget decisions, particularly regarding the relocation of the Ministry of the Interior and the covering of authorized costs. The opposition is procedural and focuses on demanding fiscal accountability.
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2024-07-29
Second Reading of the Bill to Amend the Income Tax Act (443 SE)

15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu

The opposition is directed at the criteria and logic for prioritizing investments proposed by the bill’s supporters, which pits local government investments against one another. The criticism is policy-based, calling into question the legitimacy of state intervention in the investment decisions of local municipalities.
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2024-06-06
First reading of the Draft Act on the Amendment of the Income Tax Act and the Funded Pensions Act (Bill 434 SE)

15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting

The confrontation is aimed at the results of the previous pension reform, which is indirectly characterized as a failure—"the outcome of draining the funds." The criticism is policy-based and focuses on the reform's ineffectiveness in promoting self-directed investment, emphasizing that people were supposed to "start investing heavily on their own initiative," but only a small portion actually followed through.
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2024-05-30
Discussion of the nationally important issue: "How can the state avoid living in debt?"

15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting

The criticism is aimed at Estonia's negative debt growth trend and the fact that the country appears to be at the absolute peak, but in a negative sense. Direct opponents, political groups, or individuals are neither named nor criticized.
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2024-05-08
First Reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic Regarding the Imposition of a Temporary Solidarity Tax on the Banking Sector" (367 OE)

15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session.

The direct opposition is not attacked personally; instead, the political logic of the bill's initiators is challenged, questioning why only the extraordinary profits of the banking sector are being taxed. They cite the profit growth of bus companies as an example, which resulted from exceptional circumstances (the closure of the Finnish-Russian border), suggesting an inconsistency in the taxation approach. The criticism is aimed at the policy's uneven application and its timing.
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2024-05-02
Continuation of the first reading of the Bill on the Tax on Sweetened Beverages (418 SE)

15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session

The objection is aimed at the bill's sponsors and the government (the minister) concerning insufficient financial analysis and procedural errors. The main criticism focuses on the failure to deliver promised responses regarding administrative costs and the number of officials, which is viewed as a procedural attack.
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2024-03-19
The 2024 Report by the Minister of Health on the implementation of the state's long-term development strategy "Estonia 2035"

15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session

The confrontation is directed at the minister and the government's healthcare policy, particularly concerning funding and the system's inefficiency. The criticism is policy-based, focusing on the sluggishness of domestic procedures and the shortcomings in the family doctor system model, which is referred to as an "old problem."
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2024-03-06
First reading of the Draft Act (379 SE) on the Amendment of the Tax Information Exchange Act, the Taxation Procedure Act, and the Income Tax Act.

15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session

There is no direct opposition or criticism directed toward specific opponents or political groups. The criticism is aimed at potential negative political consequences (the risk of losing tax revenue) related to the technical details of the draft legislation.
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2024-01-24
Review of the Implementation of the "Fundamentals of Legislation Policy until 2030" in 2022

15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session

The criticism is aimed at procedural shortcomings and the inadequacy of the report, as the topic was allegedly not thoroughly covered. The opposition is directed towards activities that generate excessive bureaucracy and costs, stemming from the mechanical transposition of European Union legislation.
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