Agenda Profile: Rain Epler

The political stance is fiercely opposed to the government's tax policy and budget management, specifically accusing the Reform Party of breaking its pre-election promises and outright lying. The speaker forcefully decries the motor vehicle tax and other tax hikes (including VAT and the removal of the income tax exemption for children), stressing that these measures will severely harm families and rural residents. The focus remains on criticizing the government's irresponsible fiscal policy and rampant waste (citing examples like Rail Baltic and various green subsidies). The overall political framework is primarily aimed at undermining the government's actions and credibility.

The speaker demonstrates expertise in public finance, the history of budget deficits, and tax policy (VAT, income tax exemptions), citing specific dates and quotes. Detailed examples are provided regarding government spending (wind energy subsidies, the Rail Baltic project) and financial sector activities (banks' interest rate policies). Particular emphasis is placed on the necessity of calculating the total tax burden for large families with average incomes.

The rhetorical style is highly combative, critical, and accusatory, employing powerful metaphors to describe government squandering ("throwing money to the wind," "sinking money into a swamp"). Direct quotes are utilized to discredit opponents (such as Annely Akkermann's promise "to take poison"), and the government's lack of integrity is heavily emphasized. The discourse features both logical appeals (regarding the impact of taxes) and emotional appeals (concerning the damage inflicted upon families), alongside procedural protests aimed at the presiding officer.

The member speaking has been highly active during the second reading of the specific bill (the Motor Vehicle Tax Act Draft), repeatedly addressing questions to the rapporteur and intervening in the presiding officer's actions with procedural objections. The debate has centered on dissecting the overall impact of the government's policy and casting doubt on the credibility of the opponents.

The main opponents are the Reform Party, Kaja Kallas, and Annely Akkermann, who are accused of lying, incompetence, and the deterioration of state finances. The criticism is intense, encompassing both political failure and personal dishonesty (the breaking of pre-election promises). The speaker rules out compromise, calling on coalition MPs to "send the bill to the trash can."

The style of cooperation is predominantly confrontational towards the governing coalition. The speaker publicly acknowledges a colleague from Võrumaa who was the only coalition representative brave enough to participate in the debate, thereby signaling a desire to see dissenting opinions within the coalition. There are no indications of broad-based cooperation or the seeking of compromises.

The focus is on the interests of rural areas and their residents, highlighting that the car tax and other measures will hit them hardest, since people living in the countryside often need two cars. The recognition of a colleague from Võrumaa is also mentioned. The overall focus is on national tax policy issues.

Economic views are strongly opposed to tax hikes, especially when they unfairly impact lower-income groups and families. They support considering the taxation of banks' massive profits, arguing that banks generated these profits by rapidly passing on interest rate increases to borrowers. Furthermore, they criticize the state's financial wastefulness through large subsidies (for wind and solar energy) and questionable infrastructure projects (such as Rail Baltic).

The social focus centers on families with children, particularly the support of large families, while criticizing the reduction of benefits and the elimination of the income tax exemption for children. Furthermore, concerns are raised about personal freedoms, specifically criticizing the potential over-regulation by the Tax Board and the concept of the "personal state," which is seen as excessively monitoring citizens.

The primary legislative focus is opposing the draft Motor Vehicle Tax Act (364 SE) and demanding its rejection. The speaker is an active opponent, using the debate surrounding the bill as a platform to criticize the overall impact of the government’s tax package on families and rural residents.