Agenda Profile: Rain Epler
Draft law amending the 2024 State Budget Act (517 SE) – third reading
2024-12-04
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political focus is centered on sharp criticism of the state budget procedure and methodology (activity-based budgeting), which is deemed ineffective and overly beneficial to civil servants. The speaker strongly opposes the retroactive reallocation of funds and demands a shift to a cost-based budget to achieve greater fiscal discipline. The criticism targets both procedural and results-based failures.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates deep expertise in the technical details of the state budget, focusing on the deficiencies of the activity-based budget and the issue of carry-over funds. Technical terms are used, and specific questions are posed regarding the logic of the cuts (Kristina Kallas's 5+3+2 vs 10) and the budget frameworks. A broader political proposal is also presented concerning the expected impact of abolishing carry-over amounts.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetoric is critical and at times sharp, employing emotional language (e.g., "idiotic frivolity," "absurd situation") to condemn the budget procedure. The style is predominantly logical and procedural, but it also includes a brief digression concerning the correction of the session chair, emphasizing parliamentary etiquette.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker was actively involved in the third reading of the draft bill amending the State Budget Act (December 4, 2024), submitting several detailed questions and delivering one speech. This indicates a focus on the ongoing legislative process and a readiness to intervene in important debates.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opposition is directed at the government's fiscal policy and the activity-based budgeting system used by officials, which is considered ineffective. Criticism is leveled against the head of the Finance Committee (Annely) for failing to review the proposed amendments, as well as against the logic behind the cuts proposed by the Minister of Education (Kristina Kallas). The resistance is strong and focuses on both procedural and political shortcomings.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation demonstrates reliance on the positions of other politicians (Aivar Sõerd) when supporting the transition to a cost-based budget, thereby indicating support from certain experts or factions. Direct openness to compromises or cross-party cooperation during the budget procedure is not mentioned; instead, the ignoring of Isamaa's proposed amendments is criticized.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
Insufficient data.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views emphasize the need for fiscal discipline and reducing the overall size of the state budget. The speaker advocates for an expenditure-based budget that would limit officials' freedom to reallocate funds and reduce the volume of carry-over appropriations. The inefficiency of the budget is illustrated by an example where funds were lacking during the teachers' strike, yet surpluses were discovered at the end of the year.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Among the social problems mentioned are the teachers' strike and the alleged lack of funds, using this as an example of the absurdity of the state's budget management. This is rather an illustration of fiscal inefficiency than an independent socio-political stance.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on contesting the draft amendment (517 SE) to the 2024 State Budget Act, particularly concerning the aspect of its retroactive approval. The main priority is reforming the budget methodology by transitioning from activity-based budgeting to cost-based budgeting, in order to limit the shuffling of personnel and reduce the overall budget volume.
4 Speeches Analyzed