Agenda Profile: Rain Epler
First reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Value Added Tax Act (169 SE)
2024-01-10
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The political stance centers on lowering the Value Added Tax (VAT), advocating for a return to the 18% rate. This position is strongly opposed to the government's plan to increase VAT from 20% to 22%. The argumentation targets the failure to deliver on the Reform Party's past promises (specifically the "temporary nature" claim made in 2009), thereby emphasizing the importance of political credibility.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of the historical changes in VAT and the specific rates (18%, 20%, 22%), referencing earlier legislative decisions (the 2009 rate increase). The expertise is more historical and political in nature, focusing on comparing past promises with reality, rather than relying on economic data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is direct and provocative, addressing the Reform Party directly while employing a courtesy formula ("Honored colleagues"). The style is concise and focuses on historical recollection to cast doubt on the opponents' credibility and compel them to support the proposal.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
No data available.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the Reform Party, as the leading force of the coalition. Criticism is aimed at their political credibility, as they failed to deliver on their 2009 promise regarding the temporary increase of the VAT. Opponents are being called upon to support the proposal in order to fulfill their previous commitments.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
This collaborative approach is essentially a direct call to the Reform Party to support lowering the VAT rate to 18%, appealing directly to their previous promises. It is an attempt to force the opposition to back a proposal that aligns with their own historical positions.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
No data available.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views are clearly focused on cutting consumption taxes (Value-Added Tax), advocating for the restoration of the 18% rate. This signals opposition to the government's fiscal policy, which plans for a tax rate increase to 22%.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
No data available
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on the draft Act amending the Value Added Tax Act (Bill 169 SE). The speaker is an active opponent of the bill, which raises the VAT, and supports the proposal to drop the rate back down to 18%.
1 Speeches Analyzed