By Months: Rain Epler
Total Months: 11
Fully Profiled: 11
12.2024
19 Speeches
The speaker's primary legislative priorities are reforming the state budget procedure and increasing ministerial accountability to the Riigikogu. He is actively opposed to the tax legislation initiated by the government, especially the car tax and the increases in excise duties, and criticizes the hasty and poor-quality drafting of the bills.
11.2024
38 Speeches
The legislative focus is on state budget transparency and controlling the executive branch, proposing restrictions on the reassignment of ministers and mandating the disclosure of the economic substance of expenditures. They are also a strong opponent of the government's tax laws, especially the abolition of the cap on land tax increases. They support a bill that would terminate state funding for elective abortions.
10.2024
73 Speeches
The main legislative priorities are increasing budget transparency (limiting ministerial discretion when reallocating funds), protecting family benefits, and introducing a bank tax. He is an active opponent of proposed legislation, suggesting their rejection (e.g., the security tax bill) and demanding ministerial accountability (a motion of no confidence against Ligi). He emphasizes the withdrawal of the child protection act bill and the postponement of the tax bracket reform as key achievements.
09.2024
32 Speeches
The main legislative interests concern environmental restrictions (Nature Conservation Act, forestry), energy policy (priority development of renewable energy), and taxation (amendments to the Value Added Tax Act). They are an active opponent of draft legislation, proposing the termination of the second reading, and demanding clarification regarding the hidden motives behind the legal amendments.
07.2024
17 Speeches
The legislative focus is on opposing tax laws being rammed through emergency sessions via fast-track procedures, particularly the car tax. He/She is a formidable opponent, challenging both the substance of the bills (specifically, the equal treatment of disabled people) and their procedural regularity. Also under scrutiny are the proposed bills concerning the security tax and the redistribution of municipal income tax, where he/she expresses skepticism regarding their true objectives and ultimate impact.
06.2024
22 Speeches
The primary legislative focus is centered on opposing the draft car tax law and criticizing the quality of its handling. It supports the move towards adopting nuclear energy, being a proponent of this decision, but aims to secure a state majority stake via an EKRE amendment proposal. It also addresses the issue of conflicts of interest (Bolt/Deputy Secretary General) and topics handled by the Environmental Committee (tire return scheme).
05.2024
36 Speeches
The legislative focus is on opposing coalition bills, proposing their rejection at the first reading (e.g., the child protection and accelerated renewable energy bills) and their termination (the tax revenue increase bill). He/She is a strong proponent of nuclear energy, supporting the corresponding Riigikogu decision. Demanding strict adherence to the Riigikogu’s procedural rules is also an important priority, especially concerning the bundling of amendments.
04.2024
51 Speeches
The speaker is an active opponent of legislation, proposing that bills (such as the taxation of pensions or amendments to the universal service) be rejected during their first reading. He stresses the quality of lawmaking, demanding that impact assessments be conducted and that the "Rules of Legislative Drafting Technique for Good Lawmaking" (HÕNTE) be followed. He is also a critic of e-voting, requiring that identity verification (via video link) be added to the voting process.
03.2024
64 Speeches
The main legislative focus is on energy (promoting nuclear energy, opposing the preferential development of renewable energy) and tax policy (bank tax, car tax). He/She is actively against proposed bills, making proposals for their rejection, and submits inquiries regarding the government's activities and the dishonesty of officials. He/She is also concerned about the issue of abolishing the land tax exemption reaching the Riigikogu.
02.2024
5 Speeches
The speaker has focused on legislation concerning tax cuts (VAT, fuel excise duty) and a local government bill that regulates the competence and language requirements for council members and officials. He/She acts as an active questioner and critic within the framework of the bill discussions.
01.2024
47 Speeches
The legislative focus centers on lowering taxes—specifically VAT, LPG excise duty, and the tax on car usage—and boosting the nation's competitiveness. This is being achieved by submitting a draft bill aimed at accelerating the permit process for geological surveys. Furthermore, he/she supports removing Soviet monuments from public spaces to prevent the "commotion and festivities" that often occur at these sites.