By Plenary Sessions: Jaak Valge
Total Sessions: 77
Fully Profiled: 77
2025-10-07
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Economic views emphasize budget transparency, accountability, and fiscal clarity. The speaker calls for clarity regarding where the money is spent and what impact is expected, indicating a need for better reporting and discipline in public sector spending.
2025-10-06
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
There is not enough data.
2025-09-24
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
Economic views are cautious regarding large infrastructure projects unless they directly improve the standard of living for the Estonian people. Preference is given to genuine well-being and an increase in living standards over mere nominal GDP growth.
2025-09-22
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
Economic perspectives favor developing higher value-added jobs over simply creating cheap ones. The speaker opposes leasing the prison because it traps the state in a lower-value economic model. He criticizes the argument for job creation, noting that it exacerbates labor shortages in law enforcement and national defense—a situation he views as ignoring the fundamental principles of a market economy.
2025-09-16
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
Economic perspectives focus on financial accountability and compensation for damages, supporting mechanisms (such as bankruptcy proceedings) that allow for the recovery of nearly half a million euros in damages. It is emphasized that the injured party should not be left without compensation.
2025-09-10
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
Not enough data
2025-09-09
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session.
Insufficient data
2025-09-08
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The economic views are focused on boosting productivity and added value, rather than simply increasing the number of jobs, thereby supporting a shift in economic policy thinking. The speaker is strongly opposed to cheap foreign labor (the 1.0 wage criterion), arguing that it stifles wage growth and is linked to a decline in labor productivity. They emphasize the need for smarter jobs that generate higher added value.
2025-09-04
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
Economic positions center on the smart utilization of state resources and preventing the waste of taxpayer money. Criticism is aimed at educating foreign students who subsequently leave Estonia, as well as energy projects deemed neocolonialist and detrimental. Transparency is demanded in the establishment of concession mechanisms for mineral resources.
2025-06-18
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing
The speaker is a strong proponent of productivity and the creation of higher added-value jobs, standing against expansive development that relies on cheap labor. He argues that current policies have led to a decline in productivity, competitiveness, and living standards.
2025-06-12
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The speaker supports adjusting economic policy, emphasizing the need to create fewer jobs, but ones that are smarter and offer higher added value. They oppose government plans that are justified solely by increasing the number of jobs, calling this the wrong direction.
2025-06-09
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
It supports a shift in the economic paradigm, moving away from extensive development toward increased productivity and higher added-value jobs, in opposition to current state financing programs (EIS, KredEx, Töötukassa). It supports direct financial subsidies and indirect methods aimed at increasing the birth rate (student loan forgiveness, linking pension amounts to the number of children).
2025-06-05
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session.
Economic views heavily emphasize the critical importance of labor productivity and international competitiveness. The speaker is concerned about the lack of economic growth and views the current situation as a serious failure requiring the rapid identification of political errors.
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Insufficient data.
2025-06-03
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fifth session, plenary session
There is insufficient data.
2025-06-02
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session
Economic perspectives are tied to adapting the education system to the needs of the labor market, stressing the importance of increasing the proportion of vocational and applied higher education. The speaker is vehemently opposed to using international students as cheap labor, arguing that they came to Estonia to study, not to work, and that their short-term contribution to the labor market is inadequate.
2025-05-19
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
The speaker is a strong proponent of the free market, stressing that businesses must compete for labor to ensure innovation and wage increases. He is categorically opposed to government intervention via the introduction of cheap foreign labor, viewing it as a manifestation of a "command economy." The economy's objective must be productivity growth and replacing low value-added jobs with higher-skilled positions.
2025-05-15
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker notes that the share of education expenditure is higher than the European Union average, thereby indicating that the funds are available. This suggests the view that the problem is not a lack of financial resources, but rather their inefficient utilization and political management.
2025-05-13
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
There is not enough data.
2025-05-06
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Economic perspectives are heavily focused on economic growth and boosting productivity, with the aim of reaching a level above the EU average. The current situation (a drop in productivity to 78%) is considered a strategic failure that requires rapid intervention.
2025-04-15
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
Not enough data.
2025-04-08
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Economic views are strongly pro-market and anti-regulation, stressing that mandatory criteria undermine competitiveness. The preference is for individuals to be selected for corporate governing bodies purely on the basis of merit, and for the balance that ensures success to develop organically.
2025-03-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Insufficient Data
2025-03-18
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fifth sitting, plenary session
Economic perspectives favor high value-added and knowledge-intensive jobs, contrasting sharply with investments focused on cheap labor. Cheap labor is viewed as a hindrance to productivity and economic innovation, and a factor that depresses the wage levels of the Estonian population. Emphasis is also placed on the need to promote the employment of older individuals.
2025-03-17
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The speaker opposes mass immigration because it introduces cheap labor, thereby lowering the wages of Estonian people. He/She criticizes the government’s desire to raise the quota for unskilled labor, especially when specialists holding doctoral degrees cannot find employment in Estonia because the economy is geared toward simpler jobs. He/She emphasizes the necessity of better aligning research and university education with the needs of the Estonian economy.
2025-02-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The economic perspectives are expressed indirectly, emphasizing the necessity of increasing private investment in science. This indicates a desire to improve the relevance of research activities to Estonia’s economic needs and to encourage a greater contribution to science from the private sector.
2025-02-17
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
Economic views are skeptical regarding the profitability of the planned project for Estonia, given that the majority of the output and profit will move out of the country, while the state is contributing massive subsidies (2.6 billion euros). Uncertainty is highlighted in forecasting electricity demand, and the question is raised whether the government is confident that electricity can be exported at a price higher than the cost price.
2025-02-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
It vigorously supports the establishment of a bank solidarity tax aimed at taxing excessive profits derived from speculation and channeling those profits for the benefit of society. It prefers state intervention and the adjustment of taxation to new economic circumstances, contrasting sharply with earlier tax policies that fail to ensure the accountability of the ultra-rich.
2025-01-20
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The economic outlook focuses on supporting families through state spending, specifically demanding the restoration and indexation of benefits for large families. Specific financial measures are also supported, such as the cancellation of student loans for students who have a child during their studies. The speaker emphasizes that awareness campaigns do not require large sums of money, and that the student loan measure would not immediately result in significant additional costs.
2024-12-09
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary sitting
Economic perspectives emphasize long-term sustainability and the preservation of resources (phosphorite, rare earth metals) for future generations, standing in opposition to rushed mining. Concerns are raised that mining activities will lead to the loss of both residences and jobs in the region. The principle of the green transition—"think globally and act locally"—is supported, but the government is criticized for failing to adhere to it.
2024-12-04
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
Economic perspectives address excise policy, where the effectiveness of raising excise duties in reducing alcohol consumption is questioned unless it is coordinated with Latvia. Regulatory measures (such as restricting sales hours) are preferred over tax hikes if the objective is to improve public health.
2024-11-20
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Not enough data
2024-11-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Economic views focus on labor efficiency, highlighting the long working hours of Estonian workers alongside a simultaneous drop in labor productivity. Concerns are being raised about Estonia's competitiveness compared to Latvia and Lithuania, suggesting the necessity of improving work organization.
2024-11-05
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fourth session, plenary session
The economic views are strongly anti-tax, deeming new taxes detrimental to economic development and the standard of living, especially since alternatives are available. They criticize the Eurozone as a structure that artificially binds countries with disparate economic structures together, thereby hindering the realization of their potential. Furthermore, they oppose the stimulation of the defense industry as a source of economic prosperity.
2024-10-23
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
There is insufficient data.
2024-10-22
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Economic perspectives favor the extraordinary taxation of banks (a solidarity tax) as a legitimate means of stimulating the economy and redistributing revenue in specific cases. Preference is given to regulatory measures that have demonstrated a positive effect on economic growth elsewhere (specifically, in Lithuania).
2024-10-21
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
There is not enough data.
2024-09-16
The 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting.
Insufficient data.
2024-07-29
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
Economic views are strongly opposed to tax hikes, especially given the current economic crisis. They advocate balancing the state budget through alternative measures, such as taxing banks' excess profits and suppressing home loan interest rates to boost consumer spending. The import of cheap labor is viewed as a factor that hinders economic innovation and causes a drop in productivity.
2024-07-22
15th Riigikogu, Riigikogu's extraordinary session.
The economic outlook is worrying, focusing on the decline in competitiveness and labor productivity observed since 2021. There is a perceived need for a political diagnosis to address the economic downturn, which is attributed to misguided economic policy decisions. Concern is also being raised regarding the situation involving 50,000 unemployed individuals.
2024-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Strongly supports the extraordinary taxation of banks (a solidarity tax) aimed at profits derived from high interest rates, rather than traditional lending activities. Expresses concern over the negative economic consequences of the free movement of labor, which they believe would lead to the country's economic collapse. Prefers targeted fiscal measures for stabilizing the economy.
2024-06-05
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
The speaker is strongly against tax increases and favors alternative revenue sources, specifically preferring a solidarity tax aimed at banks, which would yield significantly more revenue than a motor vehicle tax. They also support abandoning the elimination of the tax hump, which indicates a desire to avoid a general increase in the overall tax burden.
2024-06-03
Fifteenth Riigikogu, third session, plenary sitting.
Economic perspectives are strongly oriented towards boosting innovation and productivity, while simultaneously opposing the import of cheap labor, which exacerbates the innovation crisis. The objective must be the doubling of the income and welfare of the Estonian people, rather than simply increasing the volume of the economy through foreign capital and cheap labor. The inflow of foreign capital is supported only when it is directed toward research-intensive and high value-added sectors.
2024-05-29
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Data is missing.
2024-05-28
15th Riigikogu, third session, plenary session
The speaker forcefully advocates for taxing banks' super-profits, viewing this as a crucial step toward ensuring fiscal equity. He/She is vehemently opposed to the regressive tax structure (the "tax hump"), which deteriorates the financial standing of numerous segments of the population. His/Her economic perspective favors state intervention and income redistribution aimed at protecting vulnerable groups.
2024-05-27
Fifteenth Riigikogu, third session, plenary session
There is not enough data.
2024-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
There is not enough data.
2024-05-13
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
Not enough data
2024-05-09
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Insufficient data.
2024-05-06
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
Economic perspectives highlight the deficiencies in the economic efficiency of higher education and the subsequent need for reforms. Concerns are raised regarding the low wage premium and the insufficient contribution of the private sector to universities, which indicates a desire to establish an education system geared toward the market and economic growth.
2024-05-02
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Insufficient data.
2024-04-30
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Third Session, Plenary Session.
The prevailing economic view emphasizes the need to account for inflation when assessing changes in benefits and salaries, highlighting the crucial role of real prices. This points to a concern about preserving citizens' purchasing power and demands fiscal honesty from the government when presenting data.
2024-04-29
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
There is too little data.
2024-04-17
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Economic considerations regarding election costs are discussed, with the speaker asserting that e-voting is several times more expensive than traditional voting. This effectively refutes the arguments supporting e-voting based on convenience or cost savings.
2024-04-10
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
There is insufficient data. It only mentions that the adoption of the bill will not entail excessive costs, but economic policy positions are absent.
2024-04-08
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Economic perspectives indirectly concern gender equality, highlighting the question of integrating reproductive labor into the paid economic system, citing the feminist Laurie Penny. The speaker's own stance on broader economic policy (taxes, fiscal discipline) remains unclear.
2024-04-03
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd sitting, plenary session
There are no economic standpoints, apart from an indirect warning that Ukraine's demographic catastrophe would lead to an unfavorable ratio of working-age to non-working-age people. This unfavorable proportion would necessitate high taxes, which in turn would cause further emigration of the working population.
2024-04-01
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Economic perspectives emphasize the necessity of increasing labor productivity and shifting toward sectors with higher added value, while simultaneously opposing the influx of cheap labor. The speaker criticizes the establishment of sector-specific wage requirements, arguing that this rigidifies the labor structure and hinders innovation. It is also asserted that mass immigration depresses the living standards of low- and middle-income workers.
2024-03-19
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Economic perspectives are tied to population resources and healthcare, stressing that raising the number of healthy life years would provide the state with an additional 50,000 to 100,000 qualified workers and reduce social expenditures. It supports the principle that if medical professionals trained at the taxpayer's expense emigrate, the destination country should reimburse Estonia for the costs of their education.
2024-03-18
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
There is not enough data.
2024-03-13
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting.
Advocates for lowering the value-added tax (VAT) on food products to prevent price levels from exceeding those of neighboring countries and to protect Estonian producers and the national budget. It emphasizes the need for economic stability for families and criticizes the parental benefit system, arguing that it fails to account for the rapid increase in the cost of living.
2024-03-12
15th Riigikogu, 3rd plenary sitting
Economic perspectives are presented indirectly, emphasizing the public's sense of responsibility in financial matters, citing a survey which showed that people do not support the irresponsible tripling of pensions. He links the economic crisis of the 1930s and the resulting discontent to the necessity of creating legitimate channels for political protest.
2024-03-11
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
He/She opposes the current structure of the car tax, arguing that it discriminates against larger families and rural areas. As a solution to economic growth and the labor shortage, he/she proposes increasing labor productivity and extending the number of years lived healthily, rather than resorting to mass immigration.
2024-02-21
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Economic arguments strongly back Estonian farmers, highlighting their unfavorable competitive conditions within the European Union, resulting from a high VAT rate and low direct payments. This points to a wish to lower the tax burden and boost subsidies for domestic producers.
2024-02-21
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
No data available
2024-02-19
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting
Insufficient data.
2024-02-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting.
Economic perspectives emphasize the sustainable use of state resources, criticizing the "extravagance" involved in educating foreign students if they do not remain in Estonia to work. They support a significant increase in the maximum student loan amount (up to 8,200 euros) to reduce the necessity for students to work while studying. The long-term economic benefit is seen in boosting the birth rate, which will lead to an increase in the number of working-age taxpayers in the future.
2024-02-05
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting
Economic perspectives negatively associate mass immigration with declining labor productivity, noting that the influx of cheap labor is one reason why Latvia, Lithuania, and other countries have surpassed Estonia in terms of productivity. A shortsighted, present-day-centric neoliberal approach to the economy is also criticized.
2024-01-24
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Economic perspectives stress the importance of improving the labor situation and raising incomes. The objective is to increase the employee's net income and ensure fairness, which points to prioritizing the interests of the workforce.
2024-01-23
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Economic perspectives emphasize the importance of productivity and knowledge-intensive innovation, contrasting with the influx of cheap labor, which inhibits companies from investing in research and development (R&D). Although the growth of the private sector’s share in R&D is commendable, the speaker deems the efficiency of resource utilization and the applicability of scientific output to the Estonian economy to be more crucial.
2024-01-22
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Economic views are against tax increases because they are considered the main local cause of inflation, which is substantially higher than in neighboring countries. It emphasizes the necessity of factoring in regional and social effects when designing taxation and of suppressing the predictably growing inflation.
2024-01-17
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Economic perspectives support fiscal stimulus during the crisis through lowering the income tax rate to 18.5%. The primary objective is to leave more money in the hands of citizens in order to boost consumption and facilitate economic recovery.
2024-01-16
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
No data available.
2024-01-15
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
Economic perspectives focus on labor productivity and the impact of public health on the economy. It is emphasized that Estonia’s low number of healthy life years is reducing the working-age population, pointing to a potential loss of 40,000 workers. The government is being called upon to take steps to increase the number of healthy life years.
2024-01-11
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Data is scarce.
2024-01-10
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Economic views are strongly in favor of stimulus, stressing the need to cut taxes (VAT) and increase the money supply during the crisis. The speaker sharply opposes policies that restrict the money supply and raise taxes, viewing this as a mistake that deepens the economic crisis.
2024-01-08
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
There is too little data.