The Estonian Center Party starts pickets in front of Stenbock’s house every Thursday from 11:30 to 12:30 in order to oppose the tax increases planned by the government led by the Reform Party. The series of pickets will culminate in a large demonstration in Tallinn in mid-May.
“A government has taken office that wants to bring with it unprecedented tax increases, about which not a word was said before the elections,” says the chairman of the Center Party Jüri Ratas. “Increase in sales tax, increase in income tax, loss of additional tax exemption for families, 140% increase in VAT for accommodation facilities, car tax and a number of still unknown ideas will reduce the livelihood of our people and companies. Today, together we must say clearly: “No to lies, no to tax increases by the Reform Party!”
According to Jüri Ratas, the Reform Party intends to quickly adopt the bills concerning the tax increase and the elimination of tax differences before the summer. “Such extensive tax increases and the elimination of tax differences require a thorough analysis and the involvement of the parties, but judging by the planned pace of proceedings, the coalition does not have this intention,” notes Jüri Ratas. “Annely Akkermann, the outgoing finance minister, has publicly admitted that the previous government knowingly created a deficit of 1.3 billion in the state budget. The center party cannot stand by and watch as low-wage and middle-class people suffer due to tax changes.”
