Agenda Profile: Peeter Ernits
Chair implementation
2025-09-04
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
Political Position
The speaker adopts a strongly critical stance regarding the government's actions and double standards, particularly concerning rural life and cultural heritage. They oppose policies that favor major players (the beekeepers) at the expense of smaller ones, and sharply criticize the intense gas trade linked to Russia, which directly contradicts the official rhetoric. The focus is heavily value-driven, emphasizing honesty, the crucial role of memory institutions, and the preservation of state assets.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the fields of rural life and agriculture (beekeeping subsidies, plague/disease), cultural heritage (museum management, primer culture), and state forest management (RMK, destruction of seedlings). They use specific data (e.g., 77.6% of small beekeepers) and reference their previous experience as the director of the central museum, lending authority to their viewpoints.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker's style is confrontational and anxious, utilizing strong figurative expressions and historical parallels ("Peter the Great and Peter the Small," "mass murder," "society's funhouse mirror"). He balances emotional appeals (workers' concerns, injustice) with factual observations (the flow of LNG tankers at the border). The style is direct and levels sharp accusations at the government.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker has been active in submitting interpellations, addressing questions to both the Prime Minister and several other ministers. They also highlighted their work outside the Riigikogu, which included visits to border crossing points, the Palamuse Museum, and the Iisaku nursery. Particularly noteworthy was the swift response to the issue at the Iisaku nursery, involving direct communication with the head of the RMK (State Forest Management Centre) and the relevant minister over the weekend.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary targets of criticism are the governing coalition and Prime Minister Kristen Michal, who stand accused of maintaining double standards and feeding Russia's war machine. The criticism is aimed both at political decisions (such as the distribution of subsidies and the marginalization of the Ministry of Culture) and at procedural issues (including the inadequacy of ministerial responses and the scheduling of sessions). Separately, the Reform Party is being criticized for concealing the Minister of Agriculture.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker demonstrates a pragmatic willingness to cooperate in solving specific problems, such as the RMK seedling incident, where he achieved a quick resolution by communicating with the head of RMK and the minister. He submits inquiries jointly with colleagues and references his membership on the Rural Affairs Committee.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker focuses heavily on rural life and regional issues, emphasizing the situation of small beekeepers and the concerns of farmers. He highlights specific regional locations, such as the Viljandi Museum, the Iisaku Nursery, the Luhamaa and Koidula border crossing points, and the Palamuse Museum.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker criticizes the austerity policy that leaves small-scale producers (beekeepers) unsupported, thereby jeopardizing food security. They are also concerned about the destruction of state property (citing the Iisaku plant nursery). Strong economic criticism is directed against the intense liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade conducted with Russia, warning of potential US sanctions.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The speaker emphasizes the value of cultural heritage and memory institutions, criticizing the Ministry of Culture's direction, which prioritizes "circus" over memory. He criticizes the influence of political correctness on education and culture, citing as an example a primer exhibition where historically important neighboring countries have been replaced by a politically preferred state.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The speaker focuses primarily on parliamentary inquiries (interpellations) and improving the procedural organization of the Riigikogu. They raise a procedural question concerning the appropriateness of ministers' responses and propose an amendment to the Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. They participate in the work of the Rural Affairs Committee but view one of its initiatives as merely a technical correction of errors.
13 Speeches Analyzed