Agenda Profile: Peeter Ernits
Inquiry regarding the loss of essential banking services from county centers (no. 773)
2025-09-08
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The central stance is opposing the disappearance of vital services (bank branches, post offices, notaries) from rural areas, demanding strong state intervention in regions suffering from market failure. The political framework is strongly results-oriented, criticizing the government's lax management style and inaction during crises. The speaker demands the creation of a national plan that would set limits on the contraction of services.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of regional policy and essential services, referencing 22 vital services and the change in the number of bank branches, citing a 2017 Bank of Estonia document. Specific statistical data is presented regarding cash usage (170,000 people and 120,000 withdrawals daily). Furthermore, the speaker is knowledgeable about the European Union’s agricultural policy, stressing the necessity of a balance between small, medium, and large-scale production.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is aggressive, critical, and at times populist, with the author even admitting to the possibility of "speaking populistically." Sharp personal attacks are employed against ministers and the commission chairman, accusing them of "lax conduct" and taking holidays during the crisis. Logical arguments (statistics, areas of market failure) are mixed with emotional examples (little old ladies, bears, flooded fields).
5 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active in parliamentary inquiries, utilizing them as a platform to criticize the government’s inaction and leadership style. Reference is made to earlier events, such as the landing of an attack drone in the Elva municipality and the summer crises (swine fever, field flooding), during which government members were on vacation.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the Minister of Regional Affairs and the Chairman of the National Defence Committee, Kalev Stoicescu, who is personally criticized for his lax behavior and for enjoying a vacation during the crisis. Criticism is also directed at the government's policy, which allows banks and Omniva to cut back services in the name of profitability. The speaker also criticizes Social Democrat Rainer Vakra for closing nature centers.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker referred to discussions with European colleagues concerning agricultural policy and with the leaders of the notary association, demonstrating that knowledge is being gathered outside the Parliament chamber. Cooperation levels with the Minister are low because he did not see fit to meet with the parliamentary group throughout the entire summer.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is strongly regional, emphasizing areas of market failure and provinces where vital services are disappearing. Specific counties and locations are mentioned, such as Valgamaa, Põlvamaa, Jõgevamaa, Saaremaa, Elva municipality, Iisaku, and Endla. It is stressed that people continue to live in these regions despite the loss of services.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker opposes a purely market-driven approach, where banks and Omniva operate solely on the basis of profitability, demanding state intervention in areas suffering from market failure. He/She supports preserving access to cash and criticizes the structure of Estonian agriculture, which is dominated exclusively by large and very large farms, calling for a balance that includes small and medium producers.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The social focus is aimed at maintaining the availability of services and the quality of life for residents in rural areas, specifically mentioning family doctors, the school network, and notaries. It is stressed that the disappearance of these services directly impacts the elderly ("our grannies"). Furthermore, the closure of nature centers (in Iisaku, Endla) is criticized because it reduces access to nature education.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The core legislative requirement is the creation of a national plan or scenario defining the minimum number and limits of vital services (bank offices), and setting the boundaries for how far the contraction of these services is permitted to go. The necessity of addressing food security and employment issues in agriculture is also highlighted.
5 Speeches Analyzed