Agenda Profile: Varro Vooglaid
Chair implementation
2025-09-04
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
Political Position
The speaker is a staunch conservative opposition politician, focusing on defending the Riigikogu's rules of procedure and constitutional values. The main topics are the government's conduct (tax hikes) and social issues (abortion funding, parental rights). His political position is strongly value-driven and centers on criticizing the actions of the coalition and the procedural decisions made by the Riigikogu board.
35 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act and constitutional law, repeatedly referring to specific sections (e.g., § 95, § 103) and challenging the board’s interpretations. He/She also demonstrates knowledge of the constitutional framework concerning abortion rights and parents’ educational rights, relying on the previous positions of the Chancellor of Justice. He/She is adept at highlighting procedural nuances, particularly regarding the limits of committees’ right to self-organization.
35 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is combative, critical, and legally detailed, accusing the board of systematic lawbreaking and malice ("malicious behavior," "arbitrary actions"). Strong emotional expressions are used ("shameful," "monstrosity," "perverse way of thinking") to emphasize the legal arguments. The speaker repeatedly demands answers to their specific questions, expressing dissatisfaction with vague or evasive responses.
35 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is highly active in Riigikogu sessions, regularly submitting interpellations and draft legislation, and repeatedly raising points of order with the Presidium. This pattern of activity demonstrates systematic involvement in challenging the agenda and the organization of work, particularly at the start of sessions. He/She is also active in withdrawing and re-submitting bills in order to circumvent procedural requirements imposed by the Presidium.
35 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the government coalition and the Riigikogu Board, who are criticized both for political decisions (tax increases, abortion funding) and for systematic violations of procedural rules. The Board is accused of restricting the rights of opposition members and arbitrarily interpreting the House Rules and Rules of Procedure Act. The speaker rejects the accusations of obstruction, emphasizing the merit and legality of their actions.
35 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker cooperates within their own parliamentary group (EKRE) and seeks support on specific issues from other opposition factions (e.g., the Center Party when initiating the appeal regarding e-elections). This cooperation is aimed at initiating specific draft legislation related to socio-conservative values or democratic standards. There are no indications of a readiness to compromise with the ruling coalition.
35 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is exclusively on national legislative and constitutional issues, as well as international topics (the use of the Defence Forces in Ukraine, the Baltic Sea incident). There is no focus on specific regional or local problems, with the exception of the demonstration held in Tallinn's Old Town concerning the activities of the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA).
35 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
It expresses strong opposition to the government's tax policy, recalling the promise that taxes would not rise, and criticizing the introduction of new taxes. The economic views are primarily presented through the criticism of the government’s tax hikes, highlighting the embarrassment caused by the coalition’s conduct.
35 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Adopts a strictly conservative stance on social issues, demanding the protection of unborn life and the cessation of state funding for elective abortions. It emphasizes parents' constitutional right regarding educational choices and opposes the spread of "gender ideology" in schools. Furthermore, it calls for effective measures to protect minors from pornography, stressing the necessity of enforcing existing legislation.
35 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is directed towards controlling the government's activities and achieving socio-conservative goals, initiating bills to prohibit the funding of abortion and protect minors. An important priority is improving the Riigikogu's rules of procedure and democracy standards, including a proposal to replace the ERJK (Party Financing Supervision Committee) with the National Audit Office (Riigikontroll), and addressing the Venice Commission to assess the e-voting system.
35 Speeches Analyzed