Agenda Profile: Varro Vooglaid
Debate on the matter of significant national importance: "E-elections – a threat to democracy."
2024-05-09
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position centers on strong opposition to the e-voting system, which is viewed as an extremely grave threat to Estonian democracy, the rule of law, and the legitimacy of state power. This stance is value-based, emphasizing that trust in elections must rely on verifiability, not faith, and criticizing the government's "arrogant disregard" in addressing the issue. The speaker demands strict adherence to the constitution, including provisions concerning the election day, and considers convenience to be light-years less important than reliability as a consideration.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates comprehensive knowledge regarding the security, verifiability, and constitutionality of e-elections, citing Norstat surveys and data from the World Values Survey. They rely on authorities such as Martin Ehala, David Levine, and Finnish Ministry of Justice expert Johanna Suurpää to underscore the system's lack of transparency and the purely formal nature of the auditing process. It is specifically stressed that the electoral system is not genuinely verifiable end-to-end—a point presented as fact, not opinion.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is serious, academic, and urgent, warning against the loss of legitimacy of state authority and the potential for a complete "crash." Logical appeals are utilized, relying on facts, citations, and international comparisons to demonstrate Estonia's exceptional status in Europe (with similarities only to France [foreign citizens] and Russia). The speaker sharply criticizes the prevailing climate in the Riigikogu, which has devolved into merely "exchanging slogans" and "empty rhetoric," and regrets the absence of substantive debate.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participates in Riigikogu sessions, presenting on substantive issues and substituting for the initially scheduled presenter. This pattern of activity includes the consistent raising of the topic of e-elections, including the drafting of a proposal for addressing the Venice Commission. He/She urges coalition MPs to engage in more active participation and substantive discussion within the OTRK format.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Strong opposition is targeting the government coalition, which is accused of denying problems and undermining trust by sweeping issues "under the rug." The criticism is both procedural and political, stressing that the coalition is exacerbating the problem (for instance, through the introduction of mobile voting) and failing to take the foundational principles of democracy seriously. The speaker argues that it is those who deny the problems, not those who bring them to light, who are undermining faith in the electoral process.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker calls for a cross-factional, substantive debate and cooperation aimed at restoring confidence in e-elections, stressing that the issue is nationwide and merits serious, collective attention. He/She expresses regret that there is a lack of substantive discussion in parliament and that the climate of cooperation has died, contrasting this situation with the cross-factional collaboration seen in the 1990s. The speaker welcomes critical questions from coalition members and is ready to offer advice regarding legislative amendments.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly national and international, concentrating on the legitimacy of the Estonian system of governance and comparisons with the electoral systems of other European countries. Specifically, the decisions of Finland, Germany, and France to abandon or restrict e-voting are highlighted, contrasting them with Estonian practice. Local or regional issues within Estonia are absent.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives address election costs, arguing that e-voting makes conducting elections more expensive, rather than cheaper. Furthermore, the lack of legitimacy of state power is linked to citizens' willingness to pay taxes and obey the law. Draft legislation is also criticized for attempting to circumvent the constitutional requirement for immediate and fair compensation for property.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Regarding social issues, strong moral opposition is voiced against redefining the concept of marriage—a concept which, in the speaker's view, has already lost the value of state-sanctioned marriage. Furthermore, concern is raised regarding the restriction of civil liberties through the criminalization of hate speech. These topics are broadly connected to the overarching question of the legitimacy of state power.
13 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is directed towards amending the e-voting procedure and ensuring its constitutionality, particularly emphasizing the need to approach the Venice Commission for an independent expert assessment. The speaker is the initiator or a supporter of the draft bill, which requests the Venice Commission's opinion on the electoral system's compliance with the principles of democracy and the rule of law. He/She also supports expanding the right to appeal, for example, to election observers.
13 Speeches Analyzed