Session Profile: Varro Vooglaid
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
2025-05-08
Political Position
The political focus is on the principle of the rule of law and demanding strict adherence to the rules of good lawmaking. All government bills must include a constitutional analysis, the systematic absence of which is met with strong opposition. This stance is strongly procedural and value-based, emphasizing the realization of the principle of legality. Opposition is expressed to the position of the Minister of Justice, which suggests that the analysis can be conducted selectively if the infringement of rights does not appear intense.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
High level of expertise in legislative procedures, constitutional review, and parliamentary rules of procedure. Cites precise provisions of legal acts (HÕNTE § 43 lg 1 p 5, KOTS § 13 lg 2 p 10 and 18) and presents statistical data concerning the absence of constitutional analysis for draft legislation. It emphasizes that this requirement remains unfulfilled for more than half of the government's draft laws, thereby indicating a systemic problem.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is formal, logical, and critical, emphasizing legal continuity and the importance of the rule of law. It uses simplifying parallels (such as traffic and school assignments) to illustrate the unreasonableness of the government's actions, and also addresses the young people present on the balcony. The tone is forceful, offering concrete and multi-layered steps to resolve the issue.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Active in the plenary debates, posing questions to the Minister of Justice and utilizing the limited time available to address two significant issues. This demonstrates proactivity, as evidenced by the reference to a specific proposal he submitted to the Riigikogu Board "a few days ago" concerning changes to the procedure for placing draft legislation on the agenda.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Strong procedural opposition to the Government of the Republic and the ministries for the systemic disregard of norms concerning good legislative practice. It criticizes the stance of the Minister of Justice, which would permit selectivity in the analysis of constitutionality, calling this the threat of the emergence of arbitrary law. The opposition is aimed at the government's inaction and political unwillingness to resolve the issue.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Although critical, it proposes concrete four-tiered solutions that require cooperation among ministries, the Minister of Justice, parliamentary committees, and the Riigikogu Board. It also proposes offering supplementary training to all Riigikogu members to improve their ability to assess the constitutionality of draft legislation.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is exclusively on the quality of national lawmaking and parliamentary procedure. There is no regional focus; Tallinn is only mentioned within the context of a traffic analogy.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The text briefly mentions concerns about over-regulation and the increasing administrative burden within the context of legislative policy. A detailed position on taxes, the budget, or economic growth is lacking.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
No data available
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is on the enforcement of existing legislative drafting regulations (HÕNTE) and the improvement of parliamentary procedure. It acts as the initiator, proposing to the Riigikogu Board that draft legislation lacking the required constitutional analysis should not be placed on the agenda.
2 Speeches Analyzed