Session Profile: Ants Frosch
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
2024-05-09
Political Position
The political position centers on strong opposition to the reliability and functionality of Estonia's e-voting system. The speaker demands a complete overhaul of the system in line with international recommendations, or the outright termination of e-voting. The system is described as "rotten" and "exposed," stressing the necessity for transparency and trust. This position is strongly outcome-based, focusing squarely on the system's failure.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise regarding the technical and procedural shortcomings of e-voting. They rely on international expertise, extensively citing the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR report concerning cryptography, end-to-end verifiability, and quality assurance. Specific mention is also made of the international analyst Carsten Schürmann, underscoring the technical complexity of the issue.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is insistent, critical, and confrontational, using strong metaphors (e.g., "the e-tiger is essentially naked," "the balloon is pricked"). It employs both logical arguments (citing the OSCE report) and emotional warnings about the system's imminent collapse into a fiasco. The speaker uses quotes (Abraham Lincoln) and addresses the press directly, urging them to conduct interviews with international experts.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is addressing the Riigikogu plenary session, focusing on a single critical issue. They are attempting to maximize the public visibility of the topic, expressing hope that the broadcast is being watched by both ordinary citizens and the staff of the National Electoral Commission. Other patterns of activity (e.g., frequency, meetings) are not evident.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main targets of criticism are the ruling coalition, the Republic Electoral Committee (VVK), and the Electoral Service. The criticism is both procedural and political, stressing their unwillingness to solve the problems and move forward. The speaker warns that inaction will lead to an e-voting fiasco, which constitutes high-intensity confrontation.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Regarding cooperation, the need for further collaboration with international organizations, particularly the OSCE, is emphasized in order to fix the electoral system. Domestically, the speaker points to the government coalition's unwillingness to address the problems, which demonstrates a lack of domestic compromise.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly national (Estonia's e-voting system) and international, citing the OSCE and an analyst from Germany. Local or regional topics are not addressed.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Insufficient data
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Insufficient data.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is directed toward reforming or terminating the e-voting system in order to ensure the integrity of the elections. The speaker is strongly opposed to the current situation and is pressuring the government to implement internationally recommended changes to prevent the system from collapsing.
3 Speeches Analyzed