Session Profile: Kalle Grünthal
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
2025-06-11
Political Position
The political position is strongly oppositional to the government, criticizing their economic policy and the quality of their legislative work. The speaker frames the situation in the country as unbearable, even referencing a quote from Lenin and the necessity of revolution. The main issues are opposition to tax increases and the violation of the constitutional order, with the criticism aimed squarely at the government's stupidity or outright malice.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of basic economic principles, explaining the negative effect of the income tax hike on consumption and investment capacity, citing economics textbooks. Furthermore, the speaker maintains a strong focus on legislation and the constitution, stressing the necessity of a legally binding conviction when assigning accountability, and referencing the repeated interventions by the Chancellor of Justice. They employ technical terms such as "capital income" and "to presume."
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, emotional, and direct, employing strong language and rhetorical questions ("Have you gone completely mad?"). Historical references (Lenin, the revolution) and provocative analogies (statistical money in the store, instruments of rape) are used to emphasize the absurdity and unconstitutionality of the government's actions. The tone is predominantly accusatory and urgent, demanding immediate change.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker’s pattern of activity is concentrated on the plenary session, where they deliver both longer critical speeches concerning the economy and the constitution, and actively participate in the question-and-answer round. They refer to the Chancellor of Justice’s three recent visits to the Riigikogu and the minutes of the Legal Affairs Committee, which demonstrates active involvement in legislative procedures.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary confrontation is aimed directly at the government, coalition MPs, and the Minister of Finance, all of whom are accused of either malice or sheer incompetence toward the Estonian people. The criticism is intense, focusing on both political violations (tax hikes) and procedural breaches (unconstitutional lawmaking). The speaker asserts that the government’s actions could lead to a revolution, thereby ruling out any compromise regarding the current policies.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is insufficient information regarding the style of cooperation, but the speaker refers to the truthfulness of the claims presented by another opposition MP (Varro Vooglaid). He addresses the coalition MPs with a direct request to support suspending the reading of the bill, but the overall tone is confrontational and uncompromising.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is exclusively on national topics, addressing the Estonian economy, tax policy, and constitutional order. The speaker addresses "Dear people of Estonia" directly, but does not mention any specific regional industry, project, or community.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views strongly oppose tax increases, arguing that raising income tax (from 22% to 24%) and business income tax (from 20% to 22%) diminishes people’s capacity for consumption and investment. He/She criticizes the government’s assertion that the tax hikes will leave people with more disposable income, and deems the reported statistical economic growth detached from reality.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Regarding social issues, the speaker addresses religious freedom and the principles of the rule of law concerning the restriction of the Moscow Patriarchate's activities. He strongly defends the view that the organization must not be persecuted or held accountable without a final, effective conviction, asserting that this constitutes pure persecution. The speaker emphasizes adherence to civil liberties and the constitutional order.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is directed at opposing the bill deemed unconstitutional and demanding that its reading be suspended. The speaker's priority is improving the quality of legislation, repeatedly citing the intervention of the Chancellor of Justice and the flawed work committed by the Riigikogu. He emphasizes the necessity of respecting the President's stance regarding the unconstitutionality of the law.
4 Speeches Analyzed