Agenda Profile: Andre Hanimägi
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 stance involves the strong support and defense of e-voting, emphasizing its long-term success and positive impact on voter turnout. The speaker considers the campaign against e-voting—which calls election results and the legitimacy of the government into question—to be a genuine threat to democracy. This position is strongly results-driven, citing 20 years of successful practice and statistical growth. The idea of abolishing e-voting is categorically rejected.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates deep expertise regarding the history, statistics, and technical details of e-elections, highlighting specific voter figures (e.g., 313,514 e-voters in 2023) and technological developments (Smart-ID, Windows XP). The expertise presented is systemic, emphasizing the security maintained over the 20-year period and the lack of anomalies between predicted and actual election results. Furthermore, the speaker references legal conclusions (the Supreme Court) and international positions (the European Commission).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is analytical, measured, and defensively persuasive, relying primarily on logical arguments, facts, and statistics. The speaker systematically refutes the opposing side's claims, stressing that the criticism has remained unchanged and has lacked supporting evidence for nearly 20 years. The tone is formal and focuses on reframing the threat: the real danger is polarization, not e-elections.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
There is not enough data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are EKRE and formerly the Centre Party, who are criticized for spearheading the anti-e-voting campaign and polarizing society. The criticism targets political tactics based on casting doubt on election results and undermining the government's legitimacy, rather than being based on facts. The speaker notes ironically that EKRE failed to find any evidence of fraud even when they themselves held the responsible ministerial posts.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker references the previous cooperation between coalition partners, noting that EKRE faced no obstacles when addressing the issue of e-voting between 2019 and 2021. It is acknowledged that several concerns are valid (for instance, the Supreme Court's finding) and that they are open to discussions regarding improving security and increasing reliability. The willingness to cooperate is limited to improving the system, not abolishing it entirely.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on the national level (the Estonian electoral system, the Riigikogu, and local elections) and the international level (European Parliament elections and the European Commission’s stance on voter turnout). There is no specific regional or local emphasis.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
There isn't enough data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue addressed is public trust in elections and the polarization of society, which is viewed as a threat to democracy. The speaker emphasizes that e-voting has a positive effect, as it provides more avenues for participation and slows the decline in voter turnout. The discussion also covers voters' right to a secret ballot and the option to re-vote if there is a risk of undue influence or coercion.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on streamlining the e-voting system and enhancing security, including support for the draft bill concerning Smart-ID authentication. The speaker stresses that the procedures for electronic voting must be codified in law more comprehensively than they are now, a point also recognized by the Supreme Court. Furthermore, the speaker is strongly opposed to any legislation that would aim to abolish e-voting entirely.
2 Speeches Analyzed