Agenda Profile: Anti Haugas
2024 Report by the Minister of the Interior on the Implementation of the State's Long-Term Development Strategy "Estonia 2035"
2024-09-16
The 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting.
Political Position
The political focus centers on national security and crisis preparedness, stressing the necessity of finally completing the construction of the eastern border and guaranteeing permanent funding for civil defense. Positions strongly support security investments, viewing them as solidifying the foundation during times of crisis. Also crucial is increasing citizen readiness, alongside restricting the right to bear arms and the voting rights of citizens from non-allied countries. The political framework is strongly value-based and results-oriented, highlighting achievements made since 2014.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the fields of internal security, border infrastructure development, and civil defense, utilizing specific historical references and statistical data. He/She presents detailed figures regarding funding (e.g., €12 million for the border, €300,000 for the unit) and public trust levels (Rescue Board 97%, Police 88%). This expertise is further supported by personal experience serving as an auxiliary police officer in Võru County.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is formal, substantive, and moderately optimistic regarding the progress achieved, but simultaneously urgent, stressing that "the time window is unfortunately quite short" for finding solutions. Both logical arguments (the need for funding, confidence statistics) and personal examples and anecdotes (such as the Võrumaa auxiliary police officer and the Luutsniku unit) are used to highlight local initiative.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker refers to ongoing activities both at the political level (budget processes, legislative work) and at the practical level, mentioning his work as an auxiliary police officer in Võru County and his communication with colleagues. He has been involved with the border construction working group and monitors the preparation of the PPA (Police and Border Guard Board) crisis reserve. The speech itself is part of the discussion surrounding the Minister of the Interior’s presentation.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
No direct political opponent or political party is criticized. The criticism is aimed at systemic shortcomings, such as the insufficient number of instructors and training bases, which impedes the rapid increase in the population's preparedness. The need to resolve the issue of voting rights for citizens of non-allied states, which is an "unfinished matter," is also emphasized.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker emphasizes strong cooperation both with colleagues in the Riigikogu ("good Riigikogu colleagues") and with volunteers and NGOs within the Ministry of the Interior's area of governance. They view cooperation as the key to increasing crisis preparedness and call for cross-party consensus on the issue of voting rights for citizens of non-allied countries, stressing that this decision should be made "according to one's conscience."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is heavily placed on Eastern Estonia (specifically, the development of the border infrastructure) given its role as the eastern frontier of both the European Union and NATO. Southern Estonia is highlighted separately, particularly Võru County and Põlva municipality, where local initiatives (such as the Luutsniku team) illustrate the critical importance of community involvement supported by state funding. Personal involvement as an auxiliary police officer in Võru County is also mentioned.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic viewpoints focus on strategic public funding to ensure security, demanding sufficient funding to complete border construction and permanent funding for civil defense. It supports the inclusion of allied financial resources to lessen the burden on the Estonian taxpayer when managing this "costly and time-consuming process." It views state support (e.g., €300,000 per unit) as a crucial step for continuing the community’s mission.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Regarding social issues, the population's crisis preparedness and national security are paramount. The speaker strongly supports restricting the right to bear arms for citizens of non-allied countries and considers limiting their voting rights in local elections an unresolved issue. Emphasis is placed on the need to ensure that as many Estonian residents as possible acquire the skills and knowledge required to cope during crises.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus has been on the further strengthening of the border, for which over 12 million euros were allocated in the 2024 budget. The restriction of the right of citizens of non-allied countries to own firearms is highlighted as a significant achievement. A future priority is the restriction of voting rights for citizens of non-allied countries, a matter for which the current composition of the Riigikogu is expected to find a solution.
2 Speeches Analyzed