Agenda Profile: Züleyxa Izmailova
Inquiry Regarding Estonian Environmental Policy (No. 743)
2025-05-19
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
Political Position
The political focus is on strong opposition to the government's environmental policy, particularly the clear-cutting of forests, which is viewed as cutting the nation's roots and jeopardizing security. There is also sharp criticism regarding the reduction of democracy and the surrender of responsibility to narrow economic interests under the slogan of a "leaner state." These positions are strongly value-based, linking nature conservation with the public's trust and the question of the future. Furthermore, questions are being raised about the development plan underpinning the direction of nuclear energy development.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in environmental policy, the economic aspects of forestry, and public opinion monitoring. Specific data is cited regarding the forestry industry's profit (235 million euros) and income tax revenue, differentiating between local and foreign companies. Reference is also made to the State Chancellery's public opinion monitoring survey, which highlights the government's low trust rating (29%).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetoric is extremely combative and insistent, emphasizing moral and emotional appeal, describing the destruction of nature as "brutality" and "shattered homes." The style balances emotional imagery (e.g., "dead landscape") with concrete numerical facts (profits, confidence percentages). Strong metaphors are used, such as "cutting through the roots" and "a form of shadow governance," to criticize the government's actions.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Not enough data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the Reform Party and Michal’s government, who stand accused of deceiving the public and eroding democracy. The criticism is intense, alleging that the government is serving narrow business interests and granting an unfair advantage to tycoons, particularly timber industrialists connected to foreign parent companies. The opposition is both political and procedural, focusing on the lack of transparency and the weakening of oversight.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Cooperation is discussed only in the context of the past, explaining that the Social Democrats were removed from the government because they refused to cede democracy and accountability to the economic elite. In the current context, there are no references to compromises or cross-party cooperation; the emphasis is on a strong opposition.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is highlighted by examples of environmental damage, citing the observations made by forester Mati Sepp regarding clear-cuts seen in Saaremaa and Ida-Virumaa. However, the overall topic is national, addressing the Estonian forest as a whole and the issue of national security.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives are heavily focused on sustainability and equity, standing in contrast to the prioritization of narrow commercial interests and the pursuit of "fat profits." There is sharp criticism regarding the low income tax revenue collected from foreign parent companies. Transparency is demanded to prevent an unfair competitive edge in the utilization of natural resources. Furthermore, the forest is viewed actively as carbon-sequestering capital, rather than just raw material.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The social focus is directed toward the crisis of confidence in the state and the decline of social security, emphasizing that the government's actions are a breeding ground for radicalism and hopelessness. The necessity to stand up for the future of teachers, rescuers, mothers, and youth is emphasized—people who must be left with a livable homeland.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently aimed at opposing the proposal for 70% clear-cutting of forests, a proposal authored by the Estonian Forest and Wood Industry Association. Also criticized are the process of drafting the climate law and the general weakening of democratic institutions and oversight under the slogan of a "leaner state."
2 Speeches Analyzed