Agenda Profile: Mario Kadastik
Third Reading of the Draft Act on the Amendment of the Riigikogu Election Act and the Amendment of Other Related Acts (Bill 344 SE)
2024-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position involves strong support for e-voting and the clarification of its legal framework through Draft Bill 344 SE. Emphasis is placed on the system's successful operation over the past 19 years and its security, focusing on technological advantage and legal clarity. This is clearly a policy- and results-based approach aimed at the continued development of the system. On behalf of the Reform Party, we urge support for this draft bill.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates thorough technical expertise regarding the architecture of e-voting, explaining the details of cryptography, the digital two-envelope system, and auditability. Emphasis is placed on Estonia's unique advantage in the form of mandatory digital identity (the ID card). To refute technical risks, reference is made to the European Union Digital Markets Act (DMA) and to researchers from the Universities of Tartu and Oxford who have confirmed the system's security.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is rational, fact-based, and authoritative, focusing on refuting criticism using specific facts and data (e.g., 19 years of implementation, zero incidents). The discourse is formal and logical, drawing comparisons to the security of banking systems to underscore the auditability of e-elections. The objective is to establish legal clarity and dispel rumors.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker draws attention to the upcoming discussion of a matter of national importance scheduled for Thursday, highlighting the topic's current relevance within the Riigikogu. Mention is made of the system's regular updates, modernizations, and audits, which have been carried out over the 19 years the system has been in operation. Furthermore, members of the Riigikogu are invited to participate in the test voting.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Opponents are being characterized as individuals who spread rumors, hearsay, and hypotheses, despite no real incidents having been registered. Specifically, the comparison to Russia's e-voting system and Anastassia's remarks regarding m-voting risks related to the Google/Apple marketplaces are refuted. The criticism is aimed at the technical and factual inaccuracies of the counterarguments.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker urges all Riigikogu members and political parties to participate in the test elections to gain a precise understanding of how the system works. It is noted that OSCE recommendations were taken into account during the system's development, demonstrating openness to international feedback. The call to support the draft bill is issued on behalf of the Reform Party.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly on the national level (Estonia’s e-voting system, digital identity) and the international sphere. Reference is made to other countries where e-elections have not been successful, and OSCE reports and the European Union Digital Market legislation are mentioned. Local or regional topics are absent.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Insufficient data
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Regarding social aspects, emphasis is placed on citizens' digital identity and its mandatory nature (the ID card), which serves as the foundation for the secure and secret exercise of voting rights. E-voting gives people more opportunities to cast their vote and offers protection against undue influence, since it allows voters to cast their ballot repeatedly or switch to voting on paper.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on Bill 344 SE, the purpose of which is to amend the Election Act and clarify the legal framework. The speaker is a strong proponent of the bill, emphasizing that it creates greater legal certainty by elevating provisions previously contained in lower-level subordinate legislation to the level of the Act, without introducing massive substantive changes.
1 Speeches Analyzed