Session Profile: Raimond Kaljulaid
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
2025-01-21
Political Position
The political stance strongly supports increasing spending on national defense and civil protection, backing the target of at least 3% of GDP and the allocation of 1.6 billion euros for munitions. The framework is performance-based, defending the current coalition's achievements while dismissing the opposition's accusations. At the same time, there is agreement with the underlying urgency that more must be done, and done faster, emphasizing collective responsibility.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
High expertise is demonstrated in the areas of national defense financing, procurement history, and strategic planning. Specific statistical data is utilized (e.g., defense expenditure as a percentage of GDP, volume of procurements, the number of days the Isamaa party was in government), and reference is made to NATO summit agreements (2006, 2014) and the methodologies of the Commanders of the Defense Forces (Herem, Terras). The development of the field of civil protection is emphasized separately.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style starts out formal and conciliatory, thanking the opponent for the substantive discussion, but it quickly turns sharp and accusatory, employing a historical counter-attack (a "ping-pong game"). The tone is serious and logical, relying on facts and rhetorical questions to cast doubt on the opponent's past actions and statements. The speaker also requests extra time due to the significance of the subject matter.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active during the plenary session, requesting additional time given the importance of the subject matter. Their areas of activity also include participation in the work of the National Defence Committee, where they recently reviewed matters related to state reserves.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is Urmas Reinsalu and the Isamaa faction, whose accusations are dismissed. The criticism is intense and policy-based, focusing on alleged failures of omission made during Isamaa's time in government, such as low volumes of defense procurements and agreeing to the partial relinquishment of Estonian territory during defense planning. The opponent's draft bill is rejected due to its weak substance.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker stresses the importance of inter-party cooperation, pointing to the broad-based agreement brokered by the Social Democrats to increase national defense spending to 3% of GDP. While the opposition's specific draft bill is rejected, the validity of the underlying goal is accepted.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily national (Estonian defense) and international (NATO, Finnish experiences). A regional focus only emerges in the context of criticism, where reference is made to the residents of South Estonia and Northeast Estonia concerning shortcomings in earlier defense planning that accepted the occupation of their home regions.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives focus on prioritizing national defense funding, supporting the firm goal of spending at least 3% of GDP on defense. Earlier narrow planning of defense expenditures is criticized for failing to account for economic growth.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
On the topic of social issues, strong emphasis is placed on developing the field of civil protection, noting that it had previously been neglected. This is presented within the context of security and citizen safety, citing Finland’s consistent contribution as an example.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on enshrining national defense expenditures (3% of GDP) within the foundations of security policy and developing civil protection. The speaker is a leader and supporter of previous broad-based agreements but opposes the "thin document" presented by the opposition, although he agrees with its objective.
3 Speeches Analyzed