Agenda Profile: Ester Karuse
Inquiry regarding the loss of essential banking services from county centers (no. 773)
2025-09-08
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The political focus is currently on ensuring the availability of vital banking services in county centers, particularly in Southeast Estonia. The speaker takes a strong stance on the necessity of the state's role in guiding and helping to find solutions, stressing the social, rather than purely commercial, nature of the service. They sharply criticize the situation where tens of thousands of people have been deprived of access to physical banking services.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in regional policy and financial inclusion, citing specific data regarding the situation in Valga and Põlva counties. They detail the consequences, such as a 200 km driving distance to the nearest office, and link the lack of physical services to the issue of elderly security (specifically, scam calls). This expertise is further evident in the knowledge that the initial bank card is not sent via post.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is characterized by concern and urgency, highlighting both the practical and moral dimensions of the issue. A balanced approach is employed, merging logical arguments (such as distances in kilometers and irreversible processes) with an emotional appeal aimed at protecting the elderly and those lacking access to digital services. The speaker emphasizes their stance by using the recurring question, "Why is a bank branch even necessary? It is necessary!"
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The course of action demonstrates proactivity: an inquiry was filed on May 13th, and answers are being sought three months later, indicating a consistent follow-up on the issue. Furthermore, previous contact with the former minister (Piret Hartman) regarding the organization of a meeting with the Banking Association is mentioned. The speaker utilizes the formal Riigikogu inquiry format to demand specific actions and information sharing from the government.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary indirect criticism is aimed at banks as private enterprises that prioritize profit over the provision of an essential service, despite earning substantial profits while serving the public. The minister and the ministry are directly criticized for their inaction, as the promised meetings with the banking association have not taken place within the last three months. Furthermore, the position regarding the actions of previous Social Democrat ministers is clarified in response to the references made by Lauri Laats.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker had sought cooperation with the previous minister and is now demanding that the state act as a mediator, establishing a dialogue between the Banking Association and bank representatives. This cooperative approach is focused on finding solutions with the state's involvement, stressing that the government must demonstrate the willingness to guide and contribute. He asks the minister to relay the importance of this message to the bank representatives.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is strongly regional, concentrating on the issues facing Southeast Estonia, particularly Valga and Põlva counties, which lack brick-and-mortar bank branches. This has been presented as a significant regional policy issue, exemplified by the 15,000 residents of Valga municipality who face the necessity of driving 200 km. The speaker stresses that this is extremely important specifically for the people living in Southeast Estonia.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic perspective acknowledges banks' right to profit as private enterprises, but stresses that banking is a socially necessary and vital service that should be accessible regardless of pure business logic. It points to the banks' enormous profit figures, which were earned by providing services to the public.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social focus is on protecting the elderly and addressing the lack of digital inclusion, emphasizing that not every person is required to own a computer, internet access, or a smartphone. The absence of physical offices is directly linked to the vulnerability of older people to scam calls and financial fraud, which the speaker considers to be a moral problem.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus when submitting the formal query to the minister was to initiate a dialogue and find solutions for ensuring the accessibility of banking services. The speaker acknowledges that direct legislative compulsion may not be currently possible, but emphasizes the state's role in finding solutions through guidance and political will.
4 Speeches Analyzed