Agenda Profile: Ester Karuse
A written request for a vote of no confidence in Justice and Digital Minister Liisa-Ly Pakostale, submitted by 42 members of the Riigikogu.
2025-06-12
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
There is strong political opposition to the Minister of Justice's plan to transfer Swedish prisoners to Tartu Prison, as this jeopardizes the security of Southern Estonia and will trigger a serious staffing crisis within internal security agencies. The focus is on the practical and negative consequences of the policy, particularly regarding the recruitment of police officers and prison staff. This political framework is clearly outcome-based and highly critical of the government's actions.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates detailed knowledge of personnel issues within the internal security sector, citing specific figures (nearly 200 vacant positions in the PPA) and describing the specific training of prison officers. He/She is well acquainted with the daily lives of these service members, knowing factually that police officers take on additional work in prisons, ambulance services, and rescue departments to earn extra income.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is interrogative, critical, and focused on practical reality, utilizing the phrase "the real world" to support its arguments. Rhetorical questions are employed (e.g., "Where will these 400 new people come from?") and it emotionally emphasizes the additional work being performed at the expense of family time, combining logical argumentation with factual claims. The tone regarding security is anxious and urgent.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
He/She spoke twice during the debate on the motion of no confidence, initially posing a critical question regarding the minister's statement, and subsequently raising a clarifying counter-argument to the minister's response, focusing specifically on issues of personnel recruitment and training.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main conflict is with Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta, criticizing her plan concerning Swedish prisoners and the unrealistic personnel strategy that accompanies it. The criticism is heavily policy- and procedure-based, accusing the minister of reducing security by cutting police resources.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is not enough data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
There is a strong, personal regional focus on South Estonia and the city of Tartu. This focus emphasizes that importing Swedish murderers and rapists, coupled with the reassignment of police officers, poses a direct threat to local street safety. The speaker's personal origins in South Estonia are also noted.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The focus is on public sector staffing issues and motivation, stressing that specialized officials cannot simply be hired from the unemployment office. There is a demand for projections of concrete salary and incentive measures to address the internal security personnel's need for additional funding.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social focus is on internal security and public order, emphasizing the need to protect the streets and recognizing the specific and complex work performed by prison officers and police officers. The security aspect is paramount, especially concerning the transfer of dangerous criminals (murderers, rapists) to Estonia.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The focus is on the minister's accountability and the criticism regarding the execution of government policy (specifically, the personnel policy for the prison service and internal security) within the context of the no-confidence motion, rather than the initiation of specific legislative bills.
2 Speeches Analyzed