Agenda Profile: Ando Kiviberg
Draft law amending the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia (536 SE) – first reading
2024-11-20
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The most crucial issue is national security and historical continuity, centered on the revocation of voting rights for citizens of aggressor states in local elections. The speaker strongly supports the draft bill, considering it unavoidably necessary, and criticizes previous policy as behaving like "retreaters." The political position is strongly values-based, emphasizing the need to stop tolerating the privileges of those who long for the former colonial power.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of the historical continuity of the restoration of Estonian independence and security policy, directly linking the issue of suffrage to ensuring national security. He/She consistently employs the terminology of colonization and aggression (colonial power, aggressor states, fascist regime) and emphasizes the danger posed by parallel education systems.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The tone of the speech is urgent, combative, and highly moralizing, stressing that avoiding conflict has become dangerous. Strong emotional appeals and historical parallels are employed, comparing the support of aggression to abetting the Holocaust. The style is formal, but includes sharp epithets such as "Putin's gang" and "the Kremlin mafia state."
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speech was delivered in the Riigikogu during the first reading of the draft act on amending the Constitution. No other frequency, rhythm, or references to external events are mentioned.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is directed at political forces who flirt with supporters of the Putin regime, hindering the transition to Estonian-language education and the removal of symbols. The speaker also sharply criticizes those who defend the rights of citizens of aggressor states, arguing that supporting aggression is not merely "dissent." The attacks are intense and politically charged, linking the opposition to corruption and influence peddling.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker recognizes the government coalition’s effort and compromise (the compromise among the governing parties) in presenting the draft legislation, although he himself originally favored a wider solution. He thanks his partners and notes that reaching consensus demanded "difficult concessions," demonstrating a readiness to compromise in order to achieve the main goal.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly on national security and the interests of the Estonian state, positioned on the frontline of international confrontation. Specific local or regional projects or communities are not emphasized, even though the legislative amendment pertains to local elections.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives are framed within the context of a negative drag on development, where voter groups supporting the Putin regime favor influence peddling and corrupt transactions. Consequently, corruption and disloyalty are viewed as a direct impediment to Estonia's development.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The most crucial social issue is the status of the Estonian language and the transition to Estonian-language education, which is seen as integral to security and statehood. It is stressed that national security interests take precedence over the infringement of the rights of citizens of aggressor states, and there is also support for abolishing the voting rights of stateless individuals.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative priority is the draft law amending the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia (536 SE), which aims to revoke the voting rights of Russian and Belarusian citizens in local elections. The speaker is a strong proponent of the bill, viewing it as a crucial first step, even though he originally supported a similar, but broader, draft.
1 Speeches Analyzed