Session Profile: Ando Kiviberg
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session.
2025-01-22
Political Position
The political position is strongly value-based, emphasizing freedom, justice, and the rule of law as the constitutional foundations of Estonia. The most urgent issue is the defense of democracy and the opposition to authoritarianism in former Soviet Union countries, especially Georgia, which is regarded as a security threat to Estonia and the free world. The speaker strongly supports the appeal concerning developments in Georgia, which was presented on behalf of the Eesti 200 parliamentary faction.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of foreign policy and development cooperation, highlighting personal experience gained through conducting consultations and trainings in Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Furthermore, they demonstrate authority in analyzing international election observation reports (OSCE), explaining their purpose and content.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is initially formal and value-driven, quickly shifting to passionate and sharply condemnatory when criticizing the events in Georgia and the domestic opposition. The speaker employs both emotional appeals (sympathy, sadness, disgust) and logical argumentation, drawing upon the constitution, personal experience, and international reports. The speaker warns that discussing certain topics might necessitate the use of unprintable language.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active during the plenary session, requesting additional minutes for their address. Their previous track record includes long-term involvement in the field of development cooperation, including conducting consultations and training sessions in several former Soviet Union countries.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opposition is directed at Georgia's ruling forces, who are accused of establishing a dictatorship, engaging in torture, and rigging elections. Domestically, opposition members of the Riigikogu are sharply criticized, accused of disseminating the positions of the Kremlin's bandit regime and either justifying or minimizing the violence in Georgia. The attack is intense and value-based, hinting that the opponents dream of arresting and beating political rivals.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is acting on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction, urging other factions to support the appeal they initiated. Previous development cooperation has emphasized respecting the partners' right to self-determination and freedom of choice, while only offering them Estonian experiences.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is heavily international, concentrating on the former Soviet-occupied countries (Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Belarus) as development cooperation priorities. Georgia (Sakartvelo) is highlighted as a particularly close cooperation partner, whose democratic setback poses a security threat to Estonia.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Little information is available regarding economic perspectives; only Estonia's successful economic reconstruction following the Soviet occupation is mentioned. Reference is also made to sharing experiences regarding the reconstruction of infrastructure, waste management, and the establishment of public transport systems with development cooperation partners.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is the protection of human rights and civil liberties, which involves sharply condemning the beating, torture, and illegal detention of journalists, opposition politicians, and demonstrators in Georgia. This stance is framed as the defense of Estonia’s fundamental constitutional values (freedom, justice, and the rule of law).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is directed toward supporting the appeal initiated by the Eesti 200 faction, which addresses Georgia's democratic backsliding and human rights violations. The aim of the address is to mobilize the Riigikogu's support for this political statement.
2 Speeches Analyzed