Session Profile: Aivar Kokk
15th Riigikogu, Sixth Session, Plenary Sitting
2025-10-21
Political Position
The political stance is strongly critical of the detailed and unreasonable political advertising transparency requirements imposed by the European Union, especially those concerning small items such as pens and business cards. While transparency is supported for large campaign expenditures, the regulation of minor details is deemed "absurd" and excessive bureaucracy. The political framework is aimed at protecting Estonian sovereignty and demanding common sense in the face of Brussels' regulations.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates a deep understanding of how election campaigns are organized, covering advertising media (radio, print) and campaign costs, while focusing on practical application challenges. He discusses specifics like logo patenting, the technical feasibility of QR codes, and measuring radio ad length in seconds. He also mentions personal experience as a media owner, which gives him insight into the formation of advertising prices.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The tone is passionate, direct, and at times frustrated, using vernacular and emotional expressions such as "jura" (nonsense/crap) and "jabur" (absurd/silly). The style is a blend of logical argumentation (analysis of costs and fines) and personal examples (his logo, "Oma mees Toompeal" [His own man on Toompea], and the pen lying on the desk). He employs numerous rhetorical questions to highlight the absurdity of the regulation, while simultaneously attempting to remain conciliatory towards the Minister.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively participating in the plenary session, posing several questions and delivering a lengthy address on the subject of one specific draft bill (the regulation of political advertising). This points to an intense focus and a clear desire to influence the ongoing legislative process.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main criticism is aimed at the European Union’s regulations and the procedure for their adoption, which are deemed unreasonable and overly detailed. The lack of clarity in the draft law is also being criticized, along with the potential negative economic consequences that could deter advertising firms from servicing political campaigns. The speaker calls for protests against these foolish regulations and, if necessary, taking the matter to the European Court of Justice.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is personally sympathetic towards the Minister, stressing that the fault lies not with the Minister himself, but with the regulation. He calls upon the Economic Affairs Committee to conduct further work on the draft bill and amend it for the second reading. He demands clear guidelines and illustrative examples (diagrams, pictures) for the implementation of the regulation, which indicates a desire to find constructive solutions.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily on national legislation and international (EU) regulation. The regional focus is represented by a brief reference to a local case in Jõgeva municipality concerning the violation of campaign advertising.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker is concerned about the economic consequences of the regulations, particularly the increase in campaign costs (due to the required length of mandatory disclosures in radio advertising) and the risk-averse behavior of advertising firms. He emphasizes that costs resulting from decisions made in Brussels should not fall on individual candidates or political parties. He supports transparency but opposes unreasonable costs and bureaucracy.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Insufficient data
9 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is the draft bill on political advertising transparency and its implementing regulations, which derive from the relevant EU regulation. He/She is calling for amendments to the bill, specifically focusing on clarifying definitions (logo, advertisement), establishing a framework for penalties (such as defining a "minor violation"), and determining the allocation of costs. Furthermore, he/she seeks clarification on the regulation's effective date and the use of items (like ballpoint pens) purchased prior to that date.
9 Speeches Analyzed