Agenda Profile: Rene Kokk
Draft law amending the Act on Population Status Proceedings, the Population Register Act, and the State Duty Act (687 SE) – first reading
2025-09-23
15th Riigikogu, 6th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political stance is strongly opposed to the centralization of state services and the shifting of costs onto citizens. There is an emphasis on the necessity of maintaining physical service points (such as birth registration) and ensuring flexibility in paying state fees, particularly the option to use cash. The policy is framed around outcomes, focusing specifically on the negative impact that service cuts have on people.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding administrative procedures, particularly civil status operations (such as birth registration) and the application of the State Fee Act. They are aware of the payment issues at PPA service centers and reference the legislative requirement that individuals should not be obligated to possess a bank card. Furthermore, they are knowledgeable about the broader trend of service cuts (involving the Transport Administration, postal service, and healthcare).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is critical and direct, posing pointed questions to the minister and challenging the positive aspects of the draft bill. Logical arguments are employed, focusing on the negative practical consequences of the policy and the additional costs incurred by citizens (driving/commuting). The tone is concerned and demanding, stressing that the current approach "is not actually good."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Insufficient data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism targets the government's policy of reducing service availability and shifting costs onto the public. The opposition is both political and procedural, highlighting a negative pattern established by previous service cuts and directly demanding solutions from the minister regarding the cash payment issue. The confrontation is intense because the policy's impact is being referred to as a "serious problem."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is not enough data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker focuses heavily on regional issues, stressing the difficulties faced by rural residents due to the centralization of services. Specifically highlighted is the lack of cash payment options at PPA service centers in rural areas, which forces people to drive to ATMs.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic viewpoints stress opposition to transferring the costs of state services (such as travel expenses) onto citizens. They also call for flexibility in the payment of state fees to prevent people from incurring additional expenses. Policy should avoid situations where obtaining a service requires extra expenditure or the possession of a bank card.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The focus is on social justice and the accessibility of services, particularly for those who live in rural areas or do not have a bank card. The importance of using cash from a security standpoint is also emphasized, which calls into question the exclusion of cash payments at PPA service centers.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on opposing Draft Bill 687 SE (Amendments to the Vital Statistics Registration Act, the Population Register Act, and the State Fees Act). The speaker is acting as an opponent, criticizing the provisions regarding the reduction of birth registration locations and the requirement for state fees to be paid cashlessly.
2 Speeches Analyzed