Agenda Profile: Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Road Safety
2025-10-08
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Information Hour
Political Position
The political focus is centered on road safety and the regulation of light personal mobility devices, as the situation has become dangerous. The speaker strongly advocates for stricter regulations (age verification, limits on the number of rental vehicles, mandatory helmet use), prioritizing the protection of public health, especially that of children, over the freedom of enterprise. This is a strongly policy- and value-driven position.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding the regulation of light mobility devices, mandatory insurance requirements, and relevant EU directives, specifically highlighting the 25 kg weight threshold used to circumvent the insurance obligation. They rely on the practices of neighboring countries (Latvia, Lithuania) to justify the necessity of regulating age verification and helmet use.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is urgent and, at times, confrontational, particularly when criticizing the voting down of opponents' draft legislation. It employs both logical arguments (directives, international practice) and emotional appeals, referencing children's accidents and the priority of health protection.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker has been an active legislator, having personally submitted draft legislation aimed at regulating micro-mobility devices (or e-scooters). They also reference bills on the same topic that were introduced by the Centre Party. Other data regarding the frequency of their appearances or their activity patterns is unavailable.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the Reform Party and Eesti 200, who are being criticized for consistently voting down draft legislation. The criticism is political and centers on the fact that the opponents have politically obstructed the implementation of a unified insurance obligation and prioritize business freedom over the protection of children’s health.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker has collaborated with their own party (the Centre Party) on submitting draft legislation. They note that ministry officials suggested a regulation similar to the one in Latvia, but it failed to pass politically, indicating a lack of political consensus. Cross-party cooperation has been unsuccessful, as the opposition parties rejected the proposals.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on Estonia's domestic urban environment and road safety, particularly concerning the maximum number of shared e-scooters allowed. In seeking regulatory solutions, there is heavy reliance on international practice, citing the legislative frameworks implemented in Latvia and Lithuania as examples.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views favor strong regulation of rental services (like Bolt) to restrict their numbers in public spaces, arguing that they are being excessively utilized for advertising. The speaker is calling for mandatory traffic insurance and age verification for operators, explicitly prioritizing social protection over the freedom to conduct business.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue concerns protecting children's health and safety in traffic environments, citing serious accidents involving children and light personal mobility devices (LPMDs). There is an emphasis on the need to regulate age verification, driver's license requirements, and helmet usage.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative priority is the regulation of light electric vehicles (LEVs) and small mopeds, for which the speaker has personally submitted draft legislation. The goals include granting local municipalities the right to set limits on the number of rental vehicles, requiring in-app age verification, and expanding the mandatory insurance requirement to eliminate exceptions linked to the 25 kg weight limit.
1 Speeches Analyzed