Session Profile: Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
2025-11-03
Political Position
The speaker strongly supports social welfare, particularly the nationwide implementation of a pension supplement, stressing its crucial role in ensuring pensioners' livelihoods. The second main priority is the swift and strict regulation of light personal vehicles (such as e-scooters) and small mopeds, as the current situation has spiraled out of control and poses a threat to public health, especially concerning children. The political framework is strongly value-driven, prioritizing people's health over the freedom of enterprise.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates thorough knowledge of social policy (the impact of pension supplements on purchasing power and the state budget) and the regulation of traffic law and light personal transporters. This specialized knowledge encompasses specific regulatory measures, such as age verification via ID card, the mandatory provision of helmets for rentals, and traffic insurance requirements. Furthermore, the speaker is familiar with the details of committee discussions, such as the Social Affairs Committee's debate concerning the health of working pensioners.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker’s style is predominantly urgent and confrontational, employing strong emotional appeals (referencing tragic accidents and the difficult situation of pensioners). Logical arguments (the necessity of regulations) are interwoven with sharp accusations directed at the coalition, directly referencing donations made to political parties and the prioritization of specific interests. The speech is detailed and formal, but also includes direct rhetorical questions ("How many deaths must still happen?").
5 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is an active initiator and critic of legislation, emphasizing that they have submitted multiple bills and delivered several speeches concerning light personal transporters, including at a special committee hearing. This points to persistent and consistent activity in highlighting specific issues and proposing solutions at the Riigikogu level.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The speaker is in strong opposition to the current coalition (the Reform Party and Estonia 200), accusing them of consistently voting down essential legislation. The criticism targets political corruption, alleging that coalition politicians prioritize the interests of a specific company (Bolt) due to having received generous donations from them. The oppositional tone is intense and uncompromising, focusing on political accountability and inaction.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is operating in opposition, highlighting the Center Party's repeated initiatives in proposing legislative amendments, all of which have been rejected by the coalition. Although the minister mentioned cooperation, the speaker points to previous ministry responses that restricted their proposed amendments, citing the argument of freedom of enterprise, which ultimately demonstrates a lack of collaboration.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker focuses on both local and national issues, highlighting Tallinn’s successful example regarding the pension supplement, which they argue should be expanded nationwide. Concerning the regulation of light personal transporters (e-scooters), emphasis is placed on the right of local government units (LGUs) to set restrictions, reflecting concern for the urban landscape and the autonomy of the LGUs.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker supports social redistribution through pension top-ups, viewing this as a stimulus for economic growth that boosts purchasing power and generates additional tax revenue for the state budget. At the same time, the speaker is critical of invoking the argument of entrepreneurial freedom (freedom of enterprise) when it impedes the protection of public health, and calls for stricter regulation for rental service providers.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The key social issues are the financial well-being of pensioners and public safety, particularly the protection of children from accidents involving personal light electric vehicles (PLEVs/e-scooters). The speaker emphasized the necessity of regulating age restrictions and mandatory helmet use to safeguard vulnerable populations. The text also indirectly referenced the Social Affairs Committee's discussion regarding the relationship between the health and working capacity of senior citizens.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative priorities involve amending the Traffic Act to regulate micro-mopeds and light personal transporters. The goal is to establish a maximum limit on the number of rental light personal transporters for local municipalities, require age verification within the application, make helmet rental mandatory, and extend the mandatory traffic insurance requirement to all rental e-scooters.
5 Speeches Analyzed