Session Profile: Eerik-Niiles Kross
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
2025-03-26
Political Position
The political focus is on amending the constitution regarding the introduction of a citizenship requirement for local elections. The speaker strongly supports the amendment, viewing it as a timely and value-driven step that will lead the country to full democratic sovereignty and conclude the transition period. He emphasizes that the decision will improve the Estonian state and is more of a "sunrise" than a "sunset."
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates strong expertise in Estonian constitutional history and the legislative process, identifying himself as a historian. He draws upon facts and details concerning the adoption process of the 1992 constitution, referencing Rein Taagepera and the debates within the Constitutional Assembly. Furthermore, he precisely enumerates previous constitutional amendments from 2003, 2007, and 2011 to provide context for the current draft legislation.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is formal, analytical, and historically grounded. The speaker makes extensive use of historical comparisons to de-escalate the acuteness of the current debate, noting that the arguments have been surprisingly calm. The tone is generally optimistic and slightly grandiloquent, as he declares the change to be the conclusion of the transition period.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Not enough data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The speaker is tackling criticism aimed at the constitutional amendment, describing the objections (for example, that changes shouldn't be made, or that they are being made too quickly/slowly or by the wrong people) as historically identical and inevitable arguments. While acknowledging that the criticism has been loud, he dismisses it as low-intensity, pointing out that these arguments do not apply to the current amendment either.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker emphasized cooperation and a willingness to compromise, noting that the constitutional amendment process was "surprisingly unanimous" and "unifying for the Riigikogu." He highlighted that although nobody got exactly what they wanted, they agreed on a text that is expected to receive the support of roughly 92% of the Riigikogu membership.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is solely on the national level and matters of sovereignty, dealing with constitutional amendments and the removal of the legacy of occupation. Local elections are only addressed within the context of national legislation.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Not enough data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social question concerns citizenship and suffrage in local elections. The speaker strongly supports an amendment that would require Estonian citizenship for participation in local elections, seeing this as eliminating the legacy of occupation and achieving the nation's democratic sovereignty.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative priority is the third reading of the bill to amend the Constitution, the purpose of which is to introduce a citizenship requirement for local elections. The speaker is a strong proponent of this amendment, viewing it as a historic achievement and a decision that concludes the transition period, and one of the most important decisions made by the current composition of Parliament.
1 Speeches Analyzed