Agenda Profile: Urmas Kruuse
The Regional Affairs and Agricultural Minister's 2025 presentation on the implementation of the state's long-term development strategy "Estonia 2035"
2025-09-24
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
Political Position
The speaker prioritizes agricultural policy, food security, and regional development, stressing the need for quick strategic decisions regarding the upcoming EU budget period (28+). The political approach is policy- and results-driven, focusing on improving competitiveness, reducing bureaucracy, and correcting regional disparities. He emphasizes that we cannot wait until 2035 for strategic decisions; they must be made within the next two years.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise on the topics of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), food security, and regional economy, utilizing technical terms such as precision farming, protein-rich feeds, and SAK. The speaker refers to specific figures (e.g., 80% self-sufficiency, a potential 30–40% decrease) and provides examples from the South Estonian organic food program and the review of thresholds in Ida-Virumaa. The speaker emphasizes the need to strategically select specific sectors for investment, rather than spreading resources too thin by investing a little bit everywhere.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker's tone is analytical and pressing, particularly concerning the need for swift strategic decisions in agriculture and regional policy. The rhetoric is logic-driven, employing comparisons (e.g., Tallinn's free public transport versus the inadequate service in Southern Estonia, the Tax Board versus PRIA) and concrete proposals for solutions. The style is formal, yet it incorporates simple, impactful insights (e.g., "if there is nothing to eat, there is no work to be done").
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Not enough data
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main criticism is aimed at the minister's stance regarding the 40% threshold for regional subsidies, which is considered unacceptable for rural areas. The criticism is policy- and procedure-based, also addressing the ministry's failure to ensure regional equality in public transport and the bureaucracy of PRIA (the Estonian agricultural agency). He/She also criticizes the current approach of spreading grants "a little bit everywhere" instead of selecting specific sectors.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker acknowledges the important topics highlighted by the minister and expresses readiness to cooperate on the reinstatement of SAK. They emphasize cooperation within the sector, advising grain and livestock farmers to collaborate more closely to mitigate risks. They also positively reference the review of conditions in Ida-Virumaa as a good example.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is strong, emphasizing the disparity between Tallinn/Harjumaa (high GDP, free public transport) and South Estonia/border regions (including Southeast Estonia and Ida-Virumaa). There are calls for relaxing thresholds based on economic indicators and for improved organization of public transport specifically outside metropolitan areas. The organic food program implemented in South Estonia receives separate praise.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic perspectives center on competitiveness, exports, and creating added value within agriculture, such as through the domestic production of protein-rich feeds. Support is given to strategic investment in chosen sectors and the utilization of precision farming to minimize fertilizer use. There is a demand to maintain the current share of EU subsidies and reach the European average level to guarantee competitive conditions for Estonia.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Among social issues, emphasis is placed on the use of food sourced from local and nearby communities in public procurement, especially in childcare facilities and schools. This links food security and local procurement policy with children's welfare. Support for the organic food program is also mentioned as a positive example.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
Legislative priorities include reviewing the public procurement program to favor local food in state institutions and schools. He/She also considers the establishment of a unified public transport ticketing system for bus and rail services to be important. He/She stresses the need to reduce bureaucracy at PRIA (the Agricultural Registers and Information Board) by creating a pre-filled subsidy application system, similar to the Tax and Customs Board.
1 Speeches Analyzed