Agenda Profile: Leo Kunnas
Draft law amending § 5 of the Act on the Election of Municipal Councils (530 SE) – First Reading
2025-01-30
Fifteenth Estonian Parliament, fifth session, plenary session.
Political Position
The political stance focuses heavily on security and loyalty, emphasizing the need to restrict the local government voting rights of Russian citizens, given that the Riigikogu has recognized Russia as a terrorist state. The speaker supports a value-based solution, according to which suffrage should belong only to Estonian and EU citizens, as Russian citizens lack a duty of loyalty toward the Estonian state. He considers his draft bill essential if the necessary votes required to amend the constitution cannot be secured.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker openly acknowledges their lack of legal expertise, deferring questions of constitutionality to legal experts, the Chancellor of Justice, and the Supreme Court. However, they demonstrate a certain authority when assessing security policy risks, drawing on examples from military operations (such as fire control via a phone call) and using the analogy of treason to underscore the importance of loyalty. They reference the meticulous work done by Lavly Perling (Parempoolsed) in preparing the explanatory memorandum.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is serious and security-focused. The speaker begins by apologizing for their absence from the previous sitting. He employs strong moral and emotional appeals (referencing 'traitor' and 'loyalty'), justifying the necessity of the bill by citing direct security risks. The speech is straightforward, promising to speak less, and he acknowledges his limited expertise in legal matters.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker introduced the bill under consideration (530 SE) on October 24th of last year and notes that it took a long time for it to reach this chamber. He/She refers to his/her participation in the discussions held by the Constitutional Committee on this matter. He/She will try to save colleagues' time by keeping the remarks brief.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
There is no direct mutual criticism, but the speaker challenges positions that question the constitutionality of the solution he proposed or the legal weight of the Riigikogu (Parliament) statements. He stresses that if the statements (such as recognizing Russia as a terrorist state) carry no weight, there is no point in adopting them. He does not attempt to argue on the legal front, where he lacks the necessary competence.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker acknowledges the contribution of Lavly Perling (Parempoolsed) in preparing the explanatory memorandum. He is open to compromise and cooperation, personally supporting the constitutional amendment initiated by the opposition as the ideal solution, even if it differs from his own draft bill. He views his own bill as a "last resort" solution, to be activated if the ideal solution is not achieved.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly on national security and the international context, particularly concerning Russia as an aggressor state and the obligations of the European Union. He cites Latvia as an example, where citizens of other countries do not have the right to vote. Regional focus is absent, apart from the general context of local government elections.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Not enough data
8 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social question is the loyalty of Russian citizens and stateless persons to the Estonian state, which is strictly addressed within the context of security and comprehensive national defense. He emphasizes that a lack of loyalty creates a potential threat, as these individuals could be involved in anti-Estonian activities. He wishes that the restriction on voting rights would ideally extend to stateless persons as well.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative focus is on Bill 530 SE, which he/she initiated, and which aims to link the right to vote in local government elections with the recognition of Russia as a terrorist state. He/She is the initiator of the bill but considers amending the constitution—which would also affect stateless persons—to be the ideal solution. He/She emphasizes that this bill serves as an important backup plan should they fail to gather the 81 votes necessary to amend the constitution.
8 Speeches Analyzed