Session Profile: Leo Kunnas
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd sitting, plenary session
2024-04-03
Political Position
The political position heavily emphasizes national defense and the structural problems facing the border guard. The speaker views the merger of the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) that occurred before 2014 as a mistake, resulting from a flawed threat assessment concerning Russia. He supports either restoring an independent border guard force or fully militarizing the PPA to guarantee border protection and readiness against hybrid threats. The focus is on conceptual and management issues at the national level.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound knowledge of national defense and internal security structures, comparing the conceptual frameworks behind the establishment of agencies within the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defense (PPA, KIK, KRA). He analyzes historical decisions and employs specific terminology, such as "combatants," "compulsory duties," and "siloization." The expertise is clearly focused on conceptual issues in state governance and security.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is analytical, conceptual, and concerned, emphasizing systemic flaws in state governance and the security sector. The author uses logical arguments and historical examples (such as the 2019 visit to the Narva border guard station) to justify the necessity of rapid structural changes. The tone is serious and cautionary, directly referencing the terrorist attacks in Ukraine and by Hamas as examples of a shifting threat assessment.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active during the plenary session, delivering both an extensive, substantive presentation and posing questions to colleagues. He/She referenced previous activities, including a visit to the Narva border guard station in 2019, demonstrating a long-standing interest in border security issues. Furthermore, he/she actively participates in legislative debates, presenting the faction's views and requesting clarifications.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is aimed at previous government decisions (the merger of the PPA) and the lack of a national governance concept, which has resulted in differing solutions across neighboring ministries. He/She sharply criticizes the hesitation and proposed amendments that impede swift action during a heightened state of defense readiness, deeming them unreasonable. The criticism targets political and conceptual errors, not individuals.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker addresses colleagues respectfully and references the consensus achieved by the National Defence Committee during the initial support of the draft bill. He shows readiness for cooperation on national defence issues but remains resolutely opposed to specific proposed amendments, demanding clear and swift solutions. The speaker quotes a fellow colleague (Meelis Kiilit) to underscore the importance of conceptual issues.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus directly addresses the security of the eastern border, specifically referencing the Narva border guard post and the Friendship Bridge, both of which he has previously visited. Although he uses examples from the border, the overall approach remains national and conceptual, centering on the management structures of ministries and agencies.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
There is not enough data.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Instead of social issues, the speaker focuses on internal security and national defense readiness, emphasizing the need to prepare for armed internal conflict and hybrid threats ("little green men"). He prioritizes security, demanding that in a crisis situation, bureaucratic procedures (e.g., permits from the Environmental Board) must not be allowed to impede defense operations.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on reforming the structure of the border guard and ensuring national defense readiness during a crisis situation. The faction of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia supports the draft legislation concerning defense readiness but opposes amendments that would maintain the restrictions on the use of the construction prohibition zone during a period of heightened defense readiness.
5 Speeches Analyzed