Session Profile: Leo Kunnas
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
2024-04-16
Political Position
The political stance is heavily focused on guaranteeing the nation's financial stability and security. The speaker supports the technical precious metals bill but utilizes this platform to urgently call for a substantial increase in Estonia's gold reserve (to 20–30 tons) to safeguard the country against a potential collapse of the financial system. Furthermore, he/she questions the validity of the "Estonia 2035" strategy, arguing that it no longer aligns with the current serious security and economic climate.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates thorough knowledge of monetary policy and precious metals, especially gold. They utilize specific financial data (the price of gold per ounce, the US debt level, the abandonment of the gold standard in 1971) and explain the inherent instability of inflation and the fiat money system. Their expertise also encompasses an analysis of Estonia's historical gold reserve and its subsequent sale.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speech is analytical, formal, and cautionary, stressing the danger of financial crises. The style is logical, relying on historical facts and numerical data (e.g., the weight of an ounce, the rise in the price of gold). The speaker uses an urgent tone, calling for preparation for the "worst" financially, much like preparing for military security threats.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active in plenary sessions, presenting both technical viewpoints (such as supporting the precious metals bill) and broader strategic issues (like the Estonia 2035 strategy). They point out that they have previously addressed the gold reserve topic in parliament, which demonstrates the recurring emphasis placed on this issue.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is indirectly aimed at previous governments that sold off Estonia's historical gold reserve at a low price, as well as the current government, which is sticking to the outdated "Eesti 2035" strategy. He/She also broadly criticizes the instability of the dollar-based global economy and the rapidly growing US debt level (26 trillion), which poses a threat to Estonia as well.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker notes that his faction (EKRE) supports the technical draft bill, thereby demonstrating a willingness to back specific pieces of legislation. Regarding strategic issues (the gold reserve), he appeals to all parties for serious consideration, seeking a broad consensus to ensure the financial stability of the state.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is at the national level (the reserves of the Republic of Estonia, the Estonia 2035 strategy) and at the international level (the global financial system, US debt, the world's average gold reserve). Specific local or regional Estonian issues are absent from the speeches.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker is deeply skeptical of the current fiat money system, highlighting inflation and the inherent instability of monetary value. They advocate for conservative financial management, arguing that state reserves should be pegged to a fixed asset (gold) to ensure economic stability during a crisis. Furthermore, they criticize holding reserves in currency or bonds, deeming it an insecure practice.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Insufficient data
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The speaker’s focus is on supporting the precious metals bill, but the main political priority is strategic: establishing a national gold reserve and initiating a comprehensive overhaul of the "Estonia 2035" strategy to ensure it aligns with the changed security and economic landscape.
3 Speeches Analyzed