Session Profile: Leo Kunnas

The political focus is strongly on national defense and security, emphasizing the need to accelerate the mobilization system by allowing reservists to keep their weapons at home. The speaker is critical of the government's inaction regarding the development of the defense industry, highlighting Estonia's lag (a 0:4 score) behind Latvia and Lithuania in attracting foreign capital. The viewpoints are strongly security- and results-based, stressing that the worsening security situation compels the finding of solutions. Furthermore, he supports implementing measures to block Russian propaganda in order to solve other problems.

Demonstrates deep expertise in the fields of national defense and mobilization, thoroughly addressing the legal aspects and practical prerequisites of weapon storage. The analysis highlights the necessity of comprehensive background checks (mental health, criminal background, loyalty) and extensive cooperation between state institutions (the Defense Forces, KAPO, and KRA). Reference is made to the 30-year precedent set by the Kaitseliit (Defense League) and international examples (Israel, Switzerland) regarding systems for storing weapons at home.

The tone is professional and analytical, yet insistent and concerned when addressing security matters, stressing that the current security situation necessitates finding solutions. He employs logical arguments (precedents, the availability of warehouse space) and specific comparisons (a 0:4 score in the defense industry). He frankly admits that the political climate for adopting the necessary decisions (requiring 51 supporting votes) is not yet mature, but that it is inevitable.

Active in the plenary session, presenting a question to the Minister concerning the defense industry and introducing a draft bill on the topic of reservists keeping their weapons at home. This refers to work in the committee, where an assessment was requested from the Ministry of Defense regarding the necessity of amending the current legislation.

The criticism targets the government’s failure to act on developing the defense industry, resulting in Estonia falling behind the other Baltic states. It also conveys indirect opposition to the parliamentary majority (Riigikogu), which is apparently not yet sufficiently alarmed by the escalating situation to back the necessary security measures.

It emphasizes that the implementation of the draft bill would require very significant and extensive cooperation between the Defence Forces, the Defence Resources Agency, and the Internal Security Service. It does not directly mention cross-party cooperation but presents the issues as nationally unavoidable security measures.

The analysis focuses on comparing the Baltic states (Latvia and Lithuania) within the context of defense industry development, pointing out that these neighbors have successfully drawn in Finnish and German capital for the production of armored vehicles and munitions. It underscores Estonia's failure to keep pace in this regional competition.

Economic perspectives are tied to national defense: he/she supports the establishment of a defense industry park and the attraction of foreign capital, while criticizing the current lack thereof. He/She sees a practical benefit in allowing reservists to store their weapons, specifically in the form of freeing up storage space that can then be used for holding ammunition reserves.

It focuses on security and control, supporting strict background checks for reservists that would cover mental health, criminal history, and loyalty to the constitutional order. Additionally, it proposes implementing the set of measures used to counter Russian propaganda to address other issues.

The primary legislative priority is a draft bill that would allow reservists assigned to wartime positions to keep personal weapons (pistols, automatic rifles, sniper rifles) at home, intended to improve the mobilization system. It is acknowledged that the implementation of this bill necessitates extensive amendments to the legal framework, including the transformation of the Defense Forces Intelligence Center into a third security institution.