Agenda Profile: Katrin Kuusemäe
First reading of the draft resolution of the Riigikogu "Organizing a referendum on the question of electricity production from oil shale" (581 OE)
2025-05-13
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The political focus centers on the procedural treatment of the referendum bill and clarifying the obligations tied to the national energy development plan. Although the speaker maintains neutrality in their role as rapporteur, they fundamentally support holding referendums on crucial issues. However, they question the necessity of timing this specific bill before 2026. It is stressed that the government does not have an internationally binding deadline for phasing out oil shale.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Shows expertise in handling the procedural rules of the Constitutional Committee and decisions made by the Riigikogu. Possesses detailed knowledge regarding the status of the Energy Sector Development Plan (ENMAK), the funding agreements concluded with the European Commission, and Estonia’s international obligations concerning oil shale. Explains the technical details, emphasizing that ENMAK is a vision document, not a binding statute.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is formal, neutral, and fact-based, focusing on conveying the content of the Constitutional Committee session and its procedural decisions. The speaker strictly maintains the role of a rapporteur, avoiding emotional assessments and relying on the explanations provided by representatives of the ministries.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The pattern of conduct is linked to his work on the Riigikogu Constitutional Committee, where he participated in the discussion of the draft bill on April 15 and presented the committee's report to the plenary session on May 13. His role was procedural, conveying the committee's decisions and the substance of the debate.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
It avoids expressing direct confrontation. Instead, it addresses the timing of the referendum initiated by the bill's submitters (the Center Party), raising the possibility of holding it only after 2026. It also rejects the assertion that the Estonian people do not trust the government.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is institutional and based on committee work, accurately relaying the commission's voting results and incorporating the viewpoints of ministry representatives (Ministry of Climate, Ministry of Finance) to clarify the facts.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on the national and international levels, covering decisions made by the Government of the Republic of Estonia, as well as issues related to European Union funding and associated obligations.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic perspectives concern European Union subsidies and financing agreements (€280 million), emphasizing that these are linked to the submission of a development plan, not a binding oil shale phase-out date.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
It addresses the social issue of public trust in the government, rejecting the claim of widespread distrust. It generally supports holding referendums, provided the subject matter is sufficiently important.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on the handling of the Riigikogu draft resolution (concerning the organization of a referendum on the oil shale issue) within the Constitutional Committee. The main activity was making a proposal to reject the draft and reporting on its procedural progress.
6 Speeches Analyzed