Agenda Profile: Lauri Laats
The Prime Minister's address for 2025 on the implementation of the long-term development strategy "Estonia 2035" (including an overview of the situation of research and development activities and the government's policy in this area).
2025-03-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
Strongly oppositional and highly critical of the current coalition’s economic and social policies. He/She highlights the democracy, governance, and demographic crises as the main threats, and accuses the government of adopting decisions that have worsened people’s lives. He/She demands snap elections and the prime minister’s resignation to restore public trust.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
It highlights expertise in economic policy (taxes, prices), demography (low birth rates, child benefits), and internal security; it uses specific examples (the car tax, increases in VAT and income tax, price hikes exceeding 40%, doctor visit fees rising over 300%, and up to 11–10 quarters of economic recession) and places these issues at the center of policies affecting everyday life against the backdrop of the crisis.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
A critical, intense, and emotional tone; it utilizes enumerations and contrasts, and while sounding somewhat plaintive or complaining, it remains fact-based. The text serves as a continuation of a speech and an invitation to discussion, emphasizing the crises in democracy and governance, and the necessity of snap elections.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
He/She addressed the parliamentary session (March 11, 2025), referencing the debate and questions, and employing contextually popular rhetoric. Consequently, he/she appears consistently prepared to speak on the implementation of the country's long-term strategy and subsequently call for a lasting political paradigm shift.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
A critically administrative and defiant stance; it focuses on the policies of the government and the Social Democrats, accusing them of causing the economic recession, creating poverty, and fostering deficiencies in democracy. This is intense criticism, the resolution for which is seen as snap elections and the resignation of the current leadership.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Insufficient data
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
At the national level, there is no clear regional focus, although county public transport is mentioned as having an impact/being implemented as a national policy. The general attention is focused on resolving the state's issues and the demographic situation.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
A critical stance on economic policy: the author notes multiple tax increases, price hikes, and the resulting rise in the cost of living for the population. It is argued that these steps deepened poverty and failed to support the stimulation of the economy. Attention is recommended regarding the demographic crisis and possible alternatives to economic policy, although specific solution proposals are not presented.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The text criticizes cuts to social benefits (including child benefits), the reduction of tax refunds, and the lack of adequate support for pensioners. It stresses the need to encourage higher birth rates and resolve the demographic crisis, viewing this as fundamental to social welfare. The focus is heavily placed on the impact on people’s lives and the necessity of reinforcing social safety nets.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
There are no specific legislative priorities or descriptions of the hearings being held. The focus of the discussion is on crises and criticizing the government's actions, rather than on concrete new legislative initiatives.
2 Speeches Analyzed