Agenda Profile: Arvo Aller
Inquiry Regarding Rural Areas (no. 713)
2025-05-05
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political focus is on ensuring the viability and security of rural areas, directly linking the survival of rural life to the very existence of the Estonian state. The speaker adopts a strongly oppositional stance toward the government's policies, criticizing their ineffectiveness and the lack of vision in regional policy. The primary objections concern tax hikes and the closure of state services in rural regions.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates a detailed understanding of the specific challenges facing rural areas, including the reasons behind local shop closures (high operating costs, reduced purchasing power) and factual inaccuracies present in ministry replies (such as the alleged existence of the Lüganuse farm shop). The professional focus addresses the state of infrastructure (dilapidated roads, absent internet access) and local services (courthouses, unemployment agency offices). The speaker offers concrete examples of public transport operators refusing service due to the poor state of the roads.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharply critical and confrontational, accusing the minister of both inaccuracies and irrationality (for instance, promoting e-commerce without internet access). Specific examples and facts (such as the date the Lüganuse store closed) are employed to refute the minister's assertions. The tone is concerned and demanding, stressing that one must be a "very rich person" just to manage in a rural area.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively taking on the role of the opposition, utilizing parliamentary inquiries to hold the government accountable and demand a clear political vision concerning rural regions. He/She also references earlier debates in the Riigikogu regarding the closure of the Jõhvi courthouse.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opposition is aimed squarely at the governing party Eesti 200 and its ministers, criticizing their complete lack of regional policy and specific controversial decisions. The criticism is intense, focusing heavily on allegations of political incompetence, factual inaccuracies, and the reduction of the state's presence in regions (specifically citing the closure of the Jõhvi courthouse and the Kiviõli unemployment office). There is also strong resistance to the government's tax policy.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker refers to the successful cooperation of the opposition parties, which helped prevent the closure of the Jõhvi courthouse. Otherwise, the style focuses on direct criticism of the government and the demand that the ministry begin working on the issue.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
A very strong regional focus on rural areas, particularly Ida-Virumaa (where the speaker was elected) and Southeast Estonia. It is stressed that Estonia's security depends on these border regions. The speaker opposes the pitting of regions against each other, emphasizing that "we are all one Estonia."
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic platform is strongly opposed to tax increases (including the car tax, fuel excise duty, VAT, and land tax), arguing that these directly undermine the purchasing power and financial stability of residents in rural areas. It criticizes the high cost of telecommunications and the impracticality of e-commerce solutions in rural settings. Furthermore, it supports measures designed to ensure the long-term viability of rural life.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The social focus is on ensuring the state's presence in rural areas and guaranteeing residents access to essential services. [The text/speaker] criticizes the closure of unemployment offices (Töötukassa) and courthouses, along with the termination of services at bank branches (Narva SEB is specifically mentioned), arguing that these actions severely impact the ability of rural residents to cope. Attention is also drawn to the lack of internet access and high communication costs, which hinder remote work opportunities.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main focus is on scrutinizing the government’s regional policy and activities through interpellation, demanding that the ministry implement the political vision. Legislative priorities involve opposing tax hikes (such as the car tax and land tax) and demanding the development of infrastructure in rural areas (roads, internet).
1 Speeches Analyzed