Agenda Profile: Arvo Aller
The Regional Affairs and Agricultural Minister's 2025 presentation on the implementation of the state's long-term development strategy "Estonia 2035"
2025-09-24
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
Political Position
The political position is strongly oppositional, criticizing the government's deliberate policies that are leading to the decline of rural areas and the concentration of the population in Harju and Tartu counties. The criticism targets specific measures such as the withdrawal of child benefits, the introduction of a car tax, and increases in income and value-added tax. The focus remains on the efficacy and consequences of the government's actions, asserting that "something is rotten."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the fields of agriculture and regional policy, highlighting specific issues such as the bureaucracy surrounding e-PRIA, delays in investment grants, and mandatory carbon/nitrogen accounting. Separate emphasis is placed on the importance of fisheries (Peipus, Võrtsjärv, the Baltic Sea) and the logistical details involved in procuring local food for schools and kindergartens. This expertise is further evident in the comment regarding the resilience of local Estonian plant varieties.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharp, accusatory, and incisive, emphasizing the festering nature of the situation and the government’s conscious responsibility for rural problems. Logical arguments are employed, linking tax increases and the reduction of subsidies to the worsening economic condition of the populace. The style is formal (delivered before the Riigikogu/Parliament), but it contains strong criticism regarding the deficiencies of the minister’s report.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The pattern of activity is limited to responding to the minister's presentation during the Riigikogu session, making it reactive and critical. The speaker references the preparations farmers are making concerning the postponed round of investment support, which demonstrates a close connection with the target group. There is no data available regarding the frequency or other public appearances.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the ruling party and the minister, whose policies are described as deliberate actions that exacerbate regional inequality and the decline of rural areas. The criticism is intense and focuses on political decisions (tax hikes, subsidy cuts) and the expansion of bureaucracy via PRIA. No willingness to compromise is expressed; instead, they demand a change in policy.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is not enough data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is strongly regional, emphasizing the issues facing rural and peripheral areas and the necessity of ensuring regional balance. Fisheries (in Peipsi, Võrtsjärv, and the Baltic Sea) and coastal regions are highlighted separately, the neglect of which in the report is currently under criticism. It is stressed that the government's policy disproportionately favors Harju and Tartu counties.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views are focused on reducing the tax burden (opposing the car tax and increases in income/VAT) and maintaining agricultural subsidies, while warning against their potential reduction. They support the local economy and food security, preferring decentralized procurement of local food for schools and kindergartens, and opposing centralized joint public procurements.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is the declining birth rate and the depopulation of rural areas, which is directly linked to the government’s decision to cut child benefits. Emphasis is placed on the need to maintain viable communities in peripheral regions and ensure equal mobility opportunities for them (opposition to the car tax).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is aimed at opposing the government’s tax policy and cuts to subsidies. A key priority is pushing forward the law concerning valuable agricultural land, as well as criticizing and reducing bureaucratic PRIA regulations (such as the e-field book and carbon accounting). Furthermore, the inclusion of fisheries and coastal area topics in the strategic development plan is being demanded.
2 Speeches Analyzed