Session Profile: Arvo Aller
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
2025-01-21
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to Draft Law 546, particularly concerning the social conditionality requirements being added to the criteria for direct payments. The position is policy-driven, highlighting the unequal treatment between businesses and individual aid applicants, as well as excessive bureaucracy. The stance culminates in a proposal to suspend the second reading of the draft law.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the implementation of agricultural subsidies, particularly concerning the conditionality and social conditionality requirements for direct payments. Specific terminology is employed, such as the "requirements for keeping land in good agricultural and environmental condition" (GAEC), and reference is made to the control mechanisms utilized by the Labour Inspectorate and PRIA (Estonian Agricultural Registers and Information Board). The detailed knowledge base further encompasses the specific application provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is critical and analytical, grounded in logical arguments and focused on exposing the flaws of the draft legislation. Specific and vivid examples are employed (such as black-and-yellow striped tape or ladder instruction manuals) to illustrate the extent of bureaucracy and the severity of disproportionate penalties. The tone is concerned and cautionary, emphasizing the worsening situation facing manufacturers.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active in the legislative process, referencing a previous speech on the same draft legislation in December 2024, which demonstrates consistent engagement with the topic. Action patterns include rapid response to official announcements (the Labour Inspectorate's checklist) and making procedural proposals on behalf of the parliamentary group. The inauguration of the US President is also mentioned at the beginning of the speech.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opposition targets the drafters of the bill (the ministry), who face criticism for submitting a flawed proposal—an omnibus bill structure that bundles several disparate issues into a single law. The criticism is both policy-driven and procedural, accusing the government of increasing bureaucracy and placing agricultural entrepreneurs at a disadvantage. The opposition is robust, demanding that the reading of the bill be suspended.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Cooperation is evident within the faction itself, as the final proposal is submitted on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People's Party faction. Furthermore, a colleague's (Rain Epler) previous position is referenced to support the argument concerning the Labour Inspectorate's inspection focus. There is no data available regarding inter-party cooperation or willingness to compromise.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus was highlighted in the context of Ida-Virumaa, where the Labor Inspectorate’s inspection list included 175 companies, three of which were agricultural enterprises. This demonstrates an awareness of the impact regulations have on specific regions.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic positions emphasize protecting the interests of agricultural businesses from excessive regulation and bureaucracy. There is opposition to social conditionality requirements, which increase the administrative burden and introduce the risk of reducing subsidies for minor deficiencies. Furthermore, the unequal competitive situation between businesses and private individuals applying for support is also criticized.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The focus of social issues is on the principle of equal treatment among applicants for direct subsidies, given that natural persons are in an advantageous position regarding conditionality requirements. Additionally, the question of the proportionality of the Occupational Health and Safety Act is being raised, as well as the problem of older farmers lacking technological capacity (Iva app).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on Draft Bill 546, which addresses the requirements for the conditionality of direct payments and social conditionality. The speaker is a staunch opponent of the bill, highlighting both substantive and procedural deficiencies (specifically, the regulation is already in force before the law has been adopted). The primary objective is to terminate the bill's second reading.
3 Speeches Analyzed