Session Profile: Arvo Aller
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
2024-11-04
Political Position
The political stance is strongly oppositional, focusing on sharp criticism of the government’s regional policy, particularly concerning the closure of state and educational institutions in the regions. The speaker stresses that regional policy is directly tied to national security, and criticizes the government’s actions as short-sighted cost-cutting, confined strictly within the parameters of an Excel spreadsheet. He challenges the government’s "success story" regarding the Just Transition Fund, citing its inadequacy given the scale of job losses in the oil shale sector.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates detailed expertise in regional development, the specific problems of Ida-Virumaa, and agricultural policy (CAP, PRIA bureaucracy). He exhibits legislative precision by inquiring about the harmonization of specific paragraphs and terms (licensing vs. attestation, the definition of a young person) within the laws governing sports and youth work. Furthermore, he is familiar with the impact of land tax and the expansion of nature conservation areas on local municipalities.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speech is predominantly critical and concerned, employing strong language such as "nonsense" and "hocus-pocus" to characterize the government's actions. The speaker utilizes both logical arguments (job losses of 5,000 versus 1,000) and emotional appeals (security, villages being left deserted). The style is formal and detailed, addressing the ministers directly and posing specific questions regarding the technical nuances of the draft legislation.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is highly active during the plenary session of the Riigikogu, taking part in an interpellation directed at the Minister of Regional Affairs and posing several detailed questions during the first reading of both the waterway fee and the amendments to the Sports Act. This pattern of activity demonstrates a focus on both broad political criticism and the technical scrutiny of draft legislation.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main criticism is aimed at government ministers (the ministers of education, social affairs, justice, and regional affairs) for decisions within their portfolios that damage regional policy, such as the closure of schools and service centers. The criticism is policy- and performance-based, accusing the government of stifling regional development and shifting responsibilities onto local municipalities. The speaker urges the government to heed the opposition's proposals.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker cites the previous government coalition (Center Party, Isamaa, EKRE) as a positive example, highlighting their economy-boosting decisions (lowering excise duties). He regrets that the current government is not listening to opposition members, which, he notes, indicates a desire for constructive cooperation in improving regional policy, though he admits this cooperation is absent.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is strongly regional, emphasizing the necessity of the state's presence in border counties such as Ida-Virumaa, Võru, and Põlva. Specific attention is drawn to the threat of closing the Jõhvi courthouse, the loss of service points in Kiviõli and Sillamäe, and the closure of educational institutions in rural areas. He/She stresses that the state should be relocating institutions out of Tallinn, rather than removing them from the regions.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker is critical of the economic policy that stifles competitiveness and leads to job losses (specifically in the oil shale sector). He supports measures that foster economic growth, citing the previous reduction of excise duties as a positive example. Furthermore, he opposes the increase in land tax, which disproportionately burdens agricultural producers, and criticizes the bureaucracy that prevents farmers from accessing agricultural subsidies.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The speaker focuses on educational access in rural areas, opposing the closure of upper secondary school departments and vocational schools, which are the only opportunity for many to acquire skills. They also raise the question of social justice regarding the compensation of volunteer sports referees, while seeking to standardize the definition of a young person across various statutes.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The speaker is actively engaged with amendments to the Sports Law and the Waterway Fee Law, functioning more as a detailed critic and a seeker of improvements than as an initiator. Their focus is on discrepancies found within the draft legislation (such as the age limit for minors or the definition of licensing), and they support measures designed to enhance the competitiveness of ports.
8 Speeches Analyzed