Session Profile: Arvo Aller
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
2024-11-12
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to the administrative reform planned by the government, particularly the transfer of the Land and Spatial Planning Agency to the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Industry. Criticism is also directed at the reduction of citizens’ right to consultation in the planning process, viewing this as a decline in substantive quality. The rationale is primarily policy-based, calling into question the logic and objectives of the reform and suggesting a desire to reduce the levers of regional policy.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the fields of administrative management, regional policy, and planning law, detailing the functions of the Land and Space Agency (land operations, land improvement, and planning). He/She uses technical terminology (comprehensive plan, special plan) and emphasizes the length of the planning process and the importance of the obligation for public consultation. To support his/her arguments, he/she refers to previous administrative costs, such as the 2 million euros spent on the Health Insurance Fund's name change.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is interrogative and combative, repeatedly employing rhetorical questions to cast doubt on the government's motives ("Is this intended to shut down Estonian industry?"). The tone is critical and grounded in logic, emphasizing the protection of citizens' rights and prioritizing substantive quality over trivial time savings. In addition to those present in the hall, the speaker addresses "the people behind the screens," thereby expanding their audience.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participates in the legislative process, posing questions to the bill's rapporteur and delivering a speech during the second reading of the draft legislation. He/She closely monitors the activities of government members, specifically noting the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry's foreign trip to Saudi Arabia.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opposition is directed at the coalition and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, criticizing their lack of regional policy and the illogical nature of the reform. The criticism is policy-based, accusing the government of reducing the influence of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture. The speaker also criticizes the rapporteur, who, in his estimation, doesn't need to know the content of the law but merely has to "parrot it."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Insufficient data.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker has a very strong regional focus, emphasizing that the activities of the Land and Space Agency are regional and affect the whole of Estonia, not just cities or urban settlements. He highlights specific regional concerns, such as the cessation of oil shale mining in Ida-Virumaa, and links the administrative reform to the reduction of regional policy levers.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views are tied to protecting industry and regional resources, standing in opposition to administrative decisions that might lead to industrial closures. He considers it illogical to place land management operations under a ministry responsible for industry, especially when that industry is being shut down. The preferred approach is to manage mineral resources and planning under a ministry that handles regional policy and the actual resource users (farmers, foresters).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
In terms of social issues, strong emphasis is placed on citizens' right to participate in the planning process and to have their concerns heard if they disagree with the comprehensive plan. The speaker opposes legislative amendments that limit citizens' ability to present arguments, viewing this as a question of the quality of the democratic process.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on Bill 457 SE (Establishment of the Land and Spatial Planning Agency), which the speaker is strongly opposed to. The main priorities are preventing the transfer of the Land Board under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Industry, and preserving citizens' right to be heard in the planning process, specifically by opposing Amendment Proposal No. 7.
3 Speeches Analyzed