Session Profile: Maris Lauri
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
2024-05-29
Political Position
The political focus is on ensuring the strict regulation of crypto-asset markets and the mitigation of risks, highlighting Estonia's previous negative experience in this sector. It strongly supports placing the supervision of virtual currency service providers under the Financial Supervision Authority (FSA) to ensure the adequate management of risks related to financial supervision. The position is strongly policy- and results-based, emphasizing the need to prevent the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates in-depth knowledge of financial regulation, particularly concerning crypto-asset markets (MiCA) and corporate governance structures, utilizing technical terminology (e.g., two-tier management system, remote identification). They present specific data regarding the drastic reduction in the number of Estonian crypto licenses (from 650 down to 48) and substantiate these decisions based on practical necessity and public finance viability. The speaker exhibits authority in their grasp of the details of the legislative process and proposed amendments.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is predominantly formal, factual, and rich in detail, focusing on the technical presentation of the draft bill's procedure and the justification for the proposed amendments. It employs logical appeals and fact-based arguments (e.g., concerning cost and time expenditure) to justify the committee's decisions. In the third address, the tone shifts to corrective and defensive, aiming to counter the opposing side's "biased viewpoint" and emphasize the high level of risks.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker’s activity profile is characterized by intensive legislative work within the committee, citing four sittings, a public hearing, and specific dates allocated for the discussion of amendments. He/She appears before the Riigikogu as the committee’s rapporteur, providing a detailed overview of the procedural progress and the decisions that have been adopted.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The speaker initially criticizes the opposition party for refusing to discuss the bill they themselves submitted, citing a procedural irregularity. Later, the speaker sharply criticizes the viewpoint presented by the opposing side as "biased," refuting claims regarding the excessive strictness of Estonian regulation compared to EU requirements.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The collaborative approach is open to interest groups and the Ministry of Finance, engaging them via public hearings and consensually considering several proposed amendments (e.g., extending the transition period). It openly acknowledges the internal commission discussion and disagreements (the majority and minority positions concerning the Council's requirement), but ultimately stresses the rationality of the solutions supported by the majority.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national financial regulation and its compliance with European Union directives and regulations. Emphasis is placed on Estonia's specific negative experience with the crypto market, which significantly jeopardized "the risk assessments assigned to the entire Estonian financial sector."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
It supports financial discipline and a high level of risk mitigation, which is reflected in the requirement for stricter governance structures within crypto companies, particularly when handling client assets. It is prepared to increase the maximum rates for the Financial Supervision Authority’s supervision fees to ensure the institution has the capacity to carry out its new responsibilities. It favors fiscally prudent solutions, thereby avoiding the creation of a costly and complex automatic data transmission system.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
No data available
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is on the adoption of the regulation for crypto-asset markets (the crypto bill), which it is actively advancing and supporting. Priorities include transferring supervision from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to the Financial Supervision Authority, extending the transition period, and clarifying corporate governance requirements to mitigate risks. It proposes concluding the second reading and holding the final vote on June 5th.
3 Speeches Analyzed