By Plenary Sessions: Maris Lauri
Total Sessions: 31
Fully Profiled: 31
2025-10-13
15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The criticism is aimed at colleagues who demonstrate incompetence in grasping the technical details of the budget or who seek to break international agreements (an indirect reference to EKRE regarding their desire to leave the EU). The criticism is both substantive and procedural, stressing the need for opponents to read the drafts and understand the terminology to avoid "double things" [or duplication].
2025-10-09
15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Criticism is directed primarily at irrational attitudes and past political decisions, rather than at specific political opponents. The criticism is particularly sharp regarding the dismantling of the second pillar of the pension system, which is considered a "very stupid" move that hinders the accumulation of domestic capital. Also criticized are NIMBY and BANANA attitudes, which prevent the valorization of natural resources.
2025-09-17
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting.
The opposition stems from colleagues who questioned the constitutionality of the draft bill and issues related to data protection. The speaker sharply criticizes the colleague's claims ("you're talking nonsense/rubbish"), but defends the Riigikogu's right, as a legislator, to make choices. The intensity is moderate but resolute, stressing that a dispute with the President or the Supreme Court is a fundamental part of democracy and there is nothing to be ashamed of.
2025-09-16
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
The criticism is aimed at a colleague who has demonstrated a lack of knowledge regarding the Riigikogu's procedural rules ("who has apparently forgotten how proceedings are handled..."). The objection is procedural and low-intensity, intended solely to establish the facts.
2025-09-11
15th Riigikogu, 6th plenary sitting
The criticism is aimed at malicious financial institutions and criminals, not political opponents. Strong criticism is directed at financial fraudsters whose activities are ruinous, as well as at credit unions where depositors' funds were maliciously mishandled. Historical "beep-beep" lenders are also being criticized.
2025-06-18
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Insufficient information
2025-06-17
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
The primary critics are the opposition factions, whom the speaker faults for failing to attend the Finance Committee meetings. He argues that this absence has resulted in a lack of knowledge and the asking of inadequate questions. The opposition's concerns relate to the widespread collection of personal data, the creation of a "super database," and the risk of profiling, points which the speaker repeatedly tries to refute. The speaker is critical of the opposition's lack of thoroughness, pointing out that they do not even bother to listen to the answers.
2025-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The primary criticism is aimed at the Isamaa faction, whose proposed amendments were rejected due to procedural violations. This rejection occurred because the amendments required initiating a supplementary budget, which in turn necessitates a draft resolution. The speaker criticizes this as "poor procedural practice" and stresses that unrelated issues should not be introduced into the bill. On an ideological level, he acknowledges the conflict inherent in the Social Democrats' tax policy but credits them with honesty.
2025-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting.
No direct confrontation is expressed, but the speaker casts doubt on the constitutionality of the bill, citing conflicting views among authorities. The criticism is procedural and constitutional, not personal.
2025-05-20
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The opposition is extremely fierce and is directed against Isamaa, the Social Democrats (SDE), and the Centre Party, who are being criticized for supporting the progressive income tax. The criticism is both political (referencing the "tax hump") and character-based (calling the Centre Party "hypocritical"). Speaker C emphasizes the ideological confrontation, arguing that their positions are expected and consistent with their respective worldviews.
2025-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
The conflict centers on the government’s position, which did not support the draft bill, citing the sufficiency of the current legal framework for reviewing the economic substance. The lead committee strongly backed this opposition, proposing the rejection of the bill (5 in favor, 1 against).
2025-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The opposition is directed at the proponents of the draft legislation who seek to repeal the security tax and the increase in corporate income tax. The criticism is policy-driven and intense, as the governing coalition, acting through the Ministry of Finance, does not support the bill because it would create a gap in the budget without replacement revenue.
2025-03-20
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The opposition is aimed at the bill's proponents, who are being criticized for taking an emotional and ill-considered approach to the border question, primarily because the required risk analysis is absent. Additionally, the speaker raised a point of order concerning the accusation of slandering a colleague and citing Dzerzhinsky, suggesting this was a response to a personal attack.
2025-01-16
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The main confrontation is with the Centre Party faction, whose proposed bill is facing sharp criticism due to its substantive flaws, superficiality, and poor preparation. The criticism targets both the policy (it's a bad solution) and the procedure (the representative failed to explain the content, rendering the bill unusable). The speaker accuses the opposition of demagoguery and of using the bill merely as a tool to criticize the government.
2024-12-17
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The main opponents are Isamaa and the Centre Party, who are sharply criticized for both the content of the draft bill and their procedural conduct. The opposition is accused of demagoguery, submitting an ill-conceived bill purely for "point-scoring," and refusing substantive cooperation regarding earlier amendments. Isamaa’s desire to extend the performance-based budget to constitutional institutions is also criticized, a move that caused "a slight stir" in the committee.
2024-12-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The stance towards the opposition is strongly critical, accusing them of irresponsibly denying the budget deficit and terrifying the public (specifically regarding pensions). The speaker sharply criticizes the opposition’s worldview, which appears to despise entrepreneurs and the middle class, and faults them for the lack of substantive debate and for acting like buffoons. He suggests that the hostile eastern neighbor is applauding their fear-mongering.
2024-12-04
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
The main opponent is the Isamaa faction, which is sharply criticized for demagoguery, intimidation, and procedural errors. Isamaa is accused of submitting improper amendments and attempting to replace the security tax bill with the income tax 'hump' bill. The speaker calls the opponent's conduct disrespectful and recalls Isamaa's previous "most foolish tax decisions" (the tax exemption for land under one's home and the progressive income tax).
2024-11-13
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session.
Criticism is directed against the factions of the Centre Party (Keskerakond) and Isamaa, accusing them of unfamiliarity with the draft bill, avoiding substantive discussions, and submitting amendments that conflict with the constitution. The opposition's proposals to reject the bill are considered hypocritical, as they would reduce budget transparency. It is noted that the Centre Party made itself look "ridiculous" with one of its proposals.
2024-11-06
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Criticism is aimed both at the current opposition for failing to provide substantive input and at previous governments for poorly preparing the transition to activity-based budgeting. The 2020 budget is particularly sharply criticized as "the darkest," enabling misappropriation of funds and general confusion. The opposition is accused of not engaging substantively, but simply stating that everything has gotten darker.
2024-10-23
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
The attitude towards the opposition is sharply critical, accusing them of chasing camera attention instead of doing substantive work and failing to show diligence. The criticism targets both procedural shortcomings (such as not attending committee meetings) and unethical behavior (boorishness, vulgar language, and an authoritarian mindset). The speaker views the motion of no confidence as insincere and completely fabricated.
2024-10-16
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The criticism is aimed at opponents who are accused of demagoguery, failing to grasp the logic of the draft bill, and chasing short-term political gains. The lack of substantive proposals and the obstruction of efforts related to security and the economy are especially condemned, which the speaker labels as "unseemly." In his estimation, this obstruction and hostility are "fundamentally wrong" when dealing with specific issues.
2024-09-17
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Strong opposition is directed at populists who undermine the country's reputation, ride the wave of prohibitions, and create the impression that the state is something separate from its citizens. The criticism is intense and focuses on the opponents' behavior in the Riigikogu (Parliament), condemning their ranting, finger-pointing, humiliation, and insults. Such behavior makes substantive work difficult or impossible.
2024-09-11
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fourth session, plenary session
Insufficient data.
2024-06-13
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Third Session, Plenary Session
There is no direct confrontation or personal criticism. The criticism is aimed at the procedural sluggishness and indecisiveness in adopting certain crucial financial solutions (such as a positive credit register and the supervision of credit and savings unions), which have been delayed for an unacceptably long time.
2024-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The targets of criticism are broad, encompassing the government, ministries, state agencies, and members of the Riigikogu who seek to increase spending or drag their feet on decision-making. The criticism is both policy-based (failure to cover costs) and behavior-based, accusing the opposing side of demagoguery, foolishness, and conduct that occasionally seems like "sabotage." The intensity of the attacks is high, raising suspicions of a lack of accountability.
2024-05-30
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting
Fierce opposition is aimed at the fiscal policymakers of previous years, who have been dubbed "the three deficit masters." The criticism targets both the policy itself (the persistent deficit) and their character, accusing them of laziness, political irresponsibility, and cowardice. He sharply criticizes those who suggest "doubling down on the foolishness" and are looking for scapegoats instead of resolving the situation.
2024-05-29
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
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.
2024-05-16
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Third Session, Plenary Session
The criticism is directed at state authorities that offer excuses instead of solutions, and against systemic market failures, such as unacceptably long permit processing times. Strong opposition is also aimed at those interested in oligopoly or monopolism, emphasizing that the Riigikogu must not be their "mouthpiece." The criticism is policy- and procedure-based, pointing to an unfair legal framework.
2024-05-15
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
There is no direct opposition or criticism aimed at specific political opponents. The first address poses a question to the minister aimed at clarifying contradictions in policy implementation, rather than launching an attack. The criticism is directed instead toward the practical difficulties of implementing the policy.
2024-05-08
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session.
Strong criticism has been leveled against the government for its lack of fiscal responsibility, specifically accusing one minister of focusing solely on spending rather than taking charge of the budget's soundness. A specific political confrontation involves the Isamaa party due to their opposition to abolishing the tax hump, which has been labeled an "extremely stupid decision." The opposition is being called upon to demonstrate sincerity and action, not just posturing.
2024-04-09
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The speaker avoids direct criticism of opponents but addresses concerns that have been raised regarding the bill's potential effect of driving the crypto sector out of Estonia. He takes a stand against the previous, overly lax regulation, which, in his estimation, drew service providers to Estonia who were not genuinely operating within the country.