Session Profile: Mihkel Lees
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
2025-09-10
Political Position
The political focus is currently on reforming the nation’s crisis preparedness and security. The speaker strongly supports the proposed draft legislation, which establishes a unified framework for crisis preparation and resolution, replacing the previously scattered regulations. This stance is policy- and system-centric, emphasizing clarity in the chains of command and assigned tasks, and is motivated by recent international events (specifically, the drone incident in Poland).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in crisis preparedness, legislation, and local government issues. He emphasizes the need to replace three laws with a unified framework and goes into detail regarding the regulation of civil protection and restrictions on fundamental rights. His personal experience as the former Deputy Mayor of Tartu lends weight to his analysis of the role of local governments.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is formal, structured, and logical, utilizing a systematic bulleted list (firstly, secondly, thirdly, etc.) to explain the advantages of the draft law. The tone is urgent, emphasizing the need to act immediately, referencing the Polish drone incident, yet remaining analytical and focused on systemic clarity. The speech concludes with the hope that clear foreknowledge of the limitations will increase trust between the state and its citizens.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Records indicate two identical speeches delivered during a single plenary session, centered on introducing and supporting a specific piece of legislation. The speaker stressed the intent to handle the bill thoroughly, yet with the utmost speed possible.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is directed at the previous fragmented and vague legal framework (three different laws, diffuse expectations for local governments), rather than specific political opponents. The former situation is described as bizarre, particularly concerning the failure to regulate civil defense.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker represents the stance of the Reform Party faction, thereby demonstrating intra-party cooperation. He/She expresses the desire for the bill to be processed thoroughly, yet as quickly as possible, in the Riigikogu (Parliament), citing the necessity for effective legislative cooperation.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is on local governments (LG), whose role in crises must be clearly defined and standardized. The speaker uses their previous experience as Deputy Mayor of Tartu to emphasize the importance of specifying the tasks of local governments and standardizing the level of crisis preparedness across Estonia.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic standpoints relate to the state's obligation to reimburse local governments for extraordinary costs arising from the execution of crisis tasks. This supports a national compensation mechanism aimed at ensuring the financial sustainability of local authorities during crisis situations.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is establishing a civil protection system that encompasses threat notification, evacuation, sheltering, first aid, and psychological support. Emphasis is also placed on clearly regulating the restriction of fundamental rights (freedom of movement, media, use of private property) during a crisis, while simultaneously guaranteeing safeguards and boosting public confidence.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative priority is the crisis preparedness bill, the objective of which is to establish a comprehensive and clear crisis management system. The speaker is a strong proponent of the draft law, highlighting five significant changes, including the codification of civil protection and the clear definition of local government responsibilities.
2 Speeches Analyzed