By Months: Tõnis Lukas
Total Months: 11
Fully Profiled: 11
12.2024
10 Speeches
The speaker is acting on behalf of their parliamentary group (Isamaa), citing the group's proposed amendments to the Basic Education Act and their decision to leave their voting position open regarding the Education Act. They express hope that the Riigikogu will be able to reach a consensus on the issue of disenfranchisement, emphasizing the necessity of finding a unified direction.
11.2024
26 Speeches
The speaker acknowledges the agreement between the Minister of Education and the Union of Education Employees regarding the career model, although they criticize its funding. They refer to previous cooperation within the government (the state takeover of Lüganuse school) and are open to ideological debate, but they do not support the "conceptual bridge" forming between the Reform Party and the Centre Party concerning the remuneration of sports referees.
10.2024
12 Speeches
The speeches do not reveal any direct cooperation with other politicians, but rather a focus on challenging the decisions made by the government and its ministers. He points out that the opposition is not coordinating the questions they ask, but his goal is to oppose government policy, not to seek compromises.
09.2024
9 Speeches
The Speaker cooperates with colleagues in the faction when submitting interpellations and represents the decisions made by the Culture Committee. They express the desire to continue negotiations with teachers’ representative organizations concerning reforms to the education system, in order to ensure clarity and coordination of the process.
07.2024
13 Speeches
The speaker is taking a distinctly oppositional stance, demanding the rejection of the car tax and expressing a lack of confidence in the ministerial candidate. At the same time, coalition member Anti Allast is acknowledged for his integrity and sense of responsibility in participating in the debates, which suggests a high value placed on open and honest political communication.
06.2024
5 Speeches
The speaker referenced his party's (Isamaa) clear stance on maintaining EU unanimity and mentioned the party's proposal regarding the draft Basic Education Act. He supports the Riigikogu’s joint foreign policy statements in defense of Georgian democracy, demonstrating a readiness for consensual action on international issues.
05.2024
23 Speeches
The emphasis on cooperation in drafting Isamaa’s bills, alongside experts and the Language Board, demonstrates a readiness for professional, substantive work. However, he/she remains uncompromising toward the governing coalition, noting that the coalition voted Isamaa’s bill out of procedure. This is contrasted with the successful actions of previous triple alliances during difficult times (1999, 2008), highlighting the current government’s catastrophic failure of cooperation.
04.2024
23 Speeches
The style of cooperation emphasizes the need for whole-of-government responsibility, requiring that the entire cabinet address the issue of teacher salaries, not just the Minister of Education. Cooperation with Isamaa colleagues (Andres Metsoja and Helir-Valdor Seeder) in submitting interpellations is referenced. Furthermore, it supports cooperation between the state and local governments in creating "tailored" solutions for schools located in sparsely populated areas.
03.2024
19 Speeches
The speaker emphasizes the necessity of broad-based cooperation, particularly regarding educational issues, requiring the involvement of the Union of Educational Workers, local governments, and the entire cabinet. He notes that the Culture Committee reached a consensus on the topic of cultural infrastructure, but criticizes the government as a collective body incapable of taking shared responsibility.
02.2024
13 Speeches
The speaker, acting on behalf of the Isamaa faction in opposition, is focused on mandating and pressuring the government through draft resolutions. There is no willingness to cooperate, as the objective is to halt or alter the government's policy. The initiative by the Centre Party faction to change the composition of the ERR council was noted, but this was considered more of a procedural observation.
01.2024
17 Speeches
The speaker operates from the opposition, initiating draft resolutions of the Riigikogu (Parliament), but calls upon the government (the entire ruling coalition) for a joint effort to find the money needed to prevent the strike. He emphasizes the need to find solutions in cooperation with local municipalities to support rural schools, acknowledging that local governments do not always possess the necessary educational expertise. Reference is also made to the previous government's consensus decision regarding the transition to Estonian-language instruction.