Agenda Profile: Mart Maastik
Interpellation to the Government of the Republic concerning plans to increase immigration (No. 614)
2024-04-01
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to the government’s plans to increase immigration, viewing it as a threat to the survival of the nation-state, language, and culture—a stance derived from the preamble of the constitution. The government’s actions in addressing the immigration and birth rate issues are deemed irresponsible and lacking priorities, with emphasis placed on the need to resolve the demographic crisis by supporting native families. This political framework is clearly value-based and cautionary, pointing to the negative consequences of the "Swedish model."
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge regarding the historical quotas of immigration policy (0.1% of the population, or 1,300 people) and integration costs, citing previous experience with adaptation programs within the Ministry of the Interior. Specific figures are presented concerning the costs of establishing and maintaining the European Union Talent Reserve Directive (15 million for establishment, 8 million annually), along with the expected cost to the Estonian state (200,000 – 300,000 euros per year). Examples are also given regarding the lack of Estonian language skills among Bolt/Wolt workers.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is extremely worried and cautionary, using strong imagery such as "vicious circle," "on the path to extinction," and referencing the Swedish example of "the worst nightmare" and "exploding bombs." The appeal is balanced, containing both logical criticism (lack of budgetary resources, ministerial incoordination) and an emotional plea regarding the necessity of preserving the nation-state. The tone is formal, but sharply critical in content, accusing the government of being in a state of "headless confusion."
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is an active opposition watchdog, having initiated an interpellation regarding the Government of the Republic's plans to increase immigration. Participation in the Economic Affairs Committee is mentioned, where the EU Talent Pool Directive was discussed.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary targets of criticism are the government coalition as a whole, and specifically the Minister of Social Protection, Signe Riisalo, and the Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology, Tiit Riisalo. They are accused of promoting immigration without taking into account the associated costs and consequences for internal security. The criticism is aimed both at their political stance (treating immigration as a silver bullet) and at their procedural incompetence (a lack of budgetary resources and poor coordination between the ministers).
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The cooperation is evident in the signing of the interpellation alongside Riina Solman, which points to collaboration between factions or colleagues within the opposition. The speaker also refers to proposals put forward by the opposition (family benefits), which the governing coalition is unwilling to hear or consider.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily on national and international issues, especially the preservation of the Estonian nation-state and European Union directives. Swedish social problems (ghettoization, exploding bombs) are used as a cautionary example. The risk of segregation in major cities is also mentioned.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker is skeptical about immigration’s supposed positive effect on the economy, stressing that it is a costly project for the taxpayer, leading to significant additional expenses (social benefits, security, language training). The preference is for fiscal responsibility and increasing the birth rate by raising our own taxpayers, rather than importing foreign labor. Criticism is also directed at the major imbalance between the number of available jobs and the number of workers, as well as costly EU initiatives.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The central social theme is the demographic crisis, the solution for which is preferably sought through supporting local families and large families via family benefits, rather than through immigration. Strong emphasis is placed on issues of internal security and integration, warning against the risk of segregation and ghettoization if adaptation programs and language learning are not mandatory and sufficiently funded.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on the supervision of government activity through parliamentary inquiry, concentrating specifically on the transparency of immigration quotas and the associated costs. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of making adaptation programs and language instruction mandatory for immigrants in order to prevent internal security issues. Reference is also made to the issue of family benefits as a priority measure for increasing the birth rate.
4 Speeches Analyzed