Session Profile: Mart Maastik
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
2024-12-02
Political Position
The political stance is strongly opposed to the government's energy policy, specifically targeting offshore wind farm projects as threats to economic competitiveness and taxpayers. The criticism highlights the contradiction between the government's actions and its rhetoric, particularly concerning the outrageously high final cost. The speaker rejects the narrative that the economic recession is solely attributable to the war in Ukraine and the resulting gas supply disruptions. The political framework is primarily performance-driven, emphasizing the government's failure to stimulate the economy.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the energy sector and infrastructure financing, utilizing specific data and technical terminology. He presents detailed calculations regarding the implausibility of the projected industrial consumption growth (2 TWh vs 12 TWh) and highlights specific financial metrics (e.g., the 330 kV line, 7 billion euros in total costs, and 2–5 billion euros in subsidies). Furthermore, he is knowledgeable about the impact of Euribor on state loans and the financing mechanisms for CO2 quotas.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is critical and insistent, expressing concern about the future ("what scares me more is what will happen in the future"). Both logical arguments (financial data, comparison of neighboring countries) and strongly emotionally charged expressions ("debt bondage," "self-deception") are used. Although the speaker accuses the government of failing to listen to the opposition, he nevertheless concludes on a hopeful note directed toward the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker repeatedly references earlier questions and discussions on the same subjects ("asked repeatedly," "talked about extensively"), which demonstrates a consistent pattern of engagement in the Riigikogu specifically concerning energy and Saaremaa issues. They are active in the debate, posing direct questions to the minister and requesting additional time to present their arguments thoroughly.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary adversary is the government, which is being criticized for actively interfering with businesses and for ignoring the concerns of both the opposition and entrepreneurs. The criticism is aimed at specific political decisions (offshore wind farms, tax increases) and the rejection of the government's narrative regarding the causes of the economic recession. The government's actions are described as "the opposite" of what should be done, and its policies are resulting in the taxpayer's "debt servitude."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker supports the idea put forward by other parties regarding state regulation of the windfall profits banks have made thanks to Euribor, demonstrating openness on specific issues. However, he/she stresses that the government is listening neither to businesses nor the opposition, which points to a current lack of cooperation with the government.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is strongly regional, centering on the offshore wind farm planned for the Saaremaa coast and the associated infrastructure. Attention is drawn to the cost of the high-voltage line planned along the Saaremaa coast, the damage to nature that is vital for local residents, and the health hazard posed by establishing wind farms just 10 kilometers from the shoreline.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic outlook focuses on restoring competitiveness, standing against tax increases and the high cost of energy driven by subsidized projects. They support state intervention to regulate Euribor profits and to build essential infrastructure (excluding Rail Baltic) using loans to boost the economy, citing historical examples from the USA. The overall stance is pro-business, criticizing government interference in entrepreneurial activities.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Attention is drawn to social issues, specifically highlighting the negative impact that the construction of offshore wind farms and power lines has on the health and living environment of local residents. This includes mentioning the necessity of clearing hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest to build the power lines, as well as the visual pollution and health risks associated with the offshore wind farms themselves.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on opposing major government projects (such as offshore wind farms and Rail Baltic), particularly concerning their financing and overall cost. Furthermore, state regulation of bank profits is being promoted to minimize lending risk associated with public investments. The speaker is a strong opponent of the government’s current investment and energy policies.
3 Speeches Analyzed