Session Profile: Tõnis Mölder
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
2024-11-20
Political Position
The political focus is currently on restricting the voting rights of Russian and Belarusian citizens in local elections. The speaker strongly supports this measure and is, in fact, the initiator of the bill. He emphasizes the critical need to prevent a scenario where these restrictions fail to take effect before the 2025 local elections. The speaker criticizes the political showmanship and stresses that any constitutional amendment must serve the interests of the Estonian state, not the interests of political parties.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in legislative procedures, especially regarding the requirements for amending the constitution and legal disputes related to the promulgation of laws. He focuses on legal analyses, bottlenecks in implementation, the President's points of deliberation, and the positions taken by the Chancellor of Justice. Furthermore, he is cognizant of past ambitions to restrict voting rights, including from holders of the grey passport.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is formal and analytical, encompassing both praise for the draft ("extremely good and sympathetic") and concern regarding its implementation. The speaker employs rhetoric that contrasts genuine intent with political theater, emphasizing the necessity of broad consensus. He/She is also optimistic, yet simultaneously warns of the dangers of potential backlash and getting bogged down.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participates in the plenary debate, repeatedly posing detailed questions to the rapporteurs and the committee chair. They mention having had to attend a meeting in the interim, which points to a demanding schedule. The speaker is also familiar with the discussions of the Bureau.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism targets the political duplicity and the "theater" playing out between the coalition and the opposition, where factions are constantly jockeying for position and prioritizing their own interests, thus preventing consensus. He/She also referenced the opposing side's previous ambition (the removal of voting rights for 'gray passport' holders), questioning why that idea was dropped.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker himself is the initiator of one of the bills and strongly emphasizes the necessity of reaching a reasonable compromise and achieving precise wording regarding the two similar drafts. He calls for a broad consensus that transcends inter-factional disagreements, stressing that this is a prerequisite for amending the Constitution.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
Not enough data
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Not enough data
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is the restriction of voting rights for Russian and Belarusian citizens in local elections, which is being addressed in the context of national security and constitutional order. The speaker also warns of possible social backlash if the law enters into force but is not implemented in a timely manner.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on the constitutional amendment drafts concerning the restriction of voting rights in local elections. The speaker himself initiated and supports one of these drafts, emphasizing the need to extend the procedural timeline to find a compromise and ensure the law is implemented before the 2025 elections. He is calling for legal analyses to be carried out and for the potential risks of implementation to be assessed.
4 Speeches Analyzed