Agenda Profile: Siim Pohlak
First Reading of the Draft Act amending the Riigikogu Election Act, the Local Government Council Election Act, and the European Parliament Election Act (292 SE)
2024-03-20
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political focus is heavily centered on the issues of reliability and transparency concerning e-elections in Estonia. The speaker voices strong criticism, calling into question the security of e-voting and its subsequent impact on voter turnout and support for political parties. The criticism is also aimed at the silence of the Estonian media on this subject, drawing a comparison with the Western media’s critique of Russia’s e-elections. This political stance is fundamentally value-based, underscoring the necessity of transparency and integrity.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates awareness of the international context of e-elections, citing articles from the Western media and Russia's experience regarding server failures. The expertise primarily involves raising critical questions concerning the impact of e-elections (turnout, benefit to political parties) and their transparency. Furthermore, awareness of the content of the explanatory memorandum and the commission's operational procedures has also been highlighted.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is critical and suspicious, utilizing strong comparisons (Estonia vs. Russia e-elections) and emotional expressions (e.g., "silent as a boar in the rye"). The speaker relies extensively on rhetorical questions to emphasize the alleged lack of transparency and to demand clarification regarding procedural bias. The tone is formal, yet sharp and demanding in content.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Information is scarce.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main targets of criticism are the supporters of the e-voting system, the Estonian press (for the alleged suppression of the topic), and the Riigikogu committee (for procedural bias in drafting the report). The criticism is intense and focuses on the lack of transparency and the use of double standards, especially when comparing Estonia with Russia.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Data is scarce.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on the national level (Estonian election laws and media coverage) and international comparison (Russia's and the West's media attitude towards e-elections). Specific attention to local or regional Estonian issues is absent.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Data is scarce.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Instead of social issues, the speaker focuses on questions concerning democratic processes and the integrity of elections, as well as the role and impartiality of the media.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on the draft bill amending the Electoral Act (292 SE). The speaker is acting as a critical opponent of the e-voting system in this context. The objective is to call into question the justification for continuing the system and to verify whether the committee's report impartially reflected all viewpoints, including those demanding the termination of e-voting.
3 Speeches Analyzed