Agenda Profile: Anti Poolamets
Draft Law on the Organisation of Research and Development and Innovation (554 SE) - First Reading
2025-02-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to the government’s plan to establish an Innovation Policy Council, fearing that it will lead to the ideologization and centralized management of science. This stance is value-based, emphasizing the lack of academic autonomy and the concern that funding will be directed toward purely ideological subjects, such as the green transition and federalization. The speaker views the draft bill as a threat to the independence of science, arguing that "everything is controlled by money."
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of the mechanisms of higher education funding and governance, utilizing concepts such as "autonomy" and "ideologization." The specific focus is on the draft legislation concerning the organization of research and development (R&D) and its influence on the orientation of universities. Specifically, the potential ideological bias in the research directions of legal studies and the social sciences is mentioned.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly aggressive and accusatory, employing sarcasm and hyperbole (e.g., the reference to 150 genders) to discredit the opponent. The speaker uses rhetorical questions and emotional appeals to underscore the fear of science becoming ideologized. The tone is direct and confrontational, focusing on calling political motives into question.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
There is too little data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opponent is the Government of the Republic and the Minister of Science, who are criticized both for policy (the creation of the Innovation Policy Council) and for personal ideological standpoints. The criticism is intense and includes accusations of promoting pseudoscience and the ideological steering of science. The opposition is principled and uncompromising, accusing the government of the political instrumentalization of science.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is too little data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on the national level (governance of higher education and science) and the international level (studying the development of the European Union into a federation). Specific regional or local topics are absent.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic standpoints focus on funding research and development, with a preference for decentralized decision-making processes and autonomy. Opposition is voiced against using funds to impose ideological directions (such as the green transition), fearing that this distorts scientific priorities.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Social issues are being raised as an example of the government's ideological steering, sharply criticizing the Science Minister's alleged position on gender matters (referencing 150 genders). The topic is framed as "pseudoscience" and dangerous "innovation," which points to strong conservative opposition to contemporary gender discourse.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on opposing the draft Act on the Organization of Research and Development and Innovation (Bill 554 SE). The speaker is a strong critic and opponent of the bill, concentrating on how the new Innovation Policy Council will begin directing and ideologizing science.
1 Speeches Analyzed