Agenda Profile: Anti Poolamets
The Minister of Culture's 2025 presentation on the implementation of the state's long-term development strategy "Estonia 2035" (including the implementation of "The Fundamentals of Estonian Sports Policy until 2030")
2025-04-22
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political position is strongly oppositional, criticizing the government’s cultural policy for reducing funding for high culture and prioritizing "palaganikultuur," or low-brow spectacle. Key themes include the preservation of national cultural traditions, the wages of choir conductors, and fierce opposition to liberal gender ideology promotion and trans ideology. The focus rests on value-based criticism and emphasizing the government's operational inefficiency, particularly during an era of heightened security threats.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of cultural education, highlighting specific statistical data on the decline in the number of choir conductor graduates (from 12 to 2 per year). He/She also uses data concerning the military fitness of young men (40–45% meet the requirements) and refers to the experience of a member of the National Library Council regarding the need for digitalization. Furthermore, the speaker brings up sports ethics and legal precedents, referencing the British Supreme Court decision concerning the rights of biological women in elite sports.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, critical, and pessimistic, employing strong emotional and derogatory terms such as "farce culture," "trans madness," and "slop bucket." The speaker blends statistical data (e.g., graduate numbers, defense force statistics) with moral and national appeals, emphasizing the danger and failure of the government's actions. He repeatedly uses contrasts (value culture vs. farce culture) and directly addresses "good left-liberals."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is participating in the discussion of the minister's presentation and refers to meetings with dance and choir conductors held as part of the campaign "A Choir Conductor is a Profession." He/She also mentions his/her role as a member of the National Library Council, which points to institutional activity in promoting the digitalization of cultural heritage.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the coalition, the Minister of Culture, and "left-liberals," who are accused of destroying traditional values and fostering the "woke circus." The criticism is intense, ranging from political decisions (funding, cuts to extracurricular education) to moral accusations (betraying Ukraine, spreading gender propaganda). Separately, ERR and ETV are criticized for gobbling up the state budget and mediating the culture of farce.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Cooperation is emphasized with representatives of the cultural sector, referencing support for the salary campaign of the Estonian Choral Conductors' Association and the Folk Dance and Folk Music Society. There is a lack of data regarding inter-party cooperation or willingness to compromise with the government, which is accused of ignoring cultural leaders.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is national, although the underfunding of rural cultural institutions (museums) and the loss of jobs are highlighted. Separately, criticism is leveled against the Tartu European Capital of Culture project for becoming cheapened. A specific appeal is made to save the film set of "Truth and Justice" in Rõuge municipality in Southern Estonia, with the goal of promoting tourism and culture in the area.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views focus on the inefficient use of the state budget, criticizing the allocation of large sums (e.g., 56 million for ETV) toward entertainment at the expense of high culture. Fair wages are demanded for specialists in the cultural sector to prevent the profession from dying out. The government’s approach to Ukrainian refugees is criticized as utilitarian, seeing them merely as a labor reservoir.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The focus on social issues includes strong opposition to trans ideology and "gender propaganda," which are considered damaging to the mental health of young people and degrading to women in sports. The teaching of 20 social genders in 8th-grade learning materials is criticized. Immigration is addressed negatively, with accusations that the government is "hijacking" Ukrainian refugees and ignoring their identity.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is directed toward accelerating the digitalization of cultural heritage and increasing funding for Estonian films, even though the success of the film rebate fund is acknowledged. Priorities also include restoring funding for hobby education and raising the salary level of choir conductors and dance teachers to ensure the continuation of the Song Festival tradition.
2 Speeches Analyzed