Agenda Profile: Anti Poolamets
Inquiry regarding labor productivity, Estonia's competitiveness, and cheap labor (no. 742)
2025-05-19
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
Political Position
The political position heavily focuses on Estonia's economic lag behind Latvia and Lithuania and its declining productivity. The speaker expresses strong opposition to government policies, criticizing both the reliance on cheap labor and the regulation associated with the green transition, which they label as totalitarian. This is performance-based criticism that demands an explanation for the country's poor economic performance.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in analyzing data related to labor productivity, international competitiveness, and immigration. Comparisons are drawn with Latvia and Lithuania, and immigration statistics are cited ("more than twice as many foreigners entering the country") to illustrate the failure of the government's policy.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaking style is sharp, critical, and confrontational, employing rhetorical questions and phrases such as "lo and behold" and "your story doesn't add up." The regulation is described using the highly emotional term "totalitarian regulation," highlighting the contradiction between logic (data) and the government's actions.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
We only have data concerning a single appearance, which took place during an interpellation in the Riigikogu.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opposition is aimed at the government, which is facing criticism for its cheap labor policies and the resulting drop in productivity. The Green Transition is especially fiercely attacked, being viewed as totalitarian regulation that will inevitably lead to businesses shutting down. The criticism is based on both policy and performance.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is no data on willingness for cooperation or compromise; the stance is purely critical and demands explanations.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national competitiveness and economic lag, using Latvia and Lithuania as benchmarks.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views are strongly opposed to the cheap labor strategy and excessive regulation, which stifles productivity and forces businesses to shut down. They support economic policies capable of boosting productivity and outperforming neighboring countries. Criticism is leveled against the government's assertion that the state should not regulate, especially given the extensive regulation being implemented under the green transition.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Among social issues, immigration is addressed, but this is done exclusively in the context of economic productivity, comparing the immigration and productivity ratios of Estonia and Latvia.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The focus is on government accountability and demanding explanations regarding the decline in productivity and the impact of Green Transition regulations on businesses. The speaker is more critical of the regulatory actions taken by their adversaries than they are an initiator of new legislation.
1 Speeches Analyzed