Agenda Profile: Anti Poolamets
First Reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Language Act (161 SE)
2024-01-24
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The speaker adopts a firm position on the language issue, emphasizing the need to raise fines because current measures are failing and the situation has spiraled out of control. This stance is value-driven, focusing on ensuring the availability of Estonian-language services and addressing concerns about the "Russification" of the service sector. He/She vigorously supports the draft law that would toughen penalties for violations of language requirements.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates practical awareness of language control mechanisms, referencing the Language Inspectorate (Keeleamet) and the ineffectiveness of the fines. This expertise is based on personal experience reporting violations and on-the-ground feedback, not on statistics. He/She is aware that the Language Inspectorate does good work, but the fines themselves do not have sufficient impact.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The tone is anxious and insistent, employing emotional evaluations like "hopeless" and "out of control" to describe the situation. The speaker relies on anecdotes and personal experiences (including quoting a deskmate) to justify the need for legislative change. The speech concludes with a direct question posed to the presenter, awaiting their assessment.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker notes a consistent pattern in reporting violations to the Language Board, which suggests continuous personal intervention in resolving language issues outside the Riigikogu chamber. He/She is aware of the Language Board's responses and feedback.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The direct criticism is aimed at the actions of service providers, which have led to a situation where Estonian-language service is unavailable, and at the ineffectiveness of the existing fine systems. The speaker criticizes the situation where service has become "Russified." Specific political opponents are not named.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is based on open dialogue, quoting a colleague ("deskmate Ants Frosch") and posing a question to the presenter, expecting an assessment of the situation from them. He/She also refers to polite communication with the Language Board, showing appreciation for their work.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is strong, emphasizing that the problems with Estonian-language customer service are not limited to the capital but have also spread to Southern Estonia. Specifically, Otepää Maxima, Võru, and Tallinn are highlighted as examples.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
There is insufficient data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social concern revolves around the status and availability of the Estonian language within the service sector, emphasizing worries about the "Russification" of customer service. The speaker considers the availability of Estonian-language service to be a situation that has gotten completely out of hand.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on supporting the draft bill (161 SE) to amend the Language Act, with the goal of increasing fines and improving the enforcement of compliance with language requirements. The speaker is clearly a proponent, emphasizing the need to tighten the law because existing fines "do not work."
1 Speeches Analyzed