Agenda Profile: Anti Poolamets
First reading of the Draft Act (192 SE) on Amendments to the Research and Development Organisation Act.
2024-02-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting.
Political Position
The political position is strongly value-based and national, focusing on ensuring stable funding for national sciences (at least 10% of the state budget) and the preservation of Estonian identity. The speaker sharply opposes the internationalization and Anglicization of universities, seeing in this a threat to the sustainability of Estonian society and the quality of education. He emphasizes the need to reorient the research funding evaluation model "to face Estonian needs."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates a deep understanding of the funding systems for research and development (R&D) and the status of national cultural institutions, citing specific projects and the funding issues faced by archives (such as the Estonian Literary Museum) between 2020 and 2024. They use legislative terminology (Section 1 of the draft bill, the definition of national sciences) and are familiar with the practices of university internationalization, employing terms like "diploma laundering" and "educational tourism."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharp, critical, and emotional, conveying bewilderment and deep frustration regarding the current situation. Strong and negative figures of speech and metaphors are employed (e.g., "migration pumps," "Lumumba universities," "subcontractors for Arab countries"). In addition to logical arguments, the text utilizes examples of common ignorance (such as journalistic panic triggered by literary references) and personal experiences (like attending the University of Tartu).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively participating in the legislative process, addressing the first reading of a specific draft bill. He/She refers to previous actions taken when raising the same issues in the Riigikogu, stating: "We raised this issue here a few years ago."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary adversaries are university administrations, who are accused of constructing "migration pumps" and lowering the quality of education. Criticism is also aimed at proponents of Anglicization (Mrs. Sutrop) and the press, which is deemed culturally illiterate. The resistance is intense and principled, demanding an end to Lumumba-style practices.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker expresses hope for finding support for their positions ("I hope for your support"), emphasizing the need to focus on substance rather than building "migration pumps." The text contains no references to specific cooperation or a readiness to compromise with other political forces.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly on the national level, concentrating on the situation of Estonia's national universities (the University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology) and cultural institutions. The international level is discussed in a negative light, criticizing Estonia as a factory for European Union residence permits and a subcontractor for Arab states.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
It supports increasing and stabilizing state budget funding for national sciences and research conducted for the benefit of Estonia. Regarding higher education funding, it is considering the option of making certain profitable and popular fields of study (such as law) tuition-based, or utilizing student loans coupled with potential reimbursement upon the birth of children, in order to secure more funding for universities.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Among social issues, the preservation of Estonian identity, the quality of education, and uncontrolled immigration are in the forefront. The speaker is sharply opposed to the internationalization of universities, which, in his estimation, leads to the construction of "migration pumps" and "educational tourism," where foreign students are engaged in driving for Bolt and Wolt.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus centers on amending the Research and Development Organisation Act (Bill 192 SE). This amendment seeks to define national studies and guarantee them minimum state budgetary funding (at least 10%) at the statutory level. The speaker is a strong proponent of this bill, viewing it as a crucial step toward realizing the true potential of the national university.
3 Speeches Analyzed