Agenda Profile: Anti Poolamets
Second Reading of the Draft Act (344 SE) on the Amendment of the Riigikogu Election Act and Related Amendment of Other Acts
2024-04-17
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to e-voting and mobile voting, arguing that they undermine trust, secrecy, and facilitate vote buying. The political framework is value-based, emphasizing the reliability and technical auditability of democracy. The speaker warns Estonia against falling into "very, very bad company" (Putin's Russia, African dictatorships). The speaker also criticizes the governing coalition's attempts to restrict the political freedoms and procedural rights of Riigikogu (Parliament) members.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding election procedures, particularly the security risks and auditability of e-voting, citing US experts (Dr. Barbara Simons, Prof. Alex Halderman) and attempted hacking incidents originating from China and Iran. He/She stresses the necessity for even the average person, lacking specialized technical knowledge, to be able to exercise oversight of the elections. Furthermore, the speaker possesses detailed knowledge of the weak links in election administration, such as social welfare institutions and local instances of vote buying.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker's rhetorical style is insistent, critical, and confrontational, utilizing strong comparisons (African dictatorships, Putin's Russia) and highlighting a crisis of trust, given that 40% of the population does not trust the elections. He employs both logical arguments regarding the necessity of auditability and anecdotal examples (Rakvere, Hungarian election observation) to illustrate breaches of secrecy. Trusting e-elections is ironically referred to as "believing in a black box," and the climate issue is labeled "a matter of faith."
5 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active in the debate on amending the Riigikogu Election Law, participating intensely in procedural disputes and stressing the discussion's necessity for the protocol. He/She refers to his/her earlier activity as an election observer and attempts to launch a police investigation concerning the Rakvere vote-buying case.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the Reform Party and the governing coalition (Hendrik Terras and Mr. Kivimägi are named), who are criticized for their e-voting policy and the imposition of procedural restrictions in the Riigikogu. The criticism is intense, accusing the opponents of restricting political freedoms and recalling that the Reform Party itself used "illegitimate procedural delays" when it was in opposition.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker cites the positions of other critical voices (Leo Kunnas, digital activist Märt Põder) to bolster their arguments concerning the crisis of trust surrounding e-voting. There is no mention of direct cooperation or a readiness to compromise with other political parties in this particular debate; instead, the focus remains squarely on opposition.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker focuses on the Rakvere local elections, using them as an example of widespread vote buying (40 euros for filling out an electronic ballot) and the police's inability to expose it. He links this regional problem to the national issue of trust in e-voting, claiming that mobile voting will make vote buying even easier.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Not enough data
5 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The speaker highlights the vulnerability of residents in social care institutions, whose ID cards and votes are being misused, especially concerning individuals nearing dementia. He/She stresses the difficulties in guaranteeing ballot secrecy during home voting, where the entire extended family is present. Furthermore, the climate topic is addressed, which the speaker frames as a matter of faith, not science.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on considering the draft bill to amend the Riigikogu Election Act (344 SE), particularly concerning the expansion of e- and mobile voting. This is significant because it sets a precedent for the Riigikogu’s operations for the next 10 to 20 years. The speaker had initiated an amendment proposal related to regulating the voting procedure within social welfare institutions.
5 Speeches Analyzed