Session Profile: Anti Poolamets
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
2025-04-22
Political Position
The political position is strongly value-based and oppositional, focusing on the protection of national culture (high culture) and opposing liberal "trash culture" and gender propaganda. The speaker criticizes the government for treating Ukrainian refugees merely as a labor reservoir, rather than respecting the national identity. The stance is strongly confrontational and accusatory, emphasizing an era marked by security threats and the decline of moral values.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the cultural sector, citing statistics on the education and salaries of choir conductors (noting the drop in the number of graduates from 12 to 2 per year), as well as drawing on the experience of a National Library Council member regarding digitalization. Furthermore, data from the Defence Resources Agency is utilized concerning the health status of young men entering military service (with only 40–45% meeting the requirements). Expertise is also shown in the areas of sports ethics and the decline of the folk dance field.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is extremely combative, accusatory, and emotionally charged, utilizing sharp and stigmatizing phrases such as "palagan culture," "trans frenzy," "slop bucket," and "male deceivers." The speaker contrasts "value culture" with the "spectacle of the woke," appealing to national values and conscience. Logical arguments (statistics) are interwoven with an emphasis on moral panic and urgency.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is participating in the plenary session, presenting criticism regarding the Minister's reports. They reference earlier meetings with representatives of the cultural field (choir conductors, dance leaders) and mention their work as a member of the National Library Council.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opponents are the coalition, the Minister of Culture, and "left-liberals," who stand accused of lying (regarding refugee status), betraying the national identity, and disseminating "crazy gender propaganda." The criticism is intense and values-driven, directly accusing the opposition of degrading women and destroying high culture. Compromise with the liberal cultural agenda is ruled out, as it has been branded the "age of madness."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Insufficient information. The speaker refers to support for cultural sector interest groups (choir conductors, dance leaders), but does not mention cooperation with political colleagues or other parties.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
Even though the focus is national, they highlight the underfunding of culture in rural areas and counties, along with the loss of jobs specifically in those rural regions. Special emphasis is placed on boosting tourism and culture in Southern Estonia, specifically in Rõuge municipality, by preserving the filming location of "Truth and Justice."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views center on the allocation of the state budget, criticizing the channeling of millions toward "frivolous culture" (e.g., ETV 56 million, Tartu Capital of Culture) at the expense of valuable culture. There is a demand for better appreciation of professions in the cultural sector (choir conductors, dance leaders) and salaries commensurate with their education. Criticism is also directed at the government's desire to use Ukrainian refugees as a reservoir of cheap labor.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
In social matters, the speaker is extremely conservative, sharply opposing the "trans craze" and "gender propaganda" that have infiltrated 8th-grade study materials (20 social genders). The importance of biological sex in sports is stressed, citing a British Supreme Court ruling, and liberal culture is accused of degrading women. Furthermore, the government's integration policy is criticized for utilizing Ukrainian refugees as a labor force while disregarding their language, culture, and identity.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
Legislative efforts are concentrated on accelerating the digitalization of cultural heritage to improve the accessibility of books and documents for use in classrooms. There is also a call to preserve the filming location of "Truth and Justice" in Rõuge municipality, and greater attention is demanded for the funding of Estonian domestic films.
2 Speeches Analyzed