Session Profile: Anti Poolamets
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fifth session, plenary session
2025-06-03
Political Position
The political position is strongly critical of the government’s infrastructure policy, particularly regarding the financing of Rail Baltic (RB) and the cuts to road maintenance, which are viewed as stifling the sector. It strongly supports the development of highways using the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and emphasizes the necessity of restoring housing loan support schemes for young families to improve the birth rate. It acts as a fierce opponent of the green transition, claiming that it wastes money and is detrimental to businesses.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding infrastructure financing and budgetary figures, citing specific amounts (e.g., €231 million versus €168 million allocated for road maintenance). They utilize technical terminology such as the PPP model and market failure, explaining their implications for the road construction sector and loans provided by the rural development foundation. Furthermore, they stress the lack of demand for Rail Baltic and the necessity for additional funding (exceeding €10 billion).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is critical and forceful, employing strong language (e.g., "a crazy situation," "leaving them to starve," "killing off the entire sector"). It combines emotional appeals (such as the birth rate and supporting families) with concrete facts and figures (budget cuts, the 1.3 fertility rate). Furthermore, it appeals to logic, stressing the impracticality of Rail Baltic and the inherent flexibility of road transport.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
He speaks at the plenary session, addressing the presiding officer, the deputies, and the public. He requests three minutes of extra time, which indicates a desire to present a thorough and expanded argument. Information regarding patterns of activity outside the Riigikogu session is unavailable.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main targets of criticism are the government's infrastructure policy and the green transition. The political attack is particularly fierce against "the notorious Autorollo minister, Keit Pentus-Rosimannus," who is accused of halting Martin Helme's PPP plan. Criticism is also leveled at the minister's optimism regarding the state of Rail Baltic, relying on evidence from the Latvian investigative commission.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation focuses on highlighting and supporting the political initiatives of former coalition partners (the government involving EKRE) and party colleagues (Martin Helme). It emphasizes the positive impact of the Rural Development Foundation loans, which was achieved during the EKRE government's tenure. Current cooperation with other political parties is not mentioned.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is directed toward national infrastructure projects and their impact on rural areas, specifically highlighting the closure of asphalt plants and the resulting job losses. It emphasizes the necessity of connecting larger settlements (Rakvere–Kunda, Tallinn–Haapsalu) using the existing railway infrastructure. Furthermore, it criticizes the planned Rail Baltic stops in locations with extremely small populations (the "Häädemeeste express").
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic platform supports infrastructure development through the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model and is strongly opposed to the costs of the green transition that negatively impact businesses. It favors flexible road transport and criticizes Rail Baltic as a project that lacks economic demand and is not financially viable. It supports state intervention in the housing loan market in areas experiencing market failure.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The focus is on the birth rate figures (1.3) and supporting young families in rural areas through housing loans to address a market failure. It is argued that housing problems delay people from having children, and a state co-loan is essential for bringing the birth rate back up to replacement level.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is directed at reorganizing the financing of the road maintenance plan and opposing the Rail Baltic project. A priority is the reintroduction of the PPP model for the four-laning of main highways. It supports utilizing existing railway infrastructure (e.g., Rakvere–Kunda) for passenger transport.
2 Speeches Analyzed