Agenda Profile: Evelin Poolamets
Draft law amending the Accounting Act and, as a consequence, amending other laws (516 SE) – third reading
2024-12-17
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Political Position
Strong opposition to the Draft Amendment to the Accounting Act (516 SE) and the accompanying sustainability reporting obligation. The political position is clearly value-based and ideological, framing the bill as the imposition of left-liberal values and a planned economy onto the business sector. The speaker emphasizes protecting entrepreneurial freedom from ideological demands and bureaucracy.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates familiarity with the substance of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requirements, referencing the scope of reporting (environmental, social, and governance domains) and estimated costs. They use technical terms like "sustainability reporting standards" and "IT systems," but shift the focus from details to ideological and economic damage. It is separately emphasized that the costs of implementing this reporting can reach tens or hundreds of thousands of euros annually.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The tone is extremely combative, troubling, and dramatic, relying on powerful emotional appeals. The speaker repeatedly draws parallels to communism, planned economies, and nationalization to underscore the danger and absurdity of the proposed bill. The style is confrontational, concluding with the question of whether the bill's supporters deserve shame or pity.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The data is limited to two speeches on a single day (2024-12-17) during the third reading of a specific bill. There is insufficient data regarding regular patterns of appearance or other activities.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main targets are "Brussels bureaucracy," left-liberal ideologies, and the members of parliament who support the bill. The criticism is intense, focusing both on the substance of the policy (ideological imposition) and the procedural aspect (linking the report to the annual financial statement is absurd). No willingness to compromise is expressed; instead, they are demanding the rejection of the bill.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speeches lack any reference to cooperation with colleagues, coalitions, or the search for cross-party compromise. The rhetoric is rather confrontational and aimed at convincing other MPs to vote against the bill, warning them instead about an ideological experiment.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on the national and international level, criticizing directives coming from Brussels and their impact on Estonian companies. Specific industries are mentioned as examples of those affected by the new requirements, including the metal industry, dairy farming, and train drivers, but a specific regional emphasis is lacking.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker strongly advocates for entrepreneurial freedom, profitability, and economic growth, while firmly opposing state regulation and bureaucracy. He criticizes sustainability reporting as an enormous additional cost that diverts corporate resources away from product development and innovation and towards fulfilling ideological requirements. Concern is also expressed regarding the interference of trade unions and employee representatives in strategic management, which is viewed as a step toward nationalization.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Strong opposition exists to social engineering and the promotion of diversity and inclusion (D&I) in business, which is characterized as the imposition of left-wing ideologies. Specific criticism targets requirements related to monitoring social genders and sexual orientations, ensuring cultural diversity, and creating conditions for religious (specifically Islamic) prayer times. The speaker warns that companies might resort to "renting homosexual executives" simply to avoid penalties.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative priority is the rejection of the Draft Act Amending the Accounting Act and Amending Other Acts (516 SE) during its third reading. The objective is to prevent the sustainability reporting obligation from taking effect, as it is viewed as ideological and unduly restrictive of entrepreneurial freedom. The speaker requested additional time to deliver their address.
2 Speeches Analyzed